Overpass Experiences The Eric Wroolie Blog

CNN and Facebook

I woke up this morning to watch the Obama State of the Nation speech.  I only caught the tail end of it, so am trying to find a recording. 

However, CNN has done something interesting with Facebook.  When I clicked on the media player to watch the event, a Facebook sidebar was displayed in the window so people could update their profile.  A scrolling list of other people's comments.  While watching the video, I could easily comment onto facebook about anything that was said.

Facebook has been able to reach out to people far better than other mediums.  Blogs were difficult and too self-indulgent for some.  Twitter is still too new.  But in the past year, it seems like everyone is getting into Facebook.  So much so that CNN could use it for it's prime tool of keeping the public involved.

We've moved so far past television.

Credit Crunch Video

Charles Nwokolo, a friend and former colleague, has posted this video on You tube regarding the credit crunch:

If you like it, be sure to go to youtube and leave a comment:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=RB5hghM90nI

First Hit from the Recession

My current client has lowered contractor rates by 10%. I could either take it or leave.

I've gotten this kind of offer before, but always turned down the rate cut-- I always have a suitcase packed when on contract. That's the nature of the gig. You stay as long as they need you. At any given day, you can come to work and be told, "Thanks for your services. We think we can get on okay now without you." That's fine-- that's the way it should be. So, I don't like mid-contract renegotiations as a rule. But the economy is different now.

Everyone is suffering everywhere.

I spoke to a contractor friend of mine who has been a contractor developer for well over 15 years and asked what he does. Rate cuts are a fact of life. Sometimes, you just have to take it. Sometimes, it's the right thing to do.

So I took it. But my suitcase it still packed. This recession is just getting started.

BBC Complaints

According to the news last night, BBC has 30,000 complaints about the Russell Brand radio show.  Everyone is jumping on the bandwagon.  How many of them were fans?  How many of them listened to the show?  Why did they all come almost two weeks after the show aired?

The news gave everyone something to be outraged about, so then they could report on the outrage.

Funny Thing about this Election

Most Republicans I talk to say "We really don't have a good choice this year in either candidate."

Most Democrats say this is the most important election in generations.

It's nearly over.

Ron Paul for President

As a long-time Republican, I have become extremely disillusioned with the current state of the party. The Neo-Conservatives have ruined the party and helped to discredit America all over the world. Living abroad as I do, I often see the hypocrisy of the current administration (who doesn’t?). I no longer consider myself a Republican—but I could never be a Democrat.

The war in Iraq is unjustifiable. Do 50% of Americans really still believe that Saddam Hussein had a part to play in September 11? After 4 years, the Republican presidential candidates are still talking about winning the war in Iraq. Except one.

Ron Paul is taking a lot of flak for speaking out about current foreign policy. It’s refreshing to hear someone talking about the war for what it is—a failed foreign policy.

Ron Paul doesn’t stand a chance of winning with the base of the party that votes in the primaries. He’s very popular on the internet, but not in the polls. Still, it’s nice to hear him say the things that need to be said. When he drops out, it will be time to start looki:ng at the Democrats, unfortunately.

Here’s a Youtube video from a CNN interview recently