A conversation between Roch Bourbonnais and Nick Stephen. Roch says: “Hope to be able to keep your attention for 30 minutes of impromptu conversation about OpenStorage performance.
At the end of the piece, I show my geeky capture/replay technology.”
My Upgraded Videoblogging Rig
Back in May of 2008, I wrote about the equipment I was using in my videoblogging for Sun. I’ve had a few upgrades since then:
Camera: Canon Vixia HV30 ($600) – I’ve only had this since early December and haven’t used it much yet. I didn’t feel I needed HD, but it’s hard to avoid buying it these days, and the camera can be set to shoot in plain old DV if I decide that’s better for my (web) purposes. I still insist on shooting to DV tape, for the same reasons I gave before: “Tape is a cheap form of permanent backup, and it stores the video in a high-quality, raw AVI format that I can edit with the software I have, and can output at DVD quality (or better) if I need to… Hard disk cameras, on the other hand, often compress while you’re shooting into a lossy video format – that’s why they can fit so many hours of video onto a small internal hard disk.”
- Handy camera feature: My old Panasonic camera could run from a battery or from wall current, but only one or the other could be attached. This meant that, if I was running off wall current, there was always the risk that someone would trip over the cord and dislodge it, bringing filming to an abrupt halt. The Canon allows both the battery and the wall plug to be attached at the same time, so this is no longer a risk.
Mics: I’m still using the Rode mic ($150) when I’m shooting a roomful of people, any of whom is likely to burst into song… er, questions… at any moment. But nowadays I also have a great set of Sennheiser Evolution G2 100 series wireless mics ($530). When I bought them, B&H Photo was offering a kit with two lapel mics with transmitters, two receivers, and one handheld mic with transmitter (plus a few goodies). I gave one set of lapel mic, transmitter, and receiver to Peter, who is also videoblogging now. We’ve been using the handheld in interviews (I need to get something made up for it like the news stations use, with an OpenSolaris logo), the lapel mics for one-person videos such as presentations.
BeachTek Audio Adapter: ($180) Had to get a new one to go with the new camera, but these new models should work with just about any videocamera. Still great for all the same reasons as before.
Tripod: Got a compact Bogen Manfrotto ($95) that folds up to 16″, so it fits in my carry-on bag.
Extras: For international travel, the camera’s power supply can handle 110 or 220 volts, but it’s got an American plug, so I need to carry plug adapters for all the countries I’m visiting. I’ve learned that these can be flaky and are easily lost, so it’s good to have extras. It’s also good to have an extension cord and a multi-plug power strip for conference situations, when it’s a fight to the death for outlets. If you have outlets to spare, people sitting near you will be heartily grateful.
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The Twitter Diaries: 2009-03-08
- had a nice weekend talking about Woodstock School, social networking, personal stuff… it’s good to have friends who get it all! #
- @italylogue I couldn’t even get through the first chapter of the book [Gomorrah: A Personal Journey into the Violent International Empire of Naples’ Organized Crime System
]. Just confirmed too much that I already knew or suspected in reply to italylogue #
- at SJC waiting for my flight to Denver after a tumultuous week – was it only a week? – in the Bay Area. #
- Back to dia, now Wallypark, car and home. Who is Wally anyway? #
- winding down after today’s travel, but it’s going to be another very busy week ahead… @jdlasica I need to talk to you soon! #
- @AmandaLorenzani whoa, big how? you’re expecting? in reply to AmandaLorenzani #
- @lskrocki Udall’s Twit icon is much better than his dweebie official photo in reply to lskrocki #
- 67 attendees signed up for the first Colorado Front Range Girl Geek Dinner. Wow! Looking forward to meeting everybody! #
- expense report time again #
- dropped a 9 lb Dell laptop on my foot this morning. Laptop uninjured, wish I could say the same about my foot! #
- @lskrocki I may have to invoke quarantine, and revoke your right to speak at the GGD. Just drop the beer at the entrance. ; ) in reply to lskrocki #
- @lskrocki more worried about you being a carrier. ; ) But by now we’ve all been exposed and whoever is gonna get it, is gonna get it. in reply to lskrocki #
- waiting for rice to be ready so I try my version of Setos’ Iranian green beans, and my own five-bean dal #
- @lskrocki youve got competition. the Btv folks are practically sending me flowers. ; ) #
- this evening’s emails from my site include insults to my intelligence and a request for extensive (and free) travel advice #
- @lskrocki good heavens, even the cat has it?!? in reply to lskrocki #
- Jonathan is now videoblogging – and calling it that. http://tinyurl.com/c4cak8 I feel so vindicated. ; ) #
- @flemsta mostly “mail from people with no social skills”. Tho “take that Obama crap off this Italian site” qualifies as ignorant hate in reply to Flemsta #
- @MichaelRolland I suspect you’ll be pleasantly surprised. US hospitals generally look fancier, which says nothing about quality of care. in reply to MichaelRolland #
