So two things...
Thanks to the commenters for rocking out. No one has my back refers to my immediate life, as opposed to my life at large. My immediate little circle of goodness that I see frequently and talk to frequently, no one has expressed true support in my eyes. REGARDLESS, I heard an awesome quote today... some astronomers from the early days of astronomy that discovered all the different kinds of stars and the sort (Galileo, etc) said they had to stand on the shoulders of people that came before them to see new ideas. I feel kind of like that. I think I'm standing on the shoulders of people around me to see some new ideas. I'm sure people do have my back (Especially J, Josh, Kerry, Christoph, Alex, the list goes on...) but some folks in my immediate circle were pissing me off, which resulted in the anger filled (and excessive) blog post. Sorry if I pissed you off, I was probably not talking about you if you're reading this blog. It's people that don't read my blog, and I was venting.
As for the other thing... J is one of the funniest kids EVAR, and I just realized that in my google reader refresh (I switched RSS readers from Newzcrawler to Google's wonderful reader) I forgot to bring along his site to the goog. Now I did, and I'm so glad I did.
Example of his brilliance?
He want's backup dancers.
Yeah, he's awesome, right?
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Monday, November 27, 2006
Smil gave me a frwn
Smil is an xml markup language. Basically, it tells video files what to do, kind of like a playlist. The only prob being, it doesn't transition smoothly between video files as I'd like. So I've either got to figure out how to command flash to do my bidding via XML, OR, figure out a better way to make Smil transition properly between video elements. I guess I could always white flash for a few frames and do it cheezy, but then there's no gaurentee that the video won't be jittery. I'm going to do some research into flash playlisty stuff with XML. Wish me luck!
Things I'm thankful for
So on this post-thanksgiving black friday, let me breakdown exactly what I'm thankful for, and provide perspective on why I'm thankful for such things.
a) Trials
Weird choice to be first, eh? I've had my share of life trials, and I'm sure they'll continue. For now, they've seemed to subside, but I expect they'll be back.
b) Spirit
the spirit, and as a subset my spiritual life in general. The spirit of God is how I try to live my life. When I ask questions, He answers through the fruits of the spirit [Gal. 5:22]
b) Family
Kind of a subset of trials sometimes =) but family is the first material thing I'm thankful for. Over the last year, I've come to understand more how I need my family. I need them, and I can't live without them.
c) the Internet
Greatness! Creating opportunities that didn't exist before. With the Internet, I've had a bunch of opporunities I wouldn't have had, had I lived even five years prior. Big ups the internet, and all my internet dawgs (Jason C, Peter R, Ryan B (All Three of em) C.K. S)
d) Nathan Nelson
Enabling my dreams, just like the internet. He's seemingly come out of no where, and now as a big advisor for me, he's helping me achieve my dreams.
By the way, my eyes are this crazy shade of red, because I was coughing so hard my blood vessels burst. Sorry for the imagery.
This blog post took a long time, so I'm also breaking down other thoughts: Cinemax has all six star wars episodes!!! IN HD!!! Yeah, I want it now.
a) Trials
Weird choice to be first, eh? I've had my share of life trials, and I'm sure they'll continue. For now, they've seemed to subside, but I expect they'll be back.
b) Spirit
the spirit, and as a subset my spiritual life in general. The spirit of God is how I try to live my life. When I ask questions, He answers through the fruits of the spirit [Gal. 5:22]
b) Family
Kind of a subset of trials sometimes =) but family is the first material thing I'm thankful for. Over the last year, I've come to understand more how I need my family. I need them, and I can't live without them.
c) the Internet
Greatness! Creating opportunities that didn't exist before. With the Internet, I've had a bunch of opporunities I wouldn't have had, had I lived even five years prior. Big ups the internet, and all my internet dawgs (Jason C, Peter R, Ryan B (All Three of em) C.K. S)
d) Nathan Nelson
Enabling my dreams, just like the internet. He's seemingly come out of no where, and now as a big advisor for me, he's helping me achieve my dreams.
