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Friday, November 30, 2007

David Tamés interviews Marshall Herskovitz

Quarterlife

Go listen to David Tamés interview Marshall Herskovitz at Art Film Talk #23 Marshall Herskovitz, Quarterlife:
Marshall Herskovitz and Edward Zwick have been producing high-quality television (My So Called Life, thirtysomething) and film (Legends of the Fall, Blood Diamond) for quite some time. Recently the duo launched Quarterlife, a contemporary coming of age series being streamed on the web along with an integrated social network. A significant aspect of the show is that unlike most television properties today, the producers retain full creative control and ownership. In addition to being available on MySpace and their own web site, they recently made a deal with NBC to air the show next year. I talk with Herskovitz about the origins of the project, its significance in the context of the writers strike, and what's different about producing for the internet compared to traditional film and television. Related to this interview is "Are the corporate suits ruining TV?," an editorial by Herskovitz which appeared in the Los Angeles Times on November 7, 2007 in which he argues that Network control and media consolidation are wringing the creativity out of entertainment. Photo credit: Elisabeth Caren/quarterlife, the Art Film Talk theme music was composed by Colin Owens.
This was such a great interview. I'm glad to hear Marshall Herskovitz talk about how he is going give credit to and pay for viewer submissions that are sent in via the Quarterlife site.

Great interview David.

Boston Media Makers - Next Meeting: Sunday December 2nd

Boston Media Makers at Sweet Finnish

Next Meeting: Sunday December 2nd - Boston Media Makers:
"Sweet Finnish
761 Centre Street
Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts 02130

Mingling 10:00 - 10:30
Roundtable Discussion 10:30 - 12:00 Topics for the meeting:

LIVE Twitter: We go around the table and talk about what we are do, ask questions, present a show and tell. All within a 3 minute time limit.

It’s fun. EVERYONE IS WELCOME!"
Come by...

I Veotagged my Vlog Soup


I Veotagged my Vlog Soup - Originally uploaded on flickr by stevegarfield.

Check it out:
Vlog Soup: Downers Grove - Veotagged.

Mitt Romney is a Cylon



Check out the video on 23/6 where they caption the CNN/YouTube Republican debate.

23/6: Some of the news, most of the time.

Thursday, November 29, 2007

The Future of Internet TV according to Brightcove

Jeremy Allaire, Founder/CEO & Adam Berrey, SVP Marketing of Brightcove write Internet TV Platforms Come of Age:
"As we come to the end of 2007, it’s time to reflect on the forces that shaped the Internet TV industry during the last year and the trends that will define it in 2008."

Comcast TiVo DVR Service Begins Shortly

Comcast DVR

Comcast to Charge $2.95 Extra for TiVo DVR Service:
"Comcast will charge subscribers $2.95 extra per month if they opt for TiVo-based digital video recorder service and the operator will “aggressively market” the service, TiVo president and CEO Tom Rogers said, in prepared remarks for the company’s quarterly earnings announcement Wednesday. Rogers noted that Comcast has made TiVo-enabled DVRs available in “some non-employee subscriber homes” in the operator’s New England territory, and said that “full marketing efforts will begin shortly in the greater Boston area.”"
Dear Comcast,
You really don't need to market to me. I've already put my email address into your online TiVo page.

I'd like to have a realtionship with you, but right now I feel like it's only one way.

I give and give. But don't get much back.

I know you provide me a service day in and day out, but you really don't listen to me when I talk.

I feel like you don't value our relationship.

You're always out on the town, looking to pick up someone new, while I sit at home.

Please think about how you are treating me.

Call me.

--Steve

via [ Shelly Palmer ]

Nightline's interview of Gary Vaynerchuk



Gary Vaynerchuk is great.

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

techPresident Liveblogged the CNN debate



Joshua Levy from techPresident liveblogged tonight's CNN/YouTube Republican debate with a software solution from CoverItLive.

I just took a look and it's very cool. In addition to his blogging, visitors to techPresident were able to participate.

2006 Gruner Veltliner, Austria


2006 Gruner Veltliner, Austria - Originally uploaded on flickr by stevegarfield.

Watch Spices of Life Bargain White Wines Revealed.

Join Nina Simonds and Wine Writer Ann Trieger as they showcase two bargain white wines from Austria and New Zealand that Gary Vaynerchuk would love!

