On February 4, Microsoft named Satya Nadella the new CEO, replacing Steve Ballmer. I decided to jump, and gather a group of folks to discuss what the transition means, using Google Hangouts On Air. What’s the saying about reading the instructions first?
Category: Media
Hotel Hath No Fury…
While there’s something whiny about Western journalists’ tweets, excellent is their use of Twitter to engage readers, build audience, and report something interesting ahead of the Olympic Winter Games start: Journalists at Sochi are live-tweeting […]
Anatomy of a Bad Crowdfunding Pitch
Five days ago, I launched a crowdfunding campaign, at Indiegogo, for my forthcoming book Be a Better Blogger. Learning by doing is sometimes a painful exercise, and my progress, or lack of it, is a textbook case of what not to do.
My campaign is off to a much slower start than anticipated, generating just two donations for $60 in contributions. Thank you, both. You’re my heroes. I had hoped the book’s topic would generate interest among bloggers, journalists, and PR professionals at the least. I sent out mass emails to them and contacted family and friends, but too few of the latter.
Be a Better Blogger
I start off February by launching my first crowdfunding campaign, which seeks to raise money for my forthcoming book Be a Better Blogger. The sorry state of news reporting troubles me, particularly sourcing (or lack of it) and rumormongering—as eloquently expressed four years ago in post “The Difference Between Blogging and Journalism“. Triple B seeks to be a remedy, by identifying the problems and offering tips on writing well and reporting responsibly.
While the title refers to blogging, that is more a naming convention. The book is meant for anyone who wants to write well and responsibly online, applying past principles of good editing, writing, and storytelling to future-now.
Jeepers Creepers
Product placement doesn’t get much better than this. Character Ryan Hardy uses Microsoft Surface on The Following.
Twenty-Fourteen isn’t Year of the Chromebook
There are reasons why I am so obnoxiously loud about bad news reporting tactics. NPD innocently kicked off a writ-storm about 2014 being year of the Chromebook. A Dec. 23, 2013, press release observes strong Chromebook commercial channel sales of preconfigured desktop and notebook PCs.
Looks like NPD pulled the PR—I can’t find it—over this whole “year of #chromebook” meme; it’s a blog and press echo chamber that continues to boom. Goddamn, my ears hurt. Even The Register, of which I expect much better, misquotes the NPD press release, too. That 21 percent market share figure refers to commercial U.S. channels only, not the entire market.
Timing is Everything
Strange the difference three minutes makes. Coachella general admission tickets went on sale at 10 a.m. PST. I made an early attempt at 9:57, expecting to be denied access but got through to the standby page […]
Sometimes I Really Miss Working for CNET
Now this is news reporting, and in a few words: How I got T-Mobile’s CEO kicked out of AT&T’s CES party. My apologies for the late highlight. The story as told in a couple tweets is Twitter […]
Finally, a Sensible Story sets the Chromebook Record Straight
Gregg Keizer corrects the record regarding Chromebook sales. Somebody had to. Gregg is consistently a thorough reporter who actually reports rather than hypes or falls into The Echo Chamber.
NPD’s press release clearly states U.S. “commercial channels” not all retail sales, as has been widely misreported. That 21 percent number isn’t the whole pie but a much smaller portion of it. This misreading, misunderstanding, or misreporting (take your pick) fostered an echo chamber of stories predicting 2014 as the year of the Chromebook. In your dreams.
Buzz Cut Wireless
I can’t help but wonder why a Barber Shop offers free WiFi. For what? Snapchat selfies while getting a buzz cut? I took the photo using the Fujifilm X-E1 and 18-55mm kit lens. I enhanced […]
'Comic-Con Heroes' Play
My ebook Comic-Con Heroes: The Fans Who Make the Greatest Show on Earth is finally up on Google Play, after long delay (in part because of Kindle Store’s exclusive). Google Play cut the price to […]
Chromebook Matters
My fourth ebook, Chromebook Matters, published over the holiday, and this one is available from Kindle Store, Google Play, and Smashwords. I’m done with Amazon exclusives.
Chromebook Matters is not a how-to book. It’s all “why” and “what”—why Chromebook matters and what it can do for you. I write an introduction for anyone—businesses, consumers, government agencies, or schools—considering buying Chromebook. I also address anti-Chromebook propaganda. Some claims are valid. Most are not.