The Egyptian Way :: The Egyptian Revolution - Fear and More Fear

The Egyptian Way :: The Egyptian Revolution - Fear and More Fear

During the Egyptian Revolution, I chose not to leave Cairo, Egypt where I live and work.

I've been reluctant to express my opinion about my experience with the Egyptian Revolution. This is not the appropriate platform for me to go into detail about why I haven't been saying much.

However, in this short podcast (really a test of using SoundCloud's Web interface for recording), I talk about how fear seemed prevalent in the early days of the protest.

My apology in advance for the sound quality; I failed to turn off the heater in the room while I was recording.

Podcast: Jan. 25th Protests: Fear and more fear

Re: Jan 25th Protests in Egypt: Fear and more fear by ohradiogirl

PODCAST: Music Monday 46 :: Oddisee

For this Music Monday post, I am doing a podcast. Me and my podcast partner, Darryl Atwell, talk about Oddisee. Oddisee is a hip hop emcee from D.C.

PODCAST: President Obama's Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize

Darryl Atwell and I often times have some fruitful discussions on politics, pop culture and entertainment.

Today's discussion is a reflection of one of the most discussed events in 2009: President Barack Obama being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

PodCampOhio 09: Finding Music for Your Podcast

Just trying to get the information that I shared w/the PodCampers out to everyone who were not able to attend PodCamp Ohio.

Here's another topic and is great for newbies and vets. To freshen up your podcast add some music at the beginning and end. You know, an intro and outro.

My presentation portion went quick. The discussion ventured into Audacity. That evolved because on Jamendo and on some other sites you can download the music. Some folks wanted to know what to do next especially if you don't want the entire song, but maybe just the intro or the hook of the track.

I also like the idea of using a local/neighborhood band. And I have some loops that I can use to make tracks, if you are so inclined.

I mentioned that I am near married to Adobe Audition. But my session attendees convinced me to dig deeper into the abilities of Audacity (which was a session that I attended after my sessions).

All went well. Enjoy the "Finding Music for Your Podcast" presentation on Slide Share:

Finding Music For Your Podcast

View more OpenOffice presentations from Kim Fox.

Using FREE Software to Maniuplate Images

I attended PodCamp Ohio on Saturday, June 20, 2009 on the Ohio State University campus in Columbus, Ohio.

I was only able to attend for a half day. Add to that that I had two presentations back to back. Not a complaint just a note to self for the next time: it might be best if you are working a full day, then attend a half day conference that maybe one presentation is plenty.

I liked the session on "Using FREE Software to Manipulate Images". I wanted it to be simple enough for newbies to understand, yet maybe offer some new information to the vets attending the session.

When presenting at PodCamp, it's best to keep it open and solicit comments and ideas from the attendees. Remember: "Everyone is a Rockstar!".

Here's the "Using FREE Software to Manipulate Images" presentation from SlideShare:

Using FREE Software to Manipulate Images

View more OpenOffice presentations from Kim Fox.

PCPGH 3 Post Mortem - Day 2

So, I don't have an updated logo that says "I attended Podcamp Pittsburgh 3", but it's all good.

I'm continuing today where I left off yesterday by recapping some of the sessions that I attended @ PCPGH3.

SUNDAY
Taking Better Photos (entry to intermediate)
Nice session. He says he'll post his PowerPoint slides on SlideShare.com. Search Tibbon, though they are not there yet.

• Mentioned some photo organizing programs like Aperture. Very cool. You can do some editing like cropping and it's non-destructive.
• The importance of light and how to cope w/a lack of light
• When you need to change perspective, move your feet as opposed to zoom in/out
• Look for EXif data on your camera: give specifics about the settings used for each image (you can also take the picture, upload to Flickr. Flickr has the info. Info like aperture, ISO, etc.
• strobist.blogspot.com: about lighting, gotta love it
  
• KenRockwell.com: tons of photo taking knowledge
• smugmug.com: photo storage site
  

Word Press Session
I'm considering moving my blog from Blogger to Word Press. I just want to make doing a podcast easier. I hear that it is super simple to upload podcast/audio using Word Press. I am still undecided.


Search-Engine-Friendly Blogging, or How to be #1 in Pretty Hats
This was one of my fav sessions. Just good info about keywords and using headers to your advantage. Oh, and just prior to this session, I learned that SEO means search engine optimization. See, you are learning too, right? The title stems from the session leaders blog post of an image and the post title was 'pretty hats'. So when you search that, you'll get her blog post.

