RickWeiss.ca is up

I had to make a desision - I had to get rickweiss.ca running.

I was tired of pondering hosting options, etc, etc. So I went for a good, solid, but likely not a permanent solution. I created a Wordpress blog, and registered it with my domain, which I'd purchased almost a month ago.

The nice thing is, if I change over to a new host, I keep my domain, and nothing will change!

So, now you can visit me at my new blog! I won't be posting here anymore, I've imported all my material from this blog to my new wordpress blog. Hope to see you there!

Slow motion video

Ok, I couldn't help but link to this. Various ordinary things filmed using high-speeds cameras and played back in slow motion.

Who should do the speaking?

Spokespeople are important when dealing with the public. But they need to be chosen well. I was listening last Thursday's edition of Search Engine from the CBC in podcast form earlier today. There was a segment on Cogeco cable's poor performance in a recent survey on ISP blocking BitTorrent traffic.

The spokesperson who was on the show talking to Jesse Brown on Search Engine was a communicator working for the company. Her presentation was basically
"No, Cogeco does not actively filter P2P traffic, key message, key message, key message, fumble, fumble, fumble." She finally admitted, after Jesse's final question, that she didn't have the technical knowledge to answer it.

So, what I learned from the segment had nothing to do with Cogeco's service (I've used it in Hamilton a number of years ago, by the way; it sucks offered frequent down-time). I learned that the company handles negative media coverage poorly.

Finally, the segment confirmed once again, that while communicators have the skills to deal with media as liaisons, we aren't necessarily (and maybe even rarely) the best people to give the interview.

PS3 or XB360

It's a big question right now. A lot of people are debating which is the better buy. Leo Laporte and friends debated this question on the most recent This Week in Tech (TWiT).

I'm not going to answer this question here, I'm asking it myself. But I'll share what I think are the important cases for the argument based on my knowledge of the consoles.

XB360:
It's established with a large game catalogue. It now includes high-def HDMI outputs for those with supporting displays.
The Xbox Live network is well established and offers a plethora of downloadable content. Microsoft has, to my knowledge, developed the XBL network to a greater degree than the Playstation Network.
The XB360 functions as a media expander to access media content from your home PC in your living room across your home network.

PS3:
Playstation 3 is the the more powerful console, purely from a hardware perspective. The Cell processor seems more flexible and robust than the chip in the Xbox. PS3 has the SIXAXIS controller which allows for motion sensitive control in games that utilize it.
PS3 includes a BluRay drive - if you want to be an early adopter of this disk format it may be an attractive feature. Movies on BluRay are considerably more expensive than DVD, and on a typical TV and sound system you won't see much of the benefits they offer. Videophiles with the latest gadgets and large high definition displays might want this.
The PS3 also has built in wi-fi and a plethora of media inputs from USB, MemoryStick, SD memory, and even Compact Flash. There's no media centre interface with home PCs.

My conclusion:
It's hardly a conclusion.. But it might help you decide if you're considering buying one of these systems (but not both!).

PS3 has a lot of future possibilities. Greater processing power, support for 1080p resolution, XB360 only supports 1080i. It has BluRay. It has SIXAXIS motion sensitive controllers.

XB360 is the better gaming system right now. It has more available titles right now, it has a highly developed online community for you to play games with, and download content.

Please point out anything I've forgotten. Argue my points, or just share what you've bought, or are planning to buy.

I'm available!

That's right, I'm available to be hired.

I've completed my courses in PR and Corporate Communications at Centennial College in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. I would like to stay in the city.

Some of my strengths:

I'm a team player to the end. I have never had a bad experience in group work. I work hard to bring the group together, generate productive discussion and I resolve disputes.

I understand people. I studied psychology for my undergrad degree and I am empathetic towards others. I'm a good communicator in one-on-one and group situations.

I'm considerate. I think before I speak and I look before a leap.

I understand social media. I have a good grasp of its strengths and weaknesses. I understand it's role in SEO. I get that it works best to build communities and evangalism among an audience, rather than to push products and services. I have fun with social media.

Some of my weaknesses:

Sometimes I'm too relaxed. Yeah, I could sell myself better in an interview setting, I could be more outspoken at times, but that's part of why I'm a team player, I save my competitiveness for those I should be competing with. I also deal incredibly well with stress because of this! I've worked in sales where I got paid commission. I did alright at it; above average in fact. I "go for it" when I have to.

Please help me here. For those of you who know me, tell me my other weaknesses. Be candid. I want to grow.

If you know anybody who'd be interested in talking to somebody like me about a position they're looking to fill, please forward this post to them.

I would be ideal for a position in the communications/marketing department at a small/medium size enterprise who's looking to introduce social media into their promotional strategy. I welcome any other suggestions that anybody has.

If you'd like to reach me, my email address is richard(dot)weiss(at)gmail(dot)com

I thank you for your help.