jppaynesr's Blog

A lot of bloggers & podcasters have picked up on the Texas PI computer repair story and reported the sensationalist aspect of it. So far I have only heard Buzz Out Loud tell the whole story and I listen to a LOT of tech podcasts. Most bloggers and podcasters (GNC included) have left their listening public with the idea that all computer repair technicians in Texas are now out of business if they don't get a PI license. This is not factual. What IS factual, is that if the repair technician performs an "investigation by analyzing data" he is then performing an "investigative service". "Investigations" as defined by the law are regulated under Texas law. Here are some links that support my point.

http://tinyurl.com/6enx2f - a balanced article by The Daily Texan Online
http://tinyurl.com/4pd39c - the actual text if the law. Note that the word "Computer" only appears once.
http://tinyurl.com/5s5m24 - Slashdot discussion of the topic.

I think this clearly points out one of the traps that people engaged in this "new media" (which I love & support by the way) need to be careful of. If the format of a show simply consists of finding interesting stories and re-reporting them, then that show runs the risk of further spreading inaccurate reporting. Where is the value to the listener in simply spreading what someone else has reported? The real value comes in uncovering the truth, or giving a fresh perspective. I don't suppose there is time to fact check each article, but a healthy dose of skepticism is probably in order. It really was a stretch to think that the Texas legislature intentionally passed a law that would have the net effect of putting all Texas computer techs out of business. I mean really, how would they get their own computers fixed? By a PI? What is he going to do, handcuff it, point a gun at the CPU, or grille it under bright lights? "Mr. PC, exactly where were you on the night of the alleged virus attack?"

I for one learned a huge lesson from this that I will remember for my podcast, check the facts. I hope others take the lesson also.

Love the show!

http://twitter.com/lockpro

The listener link about gas prices pointed to a story written in _2005_! Certainly not an indication of todays prices, The attached link is more current, however prices have gone up by 50 cents since even this story was written at the beginning of May!
http://money.cnn.com/2008/05/01/news/international/usgas_price/index.htm?postversion=2008050112
Globally, prices range from 12 cents a gallon to $9.58, according to CNN Money.

Whomever sent in that link did the community a disservice by not actually READING the story first!

Curmudgeon

Todd;
I've coined a word for this behavior. These guys should be called PodScum, and they are guilty of PodScumming. (like pond scum only worse)

I recall recently emailing you about some of these guys. I was poking around on Blubrry looking for podcasts on specific topics. I thought I had found some interesting ones (Home Hidden Camera and High Blood Pressure Treatment & Medication Reviews), only to discover that they were fronts for advertising sites.

You are 100% correct to ban them. To allow such "empty" content to continue would only give your network a bad name over time, and it causes credibility issues for podcasting in general. Imagine a person new to podcasting looking for content that is of interest. How long would they excited about this new media if all they found were such sites?

Consider adding a button on each podcast that allows folks who stumble on something like this to flag it as 'empty' content? Your team would review all flags and ban accordingly.

Best Regards
Jon
Atlanta GA

I think I found the gear that was mentioned in the #372 podcast while I was wandering the aisles at Fry's today. It is called wilife, http://www.wiflife.com, otherwise known as LukWerks. It is a video recording system that claims to be simple to install. It offers internet viewing and email or cell phone alerts if a camera detects motion. There is a catch however, read on.

One plus, but a feature that adds a lot of cost, is that it uses power line carrier technology to connect the cameras to your PC using Ethernet. This is an advantage in that you do not have to run wire from every camera back to your PC. You hang the camera and plug it into the nearest outlet to obtain power and an Ethernet connection. It does increase the cost however, by my guess, about $80-90 per camera over a hard wired camera. This system has garnered a lot of good press from PC Magazine, WSJ, Forbes, etc.

Here is the catch, remote viewing is limited to their website and to only 10 minutes per day unless you pay a monthly fee, this according to Engadget. Read the rest here. http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/15/lukwerks-video-surveillance-in-a-box/. Be sure to read the comments, some folks disagree about the time limit and charges and others have alternative suggestions. Your mileage will certainly vary.

Personally, I would still want good locks and an alarm system, however this system (or any video system) could record any bad guys who break in which may increase the chance of apprehension, unless of course the bad guy makes of with your PC! A decent geek could put something similar together for less cost and no restrictions on viewing remotely. I did as much when my house was for sale. I got an alert when a real estate agent entered the house, and then a few well placed cameras allowed me to observe them remotely.

Name: Jon Payne Sr.
Location: Near Atlanta GA
When you started listening to GNC: sometime in 2006 I think
Your Profession: Global Product Manager & Lock Expert
Favorite pizza topping: anything organic - prefer veggies
One place you've always wanted to go to: Alaska
Mac or PC: LINUX! ( but I also have a PC & a MAC)

He mentioned that he would talk about what he has done once it is implemented. I mentioned to him, along with my suggestions, that it might make a good round table topic. I would be willing to participate as I have 30 years experience and I am an instructor in the field.

As to 'whylie or ylife' I have not heard of them. In what context has this come to your attention?

So, is this the easter egg you mentioned on the abbreviated show #372?
In any case, here I am, the first to register and post.
Jon
Atlanta GA