By the way, my eyes are this crazy shade of red, because I was coughing so hard my blood vessels burst. Sorry for the imagery.
This blog post took a long time, so I'm also breaking down other thoughts: Cinemax has all six star wars episodes!!! IN HD!!! Yeah, I want it now.
Confidence
I've got a post in the queue about thankfulness, so I'll get to that momentarily (sometime today or tomorrow.)
In the meantime, let me unleash a little rage that's been building up inside of me.
No one has my back in this life.
I'm starting a business. When I hear things like "You don't have to quit your dayjob," or "That's great and everything, but it's always good to be secure," it's a backhanded compliment at best, and a strike at who I am at worst.
The only person who believed in me is gone now. My brother ryan once wrote me a letter that said something to the effect of "No one said I could do radio. I did it. No one said I could do sports TV. I did it. Everyone said there wasn't any money in MMA. I found it. You can do it if you want to. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise." He also gave me a keepsake watch that says that to me every time I look at the time.
I'm doing it, and if it takes me closing my ears/eyes from all of my family and friends, I'll do it. I'm going to live my dreams. You can't stop me, so please try to be supportive and see the same vision I do. If I fail, what happens? I get another regular job. Stop pulling me down with your negativity. This isn't a little pet hobby project, it's my life. If you disrespect what I'm doing, it's disrespecting me directly. I'll still love you and everything, but you know, when you get torn down on things that are so close to your heart, you only stay open and take the punishment so much.
In the meantime, let me unleash a little rage that's been building up inside of me.
No one has my back in this life.
I'm starting a business. When I hear things like "You don't have to quit your dayjob," or "That's great and everything, but it's always good to be secure," it's a backhanded compliment at best, and a strike at who I am at worst.
The only person who believed in me is gone now. My brother ryan once wrote me a letter that said something to the effect of "No one said I could do radio. I did it. No one said I could do sports TV. I did it. Everyone said there wasn't any money in MMA. I found it. You can do it if you want to. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise." He also gave me a keepsake watch that says that to me every time I look at the time.
I'm doing it, and if it takes me closing my ears/eyes from all of my family and friends, I'll do it. I'm going to live my dreams. You can't stop me, so please try to be supportive and see the same vision I do. If I fail, what happens? I get another regular job. Stop pulling me down with your negativity. This isn't a little pet hobby project, it's my life. If you disrespect what I'm doing, it's disrespecting me directly. I'll still love you and everything, but you know, when you get torn down on things that are so close to your heart, you only stay open and take the punishment so much.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Paying for hosting!
Wow everyone! Huge milestone today... as my site paid for it's own hosting.
Lemme give you a minute for that to sink in. I've made a whopping $8 off of my site.
Yeah, that's right. $8. That's three different ad networks combined.
$8 per week, $40 per month! Not too shabby of a start! Now I've just got to make sure my site continues to rock.
If you haven't checked it out yet, what are you waiting for?!
http://www.techcheckdaily.com
Lemme give you a minute for that to sink in. I've made a whopping $8 off of my site.
Yeah, that's right. $8. That's three different ad networks combined.
$8 per week, $40 per month! Not too shabby of a start! Now I've just got to make sure my site continues to rock.
If you haven't checked it out yet, what are you waiting for?!
http://www.techcheckdaily.com
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Calacanis to leave AOL?
Wow.
If you come here for my insightful and interesting life, please pause for a moment while i discuss some geek-related news.
Tech Crunch drops the bomb, says my former boss, Jason Calacanis, is leaving Netscape/AOL.
Do I believe it?
Yes.
If you look at his blog posts over the last little bit, he's drifted away from the social news angle he once held. Now, instead, he seems to be posting a lot about wikipedia and Jimbo, arguably wikipedia's founder.
