After 2.0 comes 3.0!

Just yesterday someone said to me that by the time some of their clients where fully caught up with Web 2.0 we'd be on to Web 3.0. How true. Today I was scotting around the Times web site, only the discover this article.

Maybe I'm off the pace - possible, because nobody can know everything! - but this was the first time I'd seen Web 3.0 in 'print', albeit print of the pixel generated kind. The article also goes on to speculate on the characteristics of Web 4.0.

If these trends do play out as predicted we will be living in a much more joined up world very shortly. The 'intelligence' of the machines, from which our lives will be largely inseperable, will have been derived from the way we act, how we join the dots together. So let's teach like we would like to be taught.

In praise of action!

I'm going to give an unashamed shoutout to Mr Paul M Gutteridge. Not only did this guy have the courage to convince people I was someone worth listening to he actually listened himself. This, ladies and gentlemen, is the proof of the pudding...



While I take no credit for the inspired content I do know that a touch of telephone consultancy help push Paul in front of the camera. I'm impressed with the results. His views are steadily climbing - and, thus far, he's posting regularly.

It's the most encouraging thing to have people act on what you talk about. Not so much because it massages the ego but because when you believe something is worthwhile it's exciting to see other embrace it - especially if they excel as they do so.

A finger on the digital pulse

I'm not going to pretend this blog will break the biggest tech story of 2008 but it will keep you stocked up with things to think about, places to visit and online video to watch.

Seek and ye shall find!

Google shocked people by proving there was a market for 'search'. We search everything now. And if we can't Google it it probably doesn't exist!

Podcast or not to cast?

The terminology confuses some but podcasting can be audio or video that is pushed to the consumer, usually via RSS. Downloads are downloaded and therein lies the difference! If you're looking for easy, entry-level ways to distribute video stick to YouTube.

Start Your Own Podcast by MacWorld
How To Start Your Own Podcast by wikiHow

I love online video!

Online video = YouTube!

It's really is that simple. Yes, there are other sites and services out there but nothing matches YouTube for audience. The fact it's linked to Google makes it almost incomprehensible as to why you'd host your video anywhere else. Perhaps I should point out I've not made a penny for online video - yet - but I think the community element of YouTube is a fascinating development in human interaction.

My 101st YouTube video was this: YouTube 101



This is the Unofficial YouTube Anthem from the self-proclaimed 'King of YouTube' Paul 'Renetto' Robinett.



Kevin 'Nalts' Nalty is the self-appointed 'viral-video genius'. His break came with a video titled 'Farting in Public'! But this is something sensible from him.

Get networking...socially!

I recently saw a video from a Facebook developers conference where someone described Facebook as THE tech event of 2007 - funny that! That said, with a unique audience increase of 541% in the UK between December 06 and August 07 it is seeing impressive growth. In the same time frame MySpace has grown 20%! If you think I'm making this up visit Nielsen NetRatings.

This page looked like it was worth exploring...

Start blogging

This is a blog. It costs me nothing but my time to maintain it. Start one if you have anything remotely interesting to say!

Blogs about tech/web stuff: TechCrunch, WillVideoForFood.com, Gizmodo

Click here for 101 Steps to becoming a better blogger

New Media Literacy

I owe Tom for putting me onto this. If you want to get a grip on how we should be training our young people for the world they're growing up in then get Confronting the Challenges of Participatory Culture: Media Education for the 21st Century. Henry Jenkins, Director of the Comparative Media Studies Program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology published this white paper that explores new frameworks and models for media literacy. It's well worth reading.

Check out Tom's video's on YouTube. He goes by the user name tlg847. This is a taste of what you'll find...

How did Jesus do it?

Let’s look at how Jesus engaged.

He told stories to the crowds. These were memorable, painting graphic pictures. But they were often oblique, prompting people to question what he meant.
Examples: The Parable of the Lost Coin – Luke 15:8-9 / The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant – Matthew 18:21-35

He confronted religion in those who should have known better.
Examples: Demons and Beelzebub – Matthew 12:22-37 / Seven Woes – Matthew 23

He taught his disciples, explaining the parables and correcting their mistakes.
Examples: Teaches prayer – Luke 11:1-13 / Correcting Disciples – Matthew 17:14-23

He did good, and demonstrated God’s goodness.
Example: Zacchaeus – Luke 19:1-10 / Pool of Bethesda – John 5:1-15

He made announcements, but not church notices!
Examples: Repent, the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand – Matthew 4:17 / Destroy this temple – John 2:19

He answered questions, although not necessarily like people expected.
Examples: Whose wife will she be? – Mark 12:18-27 / Caught in the act – John 8:1-11

What do you do? What will you do?

New opportunities

We've never had the chance to do so much so easily. The greater the opportunities the harder it is to justify our excuses for not engaging. Spare a thought for the great communicators of days gone day who would have killed for the opportunities we have - if they were the killing type, that is!

And if I can't tempt you into action with that, how about this article from The Times: How to tap in to online riches!

It's not enough to just say it...

...nothing is truly communicated until the intended audience actually understand it.

Oh that communication skills could be bought as an off-the-shelf commodity! But we do realise that they need to be practised and honed, don't we?

Where is everyone?

According to Nielsen it seems they're on MSN! If they're not then try Facebook or Myspace and you're bound to find them there. If you want to follow the trends then visit Nielsen BuzzMetrics for a wealth of information.

Search and Discover!

I can't think of a better way to illustrate this point further than by saying the video below is my favourite find of the last month!

Church vs New Media

The differences need to be acknowledged. You can't play the new game by the old rules...and vice versa. But in the new game the rules - to borrow from a screen pirate - 'are more like guidelines', certainly for now.

This is an revision of a video that was hugely popular a few months back. It's a must see for anyone who wants to get their head around Web2.0 and it adresses the need for a new mindset in so much of our communication and interaction very well.

A new world of New Media

Right here is where we have to start embracing the new world of New Media. USA Today printed this article a few years back and since then we seen start-ups like Google, YouTube and Facebook. Is it evolution or revolution? Whatever it is it's happening fast.

For more about User Generated content click here and here.

Bibles and Reformation

You can fool some of the people some of the time...but give them the Bible in their own language and they'll be able to think for themselves. Thus ended the religious monopoly of the Catholic Church in Europe. Click here for more about the huge personal cost many paid to bring us the world's best selling book.

Moveable Type - a revolution

Gutenberg's genius was 'moveable type' - a system that defined print for the next 500 years. I'm told this is the definitive work on the subject. I guess I should read it.

You can also check this article, or this rather more hefty piece. Then, of course, there's Wikipedia!

Creating 'Christmelicious'

This is the nearest I've come to 'viral video genius' - so far! A 5 five minute video that got 500,000 views in 5 days - that's equivalent to 5 years of back-to-back plays!

I didn't coin the word 'Christmelicious' - although I know who did. The day I uploaded the video it returned precisely zero results of Google. The word now exists, we created it!

Being 'thematthellyer'

So, to my knowledge, there are no embarassing baby photos of me on Facebook - although doubtless that's just a matter of time. You can find evidence of my work at here. I also owe a lot to the guys at Vivid Broadcast for the opportunities they contiue to give me. And finally, my contribution to the pure art form that is online video can be found on YouTube.

This is 'One Year On The Tube' - my obviously titled compilation-celebration!

Welcome to 'The Gutenberg Effect'

I'll be posting links and comments that have got me thinking. In this vast and enthralling subject there's no shortage of things to discuss. But I'll also keep you posted on what I'm actually doing in New Media - least this look like a lot of talk!