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

I'll be on pulverTV: today at 2PM EST

The Jeff Pulver Blog: Watch pulverTV: Tuesday November 27th at 2PM EST / 1900 GMT / 2000 CET:
"Watch pulverTV: Tuesday November 27th at 2PM EST / 1900 GMT / 2000 CET The next edition of the Jeff Pulver Show, my LIVE (unscripted) Internet TV Talk show on pulverTV will be airing on Tuesday, November 27th starting at 2PM EST / 2000 CET. My scheduled guests include: Steve Garfield ( SteveGarfield.com), Christopher S. Penn (Financial Aid Podcast), Ariel Schwartz (Living Room Productions), Erik Stripparo and Hilary Mason (NewBCamp)."
Watch pulverTV.

Here I am on Jeff Pulver's online show talking about Spices of Life and giving tips about shooting and editing.

I also talk about Boston Media Makers meetings that happen each month in Jamaica Plain where we talk about making media. Yay! Come by on Sunday December 2nd at 10 AM.

Open foreign policy discussion with Senator Barack Obama



10:00am EST
Panel: Restoring America's Military After Iraq

11:00am EST
Barack Obama
A Clear Choice for America: The Obama Foreign Policy

Monday, November 26, 2007

We don't have to care - we're the MBTA

I read this in yesterday's Boston Globe and as I thought about it some more I decided to share my thoughts here.

The T is spending $4 million to help provide information to passengers, but they don't seem able to require T workers to announce a train's destination.

It's that old, "We've never done it that way" syndrome.

Orange Line

Passenger says MBTA offers inadequate information on train's destination - The Boston Globe:
"The T currently is spending $4 million to install new track assignment boards at Back Bay, South Station, and North Station that will display departure times, track assignments, and train status, and a new train-arrival-tracking system, she said. "When both systems are in place, train arrivals and departures will be automatically displayed on terminal displays, something that cannot be done today." New public-address systems will be installed as part of the overhaul. Work at North Station was completed this month; South Station should be done by early next year (2008) and Back Bay by June, she said.

Conductors are expected to announce their train's destination as they arrive at each station platform and it's 'especially critical' they do so at Back Bay and Ruggles Station, Rivera said. The authority is aware that 'some do, some don't' and welcomes feedback from customers. With the new systems in place, passengers will have other ways to get train information and not have to rely on conductors, she said."
Wouldn't the solution be to REQUIRE all conductors to announce their train's destination, and then check to make sure they are doing it?

Carpentry Problem of the Day

I need to build a platform for a dishwasher.



Image Not to Scale created with SketchUp for free.

It needs to be 17 7/8" x 22 1/2" x 2".

I have one 8' 2x4.

I'm going to cut four pieces out the 2x4 to make the sides of the platform.

How long does each piece need to be?

Extra credit:
Do I need to add additional lumber to make the platform 2" high?



Update, here's the platform:

Open Source Film


Stray Cinema is a site where THEY shoot al the video and YOU edit it.

What Is Trade For Portfolio?

What Is TFP?:
"Many photographers, models, makeup artists, and so forth do shoots on a “TFP” basis. Some do strictly TFP, some do a mix of TFP and pay shoots. What should you expect from a photographer who wants to shoot TFP? What exactly is TFP?"
I'd heard this before but never knew what it meant.

The Too Many Candidate Blues


The Too Many Candidate Blues - Originally uploaded on flickr by stevegarfield.

Watch The Too Many Candidate Blues on Cup O Politics.

My Mother and her Car


My Mother and her Car - Originally uploaded on flickr by stevegarfield.

Read her post about The Gift.

Sunday, November 25, 2007

A Foot in the Door - New York City, 2007


(VIDBLOG) A Foot in the Door - New York City, 2007 from justin on Vimeo.

Justin Johnson's video that makes you sit back and say "Whoa!"

Watch this video on Vimeo to see it in HD quality.

Leveraging Yesterdays Technologies for Tomorrows Innovations

Aaron Brazell looks at Utterz, Twitter and a site that's new to me Tripit, Leveraging Yesterdays Technologies for Tomorrows Innovations:
"So let’s look at some successful companies that have real life application, that were built on the back of yesterday’s technology."
Have you used these sites?

I use Utterz and Twitter.

Saturday, November 24, 2007

Video: Hello Utterz


Testing out a video upload. "Hello Utterz."

