Every once in a while I click on a Google Ad or two, because I'm interested in supporting web sites I read and there are sometimes pretty cool products and services on the other end. One example is Squarespace, a Manhattan-based software company that makes a pretty decent looking tool for making a website. I don't really see this as an option for casual users since there are so many free alternatives around, but for power users, businesses, marketers and people who don't want to buy "web hosting" this looks like a good alternative.

As you can see, the hosting prices are decent for a supported service, and you can even run a team-edited, member-based custom audience (not sure what that means) site if you get the "Advanced" plan. They have priced the upgrades at a very affordable level (just like Starbuck's), so you can upgrade without losing an arm and a leg. If you are interested in making money from your efforts, they let you post ads to your site, and it's not so Google-centric like Blogger.

Also cool is the integration of some geek blogger tools, like a TinyURL/ElfURL service to give out short easy links. They also have podcast enclosure support, widgets, print templates, server logs and Movable Type importing, along with lots of features I would consider "standard" from a hosted blogging service.

If I was a marketer who didn't know much about web servers and hosting, I think this service would be pretty compelling. It does not seem to be community-driven like Vox, Blogger, or Wordpress.com, but instead it lets you feel like you are carving out your own slice of the internet. I think this is an important niche to fill, and from the outside these guys appear to have it all together.

iPod 5Gen and Mylo

Originally uploaded by Zengame.

Day after Thanksgiving I went down to the Millenia Mall to prove that I'm not afraid of Black Friday shopping (but I must say the perpetual line around the corner at Starbuck's was a bit unsettling). In the tech wing (seriously, there is an import gadget store, a Sharper Image and SonyStyle all in a row) I came across the awesome Nokia N93 for $999 and something I didn't think I would like: the Sony Mylo. I haven't bought one yet, but it is on my Christmas list.

The Mylo is a personal communicator, meaning it does a lot of stuff hip phones do without actually being a phone. Using WiFi for connectivity, you can surf the web with a real Opera web browser, IM with Yahoo or Google, and the big sell in my eyes -- Skype. Since I know people who live in England, I want to call them without paying international calling rates. I can also see this as a cell phone replacement in the home or office on top of the on-the-go abilities. Considering Skype WiFi handsets retail between $189 and $299, the Mylo at $349 is not bad when you think about all the extra functionality it has, and the big surprise...

OK, here's the skinny: until the end of the year, Mylo units bought from Sony include a free year of T-Mobile HotSpot access! I mean, that's a $30-a-month service if you agree to a year, so this unit pays for itself even after you consider taxes. Did I mention this thing plays movies and music off of memory sticks too? It comes with 1GB of flash, and you can add a memory stick up to 8GB, meaning 9GB of space. That is plenty for video podcasts and a couple of TV shows, which is what I would use it for.

If public buses or subways had wifi, this device would be great for commuters. A little chat, some music, some light blogging, maybe the morning news, and if the bandwidth is good, a Skype call or two, all without paying a greddy cell phone company. Amazing!

The downsides: No camera, which I think is a major lacking feature from this unit and the PSP (and just about any other device). I don't have a camera that uses memory stick, so my next camera will need to be a Sony, which I guess is a long term buy-in on my part. Also, the device is designed to work with Windows, not Mac, but I'm not that worried. We have Smart Folders and a healthy community of developers working hard on all the little things that make it more fun to own a Mac.

I can't stress enough the value of the free year of wifi at every Starbuck's, Borders, countless hotels, and most of the airports in Florida. The T-Mobile HotSpot deal is the the last straw for me. I just hope this device still exists in a year, and the next version comes with a camera. Please?

It's not a truck it's tubes!

Orlando Video is a new Vox blog I just started to showcase videos from all around Central Florida, most of which I did not make. Hopefully, locals will email in their videos, links and YouTubes to the email address and we will have a romping good time viewing these videos and sharing them with the blogosphere.

The first four videos are a music video from local alt-country princes The Heathens, a short performance of Improv Cabaret at Puppets From the Edge, and Finding John's Farmer's Market outing. My friend Dustin has also put together a fun short about a Lavanado that just made it to the blog. These are four videos with very different intents, but all worth checking out.

I am still trying to decide if OV will be reviewed or juried, or if I will just post everything that comes across my virtual desk. Maybe you guys can help clear that up: comment.

If you have something to say about the videos, the blog, or anything else, go there and leave a comment. Sadly, you have to register for Vox to do that, but I hear they're working on it. Vox is pretty neat in the way they're trying to bring LiveJournal-style privacy to Mom and Grandma. So far they've gotten a lot of things right. Keep up the good work, SixApart.

This post went in to my "drafts" during BlogOrlando. Since then I have been reading and writing more blogsand videoblogs. I even made a few of my own.

Uncle Nappy at Orlando Puppet Festival

I started writing this post during Vlad Mazek's talk on videoblogging. Vlad's message was pretty clear: videoblogging has many taboos that get in the way of the creativity.

I truth, you don't need a fancy camera, and even if you have one it won't do you any good. Make sure you know where you're hosting and what your rights are, and the big one is...
your content isn't that good, so make it short.

So here is my first experiment with videoblogging, and I totally followed the teachings of Vlad: just use your still camera, it's faster, editing is probably more work than it's worth. get creative with the hosting, and remember that you're not Dan Rather over here. I have done plenty of other stuff with video, but this is a bit different. I'm sure I will find a happy medium someday, but this will do me for now.