Forbes.com - Boo Hiss
December 29, 2006
I was following a link on Google News to an article on Forbes.com about Microsoft and RSS. On the page was a video player that started playing video with sound right after the page loaded. I have always hated these self starting videos, especially ones with sound. I don’t need that going through my office when I’m just trying to read an article. To make matters worse, this video box had NO stop button. I couldn’t shut it off. Best I could do was lower the volume. There was so much advertising and junk on the screen anyway, it was almost impossible to find the article. That’s the last time I ever go to Forbes.com.
Social Networking for Podcasting - The New digg.com
December 28, 2006
I really like what digg.com has done with their new podcasting support. This is social networking for podcasting done right. Podshow, Blubrry and everyone else pales in comparison. Just look at the difference in site design and usability. Not even close. Podshow looks like too many cooks in the kitchen. Blubrry looks like not enough cooks in the kitchen. Digg has always had that perfect balance between functionality and usability.
Skype Dudes at it again
December 28, 2006
First it was Kazza, than Skype. For their next trick, Internet TV! These guys have a knack for knowing what to do next and they always do it well. I’m excited because I love the prospect of tv delivered via the Internet. I don’t know how these guys are going to pull it off with iTunes and all the networks wanting to do their own thing, but I wish them best of luck.
The Connected World Podcast #12
December 4, 2006
I forgot to mention the Blackberry in the last podcast, so I talk about it here. Also, a review of my new cell phone, the Palm 680.
Cingular Video Download Service
December 1, 2006
Cingular already has Cingular Video, a streaming video service you can get for an additional $5 a month, but rumors now say Cingular may be planning on a video download program. I would have no interest in such a thing. I am still not convinced of video on cell phones. For very short clips I could see but certainly not anything like a tv show or movie. Cingular Video already offers short clips, so I don’t see what a download service would do for me. It’s a perfect example of a solution looking for a market.