Something That Happened.
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Stories by Harold, in a variety of formats - including text, audio, video, and podcasts.
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Thursday, September 11, 2003
Regrets...
I've had a few.
But then again,
Too few to mention!
I've had a few.
But then again,
Too few to mention!
--"My Way",
written by Paul Anka
When I hear that song, I think of Frank Sinatra, and sometimes Elvis or Sid Vicious --
all of whom have been known to perform, in their own unique manner, that wonderful song.
Wonderful because -- though I don't always enjoy hearing it, I've heard it so much --
the song is a wonderful personal anthem. That's something we all need: a personal anthem.
A song that praises our individuality; a mark of devotion to oneself.
After all, they say you're going to have a helluva time loving anyone else unless you've first
learned to love yourself, right?written by Paul Anka
This is not to replace your love for your God, or your spouse, or your family. I'm simply saying that we all need to give ourselves a bit more self-love at this time of year. (No, not that type of self-love !) Too many of us beat up on ourselves throughout the year, and then nearly destroy ourselves at year's end. No wonder there are so many suicides during the Holidays; the messages bombarding us are to Buy Buy Buy and to Give Give Give -- but what if you have nothing to give but love? If you have a dearth of that good stuff, then you'll have a bitch of a time spreading it around to your neighbors.
So be good to yourself, whether you're Christian, Pagan, Wiccan, Athiest, Hindu, Islamic, Mormon, Podcastin, or otherwise. Don't take the pills, they won't do you or anyone else any good; you'll simply miss out on the Next Big Thing (which may turn out to be Your Next Big Thing). Just do things your own way, singing that little hymn as you do so:
For what is a man,
What has he got?
If not himself,
Then he has naught.
To say the things,
He truly feels,
And not the words,
Of one who kneels.
The record shows,
I took the blows
And did it my way!
What has he got?
If not himself,
Then he has naught.
To say the things,
He truly feels,
And not the words,
Of one who kneels.
The record shows,
I took the blows
And did it my way!
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
Today I want to tell you about Podcasts 24/7, a service which provides podcasts as a continous webstream. Wait-a-minute, you may be thinking, isn't that ass-backwards? Isn't podcasting the antithesis of streaming?
Well, yes and no. Certainly the term podcasting was birthed to describe the medium's method of delivery, which was antithetical to streaming. Yet from the onset, many podcasters still made their 'casts available as streams as well. In fact, many podcasters began as webcasters, streaming their recordings rather than making them available as portable downloads. Podcasts247.com allows podcasters to become webcasters as well.
So why become a webcaster? Well, some listeners may not wish to fill their hard drive with podcasts, so they'd prefer to listen to webcasts, which don't usually consume hard drive space. Also, some podcast listeners at work, school, or the library may not be allowed to download files (podcasts) to their computers due to restrictions, yet they still may be able to listen to streams (webcasts).
To see what I mean, try tuning in at podcasts247.com to listen to a variety of podcasts being streamed, one after another.
Well, yes and no. Certainly the term podcasting was birthed to describe the medium's method of delivery, which was antithetical to streaming. Yet from the onset, many podcasters still made their 'casts available as streams as well. In fact, many podcasters began as webcasters, streaming their recordings rather than making them available as portable downloads. Podcasts247.com allows podcasters to become webcasters as well.
So why become a webcaster? Well, some listeners may not wish to fill their hard drive with podcasts, so they'd prefer to listen to webcasts, which don't usually consume hard drive space. Also, some podcast listeners at work, school, or the library may not be allowed to download files (podcasts) to their computers due to restrictions, yet they still may be able to listen to streams (webcasts).
To see what I mean, try tuning in at podcasts247.com to listen to a variety of podcasts being streamed, one after another.
Fellow podcasters, webcasters, audiobloggers, here's an economical way to record phone interviews, useful if you have an old computer and are having difficulty recording Skype conversations. Remember to check the laws in your area regarding the recording of phone conversations! Here's what you need:
Yes, this setup is a bit cheap and may not produce the most professional sound, but it will do quite nicely for those on a shoestring budget - and it's especially attractive if you already have some of the components listed. Here's how it works:
That's it! Remember, you're not necessarily going to get Broadcast-quality sound using this setup - your voice will probably sound about as good as your caller's. Still, I've heard many decent audio recordings using this setup!
