Click here to hear my plea for input. — As many of you know I’ve joined up with the folks at Podshow to organize a tech channel and do some podcasting. A lot of you have been asking for me to do more than Cranky Geeks and Twit. But what? I’m asking for user input on this and let’s give you something that you might actually want! There’s a thought.
You can add comments here, by direct email or over at the Cage Match where ideas will be closely monitored and openly discussed. Eventually this post will be moved to the Cage Match for permanent discussion.
The initial Cage Match link is here.
There’s already a ton of great shows about tech, and we get a fair share of Dvorak-ranting goodness in Cranky Geeks and TWiT already. So how about something completely different?
Maybe with all those connections, a show about retrospectives and histories would be fun. Stories about computers in the early days can be highly entertaining with a good storyteller.
How about some non-PC or non-phone related tech stories for a change.
Or, for a really big change, go back to wine reviews. A Cranky Oenophiles podcast would be good competition for Wine Library TV.
Along the lines of #13 and #21…Thoughts, views, and opinions from somewhere other than the left coast. I’ve been to California exactly once, but I think I could find my way around given that Digg, Leo, CNET, and JCD all broadcast from the area.
I like Leo’s latest idea, Jumping Monkeys. Tech-related, yes, but geared toward parents living in a tech-centric age. Rather than talk about the latest in gadgetry or software, tell the masses how to use some of this stuff. What works? What’s crap? Where’s the best value?
I agree that more frequent quick-hitters in the 10-minute range would be more effective than a weekly or semi-monthly summation (been done to death).
There are a lot of companies and products and websites that we see all the time, but we never know the stories behind them. I was employee #4 at Intuit 20+ years ago, and people seem fascinated when I relate how Quicken came to be. Everyone knows the history of Microsoft and Apple, but how many know the history of (looking at my router) D-Link to take an example. Who started it, etc. See if you can find Ed Roberts (MITS — sold the Altair computer that launched Microsoft). Each week, interview another unsung and/or forgotten pioneer whose company and products have become ubiquitous.
#33, Uncle Dave, I think that’s a great idea. The history of computing. Wonder how tough it would be to get interviews with the founders of Intel, the Internet (Vincent Cerf, Robert Kahn, et al.). And perhaps an occasional companion guest interviewer like some of the folks from CG.
Just my 2 cents (2 new golds dollars) worth.
33. Best idea yet, #4 at Intuit eh, I hope you got stock options that early, but then you probably would have already retired.
I was thinking a short tech editorial, several times a week, but the more I think of it, the more that #13’s idea seems workable. We basically can all dial in and make a pod cast, any one of us. You should call it YouCast, and use the forums here (or other purpose built ones) as a filter, of sorts, to get interesting people to debate each other. Colorful language and all is no problem on a podcast, but you could still be the moderator, ready with a funny sound effect to get rid of anyone who talks over people ect. Show the big guys what should happen when someone is avoiding the question, or talking over people. It doesn’t even have to be tech centered, make it on any topic. I think that would be a lot of fun to listen to, and even more important to be involved in. Important for growth, my friend.
“Better debate, with far more cuss words.”
“The future of broadcasting is up to You.”
“Listen to the sound of four normal people, who may be smarter than the ‘experts’!”
#35: Got actual stock shares. Not much because I only worked there a year (left when they literally ran out of money), but enough. Retired for a while in the 90’s when they went public, but ended up running out of money myself starting a software company. But that’s another story.
To expand on my idea at #13 – having it too ‘open’ only invites trouble. Nobody wants to hear somebody different complain about what they hate or praise their favorites every week. My inspiration for the idea is really thinking all the countless times I wished I could put in my two cents during a discussion on TWIT or Cranky Geeks. A panel moderated by experts with a guest “average Joe” or two is really what I had in mind.
The Joe(s) could bring up a topic of discussion and the panel would discuss it.
Perhaps trouble is not so bad, eh? A little whiff of chaos is what sold Crossfire for so long, after all, until John Stewart showed them up for the penned circus they were. Well, why don’t we guarantee a circus, to some extent? There could even be a line of up people so that a few can be booted as the show proceeds? I’m not suggesting unregulated chaos, but something like a round table show with selected people who can at least string an opinion together in writing to defend.
Would be better if it wasn’t with the druggies at Podshow but bring back the Gilmore Gang!
Molly
Bring on the innovaters, forget the OLD software giants..
The Mod’ers, the new stuff.
Tech news from the bottom, NOT the stuff just released.
you always risk the former for the later
don’t stop now
ChrisMac,
wha??
Meanwhile as for the #13 idea…I’m liking it because it is such a weird concept! There may be something there.
John how about things you think doomed for failure or obscurity?
How about a one on one interview with tech industry leaders and innovators? I used to enjoy Big Thinkers on TechTV.
Alternatively, a focused panel discussion on one particular topic would be great. I enjoy Something a little more informative than the general free-for-all on Cranky Geeks.
#23 – What is there you want from an iPod you can’t get from a less expensive MP3 player?
If you’re going to jump in, jump in all the way.
Some tech discussion interspersed with naked ladies bring in gear or holding up signs. I would download that. My two favorite things in one video podcast..
What the hell… I’ll listen to it.
No, you guys are right. There are too many tech shows already and there is no sence competing with TWIT.. I want to hear John interviewing playboy models.
Something completely different from Cranky Geeks and TWiT — we already have tech-news-overload. I really enjoy hearing your feet-on-the-ground, cranky views.
Something that includes digital photography would also be welcome.