A podcast about Irish blogging, bloggers and events

I've been thinking and talking about the idea of doing a podcast around blogging, blogs and the people involved in Ireland. It will be a lot more of the latter than the former but it's certainly something I'd be interested in trying at least.

There's a lot that could be done there - interviews, readings, highlights, regular slots from contributors, advice on starting up, comedy sketches and talking about upcoming events that those listening might want to know about.

My idea would be a fortnightly "show", with presenters, contributors and segments. There's such a wealth of talent from the various people interacting on blogs, on twitter and generally online that I'm sure that something interesting can be found there.

I wouldn't even say it's purely "business" or "entertainment" or anything as focussed - perhaps a mixture or perhaps themed shows. I've liked how the Boards.ie podcasts went (I need to get to doing those as well) and it would be hugely open to collaboration, input and suggestions - just structured and regular.

I've had a few people express interest to me via twitter already but if you have any suggestions, ideas, requests or indeed think it's an awful idea, please do let me know.

People have their say about the Get Up Stand Up National Day of Protest

I was sent this by Paula Geraghty, the filmmaker who made this short film (5:18) about the ICTU National Day of Protest and the Get Up Stand Up campaign on November 6.

Lots of people on the streets being asked for their views on the matter. The next question apparently is "What do we do next?"

The new Beta Twitter Retweet feature

This just popped up on my screen:


Click for bigger

So it's a symbol instead of an RT and a handy way of seeing how popular a link is - kind of like the Facebook "Like" feature...

There's also a new button beside the "Reply" one:

Vote for your favourite Irish social networking site

That's what the Golden Spiders want you to do. They've just announced their shortlist for the Best Social Networking site and now it's up to the public to vote.

They are:

• http://www.IGOpeople.com
• http://www.irishabroad.com
• http://www.kotalk.com
• http://www.lonely.ie
• http://www.nimble.ie
• http://www.politics.ie
• http://www.thumped.com
  
• and the www. free http://pix.ie .
  
  

From the press release:

Members of the public are invited to cast their vote for one of the shortlisted websites by 6pm on Wednesday, 18th November 2009.

Votes can be made by sending details of your chosen website to info@goldenspiders.ie.

The winner of the “Best Social Networking Website” will be announced at the eircom Golden Spider Awards Ceremony in the Burlington on Thursday, 19th November 2009.

What should you think about before voting for your favourite social networking site?

INFORMATION/CONTENT – Does the site provide users with entertaining, informative and gripping content? In addition to the user-generated content does the site make the most of externally developed add-on applications which further encourage communication between members?

USABILITY – Does the site make efforts to accommodate non-standard visitors, for example: mobile visitors, visitors with text-only browsers, touchscreen visitors, users with screen readers and other alternative devices and a variety of screen resolutions.

DESIGN – Does the site make the best use of graphics, animations and interactive elements? Is the site designed to enable users to interact with the content and information in an easy and enjoyable manner?

RELEVANCE – Does the site clearly understand the needs and aspirations of the communities it supports? Does the site provide specific tools and services to meet those ends?

INNOVATION – Does the site provide new and interesting ways for users to collaborate and communicate?

I'm particularly delighted to see Thumped.com and Politics.ie in the list, as well as Pix.ie. Well done :)

Golden Spiders 2009 shortlist announced today...

The shortlist for the 2000 Golden Spiders Awards was announced today.

All available on a Google Spreadsheet right here.

Congratulations to everyone nominated. The awards are on November 19.

Seats are €300 and table of 10 costs €2,900. Ex VAT.

For the win.

All Together Now stop frame animation - Budweiser tribute

Because I was one of the people at the Budweiser Lyrics preview evening in Dublin earlier this year thanks to the lovely (and I mean lovely!) people at WHPR, and uploaded the ad to YouTube, I still get the odd notification of new videos being made as a tribute to the ad.

Like this new one by You Tube user ijbellehy1981, which I adore. The creativity is astounding.



The original ad:



And all for http://www.alltogethernow.ie. Lovely stuff.