Mobile post sent by stevegarfield using Utterz Replies.


Update:
I've notified Utterz that there is no sound. Revver also had a problem encoding Quicktime videos that had been recorded directly from an iSight camera. Something to do with audio on only one channel.

Friday, November 23, 2007

Sam Adams Brown Ale and the worst cash register


Sent from my iPhone




Mobile post sent by stevegarfield using Utterz Replies.  mp3

Vlog Soup: Downers Grove


Vlog Soup: Downers Grove - Originally uploaded on flickr by stevegarfield.

VIDEO: Watch Downers Grove.

Celebrate Buy Nothing Day


Celebrate Buy Nothing Day - Originally uploaded on flickr by stevegarfield.

Buy Nothing Christmas is not really about refusing to spend a dime over the holiday season. It’s about taking a deep breath and deciding to opt out of the hype‚ the overcrowded malls‚ and the stressful to–do lists. It’s about reminding ourselves to really think about what we are buying‚ why we are buying it‚ and whether we really need it at all.

adbusters.org/metas/eco/bnd/

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Steve Garfield on Jonny's Par-tay


Steve Garfield on Jonny's Par-tay - Originally uploaded on flickr by stevegarfield.

I had lots of fun on Jonny's Par-tay.

Watch:

Brady/Moss '08

Getting out of the supermarket


Sent from my iPhone



Mobile post sent by stevegarfield using Utterz Replies.  mp3

Grocery Shopping for Thanksgiving


Sent from my iPhone



Mobile post sent by stevegarfield using Utterz Replies.  mp3

Quarterlife: Watch it Online



Just saw David Tamés' post 'Web Video: Move Over, Amateurs' in my Bloglines aggregator, clicked over, read the post, then clicked over to Quarterlife and watched episode one.

There it is, embedded above.

It's good.

And there's a community over there.

Jeremy Allaire talks about Browser Based Video



This is a very interesting video interview with Brightcove's Jeremy Allaire from the recent TechCrunch meetup in Boston.

Allaire talks about the reach of in-browser video players vs. desktop viewers and aggregators.

In the interview he talks about the Brightcove player, some P2P initiatives and the difference between the in-browser experience vs. players like Joost.

My main video aggregator now is the free, open source, Miro player, and I've subscribed to a number of can't miss shows with it, but have recently watched some them online via links on blogs and twitter, Epic-FU for example.

I watched the recent episode on YouTube after Steve Woolf twittered about it.

Note: This episode has 694,472 views as of this posting. Whoa.

The downloaded episode I have waiting for me in Miro will just be deleted.

Steve also pointed me to the YouTube video because of all the conversations happening over there in the comments. 998 comments right now. That's a lot.

What's your experience been with desktop video players vs. in browser video players?

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Election 2008: The Feline Point of View


Election 2008: The Feline Point of View - Originally uploaded on flickr by stevegarfield.

Cup O Politics - Election 2008: The Feline Point of View.

In our continuing effort to present all points of view today we look at the presidential campaign through the eyes of Phil Johnson’s cats. Take a look. [ PG-13 TV-PG Language ]

Boston and snow



Sent from my iPhone

Mobile post sent by stevegarfield using Utterz Replies.  mp3

Chat With Me LIVE on Wednesday night with Jonny Goldstein


Action! - Originally uploaded on flickr by stevegarfield.

Par-tay with Steve Garfield, this Weds, Nov 21, 9PM EST:
Come chat with Steve Garfield, emerging auteur filmmaker, the Paul Revere of Videoblogging, founder of Boston Media Makers, nation trotting evangelist of DIY media this Wednesday on Jonny’s Par-tay.
What: Jonny’s Par-tay, the live interactive web video talk show
Who: Steve Garfield, Jonny Goldstein, and you
How to watch: Just go to jonnygoldstein.com
Interactivity: Interact via the live chatroom and if you have a webcam and an operator11.com account, we can even put you on via video.
When: 9PM EST, Wednesday, Nov 21

Amazon.com : Amazon Charity Wish Lists


I've been thinking about letting my family know that this year I'd like them to make donations to charity instead of buying me gifts.

It's a good idea that more people should think about during the holidays.

Our family likes to use Amazon.com : Amazon Gift Central for our Wish LiIsts.

I'd like to be able to designate some charities, that I'd like donations made to, on my Amazon.com Wish List.

Isn't that a good idea? Hello Amazon.com?

