If you're going to do anything at all, the only word you need is....

START!

I've been a big fan of Seth Godin for ages, after reading his "The IdeaVirus", published in Fast Company magazine so long ago that I don't remember. I'm sure I still have the issue somewhere, oh yes, here it is: August 2000




On Josh Spear's blog, http://joshspear.com/item/speartalks-seth-godin/, he talks with Seth about life, the universe and everything (well, almost)

One question and answer got me going:

JS: So, if you had a child, and he was about to embark on his/her first adventure in the digital frontier, what would your parting words be?

SG: Start.

I so wish I had given this advice to my kids when they were starting out.
Don't think too much, don't plan too much, (and as much as I hate paraphrasing another company) just do it.

So here's a new tag-line.

Just Start!

In these uncertain economic times, there's....

only one way you can possibly make any money.

And that is to "hitch-a-ride", so to speak.

Let me explain.

In 1849, miners in the California Gold Rush (http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/californiagoldrush.htm)
needed supplies.... scroll down to "The Cost of Living" box.

Who were the suppliers to the miners?

Are you a supplier, or are you a miner?

Which would you rather be?

Someone who worked their fingers to the bone to eke out a living, or someone who saw an opportunity to provide much needed supplies and provisions to those seeking to make their fortune?

I know which camp I would rather be in.

There will always be miners, seeking that elusive fortune.
It stands to reason, there must also be suppliers for those miners.

If you have products or services that the miners need, who do you think will make money in the short term?

And when that gold dries up, go and find some other miners.

Its callous thinking, but so was the mindset of those who worked in investment banks and financial institutions, and who have put us in this current financial position.

So go get some of your own back.

The miners will always be there - they want the riches, but they'll need someone to help them along.

Vast opportunities exist, even in these uncertain times.

Let go of your fear, embrace change, educate yourself, and make a difference.

It is my fervent wish that you do so.

I was going to say "good luck" - but the luck we wish for ourselves, only happens when we actually take action.

I wish you all the very best in your endeavours.

You deserve it.

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Survive the Outbreak

There has been a lot of talk about interactive TV over the past few years.
It never happened because TV's don't let you interact (well, not simply)

But the Internet is completely different.

For example, we have a data projector connected to our PC which is connected to the Internet. We can see TV (via a TV tuner card in the PC), we can surf the web, we can play music via Windows Media Player (the PC is connected to our stereo) and see it all on the big screen.

The PC also has long leads for both mouse and keyboard (I haven't got around to wireless keyboard and mouse yet :) so I can sit on the lounge in front of a 6 foot TV screen and see everything!

But back to interactive TV / movies.

http://www.survivetheoutbreak.com/

is one such website that allows you to control the outcome of what you watch.
See the trailer below, then visit

http://www.survivetheoutbreak.com/

and try to survive!
Its great.




This is the future of entertainment people - trust me on this.
A lot has been said and written about this, but this is first example that has really got me involved (and I've been an Internet follower since 1997)

You will see more and more websites like this - all you need to do is revamp your viewing devices - get rid of that plasma or that lcd or that old standard CRT screen (TV or no) and install a data projector connected to your computer.

You'll get the *biggest* TV on offer for around $1500 (including pull-down screen) and you can use your existing computer as your media centre.

For example: I recently bought a new motherboard, 1.6 ghz cpu and 2 gig memory for AU$136.

$136!!!!!

If I didn't already have a "media centre pc", I'd be buying the following:

a) a 400w power supply (with case) - $<100
b) a TV tuner card (or USB tuner) - $<100

Put it all together, connect your Internet to this PC, and lo and behold, a complete digital entertainment environment for way less than $2000.

Way way way less than a plasma or lcd or what have you... and you can run so much stuff through it - make the PC the universe of your entertainment universe.

It *is* doable - its just the advertising from all the other "electrical retailers" that have you reaching into your back pocket for funds you don't really have - "x days interest free" - DON'T fall into their trap.

Let me say that again:

DON'T FALL INTO THEIR TRAP!

You can get the best entertainment centre for way way way less than what the major retailers are trying to sell you. Their advertising is very powerful, but you have the power too.

Do you know what it is?

It is the power to say NO.

If you have questions, I am here to answer them.

Go and have a look at

http://www.survivetheoutbreak.com/

and try to survive, and leave a comment.

Cheers
Brad

Love your children

I have been so slack in loving my children.

I miss them so much.

The old song lyric from Joni Mitchell

"Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got till it's gone? "

has never been more true...

Kids, I miss you, and love you more than I can say.

Googlewhacking

topological endomitirosis

A misspell of the second word but there you go...... :)

Try it - its fun

What is Googlewhacking?
Put exactly two search terms into Google and try to return just one result.

DIY Web Server site

Hmmm - I just can't decide to go with WordPress for the main site, or continue with the static PHP pages.

There are lots and lots and lots of themes for WordPress, but I just can't spend the time to download, install and activate every theme. Does anyone have any pointers to a really good one?
I like Mandigo, but.... hmmmm, some widgets only work on the blog template page.... hmmm.

Bradzo - Newly Licensed TV Doctor

Ok, so where's the nearest hospital?

Gotta get with those interns - stat!

:)

And as we wind on down the road...

Stumbling around the other day....

xkcd - A Webcomic - Classic

Haha! I knew it! We (baby boomers) are the best!
:)