- Standard phone line
- Radio Shack Mini Recorder Control ($15; part no. Radio Shack 43-1237)
- Swapmeet or yardsale-discovered cassette, microcassette recorder, or, ideally, MP3 or minidisc recorder (also check your storage closet for forgotten recording devices)
- Computer (okay, we have to be reasonable here--we're not going to get much done on an Apple ][e or anything)
- Soundcard; most modern computers (and all Macs) come with one of these
- Audacity software (free, assuming your computer is up to the challenge, and available for Mac, Windows, or Linux; otherwise, Pro Tools FREE is available for most older Mac and Windows systems)
- Cable to plug recording device into soundcard
Yes, this setup is a bit cheap and may not produce the most professional sound, but it will do quite nicely for those on a shoestring budget - and it's especially attractive if you already have some of the components listed. Here's how it works:
- Plug the phone handset line into the only available input on the Mini Recorder Control, the "Handset" jack. The Mini Recorder Control itself is to be plugged into your phone's handset input. Be sure to set the Control to the "REC" setting (rather than the "PLAY" setting).
- Plug the Mini Recorder Control into your recording device. (No cable required; the cable is built-in to the Control).
- Place your phone call and record the interview by using the appropriate recording mechanism on your recording device.
- When you are finished recording, plug your recording device into your soundcard using the appropriate cable. Digitize the recording by recording using Audacity (or Pro Tools FREE or whatever software app you prefer)
That's it! Remember, you're not necessarily going to get Broadcast-quality sound using this setup - your voice will probably sound about as good as your caller's. Still, I've heard many decent audio recordings using this setup!
Sunday, December 19, 2004
"Sundae Silence" (MP3 audio post; stream or 4.3MB download)
The sound and the silence of mom eating a sundae in a famous fast-food franchise. (Thanks to the Raging Liberal and the Internet Archive for hosting my podcast, and thanks also to ILK for making his torrent tracker available.)
Not to your liking? Please send typed or audio comments to harold.johnson@gmail.com. Fair warning: your comments may be posted to this site or used in the podcast--but that's what you want, isn't it?
The sound and the silence of mom eating a sundae in a famous fast-food franchise. (Thanks to the Raging Liberal and the Internet Archive for hosting my podcast, and thanks also to ILK for making his torrent tracker available.)
Not to your liking? Please send typed or audio comments to harold.johnson@gmail.com. Fair warning: your comments may be posted to this site or used in the podcast--but that's what you want, isn't it?
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
If you've just wandered into this website you may find yourself perplexed. Podcast feed? Torrent feed? Streams and downloads? What is this stuff?
The easy explanation is that these are all methods of having Internet audio and music automatically (some say automagically) delivered directly to your listening ears. You subscribe to feeds to have these recordings, also called podcasts, delivered to your iPod by using an application called an iPodder. Even if you don't have an iPod, you can still use an iPodder to subscribe to podcasts and have them delivered automagically to your computer while your sleep. That way you can wake up in the morning and begin listening to your favorite podcasts right away--or transfer the recordings to your iRiver, iPod, or just about any other MP3 player to listen to them while you're out and about!
That's the easy explanation. I can provide you with many convoluted explanations as well, but why should I? If you're interested in finding out more about podcasts and iPodder and feeds and things like that, head over to iPodder.org and choose your own path toward knowledge. Or email me anytime you'd like and I'll be glad to fill you in some more.
The easy explanation is that these are all methods of having Internet audio and music automatically (some say automagically) delivered directly to your listening ears. You subscribe to feeds to have these recordings, also called podcasts, delivered to your iPod by using an application called an iPodder. Even if you don't have an iPod, you can still use an iPodder to subscribe to podcasts and have them delivered automagically to your computer while your sleep. That way you can wake up in the morning and begin listening to your favorite podcasts right away--or transfer the recordings to your iRiver, iPod, or just about any other MP3 player to listen to them while you're out and about!
That's the easy explanation. I can provide you with many convoluted explanations as well, but why should I? If you're interested in finding out more about podcasts and iPodder and feeds and things like that, head over to iPodder.org and choose your own path toward knowledge. Or email me anytime you'd like and I'll be glad to fill you in some more.
