Episode 20: Plaxo, LinkedIn, Comcast, Twitter and Technosailor

Aaron’s turning 40, according to Geoff. That’s only partially true. Actually, Technosailor.com just turned 4. Livingston Communications, Geoff’s firm, is a sponsor. He notes that next week they are launching a new service they are calling a “Social PR Firm” that transcends typical social media marketing and communications.

Aaron asks Geoff what the best way to move into this venue of Social PR if you’re not focusing primarily on social media. Geoff thinks it depends on the stakeholders. At the end of the day, social media is a tool and not the end-all, be-all of communications.

Aaron talks about how he is trying not to refer to his site as a blog, and instead, as a site. The concept of blog vs. media property.

Geoff segues into Twitter pitching. Every time he comes online on Twitter, he’s getting pitched by people. He’s tired of it. I don’t blame him. But unlike him, I’m not taking time off from Twitter.

Can you take off from Twitter? It didn’t work for Hugh Macleod who came back after a very small amount of time because all his business contacts were there.

Caller Tobias Bray calls in and shares some insights. He asks, why do you go to a social network? Why do you do it and what do you get out of it? Toby compares Twitter pitches to multi-level marketing efforts.

The Mac Mommy was chomping at the bit to talk about the Comcast-Plaxo deal. Geoff thinks it’s “Shiny Object Syndrome” that causes Comcast to buy a crappy service such as Plaxo.

Toby, who has history in the cable industry, thinks that Comcast is trying to remain relevant in the the social space.

Aaron has a bright idea and thinks Comcast is trying to get the massive address books database to tie into their phone service.

Regardless, no one really has a clue what the Comcast play means or what the end goal is.

Aaron wonders who LinkedIn goes to and Mac Mommy asks, “Where’s the beef?”

Then the show went downhill… You’ll just have to listen to it. ;-)

Episode 20 - MP3

Episode 14: Doing An About Facebook

Today on District of Corruption we talked about:

• Geoff’s “tat-gate” scandal at Blogger Social.
• Aaron says Facebook is done, and removed his profile. We discussed whether the social network has peaked, and the value of presence marketing.
• Chris Suspect called in to talk about Facebook, and said MySpace is better now
• Silly Valley: Google is no longer an innovator.  Analysis of the techmeme story on google app engines or file systems.
• TechCrunch and other news orgs are old.  We need new, fresh analysis
• We’re planning on doing a Pirate Show from PodCamp DC

Episode 14 - MP3

Episode 12: When “Community” is offensive. And Odeo.

Jimmy Gardner fills in for Geoff who is off traveling for a client.

Jimmy explains some of his thoughts on community and some of the pushback that he’s gotten as he’s focused on the DC Tech community. Community is a perception of what is around us.

Maybe we need to stop using the term “DC Tech Community” and less loosely define it as “tech”?

Did I just call Geoff my “normal” cohost? Is he really all that normal? ;-)

We get Greg Gershman on the horn to tell us about Odeo’s acquisition of Blogdigger. He then goes on to tell us about the new Odeo. I ask him to stop beating around the bush and tell us how the new Odeo will change our lives.

Is Odeo building out the DC digs and do they need staffing?

Chicks love blogs.

Then we get into Social Times and this post about Twitter being too full of junk. Debates the difference between Social Times in DC and other similar type blogs elsewhere.

Then Geoff calls in from his super secret mission to somewhere. Busts our balls.

We’re so fragmented. Politics, small business, our own community. How can we be better stewards of what we have.

Episode 12 - MP3

District of Corruption #8: Twitter, Scoble and Coworking

Great show today. Let’s get into it.

We kicked off the show discussing Twitter. Is it really a legitimate network with less than 1% of the U.S. population? Can it really scare? Why shouldn’t Twitter be more along the lines of a protocol that other companies and innovators can build on? Geoff had a post that stirred up some controversy along these lines today.

Scoble is complaining that tech bloggers aren’t talking about politics. Has he seen the DC community? Only in DC will social media people get together to watch political results come in on Super Tuesday.

Alex Hillman who was the founder of Independent’s Hall joined us to talk about coworking. He discusses how the Philly community transitioned from huddling at cafés to a full fledge community, how they are able to cover their expenses at minimal impact to the community.

Episode 8 - MP3

Episode #2: Astroturfing in the District

• The internet has been down(ish)
• Last week’s show has been fantastic. 77 live listeners; 72 archive listeners; 11 callers
• Astroturfing in the District of Columbia
  • Social media being something that doesn’t need to be deceptive
• DC Twits Twitter Group
• Cloverfield Tweetup Friday, January 18. 3pm meet for happy hour at Clydes. 5pm showing at Gallery Place.
• Twitter is the facilitator of “things”
• Caller: Keith
  • “You guys are sounding more polished this week”
  • Why Go Solo update.
• Silly Valley: Should Gizmodo have gotten booted from CES for their TV-B-Gone prank?
  • Aaron: “I thought the stunt was hilarious”
  • Geoff: disagrees
  • Caller: Annie “Companies may have lost so much money fron the stunt”

• Macworld wrapup

Episode 2 - MP3