Pat's Podcast Episode 01 - Pat Cook On The Jiggy Jaguar Show

This is an interview with me on The Jiggy Jaguar Show.
It's intended to be podcast which can downloaded by anyone, though it is
asked that it not be aired (at least in whole) by other Internet Radio stations or podcasters, but CAN be aired in part if so desired.

Podcasting Into the Blogosphere - What's The Problem?

There seems to be this "rumor" floating around the blogosphere
about the concept of using blogging techniques as a means of creating a
whole new medium known as "podcasting". And its quickly becoming
a buzz. Some like it. Some (admittedly like me) just aren't
quite sure what to make of it. And then there are others who FLAT
OUT HATE the idea.

Hence the subject of tonight's "Real Deal". So sit
back and relax. Blogging is (of course) welcome, but hurling flames is ABSOLUTELY
POSITIVELY NOT ALLOWED.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I honestly don't see what the big problem is. Most
anyone who visits my blog knows that I not only use text and audio, but
I use VIDEO as well.

About THE ONLY thing I haven't done with audio or video
is SYNDICATE it using XML.

That is until now.

I suppose I could do so with my video blogs, but I don't
believe the software used for subscribing to podcasts support video yet
(someone can correct me on this). But first lemme give a very basic
overview of what podcasting REALLY is.

Contrary to popular belief in the blogosphere, a podcast
is really more like a talk show. Although some podcasts have music,
the vast majority of all podcasts are all talk. The range of topics
is as vast and wide as the blogosphere itself. On the right hand
of the screen, you will see an array of links to various "podcast-enabled"
blogs of all types. But in the meantime, continuing with my brief
description....

Quoting Dave Winer of The Daily Source Code (You can kill
me later Dave :) )....



"Think how a desktop aggregator works. You subscribe to
a set of feeds, and then can easily view the new stuff from all of the
feeds together, or each feed separately.

Podcasting works the same way, with one exception. Instead
of reading the new content on a computer screen, you listen to the new
content on an iPod or iPod-like device.

Think of your iPod as having a set of subscriptions that
are checked regularly for updates. Today there are a limited number of
programs available this way. The format used is RSS 2.0 with enclosures.

In the future, radio shows like All Things Considered
and Rush Limbaugh will be available in this manner, and perhaps other syndication
formats will support enclosures."

The "enclosure" Dave refers to is an MP3 file that is
the actual podcast. You use podcast-compatible software (which you
can get FREE OF CHARGE @ http://www.ipodder.org/directory/4/ipodderSoftware
). iPodder.org also offers a YP service that you can use to search
for interesting podcasts.

What MY take on all this you ask?

Simple. MULTIMEDIA IS THE FUTURE OF BLOGGING.
Sure RSS will still be the way of syndicating multimedia-enabled blogs.
But instead of having to read an emotionless text-based blog, your visitors
can now capture THE CONTEXT & EMOTION with which you're trying to use
to make your point or say something. That is because they will be
able to LISTEN to your blog WHENEVER & WHEREVER they want as opposed
to feeling ROCK BOUND & HOG TIED to their computer as they try to READ
your blog. Who wants to feel that way as they surf the 'net?
Do YOU like to feel that way when surfin' the 'net?

Granted Wireless access to the 'net is making it possible
to surf the 'net and read text in much the same way. But you don't
dare try to DRIVE A CAR while surfin' the 'net via your Wireless connection,
do you? Of course not. NO ONE IN THEIR RIGHT MIND would do
this. That's just as bad as having a conference call putting together
that multi-million $$$ deal as you attempt to drive down the street with
the hope (and prayer?) of not running into anything or anyone.

Unlike text-based blogs, podcasts can be burned onto CD-R
or copied onto any suitable portable MP3 player (it doesn't neccessarily
have to be an iPod, ya know) for safe listening and enjoyment.