"iRiver Test" (MP3 audio post; stream or 19.4MB download. Torrent also available.
This isn't a story, really; it's a test recording I made using an iRiver MP3 Player (Model iFP-890) the other day. Geek stuff, in other words, though I talk a little bit about my mom's disorder and how it may affect me someday. If you like stories, you may be more interested in hearing Amy Gahran's suggestions: "Walking Man" and "Percentages". (Thanks for the review, Amy!)
I probably won't be including this recording in my podcast feed since it's a lengthy recording and, due to its content, probably wouldn't make for much of a narrative; it's mainly my ramblings while shopping in the local supermarket.
That said, I've included the recording in my torrent feed, which I've been including my outtakes in (as well as my regular podcasts). So if you're using a BitTorrent-compatible iPodder application you should be receiving the podcast soon. I'm also making it available for download here.
(Thanks to ILK for torrenting my podcast and to the Raging Liberal and the Internet Archive for hosting my podcast.)
Please send me typed or audio comments; email them to harold.johnson@gmail.com. Any comments sent to me may end up being posted to this site or incorporated into my podcast!
This isn't a story, really; it's a test recording I made using an iRiver MP3 Player (Model iFP-890) the other day. Geek stuff, in other words, though I talk a little bit about my mom's disorder and how it may affect me someday. If you like stories, you may be more interested in hearing Amy Gahran's suggestions: "Walking Man" and "Percentages". (Thanks for the review, Amy!)
I probably won't be including this recording in my podcast feed since it's a lengthy recording and, due to its content, probably wouldn't make for much of a narrative; it's mainly my ramblings while shopping in the local supermarket.
That said, I've included the recording in my torrent feed, which I've been including my outtakes in (as well as my regular podcasts). So if you're using a BitTorrent-compatible iPodder application you should be receiving the podcast soon. I'm also making it available for download here.
(Thanks to ILK for torrenting my podcast and to the Raging Liberal and the Internet Archive for hosting my podcast.)
Please send me typed or audio comments; email them to harold.johnson@gmail.com. Any comments sent to me may end up being posted to this site or incorporated into my podcast!
Monday, December 13, 2004
"Subscription Special" (MP3 audio post: stream or 8.5MB download. BitTorrent file also available now; had you been subscribed to the torrent feed you could have had the podcast delivered to you already.)
Ordering breakfast at my favorite diner Headlines , where I tell the cashiers about podcasting, mentioning the podcasts Useful Sounds and Really Learn Spanish; riding Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus to Goodwill.
(Thanks to ILK for torrenting my podcast and to the Raging Liberal and the Internet Archive for hosting my podcast.)
Please send me typed or audio comments; email them to harold.johnson@gmail.com. Any comments sent to me may end up being posted to this site or incorporated into my podcast!
Ordering breakfast at my favorite diner Headlines , where I tell the cashiers about podcasting, mentioning the podcasts Useful Sounds and Really Learn Spanish; riding Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus to Goodwill.
(Thanks to ILK for torrenting my podcast and to the Raging Liberal and the Internet Archive for hosting my podcast.)
Please send me typed or audio comments; email them to harold.johnson@gmail.com. Any comments sent to me may end up being posted to this site or incorporated into my podcast!
Friday, December 10, 2004
"From Jay Dedman" (MP3 audio post: stream or 2.2MB download.)
I received these audio comments from Jay Dedman of Momentshowing on Nov. 26. Sorry it took so long to post; I was planning on doing something more creative with the audio, but for now I'm simply going to post Jay's audio.
Thanks, Jay! Anyone who would like to send me comments may send them to harold.johnson@gmail.com. Be forewarned; comments may be end up being posted to this site.
I received these audio comments from Jay Dedman of Momentshowing on Nov. 26. Sorry it took so long to post; I was planning on doing something more creative with the audio, but for now I'm simply going to post Jay's audio.
Thanks, Jay! Anyone who would like to send me comments may send them to harold.johnson@gmail.com. Be forewarned; comments may be end up being posted to this site.