I'm going to go out on a limb here, and say he's thinking about starting some sort of wiki-related service. A wikipedia competitor? Doubtful, although it may work. I think he's on to something with placing ads on wikipedia to donate to charity. Don't know how it'll work, but if one thing is certain, Jason can get it going.
The real question is: if J.C. leaves AOL, can he still host his blog on Blogsmith? Better yet, can I host my blog on blogsmith? =)
If you come here for my insightful and interesting life, please pause for a moment while i discuss some geek-related news.
Tech Crunch drops the bomb, says my former boss, Jason Calacanis, is leaving Netscape/AOL.
Do I believe it?
Yes.
If you look at his blog posts over the last little bit, he's drifted away from the social news angle he once held. Now, instead, he seems to be posting a lot about wikipedia and Jimbo, arguably wikipedia's founder.
I'm going to go out on a limb here, and say he's thinking about starting some sort of wiki-related service. A wikipedia competitor? Doubtful, although it may work. I think he's on to something with placing ads on wikipedia to donate to charity. Don't know how it'll work, but if one thing is certain, Jason can get it going.
The real question is: if J.C. leaves AOL, can he still host his blog on Blogsmith? Better yet, can I host my blog on blogsmith? =)
Startup Checklist
If you couldn't tell by my last few blog posts, I'm obsessed with my new internet startup, Tech Check Daily.com. What do you think of it so far?
Alex, bound to be internet famous at some point for his and Gavin's eMurse, pointed me to a startup site targeted toward software developers, but good advice for any small business starting out. Lets see if my startup requirements fit.
1) If there is no business model, its a hobby, not an idea.
Yay! I've got a biz model that some say will grow consistently for twenty years.
2) The best ideas make your customers money.
Blast! Sorry guys, I'm the rich one.
3) If you're going B2C, look for revenue models that don't come right from the consumer.
Check!
4) Revisit every bad idea every once in awhile
Mark Cuban tried broadcast.com in the late 90's, so I guess this would be a throwback to that era of webcasting... except a whole lot betta.
5)Do your best to create a system of recurring revenue.
"Advertising on websites and such is easy. " Check!
More later.
Alex, bound to be internet famous at some point for his and Gavin's eMurse, pointed me to a startup site targeted toward software developers, but good advice for any small business starting out. Lets see if my startup requirements fit.
1) If there is no business model, its a hobby, not an idea.
Yay! I've got a biz model that some say will grow consistently for twenty years.
2) The best ideas make your customers money.
Blast! Sorry guys, I'm the rich one.
3) If you're going B2C, look for revenue models that don't come right from the consumer.
Check!
4) Revisit every bad idea every once in awhile
Mark Cuban tried broadcast.com in the late 90's, so I guess this would be a throwback to that era of webcasting... except a whole lot betta.
5)Do your best to create a system of recurring revenue.
"Advertising on websites and such is easy. " Check!
More later.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Beta is the new Alpha....
www.techcheckdaily.com
That's the new gig. Ain't it cool? Yeah, I claim Beta, but i'm not anywhere near where I'd like to be. I've got three phases of public release. Alpha was going the last month or so. Beta is where I try to start attracting users. Gamma is where I quit my dayjob and make the site exactly how I want. 1.0 is when I've got people supporting me (financially or as employees.)
Roadmap for this project? Alpha -> now. Beta -> February/marchish. Gamma -> June 15th. V1.0 a year??? I don't know what the realistic development cycle for a website is, but hey, we'll find out.
Gamma has some awesome features potentially. That's what'll really cause a breakout of new users. Cume 20% growth is why I'd like till Gamma, then I'd take 10-15%. Then, I'll be really close to profitable.
That's the new gig. Ain't it cool? Yeah, I claim Beta, but i'm not anywhere near where I'd like to be. I've got three phases of public release. Alpha was going the last month or so. Beta is where I try to start attracting users. Gamma is where I quit my dayjob and make the site exactly how I want. 1.0 is when I've got people supporting me (financially or as employees.)
