I am now under so many Non-Disclosure Agreements, I don't think I'm allowed to even talk to myself.
5:20:58 PM  talkback:[]  #  

Looking back at this entry, I placed myself in my current situation. The current project is an experiment and if it's successful, television as we currently know it is going to change. It will be our job, as producers, to make sure we maintain the entertainment value.
11:27:16 AM  talkback:[]  #  

Continuing from here:

1. Grab the nearest book.
2. Open the book to page 23.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the text of the sentence in your journal along with these instructions.

Collective code ownership, because the code has the fingerprints of the team rather than the individual developers.

Context:

Coding standards support:

• Refactoring, because it is easier to see and to automate potential refactorings when all of the code has a similar style. (See "Coding Practice 2: Refactor Mercilessly.")
• Pair programming, because developers can focus on the intent rather than style issues. (See "Developer Practice 2: Practice Pair Programming.")
• Collective code ownership, because the code has the fingerprints of the team rather than the individual developers.

From Extreme Programming Pocket Guide.
8:18:53 AM  talkback:[]  #  

Although I am not allowed to go into it in-depth, the convergence of advertising and television is well under way. From my view, the current project I am on is approaching the entertainment value correctly. The show is slated to begin airing this summer. I'm curious to see how it's accepted (or not).

I'm also beginning to see an interesting phenomenon. Television people are beginning, and I stress beginning, to learn more about technology; specifically learning programming languages. Additionally, I'm beginning to see people whose jobs have been "outsourced" making their way onto (into?) production teams. There is definite cross-pollination going on.

Beyond all of that, I had a meeting over the weekend with a very forward thinking individual...television show patents are next, especially when they blend with technology.

Get ready for a new round...
8:21:17 PM  talkback:[]  #  

Wow, it's been a while.

My mom's iMac went recently went through a bout of Kernel Panic. My step-father called me one day because it kept crashing. I drove down to their place and did a little investigation...I couldn't find anything blatantly wrong.

So, I backed up and did an Archive and Install of Panther. Everything was fine until the January 26th Security Update. Then, WHAM! -- Kernel Panic. Hmm.

I started using Safe Boot and the machine was fine. Hmm, again.

AppleCare to the rescue. We called and scheduled an appointment for someone to come out and look at the machine. WOW! I didn't know AppleCare would actually send someone out to the house.

(Fast-Forward to the AppleCare tech coming out.)

The AppleCare tech starts giving my step-father a hard-time. He's saying that it's a software problem and AppleCare doesn't cover software problems. So my step-father calls me and I get on the phone with the tech...

• I kindly explain to him that everything was fine until the Security Update.
• He begins to argue with me that it's a software issue.
• I again explain to him that there wasn't a problem until the Update.
• He says he needs the original keyboard and mouse. The problem is because of the wireless (non-Apple) keyboard and mouse.
• I try to explain that's not the issue.
• He informs me he's been working for Apple for 7 years and that I must have installed some third-party software which is causing the problem.
• I explain to him I've been programming OS X since 1999 (I didn't want to really get into it) and that I haven't installed any software which required Authorization. I explain that no software has been installed which would have altered the Kernel.
• He argues that he needs the original keyboard and mouse, along with Panther discs, and hands the phone back to my step-father.

So, my mom drove over to my house, picked up an original keyboard and mouse along with the Panther discs.

About an hour later I got a call from my mom: "...The computer is working fine now. The technician replaced something called the Logic Board. Oh, and he apologized..."

So, what's happened in the Jan 26th update? Anyone have any insight?

Now, I understand that it's tough to be a customer service technician. There are so many different levels of experience you run into**. But, I also feel you need to leave your ego at the door when walking into someone's home and listen to them. You're there for a reason and they know the reason.

** I called DirecTV the other night, went through an automated system and one of their solutions was "...you may not have turned on your television set."
10:36:05 AM  talkback:[]  #  

I usually keep Sun Tzu's Five Dangerous Faults readily available (sometimes even as a desktop image), but for some reason I had to search them out yesterday. I'm posting them here, so at least I know where I can find them in the future.