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
"The Big Sleep" (mp3 audio post; stream or 5.6MB download)
Why I awake every day. (Thanks to the Raging Liberal and the Internet Archive for hosting my podcast, and thanks also to ILK for its torrent.)
Got something to say? Please send typed or audio comments to harold.johnson@gmail.com. Fair warning: your comments may be posted to this site or used in the podcast--but that's what you want, isn't it?
Why I awake every day. (Thanks to the Raging Liberal and the Internet Archive for hosting my podcast, and thanks also to ILK for its torrent.)
Got something to say? Please send typed or audio comments to harold.johnson@gmail.com. Fair warning: your comments may be posted to this site or used in the podcast--but that's what you want, isn't it?
Friday, December 03, 2004
"Walking Man" (mp3 audio post; stream or 6.7MB download)
My encounters with a walking man. (Thanks to the Raging Liberal and the Internet Archive for hosting my podcast!)
Send typed or audio comments to harold.johnson@gmail.com. Comments may be posted to this site.
My encounters with a walking man. (Thanks to the Raging Liberal and the Internet Archive for hosting my podcast!)
Send typed or audio comments to harold.johnson@gmail.com. Comments may be posted to this site.
Thursday, December 02, 2004
Now that I'm on my way to resolving my bandwidth woes (with a little help from the Raging Liberal and the Internet Archive), it's time I begin focusing on some serious storytelling. Stay tuned.
"Resolution" (mp3 audio post; stream or 1.5MB download)
My first step toward resolving my bandwidth woes. (Thanks to the Raging Liberal and the Internet Archive for hosting my podcast!)
Send typed or audio comments to harold.johnson@gmail.com. Comments may be posted to this site.
My first step toward resolving my bandwidth woes. (Thanks to the Raging Liberal and the Internet Archive for hosting my podcast!)
Send typed or audio comments to harold.johnson@gmail.com. Comments may be posted to this site.
Wednesday, December 01, 2004
"It's Gotten Out of Band (Part 3)" (mp3 audio post; stream or .7MB download)
I continue relating my bandwidth woes in this Audioblogger phone post. People/sites/services mentioned: ILK; Jay Dedman of Momentshowing.net; Internet Archive; Creative Commons; TDavid of Webmaster Cookbook; Cyberwurx; Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.
Send typed or audio comments to harold.johnson@gmail.com. Comments may be posted to this site.
I continue relating my bandwidth woes in this Audioblogger phone post. People/sites/services mentioned: ILK; Jay Dedman of Momentshowing.net; Internet Archive; Creative Commons; TDavid of Webmaster Cookbook; Cyberwurx; Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.
Send typed or audio comments to harold.johnson@gmail.com. Comments may be posted to this site.
"It's Gotten Out of Band (Part 2)" (mp3 audio post; stream or .7MB download)
I continue relating my bandwidth woes in this Audioblogger phone post. Sites/services mentioned: Podcasters discussion group; Momentshowing.net; Internet Archive; Creative Commons.
Send typed or audio comments to harold.johnson@gmail.com. Comments may be posted to this site.
I continue relating my bandwidth woes in this Audioblogger phone post. Sites/services mentioned: Podcasters discussion group; Momentshowing.net; Internet Archive; Creative Commons.
Send typed or audio comments to harold.johnson@gmail.com. Comments may be posted to this site.
Businesses in Huntsville, Alabama
*
I once posted, in this space (this right column), the following:
If I had friends they would be listed here
That particular bit o' text, that silly and idiotic phrase, was repeated a dozen or two dozen or so times and was intended to be temporary. I had been working on a project -- a new layout for this blog -- and had intended for that text to be placeholder content. That is, the text was supposed to temporarily replace the content that had previously occupied this column (which was a list of links to friends -- that is, other blogs and web sites I linked to). I didn't know what content I was going to place into that (this) space, so I placed a bunch of duplicate phrases here as a placeholder so that I would remember to fill in this space again later.
At the same time, I thought I was being cute with the heading:
NEW & IMPROVED FRIENDS!
The fact remains: I still don't know what content to put here,
in this column. Links again? Pictures? Video? Audio? Ads? Oh, hell no! It hasn't come to me yet, but I'm sure it will eventually, and when it does it'll come quick and (as usual) with consequences.
Something That Happened by Harold James Johnson is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.