RemainComm

Hand check. How’s your handshake?

Since I’m writing in a world where the majority of readers are “tech savvy” it might be easy to think I’m talking about the “handshake” between computers. You know the static filled bong, bong that greets the dial up connection. That’s actually far from the case. I’m talking about the good old fashioned “stick out your hand, look you straight in the eye, firm grip, ‘damn glad to meet you’ handshake.“ 

The hand shake started a long time before written history so its explanation is pretty much a crap shoot. Accepted wisdom is that it began as a sign of “Look Sir Bob, I don’t have a weapon.” followed by Sir Bob’s, “Huzzah! Sir Vernon, I’m not packin’ either.” However it started, whether performed in a social or professional setting, it has evolved into a vital form of face to face communication as well as establishing that all important first impression. 

I went to school with my son a few weeks back for orientation and had a chance to meet quite a few young men and women who, when I presented my hand, either stared at it like a dog looking at a ceiling fan or placed what could easily have been mistaken for a recently deceased snake or a chilled summer sausage in to my waiting palm.

I’ve noticed that many of our kids today have no concept of the handshake and how much it tells someone about you. I realize this is a broad statement. I’m sure there are parents out there who have taken the time to teach they’re kid the importance of that first handshake, though I haven’t met a lot of those kids. I can’t tell, has it slipped from our minds that it might be a good idea to equip our kids with this most basic of social abilities or is it just not important with so many other things to address in the all too brief time that we can make an impact on our children. By the way, it hasn’t gone unnoticed by many people that there is a fair share of adults who could stand a refresher course in the art of the “grip and grin.” 

Here’s the deal, take a minute to do the quick “hand check” with your kids or your friends. Is the palm presented quickly and without hesitation? Is the grip firm, but not so firm as to crush digits? Is there sincere eye contact, not the quick glance in the general direction of the face or what lies beyond the person's head? If it all checks out, no need for further discussion, go about your business. If not, take a few minutes. Encourage your handshake pupil to not hesitate to extend a hand, look the recipient of the “shake” in the eye and smile, firmly grip the hand, making sure to lock thumbs and shake (bonus sincerity points for adding the 2^nd hand to make the “hand sandwich", but let’s take it slow). Please don’t shake so hard the shoulder becomes dislodged from its socket, just a couple of firm pumps. Gentlemen, this includes ladies. Ladies, this includes you! Shaking hands is for everybody; unless of course you want to curtsy. Sirs Bob and Vernon would probably dig it, but let’s save that for the odd visit with the Queen.

Today there are just too many ways of communicating without ever meeting a person face to face. Let’s make sure when we get the opportunity to be sure not to present each other with a lovely halibut of a handshake.

Revisiting RemainComm

 

I want to take an opportunity to follow-up on some of the posts you’ve seen here…

ADM-About Da Money-Things are rolling along with the formation of the Association for Downloadable Media, most importantly the announcement of its first open meeting. If you’re into the whole new media thing and your headed for the Podcast and New Media Expo coming up September 28-30 in Ontario, CA, the meeting will happen at 7:30am on the 28th. Learn more by clicking here. I also want to encourage you to join, especially if you’re about making money with podcasting or any downloadable media. 

A Note For the Teacher-I heard back from my son’s communications teacher and she is anxious to dedicate a unit to communicating in the world of new media. I love that! She has also asked for my help. So I’d love to hear from you. If you have ideas on what to include in teaching middle school kids about text, e-mail, blogging and more. Feel free to e-mail me here.

Google gives a little “push” to make more “pull”-Some activity in the FCC auction of the 700mHz band. Though the FCC didn’t completely go along with Google’s requests for a completely open platform, they did set aside some of the best real estate in the spectrum to be used by a carrier “as a network that is open to any devices and services." Google still hasn’t committed to be part of the bidding but Steve Jobs and Apple have started to express some interest. Apple vs. Google, Apple vs. AT&T, “dogs sleeping with cats”…This auction, set for January 16th, 2008, could be fun to watch, to say the least.

Ringles? Really?

According to a story from Reuters, the music industry doesn’t get it…yet. No, that’s not the headline of the story. It’s the bottom line of the story. 

Photo courtesy of Boy Genius Report.

The record industry announced the birth of the Ringle.* As the article about this nifty combination of the words ringtones and singles describes…”Each ringle is expected to contain three songs -- one hit and maybe one remix and an older track -- and one ringtone, on a CD with a slip-sleeve cover.” The logic(?) behind this “new” product? “…if consumers in the digital age can download any tracks they want individually, why not let them buy singles in the store as well? It also enables stores to get involved in the ringtone phenomenon.” Note: I suspect this is less about the consumer and all about maintaining the relationship between retail and the music industry.

