Disqus - Latest Comments for Knownhuman

Re: 3 Questions To Better Understand Your Novel

Knownhuman — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:50:55 -0000

Yes, yes they are. Thanks for pointing that out.

Re: Using Social Media To Build Your Platform

scott01 — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:56:10 -0000

Many thanks for the prompt reply !

The MP4 will work. Getting Audio/Video files right on the Internet is a big challenge - - your backup helps.

Scott Dowd

Re: Using Social Media To Build Your Platform

Knownhuman — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:04:39 -0000

I have conversations with Mike Shatzkin about social DRM - things like placing information about the purchaser inside the file to dissuade people from sharing content. It's one of the few DRM schemes I've encountered that doesn't naturally treat the users as guilty-before-proven-innocent.

However, when it comes to authors building their initial platforms, I feel that obscurity is a far greater threat than piracy. This doesn't just extend to authors, either. I know I have several bands ask me to pass their music around. At the initial stages or branding, mindshare is worth more than income.

Re: Using Social Media To Build Your Platform

Knownhuman — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:01:09 -0000

Hi Scott,

I believe the echo stems from the acoustics in the theatre itself, which is old enough to have been deemed a landmark. The video camera didn't tap into the house system to pull the source directly from the speakers. Rather it was setup in the front of the auditorium and caught some of the punch echoing about.

Sadly, I think this means that the audio is as good as it's going to get. I do, however, have the MP4 if you'd rather watch that. http://www.bradleyrobb.net/hold/SMCVAbrobb0922.mp4

Re: Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala - A Guided Tour

Knownhuman — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 20:25:46 -0000

The leap from 9.04 to 9.10 is fantastic. I've been running the standard RC on my laptop and it's miles above the Ubuntu Studio install on my office computer. Can't wait for the official release. I am literally counting down the days.

Re: Post-Gutenberg: A Culture of Ideas

Knownhuman — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:01:02 -0000

Well, thankfully I don't think printed books will be going anywhere. I still buy CDs (and even records), and for many the printed book will remain a diversion that is welcomed (even championed) for the disconnect.

I know I do it - pick up a print book, grab the big headphones, move the iPhone out of reach and just lose myself for a few hours.

But, yes, a lot of the infrastructure, and the related jobs will likely be hurt.

Re: How Big Is the FTC's New Footprint? - mediabistro.com: GalleyCat

Knownhuman — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:10:52 -0000

Hey Ron, the FTC clarified its position, which apparently has spun way out of control not just amongst bloggers but also the traditional media. And that position?

There is no monetary fine for bloggers, even in the worst case scenario. The fines are meant to be leveled against the advertisers, particularly those engaging in deceptive MLM schemes.

Fast Company approached the FTC with complaints and fears raised by major bloggers and got direct quotes, which can be seen here: http://bit.ly/4jmrrN

Re: Warm-ups for Your Writing

Knownhuman — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:00:47 -0000

I shall keep that in mind.

Re: Warm-ups for Your Writing

Knownhuman — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:57:39 -0000

So, what you're saying is I need to make Fiction Matters t-shirts?

Re: Google Wave and Publishing – Will It Blend?

Knownhuman — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 22:11:15 -0000

I'm going to have to dig around in there and look for that. I have to say, I was working on a presentation pitch with a buddy and we banged the entire thing out on Wave in under 7 minutes.

Re: Google Wave and Publishing – Will It Blend?

Knownhuman — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 13:47:56 -0000

Thanks Mapper99. I'd give you one, but all mine went out within hours of my invite. It helps if you sign up for an invite, as what people are giving away are just nominations.

Re: Google Wave and Publishing – Will It Blend?

Knownhuman — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 13:23:44 -0000

I will say this - watching someone type in real time shows that, on a whole, people are terrible typists when there is an audience involved.

Re: TMZ and Twitter Spread False Maya Angelou News - mediabistro.com: GalleyCat

Jason_Boog — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 11:02:56 -0000

That's not so cynical. It's a good point. Lots of Twitter users circulate quotes from her poetry as well. Thanks for reading...

Re: TMZ and Twitter Spread False Maya Angelou News - mediabistro.com: GalleyCat

Knownhuman — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 10:41:27 -0000

I guess the cynical upside is, Maya Angelou knows that she has a certain measure of importance with today's tech-savvy youth.

Re: Villain Writing Lessons From Lord Vader

Knownhuman — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 13:43:37 -0000

Well that goes without saying.

Re: Freedom’s Just Another Word for Nothing Left to Lose

Knownhuman — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:35:53 -0000

Aw shucks.

