Nic’s blog
I write about building businesses, failing and building a life, not a legacy.
Amagama Gets A Redesign
I wonder what sort of backlash Vincent and the MG team will receive for this little change?
OK, so it isn't really a little change. There are some significant differences featured on the new Amagama homepage. For one thing, there are no recent comments appearing on the homepage and no recent blog posts. In the place of the recent blog posts there is a tag cloud that seems to be displaying all of the hot topics in the realm of Amagama.Previous complaints from old Blogmark users about the previous version of the Amagama homepage were that the community aspect had left the platform. This is definitely apparent now with the new updates.Amatomu, the other MG blog resource is now also featured on the site. While there are links to recent comments and the homepage does show who is online and a list of new blogs, I feel like there is a wave of Amabadmouthing coming the way of the Vincent. Sorry buddy, lets hope it pans out differently.It seems as though Vincent has attempted to make conversion from Blogmark blog to Amagama a lot easier on the new homepage and registration seems to be simpler.
Third Time Lucky - The Flamebait podcast... eventually
Vince and I have finally recorded the Flamebait podcast in a format that we are happy with and believe will be long-lasting.We recorded this weeks podcast on Friday and had a good laugh and talk about some interesting things. The difficulty with a podcast is that which every blog or media production faces: Who is your target market. The Flamebait target market is, without a doubt, MG readers.These readers are not necessarily blogsavvy so that is the sort of angle we have taken. Without further deliberation you can receive the podcast right now via RSS at http://feeds.feedburner.com/flamebait. The podcast will be up on the MG Podcast page on Monday.
The IPhone - Can It Make Calls?
I think the IPhone is hot. So does everyone else. I have yet to read a post from any blogger talking about the basic functionality of this groundbreaking phone.Can this phone send a text message? Can I make a call and will it be crystal clear? If it can't do these two basic things properly then I don't want it.I mean that. I want to be able to do the basics incredibly easily with an almost 100% success rate before I know that I can teleport myself to planet Zookefrokenbakc and back with the IPhone.So I ask again, has anyone made a call or sent a text message using the IPhone?
The Big Whatifs
Whatif I take this job? Whatif I don't? Whatif he dies, whatif he lives, whatif I turn left, or right, if I drive or walk?These have been plaguing my mind. The Whatifs. Lately the Whatifs have been significant. Life changing and future defining for me. They are scare, all of them, every single one. Whatif you don't say goodbye and don't ever get to? Whatif she doesn't know you love her and you never get to tell her? Whatif then hey?I can hear you mumbling janowhatever-likesureman, there's always tomorrow. Well Whatif there isn't tomorrow?Tomorrow will come, it is a matter of how you remember yesterday that defines what today feels like.There is some very cool stuff happening to me and to the people around me at the moment. I think things are looking up and I think that great things are ahead for some great people. Keep a look out!
Rethinking, New Job, New Approach
So what about blogging I hear you ask? I haven't been particularly on my game this week have I? No, I haven't. There is a very good reason for this though I must say.I have, just this week, taken up a position at FM Campus as the new editor. The magazine is the Campus production of Financial Mail.I am extremely excited about the position, the company, the people and the actual workings of the job itself. I have a lot of scope to move and develop the project in the manner that I choose (with some strategic and authoritative guidance).Other than that I have been brokering deals with Virgin Money (more to come about that later) and trying to keep my personal life balanced and in one piece.For now that is that and I will try to keep on top of my blogging and SA Rocks too!!
Let The FlameBait Begin - Bloggers Get The Knockaround
The time has come. Stupidity is finally being rewarded on the SA blogosphere. This just reward comes in the form of Mad Mahler (Vincent Maher) and the Hairy Ambush (that's me).The very first episode of the Mail&Guardian hosted FlameBait podcast has been released on the FlameBait blog.From the blog:
So here we are, Mad Mahler and Hairy Ambush on the podcast circuit with lots to say and little to back it up with. Sounds like it has all the makings of a killer blog and podcast and guess what - we don’t care if you think we’re talking shit because we probably are and you should get over it in your own way.
The first episode features some of the following:
Who is Steve Hofmeyr’s Harvy? What is the deal with Jezebel and the details of rimming? Is it true that eating cabbage gets you into the top 20 on Amatomu? Is it true that putting cabbage on your breasts helps you lactate? What ever happened to 1000brownmnms?
Head on over to the blog for this ridiculously witty and humorous baiting podcast!!
QuBe - The Future Of Social Networks?
QuBe from Quintessentially is an elite social network that I stumbled across. It has close ties with the real world and offers its members various levels of membership that offer various levels of kickback at a variety of venues, parties and restaurants (I think).The reason that I say I think and that I do not know is that their registration costs look like this:
Apparently the membership is strictly limited and monitored and the network is leaning more to a "club" than a network. Members can apply and if successful, receive all the necessary paraphenalia and the "Beyond Black" credit card.
