Disqus - Latest Comments for louismg

Re: Growing Grumblings on Tech News Don't Answer Incentives Problems

DGentry — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 10:33:53 -0000

I think there are parallels to other media: content produced to directly generate profit versus content as leverage for some other endeavor. For example:

+ critically acclaimed movies versus blockbusters.
+ small production run books versus Stephen King/JK Rowling.

A film can achieve its goals even if the proceeds barely cover the production costs, in terms of industry awards, accolades, and recognition.

A book can achieve its goals even if most copies are purchased by the author: being published enhances reputation, and gives the author something to hand out at conferences/speaking engagements/etc.

There are parallels to even wider endeavors if we don't look too closely at the details: not all political campaigns are waged with a real expectation of winning, some exist to build name recognition and an organization for the future.

Re: Growing Grumblings on Tech News Don't Answer Incentives Problems

Dawn — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 10:15:45 -0000

You're right, Louis. "Cowardly" and "lazy" really aren't fair or accurate adjectives in your case. Do you EVER sleep?? :)

I guess I'm just frustrated with the whole thing. I used to enjoy good conversation on the Internet. Now everybody is into the latest incarnation of Twitter, thinking they are having conversation. It's like people playing ping-pong naked thinking they are making love. It's sad, IMO.

Re: Growing Grumblings on Tech News Don't Answer Incentives Problems

louismg — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 04:19:00 -0000

Thanks, Mark. This post, if a bit long, was important to do, and it builds on other posts on this topic that I've launched in the past. If you look at my posting history, especially in the last few months, I think you can see that very few are launched via press release or via other company's blogs. I will make the exception for some of my own personal favorites, but for the most part, I am trying to swim upstream and do things different, which is not always rewarded. Good thing I make absolutely no attempts to make an income from my blog!

Re: Growing Grumblings on Tech News Don't Answer Incentives Problems

louismg — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 04:17:17 -0000

Dawn, I appreciate your comments. Conversation is important - and finding it can get more difficult. I try to encourage discussion here, on FriendFeed, on Google Reader, or wherever people choose to.

Your comment on my not saying why I share what I share is a valid one, but not easily solvable. At this point, I am sharing about 25-30 articles a day through Google Reader, acting as a human filter to those downstream, trying to find the best of the Web. To add a personal comment to each one would dramatically increase the time it already takes to pass that news along, and not every story warrants that much attention.

I wouldn't call it "no comment reposting". If I did a Tumblr or Posterous blog where I excerpted without comment, that'd be one thing, but Google Reader shares are a different beast. If I choose to use the Bookmarklet to FriendFeed, I tend to leave an additional note as to why I opted to share.

Does that make sense? I would stop very short of calling it cowardly and lazy. You know me, I am always happy to talk, even if it is somewhat critical.

Re: Growing Grumblings on Tech News Don't Answer Incentives Problems

louismg — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 04:13:24 -0000

Ileane, no question this post wasn't a simple one. Those that pass 1,500 words, as this did, come from a lot of thinking over time.

As for my comment on saying I've churned posts like that out before, it is something I try not to do often, but there are a few select brands whose updates I do want to make visible, either due to their importance to me, or any role I may have played in their start. That includes updates from FriendFeed and Socialmedian, Google Reader, and other products, sometimes including TweetDeck, or on occasion, Twitter.

The company's blogs are the new press release.

Re: Growing Grumblings on Tech News Don't Answer Incentives Problems

louismg — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 13:52:37 -0000

I don't intend to sound naive. Coming from the outside world of journalism, this is commonplace in the industry. The Washington Post doesn't want to get scooped by the New York Times. The Chronicle (when it was more alive) didn't want to miss a story the Mercury News had. So each paper would post on the same story. In the online world, this visibility is exacerbated by minutes, rather than whether they got in the day's paper at all.

Re: Growing Grumblings on Tech News Don't Answer Incentives Problems

louismg — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 13:51:14 -0000

Wow. And so late in the year too! :) Thanks, Brandon.

Re: Growing Grumblings on Tech News Don't Answer Incentives Problems

louismg — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 13:50:51 -0000

It's true. This post could have been written last year, and probably next year too. I've just seen a few of these pop up of late, and thought they could use some highlighting. You and I have talked about Techmeme before. I assume the difficult point comes when there is news, and many sites cover it, and it becomes a choice what should be lead, and what should not. There is an assumption that speed and previous placement plays a role, part of why you are seeing many post extremely short articles, only to be updated later, in a focus to make sure the time stamp is earliest.

Re: Joseph Smarr has new work info…

louismg — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 14:52:53 -0000

Congratulations, Joseph. This is big news, and yet another proofpoint that Google is serious about embracing the open and social Web. Hoping to hear great things from you and your new team in 2010.

Re: iTunes, Sirius Seem Antiquated After Spotify iPhone Trial

gliss — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 14:25:20 -0000

I'm with you on the OS side. Nothing touches Apple (Mac) in that sense, but some of these other things are creeping up.