Re: Freedom’s Just Another Word for Nothing Left to Lose

twitter-15186155 — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:21:20 -0000

You're so smart. I agree with you. And stay tuned :)

Re: Freedom’s Just Another Word for Nothing Left to Lose

Knownhuman — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:59:08 -0000

Or a technology which is suited to the needs of the reader. Until publishers start hiring people who can make a proper epub (hint - publishers should be looking at web designers and developers and not typesetters) and marry that format with a device which allows natural input, than entire sectors of the publishing industry will be hampered.

Re: Yes, Books Still Get Banned

SafeLibraries — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 23:17:24 -0000

No. Listen. People are allowed to object. Libraries have policies in place to handle those objections. All final decisions on the books come from the library. The library is presumably acting appropriately. It is simply wrong to attack people filing objections in the manner the library provides for filing those objections.

Okay, so some get the attention of the press. Hey. It's a free country. Free speech advocates are not suggesting people should self-censor, are they? It appears to me that you are arguing "vocal parents" should be shut up or should decide to shut themselves up on their own.

You said, "My objection comes when a group of parents objects so vocally to a book that it doesn't allow others to read it." What, no free speech? You are not allowed to object "so vocally"? They are stopping others from reading? As I said, the library makes the final decision, not the "vocal group of parents." So there is no harm done by them. But there is harm when they are attacked for being "so vocal." There is harm when they are told to shut up. There is harm when such people are attacked and ridiculed constantly, and in an effort to get them to self-censor themselves. It is a propaganda technique called jamming."

"When a vocal minority objects, they are in effect forcing their values on others." Really? Dissent forces values on others? This is the United States of America. This country was founded on dissent. Get with it and stop hounding the "vocal parents."

"Is it within the rights of one parent to demand that the other not be allowed to expose their children to certain ideas or issues without financially committing to those ideas ahead of time?" No. See? We agree. But it's a straw man argument; that's not what is happening. Libraries make the final decisions. I have never heard of "vocal parents" making decisions in libraries.

Re: Yes, Books Still Get Banned

Knownhuman — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 22:46:37 -0000

I don't think so. Banning on an scale is still banning.

I am perfectly fine with parents not allowing their children to read any particular book. My objection comes when a group of parents objects so vocally to a book that it doesn't allow others to read it. The point of a library is to allow for the spread of ideas to an entire community without the need to pay (beyond taxes.)

When a vocal minority objects, they are in effect forcing their values on others. In such an instance, the banning is less about limiting an authors freedom of speech and more about limiting a parents ability to choose what to expose their children to.

Some parents want the ability to expose their children to the largest cross section of society possible. Others choose to limit what their children experience. Is it within the rights of one parent to demand that the other not be allowed to expose their children to certain ideas or issues without financially committing to those ideas ahead of time?

To me, banning books is less about ensuring the safety of some and more about limiting the rights of others. As a vet, that's an idea that I'm opposed to.

Re: Yes, Books Still Get Banned

SafeLibraries — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 22:38:38 -0000

Okay. But if I'm technically correct, doesn't that mean claims of banning are technically incorrect?

A former ALA Councilor said, "It also highlights the thing we know about Banned Books Week that we don't talk about much — the bulk of these books are challenged by parents for being age-inappropriate for children. While I think this is still a formidable thing for librarians to deal with, it's totally different from people trying to block a book from being sold at all."

I agree with her 100%. I only wish the subject would be covered truthfully, instead of being technically incorrect.

Re: Yes, Books Still Get Banned

Knownhuman — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 22:33:21 -0000

Hi Dan,

While you're technically correct - that no books have been banned on a national level - numerous books have been banned in localities. As stated above, that can be as small as a single library, school, or county.

Re: D23 Expo: Disney Announces The Cheapest Muppet Movie Ever Made! - ComingSoon.net - Johnny Hugel.Com - Distractions

ugelhay — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 22:59:08 -0000

It is indeed the same one. Segel is supposed to write and star, with
Nick Stoller of Forgetting Sarah Marshall directing.

Re: D23 Expo: Disney Announces The Cheapest Muppet Movie Ever Made! - ComingSoon.net - Johnny Hugel.Com - Distractions

ugelhay — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 20:47:58 -0000

It is indeed the same one. Segel is supposed to write and star, with Nick Stoller of Forgetting Sarah Marshall directing.

Re: D23 Expo: Disney Announces The Cheapest Muppet Movie Ever Made! - ComingSoon.net - Johnny Hugel.Com - Distractions

Knownhuman — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 20:05:57 -0000

http://www.tomtomtime.com/2009/01/17/jason-sege... - of Freaks and Geeks, and many other Apatow productions.