Hi Everyone,

I wanted to tell you about some process changes I and a few of the host are/will be making over the next week or two to improve the quality of news in all our shows.

First I want to share that it's personally embarrassing to me that in our haste to keep to our schedule we've had a couple of news stories slip in that we got the details a bit wrong, and in the case of the UnrealIRCD Trojan a lot wrong.

I've done some reflecting on the core cause of the problem, and I believe it simply comes down to building a vetting process around the news stories that are under consideration for inclusion in our shows.

I'd like to ask for your help.

For the last week or so I have been testing with a group of folks a process, which basically allows me to crowd source our news stories as I discover them and mark them for consideration. The first episode will this process will have been in effect will be with LOTSO Episode 10 that I'll be recording tonight...

The timing could not have been more perfect. LOTSO will be covering E3 this year, for the first time in the shows life. It's kind of a big deal to us internally, and we want to try and get it right.

All week as I've marked news stories from E3 this group of "process beta testers" has been providing input, comment, or additional information on nearly every story I've put in the queue. On top of this, based on the amount of feedback I get for a tagged story, I am able to judge how "hot" this story might be.

Take this next week's LAS, all the stories I'll have in the news docket will have gone through this process. And as a matter of fact, I'll be including a story that I originally figured would not make it into the final show, just solely based around the fantastic conversation the news story sparked.

This is scary for us...

This concept is not a new one to me, I've always wanted to launch something like this... I'm just worried that if it is successful, it will reduce viewers/listeners of the shows.

Sound crazy? Here's my thoughts:

News stories you've been discussing throughout the week will sound quite old by our air date... Boooooring.
If you already have a strong idea of what we are talking about, why tune in?
I'm picturing those busy weeks (aka always), everyone has a lot of shows to listen too, and lot of things to do... You could skip a JB show "you already know what's going to be covered".

So I need to ask a favor...

I'm willing to bet if you are more involved with the shows, you might be more likley to tune in to see how the story shakes out on the show. Also, I figure, news is news... Chances are always high you've already heard something anyways, or have a good idea of what we are covering by the show title/tease.

BUT.. I'd just like to ask that you mention something to me, if what I outlined above does seem to happen to you. It's just a critical bit of information we need. We'd also love to hear that it has some how gotten you more engaged with the shows.

Will you join us?

I'd be delighted to get as many folks as possible involved, here's how we are doing it - just remember:

Very likely you are not going be a big fan of how we are doing this at first.
It could change, a little.. A lot. I'm never set in my ways on stuff.
Right now, the feed is all our shows. That's how I work, and I need input on all of the stuff...

How We Are Doing it:

I'm using the snot outta Google Reader these days, I have feeds galore in that thing. A few of the other guys use it the same way, so a lot of us are in there during the day.
It also allows for me to share the stories I flag with my Buzz flowers. Buzz nicely integrates with these Reader posts and allows for threaded conversation.
I can then review those conversations around each story back inside Google Reader it self, it's super slick.
This is a process the entire crew can realistically stick to.
Because it is so efficient, it's something I can work with while live on the air, and not have to stumble to find something.

How You can Help:

Sign up for Google Buzz
Follow me: http://bit.ly/chrisfisher (optional to follow me in reader too, the stories I am serious about always make it to Buzz)
Watch my Buzz feed and comment away. I'll try to give really great contributions a shotout on the air!

What Else?

Right now I'm rollowing this out with LOTSO, LAS, and Jupiter@Nite. So that's why it's just my Buzz profile for now. I did not want to subject the rest of the crew to this until I made sure everyone liked it.. Easier to just lock in a final process, then move in the troops!

That's just about it for now, I'd welcome input on the process... I'm not likely to change right away as this is still new... And has the advantage of working very well with our current workflow. But always always please share your ideas!

And thank's so much!
-Chris

I have really been enjoying the conversation going on with your followers on Buzz. I say keep it up.

Heh, maybe you can even get Bryan to join in on the fun...or not.

Interesting thought. It does seem very possible. Then again, I don't watch your show for the news - but for your thoughts and reactions to the news. If I just wanted the news, I would read Slashdot instead - since the news is usually kind of stale by the time you are able to report on it. I have a feeling that most of your more involved listeners feel the same way, so for us I don't think this would make us less inclined to actually watch the show. The rest of your audience won't participate in this, so for them there won't be much of a difference.

Anyway, I'll be sure to leave a comment whenever I see a story that I think deserves a spot on the show (in fact, I already have).

I would say the same as above. I don't watch the JB shows to get the news, I watch them to hear you guy's reactions and thoughts about the news I've already heard about. So having input into the content of the shows seems like a cool idea to me.

Awesome, I've always kind of thought that was the case.. We really built LOTSO's news segment around that exact idea.. The line I kicked around was "nobody tunes in twice a month to hear the breaking news"... We really do intend for the news to act as a platform for discussion... at least most the time!

When you look at the news as a discussion topic, then it gets just much much richer to have the communities thoughts already infused into our topic leader. I think it could really improve the level of conversation that goes on between the show and the audience... And because of that the discussion in the show will be richer, and improve the show overall.

If it works that is! lol

-Chris

I personally catch the podcast during a few days later because I'm too busy. I agree with the other posters, I like to listen to your opinions to the news in your shows.

If crowd sourcing the news to make it more current is not difficult for you, then go for it.


Keep up the good work.

Thanks for letting us in on what you guys are trying to do! Count me in aggreement with the rest of the comments thus far. I, too, want to see your guys thoughts and opinions on a topic pf news....not necessarily the breaking news item itself.

Though, like most, I am a bit busy so the news you have provided has been new, helpful (even funny) to me. Maybe just a quick blurb on the hot topic for those who aren't aware, then on to the opinions, thoughts, banter, etc.

And I'll most likely catch most shows the next day or so while traveling, or when I'm pushing paperwork (everyday) at the office.

And I've never tried google reader, but I'll see what I can do to help, too:)

--Noah

Thanks a lot for ue shairng.
I find it very helpful.
Check it more.

Just wanted to drop a quick note about this: With Bryan out of town this week, I'll be filling in on LAS again. The more feedback you guys can provide, the better the show will be. Since I'm not a Linux junkie myself (just an extremely casual end user), I'll need all the help I can get.

So check out Chris' buzz feed, and give us your thoughts!

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So we switch to classes.
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