I plan to start offering podcasts myself. They will
consist of a variety of things INCLUDING (but not limited to) actual archives
of "The Pat Cook Show". I may eventually make several regular podcasts,
depending on the topic and offering. And I'll most likely be amongst
the first to start offering VIDEO once that option is supported too.

Either way, I really don't see what's behind all the negative
fuss about podcast-enabled blogs that's floating around the blogosphere.
People can think of my blog what they will. I can't stop that.
Heck, given all the Pro-Liberal posts I've made lately, I can just imagine
how many Right-Wingists have called me UNAMERICAN. But you know what?
I really don't care. Oh sure, feedback IS welcome, but if you think
I concern myself with all the talk about me and/or my blog that goes on
behind my back, that is simply not true because I figure it this way.....

If someone doesn't have the guts to say what they think
to my face, then that just goes to show how much of a COWARD they are.

And that is tonight's "Real Deal.

Cheers for now & Happy Holidays :-)

I'm Baack (Plus Dad's Death)

It's been awhile since I've blogged.
This is mostly because my cable company
decided to cut me off even though I had made payment arrangements and told
them outright that I could only meet them halfway in part. But since
they waives the re-activation fees (and installed my UPGRADE in cable TV
service), I really can't complain, so I'll skip it and move on.

While I was in the world of the offline and had NO TV (over the air
signals don't penetrate walls very well), my Dad died. Got a call
on the night of February 21st from my one brother Bill who lives in town.
He said he got a call from Hospice (I guess Mom gave them his number or
something since she was too sick and unable to travel). He said that
Dad's condition had become critical and that they were going to put him
on watch. The following day at around 1:45 PM, I got the news that
he had died some 45 minutes earlier. Bill left a message in my voice
mail as he was crying his eyes out. My Mom, who was set to have her gall
bladder removed the following Monday, was also informed as was my brother
Leonard, who lives in Kansas City, MO

Mom went in to have her surgery as planned on Monday February 24th.
We all figured that Dad would want that. She had spent the remainder
of the weekend before at Bill's apartment as the news of Dad's death spread.
She spent most of the time contacting friends (both past & present),
relatives, and anybody else we could think of. Leonard went straight
to the hospital where my Mom was as soon as he arrived in town (He drove
the entire trip from Kansas City to Denver. He even got a "souvenier"
courtesy of the Kansas Highway
Patrol in the form of a speeding ticket to show for it).

Both Leonard and Bill did all the running around and telephone calling
for the upcoming funeral so Mom wouldn't have to be saddled with anything
after surgery besides getting well. I spent the week with her at
her apartment so she wouldn't be alone at a time when someone in her position
shouldn't be and I also helped out as best I could with whatever she needed.

The funeral was on Friday February 28th at Fort
Logan National Cemetery It was a wonderful service.
Both of my brothers spoke and gave eulogies and stuff. Mom was even
presented with the U.S. flag in honor of Dad's military service (He was
in the Army stationed in Germany from 1954-1957).. It was listed
in the obituaries of both Denver papers. If I find one online, I'll
be sure to post a link to the obituary here.

As for the political issues that went on during this time, I'll save
that for another day (my head is STILL spinning). But rest assured
Republicans, you WILL NOT like what *I* have to say. YOU ARE ON NOTICE!!!

Cheers for now :-)

Pat

The Latest On Dad

Well I paid a visit to Dad this afternoon
at the Hospice Care Facility today. He looks good (apparently MUCH
better than he did before), but it doesn't look like he'll be released
anytime soon (this is due mostly to my parents' current living situation
- Don't get me started on THAT tangent). From what I've been told,
he still can't hardly do anything (Even HEARING is a major challenge for
him). He can hardly get out of bed, let alone do anything else.

Aside from that and a few aches and pains, he's his ol' usual self.

I keep hoping he'll be released sometime soon, but I'm told he needs
a night nurse. And since my mom is NOT a licensed nurse, even though
she's his Personal Care Assistant, she can't possibly serve as his night
nurse and STILL be expected to do the same during many of the daylight
hours. In short, he basically needs 24/7 care. which is why
he's back in the hospital in the Hospice Care Facility.

