What Makes Bloggers Tick?

Posted by Joe Panettieri

When technology vendors are preparing to launch their own corporate blogs, they tend to ask me the same questions over and over again: (1) “What does it take to blog full-time?” … (2) “What makes a good blogger tick?” … (3) “Will you blog for us?” My quick answers: (1) A patient spouse, (2) lots of coffee (3) every blogger has his or her price.

I have plenty of additional thoughts to share. But if you want a more complete view of the blogging craft, check out Blogging Heroes, a new book that includes interviews with 30 of the world’s most popular bloggers. I first read about Blogging Heroes while glancing at Mary Jo Foley’s All About Microsoft blog. Foley is featured in the book, along with 29 other bloggers from a range of backgrounds beyond the IT field.

Bring Video to Your Web Site — for $150

Posted by Joe Panettieri

No Web 2.0 initiative is complete without video. Yes, Microcast uses video from time to time across our media sites (MuniWireless.com and TechIQmag.com). But since I blog frequently while traveling, I began to wonder: Is there a low-cost video camera that I could use at conferences and IT events? Also, could that same camera be used for rapidly posting video blogs to YouTube?

I found the answer to my needs when I stumbled upon the $150 Flip video camera. It’s a great device if you’re working on Web sites that need some basic video capabilities — such as a real estate site that wants to include open house videos, or a small business Web site featuring quick video interviews with customers.