Episode 29: Informality of Job Searching, Comcast, and Cuil
July 29, 2008
Astute listeners may notice that there is no Episode 28. There is somewhere - accessible - but we decided we were going to do the good communist thing and control the message. It was a bomb last week with technical difficulties, etc. So… there is no official Episode 28.
Welcome to Episode 29, though. Geoff and I kicked off the discussion talking about job searches and a story originally posted in the Wall Street Journal. The story talked about how many college grads are playing it a little loose in their job searches, using shorthand, etc. I wrote about it on Technosailor. You can also read what Jen Nedeau, who was quoted in the story, had to say on her blog.
We moved into the New York Times story discussing Comcast and their Twitter personality, Frank Eliason (aka @comcastcares). Geoff is a bit skittish of this new found new media presence being a lasting (and changing) effort within the Comcast organization. Does good customer service on one hand actually speak to a cultural change across the board?
Finally, we discussed the new Cuil (pronounced “cool”) search engine that members of the traditional media branded as a Google-killer. Bloggers drank the kool-aid too. However, Jeremy Tanner called in to discuss the FAIL aspect of this engine. I think we all agree here.
Enjoy!
Episode 27: Summize Was on the Wrong Coast
July 15, 2008
With today’s announcement of the acquisition of Summize by Twitter, Geoff and I lamented the loss of an east coast technology company. More importantly, Summize was a DC Tech startup (but strangely, no one knew about them being here until today).
With Thursday nights Twin Tech Party, celebrating the social media scene AND the veteran technology community fostered by the Northern Virginia Technology Council, we wanted to make sure the Summize Twitter guys knew about it and hope they can make it. I personally would love to congratulate them.
To be clear, let no one say that you can’t start a company in D.C., that you can’t get funded in D.C. and that you can’t have a successful exit in D.C. These guys didn’t sit around drinking beer with us in classic cliché DC social media parties. They quietly went about building their [very young] business, forging strong partnerships and made a very quick, and lucrative (maybe) exit.
Aaron also ranted about everyone shooting Guy Kawasaki over Frienderati on Alltop. The “a-list” is listening, but people bitch nonetheless. Guess it makes them feel important and powerful. However, as a testament to the fact that Guy does listen, as if he hasn’t proven it before, people like Shey are now listed. For the record, the better way to handle complaints would have been to email Guy asking to be listed. He’s good like that. ;-)
Episode 26: Punk Rock, and Oh Yeah, Twitter, FriendFeed and the Washington Post
July 9, 2008
Aaron gave Geoff grief on Canada day, and then explained how he insulted the entire country. Apparently, Aaron does this frequently.
Twitter discussion this week revolves around Summize. Will Twitter use $26 million in venture funding to buy Summize and fix its replies function. Geoff says Twitter needs to fix its f*%&ing social network.
Geoff says bad deal, Aaron says good deal. Plurkers largely say no good. Watching twitter is like watching Something About Mary, a fool bumbling all over themselves.
We prattled on about FriendFeed for a while. Whatever. Neither of us see it as the saving grace that Scoble does.
Great discussion on punk rock ensues with phone chat from several participants started by Adam Zand. Geoff’s favorite punk rock bands… Clash, NWA, Sex Pistols, Social Distortion, and Public Enemy.
The New York Times breaks news on Washington post new chief Editor Marcus Brauchli. State of the post discussion continues. Are they going national business? Also, discussion of use of interns as primary writers and a general loss of quality.
Episode 25: Flamewars in the Blogosphere (oh and Happy Canada Day)
July 1, 2008
Happy Canada Day to our Canadian listeners. And three days from now, Happy Fourth of July to our American audience. As the show falls on July 1st (Canada Day), I started my first solo show (Geoff was in Canada, of all places) with Meg Fowler’s 10 Things That Are Better About Canada is Better post.
After some laughs, I offered my commentary on flamewars in the blogosphere and you can find this commentary, in its entirety, here.
At the end of the day, I think we can all safely agree that no one is trying to sanitize people and make them non-confrontational. Confrontation is good for the blogosphere and good for dialogue. If everyone agreed, this would be a very boring life.
However, the key to these disagreements is respect. Tobias Bray, one of our callers, pointed out that there is often a disconnect between people on the internet because there exists a cable between us and few take the time to meet and interact with people we disagree with in a face to face manner.
Listen to the show and provide your feedback.
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