Riding The Wave

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When Google Wave was first announced back in May 2009, the hype-o-meter almost went off the scale. While bollocking Google is the new black, Jono Bacon and Stuart ‘Aq’ Langridge have a play with wave, explore it and talk about whether the hype is justified, what it’s opportunities are and what Wave needs to do to succeed.

Of course, we are the very beginning of the conversation. What do you think? Have you played with Wave? What did you think? Did you use it for anything other than type ‘here is a test of wave’? Do you think Wave will change the way we communicate? Share your thoughts in the shot comments below…

72 comments so far: add your views!

Piracy In The Party

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In recent years we have seen more and more focus on The Pirate Party, with particular growth in Sweden and significant progress being made in the areas of copyright. Jono Bacon and Stuart ‘Aq’ Langridge explore the rising popularity of The Pirate Party, discuss whether single issue groups are more effective as parties or lobbyist groups and whether the focus on changes in copyright law should be focused on content owners or government.

Of course, we are only the very beginning of the discussion. What do you think? Are The Pirate Party fullifilling a valuable role as a party? What do you think they could and should be doing to help their cause? What do you think of single-issue parties and lobbyist groups? What can be done to create better and fairer laws around copyright? Let us know your thoughts in the show comments below…

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Monty’s MySQL Melee

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Towards the latter part of 2009, everyone’s favorite database MySQL was embroiled in controversy as it’s co-founder Michael ‘Monty’ Widenius opened a can of Finnish whoop-ass on Oracle trying to block it’s acquisition of Sun and subsequently, MySQL. Jono Bacon and Stuart ‘Aq’ Langridge explore Monty’s approach, assess allegations of hypocrisy and discuss possible causes for Monty’s dissent of Oracle and their future stewardship of MySQL.

Of course, we are only the start of the discussion. What do you think? Was Monty hypocritical in his approach or was he genuinely acting on a possible threat to MySQL? Was differences in business culture at play, paranoia, money or something else? Let us know your thoughts in the shot comments below…

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Merch Madness And Scratchpad Screens

Two pieces of fun Shot Of Jaq news to share with shotters everywhere.

Firstly, we have our very first Shot Of Jaq merch action shot, shown above on the left. This was sent in by Julie Bernstein who snapped herself up the Shot Of Jaq Tank Top. It is awesome to see folks supporting the show buy grabbing some cool merch. T-Shirts, Mugs, Stickers and more are all at the Shot Of Jaq Store. Importantly, when when (not if) you buy something, don’t forget to add it to our March Action Shots Scratchpad Page!

Secondly, a mysterious Shot Of Jaq fan has proposed a little fun competition for us to play called T5. The goal is simple: display the Shot Of Jaq logo on the largest screen you can find, take a picture and submit to the Scratchpad page. Treenaks has the record right now with the Shot Of Jaq logo on a 42″ flat panel (shown in the pic above). Can you do better? More details of how to get involved are here.

While we are at it, don’t forget to add your ideas for shots to this Scratchpad page and add your ideas for sublime, fun and ridiculous publicity stunts to this Scratchpad page. Fun times, friends!

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The Zone

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When we are pumped up and excited about what we are doing, we get lots done and enjoy doing what we do. This is known as being in the zone. Jono Bacon and Stuart ‘Aq’ Langridge explore what the zone is, how to get in it, and how you figure out what gets you in the zone to have a more fun and productive experience doing what you are doing.

Remember, this is the start of the conversation! What gets you in the zone? Follow our little game that we outline in the shot and let us know what you find out! what are your experiences of getting yourself in the mental headspace to be your most creative and productive? Let us know in the shot comments below…

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Life Online Part 2: The Data

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In the follow up to our previous shot about life online Jono Bacon and Stuart ‘Aq’ Langridge continue the discussion about how to manage a seemingly endless array of data online from email to micro-blogging to feed readers to documents and more and the many and sundry privacy and convenience issues that are involved. In a world filled with detail, can we strike a balance between safe and simple?

Remember, this is the beginning of the conversation, and we want to hear your thoughts! What are your views on the privacy, freedom and convenience issues surrounding online web services, and how do you feel we get a good balance? Should we bypass the web in search of local fat clients, and what solutions could resolve these issues? Share your thoughts in the shot comments below…

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Shot Of Jaq Store Now Open

With the Shot Of Jaq community growing more and more with every shot, we have had some requests for merchandise. As such, we have now opened up the Shot Of Jaq Store where you can get your hands on some official Shot Of Jaq gear. This is a great way to show off your Shot Of Jaq cred and support the show with a small donation from every sale.

To kick things off we have a special incentive for our first merch rock stars. The first three Shot Of Jaq fans to buy a product from the store and send us a photo of you holding or wearing it, will get an opportunity to join Aq and I and listen to a shot being recorded live. This is a great opportunity to experience a shot being recorded and hang out with us in the recording session. So, go and grab some merch ASAP and mail your photos to us at talktous AT shotofjaq DOT org!

Visit the Shot Of Jaq Store here!

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Life Online Part 1: The Balance

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With many of us spending increasing amounts of time plugged into our laptops and servers, in this first of a two-shot series, Jono Bacon and Stuart ‘Aq’ Langridge explore how we balance our online and offline lives, the heath implications, and the challenges that face us with mobile devices and how to get away.

Of course, this shot is just the start of the conversation. What do you think? How much time do you spend online? How do you get away? Have you experienced depression or burnout from being in front of your computer too much? Share your thoughts in the shot comments below…

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Jaqback, Issue 3

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Jono Bacon and Stuart ‘Aq’ Langridge read your letters, answer your questions and talk about the goings on and news in the always awesome Shot Of Jaq community.

We are always keen to hear your thoughts, opinions and ideas for the show. Be sure to join the conversation in the shot comments below…

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Thinking Outside The Boxee

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The ‘Open Source Build Your Own Media Station’ world has seen many different incarnations of software to play back media, record TV, and access online content. Unfortunately, said incarnations have been a royal pain the arse to install. One flavour that is shaking things up is Boxee and it’s D-Link hardware Boxee Box. Jono Bacon and Stuart ‘Aq’ Langridge take apart the Boxee phenomenon and explore if it has legs to bring the video revolution to us all.

Of course, our shot is just the start of the conversation and we look to you lovely people to continue the discussion in the shot comments below. Does Boxee show promise? How do other DVR software projects compare? What is your experience of Boxee and similar hardware boxes? Where do you see the future of digital video? share your thoughts below…

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