Roadmap for this project? Alpha -> now. Beta -> February/marchish. Gamma -> June 15th. V1.0 a year??? I don't know what the realistic development cycle for a website is, but hey, we'll find out.
Gamma has some awesome features potentially. That's what'll really cause a breakout of new users. Cume 20% growth is why I'd like till Gamma, then I'd take 10-15%. Then, I'll be really close to profitable.
Monday, November 13, 2006
Video hosting provider
Hey hey y'all...
Since I don't know who exactly reads this blog, i've got my requirements list for a videohosting provider... with one in particular in mind. Let me know if you know of any other hosting providers who could fulfill these requirements.
Main and primary requirement:
Seamless integration of video files. I want to be able to stack video back to back with literally NO GAP. NONE. AT ALL. Zero Frames. Nada.
Secondary requirement:
Stats tracking on all video elements played. Most obvious reason: ads. Would like associated tracking to be as detailed as possibile.
Tertiary requirement:
Creating a player with a manual playlist (IE daily or perhaps hourly shows) as well as players that can be created dynamically (permalinks, category pages, etc.)
Also, have a player that can syndicate part of a video (perhaps referencing the story's permalink player) or syndicate an entire video.
Oh yeah, and some sort of standards based podcasting solution with little or no intervention from me would be the awesomeness.
Help me out here!
Since I don't know who exactly reads this blog, i've got my requirements list for a videohosting provider... with one in particular in mind. Let me know if you know of any other hosting providers who could fulfill these requirements.
Main and primary requirement:
Seamless integration of video files. I want to be able to stack video back to back with literally NO GAP. NONE. AT ALL. Zero Frames. Nada.
Secondary requirement:
Stats tracking on all video elements played. Most obvious reason: ads. Would like associated tracking to be as detailed as possibile.
Tertiary requirement:
Creating a player with a manual playlist (IE daily or perhaps hourly shows) as well as players that can be created dynamically (permalinks, category pages, etc.)
Also, have a player that can syndicate part of a video (perhaps referencing the story's permalink player) or syndicate an entire video.
Oh yeah, and some sort of standards based podcasting solution with little or no intervention from me would be the awesomeness.
Help me out here!
Friday, November 10, 2006
Changing the game
If I told you I was planning on changing the way we see indie video on the web, would you believe me?
Didn't think so.
Looks like we'll have to see how it goes, but I think by next June, you'll look back at this blog post and either A) say "Randall was really thinking!" B) "What a smarmy butthole" or C) "He tried, but too bad he failed."
Either way, I'm happy enough. I'm going to create a job I love on the side, and try to bring it to me full-time. Lots of dependent variables, but the one constant: I want my life to rule, so it's going to. End of story. Let's hope that a ruling life will include some extra cash on the side, but that's not a primary motivator.
My new project goes into beta on Monday... I'll tell you more then.
Didn't think so.
Looks like we'll have to see how it goes, but I think by next June, you'll look back at this blog post and either A) say "Randall was really thinking!" B) "What a smarmy butthole" or C) "He tried, but too bad he failed."
Either way, I'm happy enough. I'm going to create a job I love on the side, and try to bring it to me full-time. Lots of dependent variables, but the one constant: I want my life to rule, so it's going to. End of story. Let's hope that a ruling life will include some extra cash on the side, but that's not a primary motivator.
My new project goes into beta on Monday... I'll tell you more then.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
What's happening with me
I noticed I haven't posted in quite a while, but I've got some exciting news coming. I'm starting a business, and while I haven't given any details to anyone yet, I'm planning on launching next monday in Beta, with a full launch coming in June.
What else... what else.... New MacBooks! I'm a little excited about them.
I can't think of what else to post, but I'll post more later.
What else... what else.... New MacBooks! I'm a little excited about them.
I can't think of what else to post, but I'll post more later.
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