From the websites benefits section:The Benefits
Quintessentially is a club, a club created entirely to make life that much easier, that much richer and that much more fun for all its members. We believe we have an irresistible package of offers, privileges, bespoke services and access to inside track information, which will make your annual fee seem like the best deal you've ever done. These benefits are only a selection of what we are capable of and you can always ask the team at Quintessentially if there are benefits at thousands of other places currently not listed in the Guest area of the site. To find out more about them click on the links below.
The site and its features seem to operate in over 80 countries where all benefits are offered. Have a look and if you think you are worth the ride, then send in an application. Let me know how it goes when you get it in! There is definitely a "club" feel to the site and I am aware of a few South Africans who are on the site and making use of it.
Men At Work
I took this photo looking at a construction site. I thought it was incredible how unified all the men looked!
5FM Goes Web 2.0 On Us
I am extremely impressed with 5fm. I have just signed up to Young Blood 5 (not not Colin Daniels' online moniker). The site, a social network, seems to be dedicated to promoting various causes that readers and users might have.I signed myself up as supporting the cause of "Changing Western Views Of Africa". I think it's a good cause to support cause we, as Africans, are going to do some seriously great things in the near future and immediate present.The site is sleek, flowing, easy to use and well designed.Have a look:
Live Earth Concert Lineup
This is it:UB40, Joss Stone, Angelique Kidjo, Baaba Maal, Danny K, The Parlotones, The Soweto Gospel Choir, Vusi Mahlasela, and Zola.What is that? Every other venue just about gets the biggest baddest bands in the world but we get South African Acts (WHICH ROCK MY WORLD) that I can see any time, any where in SA. I love the local bands, they are lekker, but lets be honest, Live Earth is meant to be raising awareness by recruiting the world leaders in music... AHEM.Some of the artists we wont see:Jack JohnsonSnoop DogKatie MeluaDave Matthews BandRed Hot ChilisFoo FightersDavid GreyAkonPaolo NutiniJohn MayerMadonnaBlock PartyGENESISBlack Eyed PeasBeastie BoysKeaneAND MANY MANY MORE.Why do the international organisers of this sort of event always screw SA. It happened at the Live 8 concert too. We were an afterthought and a concert was thrown together.I will probably not be attending the conert. No thanks, I don't like being second fiddle.
I Am An Addict
Heroes is my drug of choice.
If you have not watched this series you must. You have to seek out the magic that is the human genetic evolution (the superpower). Most of the characters in this series have a special power of some sort. Much like good old Clark Kent, some can fly, some can see the future, bend the space/time continuum or simply cannot die. Some have stronger powers than others and of course some are using their powers for evil...I honestly, truthfully and faithfully believe that this series is not some half-wit attempt by some Hollywood mogul who is trying to make a dollar. I think that this sort of evolutionary change is on the cards.Speaking from a 100% layman's perspective I am almost certain that it is a simple matter of one child somewhere in the world being born with the ability to use more than the measly percentage of the brain that we currently use. That would be incredible, that would be world altering, that would be great.I am also impressed with the approach that NBC has taken to the Heroes website. There are video profiles, episodes available online and most interesting of all; there are blogs. Character blogs. Real Character blogs. Not actors blogging about their characters, but the characters themselves blogging. That is novel in my opinion. I haven't seen anything like that before. Great concept.This blogging platform also seems to allow users to blog in any language and have the blog translated to any other language. Brilliant.
Click-A-Lot, Triple Your Cash
So I am a content buddy at mydigitallife (MyDL) and have been submitting content from SA Rocks for a few weeks now. I've been slack.I've been slack up until today that is. Today is "click-a-lot" day at MyDL. That means:
The “click-a-lot†day, will take place today 12 June – all day…This means three times your money…This will be for, not only original content written on the day but also reads on all your stories written to date. Therefore watch for your Author Dashboard and tonight all your hits accumulated today will be multiplied by 3!
I have just submitted a boat load of content to my blog at MyDL. Can't imagine why. Get over there, click my blogs, make me rich. Now. Do It.P.S: I still haven't figured out how I am going to claim back this cash.
Online Business Is Tough
Let us be perfectly honest. Making money online in SA is difficult unless you are employed by a big media house (which in itself is tough).Those who know me or read this blog will know that I am an entrepreneur and media practitioner and not necessarily in that order. This means that I am broke some of the time. This gets old really really fast, if you don't know, trust me on this one.What I am getting at is that it's tough to make a living online, it is. I am really curious to know if there are gabillions of online entrepreneurs in SA who are making boatloads of money or at least, are making a living? Are you out there? If you are, let me know cause I wanna know how you did it.Who am I kidding? As if anyone who made the dosh is going to splurge their secrets to me on this blog? Are you?