• Use a smart title tag
• make proper use of heading tags
• The right text content: check out Google's Adwords Keyword Tool
• 1000 words is optimal; 250 = minimum blog post
• Make appropriate inbound and outbound links: link to keywords and phrases
• Include alt tags
  
• Have an up-to-date site map (she sort of lost me on this one).
• Websitehelpers.com (look for SEO 101)
  

Design: What Can It Do for You?
This session was okay.

• Have adequate white space to let the elements breathe
• Spacing is important
• Resources for color: kuler.adobe.com, helps coordinate color combinations; also try colourlovers
• Pay attention to typography, leading and line length
• For templates, fonts and more ... check out SmashingMagazine
  

Twittering for Business
It was nice to see some clear examples of how companies are using Twitter. Check out Bigelow Tea. Comcast Cares.

• Plurk.com is similar to Twitter, but you can keep up w/conversations better

• Search for people and keywords on Search.Twitter.com
• Companies can use Twitter as a customer service platform; it's customer service, just not via phone or in person
• Do NOT just post links to the company website and do not spam
• You do not have to follow everyone who follows you
• Disclose who is Twittering (especially if it's not someone who works for the company, but is a paid outside consultant)
  

That's all I got for now. I need to further explore the information that I've posted over the past two days.

Oh, and if you're interested in attending a Podcamp, check out Podcamp.org. The dates for next year's Podcamp Ohio have been set: Saturday, June 20, 2009 @ Ohio State University in Columbus.

Podcamp Pittsbugh (PCPGH3)

I'll be checking out Podcamp Pittsburgh (PCPGH3) this weekend. Should be kinda cool. It's the 'unconference' - something like by the people for the people. It's a freebie, so that's a major selling point.

I'm not hosting any panels or anything. I almost threw my hat in the ring. But I don't quite have expertise in podcasting. I can do this blogging thing somewhat well. Like I'm in the process of changing the templates on my blogs. I don't know html, but I've learned a thing or two just working in blogger. But I think blogging is really simple. Though there is more to Podcamp Pittsburgh than just blogging and podcasting. It's about taking photos, social media, multimedia and more.

Btw, I plan on doing more podcasting in the future. I will more than likely have podcasts of the media that I consume. Additionally, I'd like to get more podcasts of me and my friends having insightful conversations about current events.

So Podcamp Pittsburgh, here I come. There are a slew of workshops/sessions on both Saturday and Sunday. I hope to do the whole nine including the Meet and Greet later today. I missed Podcamp Ohio, so I hope that this event is just as good.

Podcamp Ohio

The countdown to Podcamp Ohio is here. I had planned on attending, but my brother is getting married that same day. Lucky me most all of the sessions will be available as a guess what? Podcast. Yeah me.

I've been following the podcamp Ohio listing on Twitter as well as checking out their Google Group thread.

Here's the opportunity to get lots of information on podcasting, for both video and audio, network as well. I'm sure there are wonderful speakers who will make presentations. Just an all around good event and for free.

Music ... being open-minded

My friend Darryl, Who's done a couple of podcasts with me is a bona fide fan of Michelle Ndegeocello. It's not that I am not a fan, I just like for my music to have more beats, which I really enjoyed on "Cookie: The Anthropological Mixtape". However, I was underwhlemled with "Comfort Woman" (that put me in a near Rip Van Winkle slumber).

What I will say (and it is not a ground-breaking observation) is that Ndegeocello can not and will not be musically categorized. The fact that she can be a beat provider or a mellow driven serenader is a wonderful talent and I admire that.

I am intrigued by the title of her latest project "The World Has Made Me The Man Of My Dreams". I will definitely get around to listening to this one and probably in the next few weeks. I have to listen to it to determine if I like it or not and it could very well be the best thing in the musical pot, right?

MOVIE REVIEW: "The Great Debaters" podcast

MOVIE REVIEW: "The Great Debaters"

My friend Darryl Atwell and I are at it again. This time our target topic is "The Great Debaters".

Check out the podcast.

MOVIE REVIEW: "American Gangster" - Podcast

Click on the heading at the top to activate this podcast.

MOVIE REVIEW: "American Gangster"

Working on adding a weekly podcast ... here is one. I'd like to have your thoughts on this one.



Topic: Review of the movie "American Gangster"
The podcast hosts are Kim Fox and Darryl Atwell.

Additional links:

"American Gangster" website

Wiki on Frank Lucas

New York - The Magazine article on Frank Lucas and Nicky Barnes