I have a few very good friends in the record promotion industry and I very much want them to succeed. But, yikes, I continue to be concerned for them when I see an idea like this. Don’t get me wrong, packaging a hit, a remix and, a ringtone is not necessarily a bad idea. Delivering it on CD is the bad part of the idea. 

First, the sale of CD's has fallen because people can download songs...for less money. That means not going to the store. Ringtones are popular for the very same reason, easy to get and cheap. This package configuration would be great online. How about 3 songs for three bucks and you get a free ringtone? It should be pointed out that it’s extremely easy to make your own ringtone from any song. But that’s a topic for another blogger. Suffice it to say, if I can do it, anyone can. 

I don’t believe it’s really a “good deal” to spend six or seven beans for songs on a piece of plastic that I’m probably going to rip into my computer or mp3 player anyway...and I’m an “old” guy. I can’t imagine “those whacky kids” rushing out to buy three songs on CD. Perhaps we should continue to find ways to make music easier to get, cheaper, and of better sound quality online. Feel free to keep the ringtone.

*Still listed in Wikipedia as a town in Wisconsin...Marathon County...population 1,408...ringtone not included.

A Note for the Teacher

Dear ______,

I was looking through the handout that came home with my son regarding your plans, expectations, and policies for your communications class. I truly appreciate all your hard work and will do everything in my power to help my son excel in your class and develop a strong interest in communication as I have. 

Also, I wanted to ask if you have anything in your curriculum regarding communicating in the "New Media" world including e-mail, text messaging, voicemail, blogging, etc... If so, great! If not, I'd like to talk with you about the subject.

Whether it's a one day topic or a week long "unit", the way our kids communicate today is much different and involves a technology that’s quite different than previous generations. Text messaging has already become the communication of choice among our youth and has spawned a whole new “language” while e-mail is the standard in the business community. It is vital that our kids learn the art of communication no matter what the vehicle. They must understand the difference between crafting a short story or composing a letter and how they text or e-mail. Imagine Hamlet written “2B?” You’d have to agree that what we write reflects who we are as an individual, as well as whom we are as a society, to readers now and in the future.

I know you have much on your plate as a new school year begins and I'm sure there are many things you wish to accomplish. I hope that this topic is part of your teaching plans, if not this year perhaps next.

Again, thanks so much for your dedication to our kids and thanks in advance for your time on this discussion. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

Phil  Wilson

Dad

From Parlor to Palm

With the speed by which the world of communication is changing, every once in awhile I stop and try to take it all in. This is one of those times. 

Back in 1987, while Bon Jovi was replacing Debbie Gibson on the radio and I was just getting rid of my amber computer monitor, I remember talking with some friends about the state of entertainment and information at a radio gathering. We were talking about where technology had led us and where it was headed. The days of the family huddling around the radio in the parlor were well behind us, radio and TV had made an indelible mark on all of us. We had all had made enough “mix tapes” and boy weren’t those CD things cool, and the internet? Hey, it might just take off. 

After many beers and some very in depth thinking (tequila shots) we were sure that there would be one “box” where you would receive all your entertainment and information including TV, Radio, Music, News, etc. You know, the “console” on high-tech steroids. You remember the “console”. Radio (AM and FM!), TV, record changer, and 8-track all in a “luxurious piece of furniture”. Many even had a remote. Remember that loud “snap” when you pushed the channel button. Of course that’s really where the computer is…almost.

But back in ’87 (insert “old-timer” voice here) we had no idea that brick we called a cell phone would evolve into the very same thing and fit into the palm of your hand. Clearly, we would have needed many more beers to even start that discussion. 

Imagine where we are going, not to mention how fast we’re getting there. Our kids can “text” faster than they can type (and some faster than they can think), e-mail is easier to get than a letter, pay phones are harder to find than Debbie Gibson music, and we can listen to what we want when we want. You can watch TV or surf the net (Of course, better TV and speedier internet is just around the corner.). If you’re lost, just open your GPS (now I really don’t need to stop for directions) and if someone wants to find you, your phone can be located the next time you use it (Yeah, the Bourne Ultimatum made me a bit paranoid. You?). 

What kind of habits do you have? The phone can relay your audio and video usage without you doing anything more than standing near a radio or TV. Family photos, more addresses than a Rolodex the size of a Volkswagen, your financial records, and a Village People ring tone, all right there in your hand. You might even be reading this on your Smartphone. And have you been to a concert lately? The folks that make Bic lighters are pissed! 

Whether you think this is a great way to save time, or just a big intrusion on your life, you have got be amazed. Of course, our kids know no other way...imagine what they’ll be coming up with when they are hanging around talking to friends in 2017. “Hey, remember when we use to gather the family around the old Nokia?”