- The world is full of people whose lack of social skills is so profound they don’t even know it’s lacking. And they write to me. #
- @italylogue re SxSW, won’t make the travel blog talk – it’s competing with danah boyd, one of my heroes, can’t miss her! in reply to italylogue #
- damnit, about 5 key sessions (for me) at SxSW are all at the same time! #
- who among my Tweeps will be at SxSWi? #
- MAYBE, I might go to http://twtvite.com/wl72lg (AllHat…No Cattle on Mar 15, 2009) – need to finish figuring out my schedule #
- @italylogue the way this thing looks, I suspect that the empty blocks will look good for curling up on the floor for a nap! in reply to italylogue #
- @timbray thanks for the LOL, I needed that! in reply to timbray #
- it appears that some/many of the panelists at SxSW would despise me for loving my job with Monster Big Corporation. #
- my car is loaded with beer, wine, and goodies for the GGD. (Yes, there will also be dinner.) #
- @Silona umm… explain to me what a gong-fu cha event is, please? in reply to Silona #
- @lskrocki glad the ending is a lot better than the beginning! in reply to lskrocki #
- @Halcyon love it! And my daughter says I should dye my hair like yours in reply to Halcyon #
- at least 80 fascinating women will be attending the first Colorado Front Range Girl Geek Dinner. I am humbled and awed by the response #
- “Divorcing Italy” http://tinyurl.com/ab6ufs continues to get sad-making comments. I’m not the only one. #
- can anyone suggest a more reliable ranking than Alexa’s for the most popular websites? #
- My copy editor nerve twitches: “There are three principle ways to measure Internet usage. ” (from Hitwise) #
- editing video from Tucker Bradford (SETI) preso at the Open Storage Summit. #
- @jeffreytaylor delayed reaction, it’s pretty common. Then come the flip-flops “I love this place, I hate this place, I’ll live here forever” in reply to jeffreytaylor #
- SETI talk at Open Storage Summit – where to put 918 Exabytes? http://tinyurl.com/cn83wk #
- I don’t notice the stress so much. Until someone says: “You’ve got a lot to be stressed out about.” Hand me a valium when you say that! #
- @lskrocki let me know when you can. I’m calling out the troops to help,. in reply to lskrocki #
- “… stranding many little children on jagged and inhospitable floes.” http://tinyurl.com/bpfgzd #
- OMZ! 105 registered attendees for the Girl Geek Dinner tonight and I still expect walk-ins. #
- team member very ill today, the boss is keeping tabs and keeping me informed. The corporate family in action. #
- @TheyCallMeB thanks – the more help, the merrier! in reply to TheyCallMeB #
- so of course the expense reporting tool is frozen in the middle of a very complex hotel bill #
- another expense report from hell done #
- once again deeply desiring an “I don’t give a sh*t” feature for Google News. Don’t even know (or care) who Rihanna and Chris Brown ARE. #
- thanks to everyone who helped make the 1st CO Front Range Girl Geek Dinner a success. I hope next time I get to talk with people more! #
- @sfoskett exiting Fry’s empty-handed revokes your geek status for life. in reply to sfoskett #
- @vdotw me on TV (if they use any of it) is a little scary; I’m used to being on the other end of the camera. in reply to vdotw #
- “I want the smartest, most effective people working for Sun.” Jonathan speaking to women@Sun #
- “diversity is a fiduciary duty” #
- “Select managers who reflect your own values and priorities.” #
- “facebook is what all companies will look like.” (in terms of employee demographics) #
- I may be on TV tonight, but will probably forget to watch it (or fall asleep). Thank you, Tivo! #
- Ross ping-pongs between impressive maturity, adolescent mood swings, and teen stupidity. I guess it’s the age (19). #
- enough for one week. Dinner with Pratchett (a book, sadly not the man), then more of (maybe finish) Kal Ho Na Ho. Maahi ve! #
- an amazing animated film released under CC: http://www.sitasingstheblues.com/ #
- looks as if in the next two weeks I get to go to two of my favorite places: Austin and New York City #
- 1st CO FR GGD got a nice piece on local news. No footage of me, though they showed my name on Facebook, and mentioned need for sponsors #
- report on the first CO FR GGD: http://tinyurl.com/cdtbfz #
- once again struggling to get Tivo Desktop to work. Maybe it’ll be more reliable on my forthcoming new MacBook Pro? #
- anything financial is so !#$@#$@ complicated, especially when you don’t have a life that fits in standard checkboxes #
- @davewiner what savings? in reply to davewiner #
- @lskrocki happy birthday, hope you’re feeing better! in reply to lskrocki #
- do you wonder that I have such a dente avvelenato [http://tinyurl.com/23957c] for the Catholic Church: http://tinyurl.com/dzaa2d ? #
- finished Kal Ho Na Ho tonight. As expected, big weepie. But Saif Ali Khan is so cute, how could she have spurned him in the first place? #
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Woodstock School: Study in India’s Himalayas
I attended Woodstock School, an international boarding school in Mussoorie, Uttaranchal, India, from 1977 to 1981 (when I graduated from high school). It meant a great deal to me, and, like many other alumni, I am very actively involved with the school.