His diet is mostly liquids as he can't even chew, so it doesn't look
like he'll get his appetite back simply by eating a six inch Veggie Delite
imported from the nearby Subway
anytime soon either (I was able to pull this trick off with ease when my
Mom had Hip Replacement surgery several years back. Jared would be
so proud. :)).

Well....That's the latest news from here, now back to you in the studio
(Wait....I am in the studio. What am I talking about???
:) *LOL!*)

Cheers for now :)

Pat

BREAKING NEWS ON THE HOME FRONT: Dad's Back In the Hospital Again

Just got the news from Mom not even 20 mins.
ago. My brother Bill will pay him a visit tomorrow. If he's
still there, hopefully I will do the same in the next couple of days (I'm
almost flat broke as it now that I don't even have the bus fare for a ONE
WAY trip, let alone a round trip one).if they'll allow me to do so (It's
a somewhat complicated issue). Otherwise, I'll try to give him a
call oon the phone. Of course, phone contact isn't the same as contact
in person (especially for someone who may be on their death bed), but it's
the thought that counts, isn't it? He's there due to overall weakness. He's also not eating very well. Doctors haven't a clue why or what's causing his currrent problems.

I'll keep everyone posted on Bill's visit when he updates me tomorrow.

Meanwhile, my other brother Leonarrd in Kansas
City, MO has been informed by Bill & I (and probably Mom too).
Hopefully he won't have to fly in. But if he does, oh well.....

I'm also hopeful that the hospitalization is only temporary, although
since he's in hospice care due to his colon cancer and reaction to chemo
treatment, he'll most likely (and very sadly) be in and out of the hospital
for AT LEAST the bulk of 2004. With any luck at all, he'll live long
enough to see another holiday season, but even that may be somewhat ambitious.

Cheers for now :-)

Pat

RIAA Strikes Again

When....Oh WHEN will the RIAA get the message?

WHEN will they understand that the problem with file sharing HAS NOTHING
WHATSOEVER to do with a willingness among the masses to repeatedly violate
the law (a law which was CUSTOM MADE for the RIAA I might add), but instead
has EVERRYTHING to do with their persistent GOUGING of the price of CDs
AND their UNWILLINGNESS TO FAIRLY COMPENSATE THE ARTISTS???

The latest comes in a Wired News article

Read it and tell me what you think.

Cheers for now :-)

Pat

BREAKING NEWS: RIAA Hits The Streets

From the MusicRadio
102x Blog Page (which I also own BTW :-))

Thinking of downloading music from one of the P2P file sharing networks?
Thinking of SELLING music to your friends? Think you won't get caught?
Apparently a 55 yearr old Los Angeles parking lot attendant didn't think
so.

Want more? Read this L.A.
weekly article

Apparrently, the RIAA thinks they're a LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY of some
kind and has even gone so far as to hire ex-cops AND the Director of the
Alcohol, Tobacco & Frearms

Fox News also has an
article on the subject too.

And, as if matters aren't getting WORSE, it appears as though we can't
expect very much support frrom the Electrronic
Frrontier Foundation either, though I expect this could very well change
should the RIAA be using their rag tag "police force" for otherr things
such as attempting to enter people's homes. In fact, Jason Schultz,
a staff attorrney told the L.A. Weekly
that "The process of confiscating bootleg CDs from street vendors is exactly
what the RIAA should be doing,".

Maybe so. But IMPERSONATING A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY is something
which could land them in more HOT water than they can say RUMPELSTILSKIN
if they're not careful.

As sucxh....the position of MusicRadio 102X and The Pat Cook Show is
simple. They can bust strreet vendors with this tactic BUT I
DRAW THE LINE WHEN IT COMES TO ENTERING MY HOME!!!

And that, ladies and gentlemen is the bottom line.

Cheers for now :-)

Pat