Technically Speaking

NBC is now reported to launch a VOD service, and Hulu was nothing more than a big joke because “Clown Co.” wasn’t a name they could go down with. Well that’s my spin on this. Another interesting thing, is that this has risen to the top of Techmeme this evening and not one mention of where I first saw the story early this morning.

That’s right I saw it on the news breaking CenterNetworks, so apologies to all for my not so glowing review of this. In fact, I’m yawning and drinking a beer as I type this. It totally amazes me how on a daily basis I watch the main sites out there just give the shaft to CN. It’s like just because Allen is “CN” and missing a “N“, he receives absolutely zero linkage.

Well I saw the story this morning, as well as I’m sure most of my readers also saw it on CN. I push CN here on TS because the blog is worthwhile to read. If I can read one blog, I’ll pick CN as he has more compelling stories and stories that are actually new. I mean - see above - that ran really early or late last night. leather home theater seating

Technically Speaking, this has been more or less an endorsement of CenterNetworks, and I was not compensated a dime for it. Oh and as far as the actual news about NBC launching a VOD service? WGAF! Dan Rather suing CBS for $70 million is more interesting.

*Update - Do you know what Hulu actually means? Interesting post here.

Hulu, talk about stupid names! I like Clown Co. much better, but oh well - I have always said that a “name is a name” - until you market that name.

As it was just BROKE on CenterNetworks, it appears that Hulu is the new name of the News Corp and NBC universal venture.

Technically Speaking, Clown Co. was a much better name, and it already had blogosphere traction! I guess since it’s a big name venture, Hulu won’t have that much trouble catching on. I mean “Do you Hulu?” - you can send the royalty checks this way for that suggestion, and that is with one armed tied behind my back.

Om also covers it.

btw - Yes Allen - 16x world champion, Hulkamania running wild again and again.. ha!

Also covered on Mashable

Also covered on Reuters - what I don’t understand is they say:

“We just wanted a name that is short and easy to spell,” Hulu spokeswoman Christina Lee said. “We like the idea that it rhymes with itself. We wanted a fun name.”

What could be more fun than - Clown Co.????

Lastly covered on TechCrunch

Any Penn State football fans?

NBC and Clearspring will be announcing the deal today between the two. Yes, that NBC as the major network television company. This is the first time that a television company is going to partner with a widget company. I believe though seeing is believing.

this is a first of kind deal between a widget platform and a media giant. In the interview earlier today, Radfar said that he sees this as a major step towards breaking silo/portal approach and embracing distributed content strategy for NBC.

After seeing the widget, I can see the distribution potential. I also like what the article was stating about “write once, run anywhere“, meaning less work on the developer side of things. If that statement is in fact the truth, then Clearspring clearly has an advantage over many of the widget companies out there today.

Technically Speaking, they have developed a platform and not only a widget. What really matters is now they have the leverage to push their widget agenda forward with a distribution network that is going to be in everyone’s face.

Al Jazeera launched their own YouTube channel, and SplashCast has it in their player (below). It was first reported by the New York Times. In regards to Marshall’s opinion, I’m with him on this one. I consider myself an open minded American, and the mainstream media in this country has a lot to be desired. Al Jazeera does cover the news well.

In regards to who does it the best - I would have to say it’s the blogosphere; the online only media. We do it faster, are more timely (see the twitter Mexico earthquake as a good example), and there are more of us. I’ll shut up now. Watch the videos:

NBC-News Corp - Now available on Comcast. Now all you Comcast customers know the reason why they didn’t want you to have true “unlimited” broadband these past few months.

Google - What me worry? Same thing Microsoft said. Same thing AT&T said decades ago. If I were Google, I’d be very careful.

Technically Speaking, that should keep you busy for now.

Here is a reason that I link so much to Mashable as stated below. Pete has the latest in social network news. In this case it’s the new NewsTube service that is going to be set to launch in the spring (soon, it is now spring!).

Another thing I like is there usually is nothing fake about his writing. What do I mean. Here is a snippet of the BusinessWeek article he linked too:

Give it up for NBC Universal and News Corp

Technically Speaking, whether the person was reading it online or as the actual printed version - I seriously don’t think this person is going to be jumping up and down giving NBC and News Corp a “hoot and holla!”. GMAFB, next.

