More Best of the Web 2.0: link from neat techie video podcast

/in /by

I decided to browse some of the video podcasts on iTunes and sure enuf found a tech video program that was actually chock full of useful information and especially web links. commandN‘s holiday episode included a link that complements the one below, “Top 10 Innovative Web 2.0 Applications of 2005.” And I also appreciated the link to LibriVox.org for free audiobook downloads! Thanks, Amber, Mike, Jeff & Brian. Good show. Keep up the good work.

Awesome Free Online Applications

/in , /by

The Open Source movement is alive and well and if you’re not aware of all the great online software that’s out there for free, here’s a great Christmas/Holiday present for you: This page has reviews and links to some of the best online “Web 2.0” applications. From free network disk storage (eat your heart out .mac) to collaboration tools, the great to-do list manager mentioned below, online word processors that let you share and collaborate on online docs, online calendars, and more. Honestly, this is great software and all you need is a web browser (Mac folks, Firefox is highly recommended!) and an Internet connection. Enjoy! (And thanks to Jim Pringle for this great link.)

Brightcove (+ AOL + Barry Diller): Illuminating More Online Video Distribution (Great Flash too)

/in /by

No time to write this up this AM, but my “video-video” juices are flowing… (FYI, I produced two videos about the desktop video revolution in the ’90’s). The announcement today of AOL and Barry Diller’s deals with a start up called Brightcove of Cambridge, MA, lead me to their site and their excellent Flash presentation on why online distribution of video is the next wave. It’s EXCELLENT and highly recommended. From what I can tell, these guys very much have it together. Check it out at Brightcove.com.

Tivo Makes a Convergence Connection with iPods and Sony PSP to Play Video

/in /by

The promise of digital video providing a convergence of all kinds of video sources has remained mostly that, a promise. But, finally, with Tivo’s announcement today that it will be providing customers with the ability to playback programs recorded on it’s devices on Apple iPod and Sony PSP portable video players, maybe we’re finally starting to see real video convergence… Stay tuned.

Another Google Disruption: Free Site Statistics

/in /by

A visit to one of the top website traffic statistic packages, Urchin and urchin.com, now delivers this logo, “Google Analytics” and an auto-forward to http://www.google.com/analytics/. Further, to make their acquisition of Urchin even more disruptive, Google is now offering this top package (which we use at ComBridges) for that magic Internet four-letter word: FREE.

Read the Information Week story, “Google Offers Web Analytics for Free”

An Emmy for the Leading Role in Mobile Video (cell phones, iPods, etc.)

/in /by

I dunno. Seems kinda early to me, but I guess a trend is a trend and the National Academy of Televison Arts & Sciences wants to be part of it. NY Times reports: “And the Emmy for Best Actor on iPods Goes to …”

Warner Brothers Diggin’ Digital for Development of Music Talent

/in /by

Before I could even draft my post about major “disruptive” technologies, a major record company announced its new initiative to “validate” talent via Internet marketing. You gotta love that it’s a psychedelic relic, Jac Holzman, who’s master-minding this effort. Doesn’t it make you think twice when one of the big boys is ” trying to use the Internet to produce and distribute music in ways that circumvent the usual channels…” ?

To quote Holzman from the Washington Post, “‘Physical product has its place in the world,’ but using the Internet is a faster and cheaper way of searching for and validating talent, said Holzman, a longtime proponent of independent music who made it big by signing the Doors on the Elektra music label in 1966.” Maybe these old guys will finally “get it” after all. 😉

Washington Post: Warner Music Turns to Web

Bush Meets Dalai Lama Despite China’s Objections

/in /by

Way to go, George! 😉

Read the Reuters report

Video Blog = “vlog” or video webcasting for the rest of us

/in /by

As someone who has been writing about and even producing videos about the democratization of media and the infinite possibilities for grassroots media & video for over ten years now, Apple’s new ipod combined with the blogger’s self-publishing and self-syndication platforms… not to mention podcasting… had to lead to video blogs. I was just wondering what they’d be called. Well, they’re here. They’re called “vlogs” (pronounced like “blogs” but with a “v”) and it couldn’t be anymore democratic.

For example, FreeVLog.org is brought to you by the smiling faces shown here (Ryanne Hodson & Michael Verdi). Their site has tutorials on how to distribute your personal videos (or vlog) via the Internet and Blogger etc. and even the offer of free tech support via help@freevlog.org.

Their preferred “platform” includes what claims to be the “first video aggregator… and the best place to find video made by real people,” Mefedia.

To get you into the spirit, not to mention the attitude, here’s FreeVLog.org’s definition and explanation of why you might want a vlog: “A vlog is a videoblog and you want one because, let’s face it, they’re not going to put you on TV. Besides, not playing that game is what makes this so much fun. You can do whatever you want.” Get it?

If so, you might also want to link up with vlogdir.com, a vlog log or directory; VlogMap.org, which uses Google Maps and Google Earth to display vloggers worldwide; and/or videobloggers.org, another free hosting service and vlogosphere content aggregator.

Beyond Skype for Internet Phone Calls

/in /by

I decided to investigate this after reading that Gizmo Project was an Editor’s Pick in the Wired magazine “Test” issue. They say that Gizmo Project has better sound quality than Skype. No doubt it’s a much prettier looking application (Mac, Windows or Linux). It also includes FREE voice mail, IM integration, conference calls, and a one-click record button that should make it a natural for low budget podcasters. Also, I’m enthusiastic that Gizmo Project is totally committed to open standards.

So, I finally broke down and just ordered a USB headset from Headsets.com. I’ll let you know how it all works for me, but if you haven’t made the plunge into free and/or very low cost Internet telephone calls, this could be the techno ticket. Lemme know what you think.