1. Recklessness: leads to destruction
2. Cowardice: leads to capture
3. Hasty Temper: can be provoked by insults
4. Delicacy of Honor: is sensitive to shame
5. Over-Solicitude: exposes him to worry and trouble

6:58:56 PM  talkback:[]  #  

Hmm...What happened?
I went to read a little Slashdot and got a 503.


6:46:12 PM  talkback:[]  #  

As of 3:45p PST, no one has bid on this item:
Helene & Aaron Diamond Ring Package

and I sincerely hope no one does...
3:45:09 PM  talkback:[]  #  

Akimbo is a new "Video on Demand service." I wouldn't go so far as to say it's "On Demand," as you have to first download the content,, but it's is a warning sign for the Networks. It's only a matter of time until the distribution system changes; just look at the record industry.

Our budgets are going to get continually smaller.

Ugh.
2:05:59 PM  talkback:[]  #  

As I mentioned in this entry, I thought the "leaked" movies were coming out of a duplication house. This morning I read this article which states four people from Lighning Media, formerly Lightning Dubs, had been a source of leaks as well.

(I won't get into the fact their site requires Flash.)

Although I don't know the details, I feel that it's pretty obvious what'll happen if you put a 19 year old kid, working a graveyard shift for near-minimum wage, around a popular movie...and then provide him with all the equipment he needs to duplicate the movie. Hmm. I think my 5 year old niece could figure it out.
8:06:24 AM  talkback:[]  #  

So, if TiVo and the rest DVR group manages to penetrate into the living room, what exactly is the point of the Networks (ABC, NBC, etc.) ? I understand the distribution mechanism, but by using TiVo I'll be able to essentially create my own network (with my choice of programming). This isn't really a new idea, I'm just publicly contemplating it.

Why does it matter that "24" is on at a certain time? To be honest, I don't even know what time it's on; I do know it airs on Tuesday evenings. TiVo just grabs 24 for me and my wife and I watch it at our convenience. Extrapolate that out and it doesn't matter what Network my programming airs on nor what time it airs.

Why can't I, as a producer, approach a sponsor and create my own programming? I can buy time fairly cheaply (relative to Prime Time commercial time) and air the programming in select markets. Yes, the programs would be sponsored, but hopefully I can do my job without insulting my audience.

I'd provide content the audience would enjoy and the sponsor(s) would have their logos/products displayed to their potential consumers.

Put another way...I'd produce "sponsored programming" (not an informercial!) and buy time on some no-name cable network at 3a. So long as I could get TiVo to find the program and relate it to other programs, it would be recorded for a target market.

For example: (Yes, it commercialized, but we're heading that way now anyway. I don't see a way out, other than HBO.)

• I'll produce a new cooking show about BBQ. Some BBQ grill company will sponsor the show, so the show can actually get made. Other minor sponsors, like a BBQ sauce company, would provide additional money in exchange for product placement/use.
• The program, done just like other cooking shows (minus the commercials), will air at 3a in the top 10 markets on cable station WXYZ.
• TiVo owners who happen to like cooking programs and accept "Recommendations" from TiVo would discover the program the next day in their list of shows on disk.

The BBQ grill company has reached it's target audience. The audience has received programming it prefers. Win/Win. Plus, the audience hasn't skipped the commercial, so the company's investment hasn't been lost.

Think of it like Amazon's and iTunes related links.

My partner and I have 37 shows in development. Of those, a good portion could be made in this manner. Cooking shows are the tip of the iceberg.

Do you, as a viewer, care that we use A1 Steak Sauce? Or Heinz 57? You're intelligent enough to know that the recipe calls for A1, but you can use something else...right?

Am I off the mark here?
3:09:26 PM  talkback:[]  #  

Wow. After reading this article I wonder how much lower the bar can go.
6:24:58 PM  talkback:[]  #  

Did anyone notice, other than my friend Tony, that the New England Patriots are now 15-0 (for their last 15 games)?

If they win their first two games next year, they'll have tied the 1972 Miami Dolphins for being undefeated.

Yeah, I know Miami was undefeated over a season, but it's something to think about...
3:52:31 AM  talkback:[]  #