I like the name. I think if NBC and News Corp really wants to make this what it is, then say “screw it”, balls up to the table. If you really want to be the peakcock of the walk, then don’t back down now. Come out today, or by Tuesday (you know, everyone is off on Friday and Monday’s!) — and state that the new company is called just that - Clown Company, Inc. - The future of videos and advertising on the internet.

Here is why I say that. It’s all just a freakin’ name. You can brand anything. You can sell anything. I go of course rely on my own experience here. Every band I have been in, usually was some really stupid name. My band mates always would fight over it; the damn name of the band. Why? A name is a name until you make it big. Simple. This blog for instance, is a common phrase that anyone can say. TechCrunch is just a name.

I do agree with what Mike is stating in his very detailed post and breakdown.

But for now, Google/Youtube, who have been referring to the project as Clown Co. privately, doesn’t look to be in any trouble. Without a name, a lot of the press today was wasted. My recommendation to interim head George Kliavkoff: name this thing fast, before “Clown Co.” becomes more than just an inside joke at Google.

Technically Speaking, if you brand it, sell it, and shine it up - Clown Company, Inc. will sell just as much as Google, Joost, YouTube, Scobleizer, Microsoft, Collarity, Planypus, askitonline, Business Golf, DigitalRon, yourminis, etc.. etc… Bring in the Clowns, and get it on!

Well I had some minor blog issues (technical) this morning, so I couldn’t keep up on this NBC/Newscorp rocking the blogosphere Thursday. I will go ahead and probably post links you may have seen, and of course a few gems that I personally just like. Without further introduction from me, you know what to do right? Click it if it seems interesting, or just move on by.

Mike of TechCrunch - He was all over this NBC-News Corp announcement today was he not? Now that is why he is #1, and we are just trying to figure it all out from our end of the spectrum.

NBC goes social - The peacock. That is what I will always remember about this network. Kids of the future, they will remember is as their first social network.

Why does it take two - That is two professional reporters at Reuters to cover the story Mike pretty much did single handed?

What’s really going on at Google? - That is the question running through my mind right now. I saw this on VentureBeat, where you can also find an article about myUlist.org (obvious self plug).

In the mood - This week at least, I have been loving the headlines for each of ValleyWag’s articles; this one in particular, brings a whole “300” feel to it.

Oracle wants back what SAP stole - I seriously wouldn’t doubt it. I remember back in the days when I was an Oracle DBA, SAP was a freakin’ joke. Period. So how did SAP do it? hmmm… I guess we will let the courts decide.

Soapbox Closing for repair - MSN Soapbox, really never checked it out to begin with. It just reminded me of this Conoco station we have locally as you leave my neighborhood heading west. Basically, it was open for years, like 24/7 for awhile too. Then it closed, and Conoco bought them (it was a mom/pop shop; sorry left that out), and then shined up and reopened. It was like that for a few months, then suddenly closed. Abandoned with no further explanation except this white painted on sign on the main glass to the store part that said “Go Away!”. So I’m driving home the other night, and guess what - the neon signs were flashing with a blue-red glow of “OPEN“, and the pumps were lit up again.

I had to make it a little interesting. Does the story I rambled on about really fit? Maybe, and then again, maybe not. I haven’t blogged really all day since the snafu this morning. Let’s move on now.

Let’s play the court game - Starz sues Disney

Okay, now here is the story I enjoyed reading this evening. I think it is the gem in the rough for the evening.

Pause that SMS - Marshall writes about features he would love to see implemented in ZapTXT or one of the other services he uses. I left a comment on his blog, and I truly believe (at least when I was coding still) - the stuff he mentions would be relatively easy to fix. It shouldn’t be that big of an issue to get a text alert the minute something is going down. I don’t use the text alert thing, as when I go to sleep after being up for my usual 19-20 hours, I want to sleep. I figure what happens in that 4-5 hour window (lately less then that as I have been extremely busy) - I want to sleep!

Technically Speaking, I think I have an interesting spin on things. 7,000 unique viewers or readers a month (since January 1st) and like 50,000 page views (since January 1st) can’t be all be smoking from the same crack pipe! What I mean is - I think I put an interesting twist and story to the news items of the day. I at least try and that even though I over use that line, it’s been branded by now.

I have a fast train to Paris, France that I have to catch for a bit, more later on.

They are launching it as everyone late last night was talking about - News Corp and NBC are going in for the kill. Well who would want to be called “Clown Company”? There is a media conference today at noon.

Technically Speaking, an apology to the readers, I had some technical issues; now resolved.