Here's are some of my favorite charities for your consideration:

Oxfam
Amnesty International
Doctors without Borders
The Sharing Foundation

The Jimmy Fund
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Lupus Foundation of America
AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Research

Creative Commons
Electronic Frontier Foundation

Institute of Contemporary Art - Boston
Photographic Resource Center at Boston University

Hulu: The Family Guy


I just watched The Family Guy on Hulu. You can watch it right here.

What do you think?

I've got no problem watching TV on a computer. 20:42 is a perfect length, with commercials.

Monday, November 19, 2007

Farecast Saved Me $150 on Airfare


I just used Farecast to check out my options for a flight from West Palm Beach to Boston.

For the times I wanted, Jet Blue had a flight for $234 and AirTran had one for $93.

When I got to the AirTran website, the $93 fare was on sale with a Web Special price of $84.

That's a savings is $150.

With the savings, I decided to upgrade to an exit row for an additional $20, so I still saved $130.

Carol Keeps Her Distance From A Horse


Carol Keeps Her Distance From A Horse - Originally uploaded on flickr by stevegarfield.

Thursday, November 15, 2007

NewTeeVee Live


NewTeeVee Live - Originally uploaded on flickr by Laughing Squid.

This photo is licensed under a Creative Commons license.
Photo credit as "Scott Beale / Laughing Squid

NewTeeVee LIVE


NewTeeVee LIVE - Originally uploaded on flickr by stevegarfield.

Best quote of the conference:
"Digital is regurgitated media online, interactive has community," Quincy Smith, CBS Interactive

Lindsay Campbell is Following Me in Real Life


Lindsay Campbell is Following Me in Real Life - Originally uploaded on flickr by stevegarfield.

Lisa Nova at NewTeeVee LIVE


Lisa Nova at NewTeeVee LIVE - Originally uploaded on flickr by stevegarfield.

Etrade Financial: Little Risk Of Bankruptcy

Cash Register

When you do a search for Etrade news on Google, all you get are older negative stories.

The news has taken a positive turn. Frederic Ruffy writes Sector Watch: Banking on the Brokers - Optionetics Commentary:
"a rebound in shares of Etrade Financial (ETFC) also helped. Earlier in the week, on Monday, shares of the online broker plunged $5.04, or 58.7%, to $3.55 after warning of write-downs tied to subprime mortgage securities. However, Tuesday, analysts at BMO Capital came to Etrade’s defense. According to an article on Bloomberg (ETrade Bankruptcy is “Highly Unlikely” by Jeff Kearns, November 13), the analyst believes the online broker can absorb $1 billion in write downs and there is little risk of bankruptcy. In addition, given the recent decline in the share price, there is a better chance of a takeover. TD Ameritrade (AMTD) is reportedly in talks to acquire ETFC, according to the Wall Street Journal. Shares of Etrade Financial stabilized and then rose $1.45, or 40.9%, on Tuesday."
MarketWatch also has better results with more current and positive news about Etrade.

E-Trade scores double-digit gains on big volume

You got to be an intelligent consumer of news on the web if you want to make smart decisions.

Monday, November 12, 2007

Giselle at Seesmic


Giselle at Seesmic - Originally uploaded on flickr by stevegarfield.

San Francisco Morning


San Francisco Morning - Originally uploaded on flickr by stevegarfield.

Stuttering and blurry videos, NOT

I'm tired of media reports that call online video "stuttering and blurry." It's just not right. Video are not, as a rule blurry. If producers compress them correctly web video can look great, HD quality even. As for stuttering, that depends mostly on your internet connection speed.

Here's the article: New Intel chips promise to improve online videos - The Boston Globe:
"SAN FRANCISCO - Intel plans to announce a family of microprocessor chips today that it says will speed the availability of high-definition video via the Internet. Sean Maloney, Intel's chief marketing officer, said the chips' increased computing power would begin the transformation of today's stuttering and blurry videos, the staple of YouTube and other video streaming sites, into high-resolution, full-screen quality that will begin to compete with the living room HDTV."
Watch some video on the net that doesn't look so bad over here:

Epic-Fu - Art+Tech+Music for Geeks
RGTV News - Independent Video News From Around The World

Depending on your connection, videos might stutter, but all you have to do on a slow connection is pause hte video until it completes loading, and then play it. No stuttering.
Vimeo HD