From 0 to 31 million in 4 months August 31, 2006
Posted by Angus in Web2.0.add a comment
This is the most talked about YouTube video and shows the amazing power of the new new web. The simple concepts of rating, ranking, adding to favourites, sending to a friend, etc have made this clip almost unstoppable.
The Latest News from the Maddest Bunch August 30, 2006
Posted by Angus in Jou Ma se News.1 comment so far
I have forgotten to add the last few editions of Jou Ma se News – so here’s one from last week.
Episode 111 – ‘Pope we work too hard’
Enjoy the sicko news.
Mark Shuttleworth talks about Ubuntu update flaw August 27, 2006
Posted by Angus in Uncategorized.add a comment
Mark Shuttleworth, the founder of Ubuntu, writes. “As a team we made a series of errors, and the result was a desktop that was broken for thousands of users, for several hours. It has been a severe lesson in QA.”
I think that Mark Shuttleworth has been a great ambassador for South Africa in the notoriously vicious and fickle IT industry. His work at Canonical on Ubuntu, the HBD Foundation and other initiatives have shown how the balance between commercial interest and social responsibility can be done really well – without the ego. Also good to see how he’s used the Thawte sale proceeds to go on to bigger and better things.
The ‘What is Web2.0?’ Discussion has started August 25, 2006
Posted by Angus in Web2.0.add a comment
South Africa is just entering this space so a number of key concepts have been missed on Warwick Ashford’s article on ITWeb on Web2.0. My response/comments:
1. The power is moving to the edge of the networks in that participation by users is becoming more important and more anti-establishment (all incumbents are battling with this – the news organisations, national broadcasters, etc). Try out Digg, YouTube or Gizmodo to see this in action. The opinion-based blogosphere is also a good example of this.
2. Data in and Data out. Easy methods of exchanging data with systems and between systems. This is seen in more companies publishing their API’s – like Google Maps and Amazon. Its also important for users to be able to extract data from systems – like iCal file exports.
3. Content Syndication – this is the key! RSS, Atom and XML have made the distribution of content simple and effective. Try blogs, podcasts and news sites for this – and use Newshutch or the redeveloped Google Reader to consolidate and manage your RSS feeds.
4. Simplicity in design – away with clutter and muck, in with simple, fast, interfaces that are alive – try the Digg Swarm on digg.com.
5. Idea to execution – programming languages like Ruby on Rails have cut development time significantly – and these are skills that SA needs to develop.
The new Real News August 14, 2006
Posted by Angus in Podcasting.add a comment
This is a very strange and very funny look at the news in South Africa – Jou Ma se News.
No holds barred satire mixed with a good dose of complete garbage makes for a interesting look at what the ‘real news’ could sound like. 2 minute updates twice weekly from some seriously disturbed comedians.
Real Mobile Blogging August 10, 2006
Posted by Angus in Mobile.add a comment
Interesting development from Blogger and SonyEricsson -integrated blogging software in the new K800i allows photos taken with its 3.2megapix camera to be easily uploaded to your Blogger blog. Slick demo site here.
This is going to be the start of a whole range of similar initiatives. It also is the first time that publishing from a phone is as easy as 2 simple menu selections within the native phone menu. I can also see that the development of java apps that do similar things will become more popular.
Some podcasts are hard to do… August 6, 2006
Posted by Angus in Podcasting, TWiT, Web2.0.2 comments
I’m a huge fan of Leo Laporte and the network of podcasts that he runs – with This Week in Tech and Inside the Net being my 2 favourites.
However, there is one podcast that I really should be enjoying – but can’t seem to click with the hosts. Josh and Co’s Web2.0 Show covers a topic that I love, but their interviewing manner and strange interaction leaves me disengaged. Their first 8 shows were enough for me – but I think its time to give them another shot.
For me podcasts don’t need extremely slick production, the podcasters just need to be comfortable and natural behind the mic – which I suppose we get from Leo and Co from their years in broadcasting.
Who was the TWiT? August 4, 2006
Posted by Angus in TWiT.1 comment so far
This week’s TWiT was a little disappointing – with Leo battling to control Jerry the geriatric. That aside, it has its usual mix of great Bay Area skinner and postulating.
Tomi Ahonen was also in town – his Keynote at First Tuesday’s VMC was a repeat of the workshop sessions. That’s okay though – repetition is sometimes a good thing to get a concept deeply ingrained.
His new book – Communities Dominate Brands looks like it will be a good read.