Re: iTunes, Sirius Seem Antiquated After Spotify iPhone Trial

ahr19 — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 14:16:12 -0000

Yes, I like the Shazaam to Spotify connection for finding new music. Since I am an active DJ as well, I love to get exposed to new music and also keep up with what is current. that is what Xm/Sirrius helps with. I AM interested in cancelling those services if I can find a better AND cheaper alternative which is why spotify interests me so much. This could prevent me from carrying around an iPod and iPhone all the time too. Hmmm ... ow you have me thinking. Explain to me (please) what is Armin Van Buuren's playlist?

Re: iTunes, Sirius Seem Antiquated After Spotify iPhone Trial

louismg — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 14:03:56 -0000

Traditionally, I agree with you. I have all my music in iTunes and have for years. I have found artists missing in Spotify, so it's not perfect. But for every artist I can't find, there are two or three more that I do not own which I have found and can stream at any time.

Re: iTunes, Sirius Seem Antiquated After Spotify iPhone Trial

louismg — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 14:03:00 -0000

Yes, the cracks in my Apple fanboy armor are there. And they are increasing. I try to be as transparent about that process as possible. But I still can't stomach most alternatives to the core OS, and have yet to be wowed by an iPhone alternative that would make me switch, so for now, here we are.

Re: FTC Disclosures Made Simple For Bloggers With Conflicts

louismg — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 11:35:46 -0000

Glad you like the FTC graphics. Please do use them on your blog. That's what they are for. Linking back to this article, if you get the chance, won't hurt. Hope you can collect them all!

Re: Videos: Talking About Advertising, Social Media in Business

sunshinemug — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 10:56:33 -0000

Yes, I think I learned a lesson there--go ahead and put myself on camera despite my shyness. I'm so used to being way out of sight--moving from print to video has been a new experience for me! Adam, I agree with you--Louis's comments are clear and concise. Normally, the people I've interviewed will ramble. He did not. It was actually quite difficult to edit because everything he said had value. But I wanted to make sure we had short enough clips that people would watch them from beginning to end--and from what I'm seeing, that's exactly what they are doing.

Re: Companies that Win Set the Agenda

louismg — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 03:49:32 -0000

Advertising can be a poor predictor if it is focused on the wrong things. But effective advertising can set the stage for consumer preferences, which results in revenue and market share change.

Re: FTC Disclosures Made Simple For Bloggers With Conflicts

louismg — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 03:48:46 -0000

Alvin, the expectation is that you would use these on your blog. Go nuts. Linking back would be great, but you are in charge.

Re: FTC Disclosures Made Simple For Bloggers With Conflicts

louismg — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 03:35:55 -0000

John, you can absolutely use these. I know we didn't get every possible scenario. I keep thinking of more.

Re: Companies that Win Set the Agenda

louismg — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 03:35:28 -0000

Android (and much of Google especially in 2009) is absolutely about open. The question is, can their agenda frame other companies to respond? So far, Apple has been relatively unscathed in regards to their approach.

Re: Videos: Talking About Advertising, Social Media in Business

louismg — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 03:34:29 -0000

Sunshine, thanks for the compliments on the interviews. I wish I had spoken up more or been more animated, but that's style vs. substance. :) Glad you found it useful.

Re: Videos: Talking About Advertising, Social Media in Business

louismg — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 03:34:02 -0000

Sunshine was in the room, tossing me questions. I think she was too shy to be on camera, though, so I just sound like I am rambling to myself. Glad you could find value. These are things I think most of us know by heart, but they still get asked.

Re: Videos: Talking About Advertising, Social Media in Business

louismg — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 03:33:15 -0000

Ken, thanks for the comments. We miss you around here.

As for relevancy, that was in response to Sunshine's questions around my6sense, a company I advise. They do a great job finding relevant RSS feeds and tweets, but Facebook isn't using their digital intuition technology. (which forced the example)

Re: iTunes, Sirius Seem Antiquated After Spotify iPhone Trial

louismg — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 03:31:56 -0000

Thanks for mentioning Last.fm. I use that to "Love" tracks and push them to FriendFeed. But I have never been satisfied with the streaming options on either Last.fm or Pandora and the like. Hand selected almost always wins.

Re: iTunes, Sirius Seem Antiquated After Spotify iPhone Trial

louismg — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 03:31:04 -0000

Amani, today, I only synchronize a few of my playlists from iTunes to the phone. For Spotify, I would do the same. I don't need weeks of music on the iPhone, only a day or two, to cover a full battery charge and any travel. As for discovering new music, I can still take a look at Armin Van Buuren's playlist online and grab those songs from Spotify. There are always ways. And if all else fails, there's traditional radio.

Think about it -- Shazam grabs title and track data. So if I hear something, why not grab the data with Shazam and then add it to Spotify?

Re: Icerocket's Blog Search, Twitter Search Tough to Top

louismg — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:20:30 -0000

It always makes sense to keep watch over multiple services to make sure no data is missed. I think Icerocket's database is very good and it has been surprisingly better than Google. I think you know I praise Google where it makes sense, and do often, but here, they are not leading.