The Woodstock School pages on my site are for present, former, and future students, staff, parents, and friends of Woodstock School – and anyone else who would like to learn about this unique and wonderful institution.
More to Read on This Site
- Why Send My Child to Woodstock School?
- More Reasons to Send Your Child to Woodstock School
- Growing Up in Boarding School
- Getting Ready for Woodstock School – Some Practicalities
- A School Year Abroad
- Hogwarts Memories
- The Soul of a School
- Woodstock School History Resources
- Woodstock School Links
The SAGE Program
…offers semester, full year and gap programs at Woodstock and other international schoools.
The School Today
Wildylog – Pete and Dot Wildman are staff members at Woodstock School, natives of Liverpool. Pete’s been keeping a web site of pictures and journal entries about their Woodstock experience. His writing is warm, funny, and reflects very well the open-mindedness and sense of adventure that brought them to India. You’ll enjoy this site whether or not you have any ties to or interest in Woodstock.
My daughter Rossella attended Woodstock as a senior, graduation in 2008. Her India adventures can be seen here.
Would you like to attend Woodstock? or work there?
Woodstock School Links
Woodstock in Film
Woodstock stories have been made into films. Both the films I’m aware of have made it to the short lists for nominations in the live action short films category for the Oscars, as well as winning other film awards. Both films were also made by Woodstock alumni:
- The Road Home by Rahul Gandotra (available free on the site!)
- Kush by Shubhashish Bhutiani
Woodstock on TV
NDTV’s Rocky and Mayur visit Woodstock to talk about… the food. But the piece covers much else that is fundamental about the school, and shows the environment beautifully.
There are many sites where you can get more information and news about Woodstock (expect this listing to grow, though the date on the post will not change).
SAGE, the organization which sends students to Woodstock (and on educational tours) from the US and other parts of the world.
WS Alumni – if you’re an alum or former staff member, this site is for you.
Facebook groups:
- Woodstock School
- I Went to Boarding School in The Middle of Nowhere
- various class groups
Alumni Sites
Many people who have been involved with Woodstock have their own websites and blogs. They don’t all necessarily write about Woodstock, but it’s fascinating and instructive to see what our extended Woodstock family gets up to.
- Bill’s ‘Faith Matters’ Weblog – Bill Tammeus, alumnus
- Cate & Jack – former staff, now living in Delhi
- Educational Alternatives Worldwide – Beth Norford ’80
- Jim Taylor’s weblog
- On the Learning Curve – Steve Ediger, former staff
- Reduce to Common Sense – Rana ’96
- Sanjeeb Sircar – musician and former Woodstock staff (video of Sanjeeb Sircar)
- Steve van Rooy
- Woodstock Class of ’84
Alumni in the News
White Skins, Brown Souls – Though the article does not say so, all but one of the people mentioned are Woodstock alumni!
Some Alumni Careers
- Alex Mares-Manton, photographer
- Anne Roemmele, medical aid
- Amelia Rudolph – Project Bandaloop – dance troupe
- Carina Chatlani, President & CEO, Body Bistro – yummy products!
- Chris Anderson – curator of the TED conference – on Woodstock
- Jay Garner and Harold Blickenstaff, participants in The Great Starvation Experiment
- Jeet Singh, entrepreneur | Miki Singh, musician
- Joyce Burkhalter Fleuckiger – India scholar
- Mark Kenoyer, leading authority on ancient India
- Robert B. Griffiths – Professor of Physics
- Sanjay Narang, restaurateur
- Tin Tin Su, geneticist
- Tom Alter – actor
- TZ Chu, businessman
- Vance George, choral conductor
Woodstock Writers – from fiction to physics!
- Joseph S. Alter
- Robert C. Alter
- Stephen Alter
- Arthur H. Benade
- Farewell the Winterline by Stanley Brush
- Robert B. Griffiths: Consistent Quantum Theory
- “Tinkerbelle” by Robert Manry – a book about his solo journey across the Atlantic in a rowboat
- Gita Mehta
- Gordon C. Roadarmel
- Nayantara Sahgal
- Sally Stoddard
- Philip A. Wellons
- John E. Whitcomb
- Betsy Woodman – Jana Bibi’s Excellent Fortunes: A Novel
