Off Topic

NYT Magazine on Coulton, Hold Steady, and "Artist 2.0"

Merlin Mann — Sun, 13 May 2007 10:22:43 -0400

Fun story by Clive Thompson in today’s New York Times Magazine about what some people are coming to call “Artist 2.0” (or “Music 2.0”) — the post-plastic-disc world of musicians like Jonathan Coulton and The Hold Steady, who are actively engaging with their fans and not relying on the old school “spray and pray” approach to music marketing that’s still in practice by the majors and their foundering artistic properties.

Selected quotes from Clive’s article (plus clickable video of my interviews with Jonathan Coulton):

More than 3,000 people, on average, were visiting his site every day, and his most popular songs were being downloaded as many as 500,000 times; he was making what he described as “a reasonable middle-class living” — between $3,000 and $5,000 a month — by selling CDs and digital downloads of his work on iTunes and on his own site…

Coulton realized he could simply poll his existing online audience members, find out where they lived and stage a tactical strike on any town with more than 100 fans, the point at which he’d be likely to make $1,000 for a concert. It is a flash-mob approach to touring: he parachutes into out-of-the-way towns like Ardmore, Pa., where he recently played to a sold-out club of 140….

In total, 41 percent of Coulton’s income is from digital-music sales, three-quarters of which are sold directly off his own Web site. Another 29 percent of his income is from CD sales; 18 percent is from ticket sales for his live shows. The final 11 percent comes from T-shirts, often bought online…

I also like how Clive highlighted the challenges of maintaining a virtual relationship with hundreds or thousands of people. And, I’ll bet a lot of bands would love to get their hands on the “software robot” that helps The Hold Steady speed up the tedious process of adding new “friends” to their MySpace.

Really good article. Nice work, as always, Clive.

In our recent interviews (part 1 and part 2) for The Merlin Show, Jonathan Coulton addressed some of these issues as well as discussing many of the other challenges and joys of working on your own and outside the system. Very inspiring fellow.

The Merlin Show 002: Interview: Jonathan Coulton, Part 1

Click To Play

Part 1 Show Notes »

The Merlin Show 007: Interview: Jonathan Coulton, Part 2

Click To Play

Part 2 Show Notes »

”NYT Magazine on Coulton, Hold Steady, and "Artist 2.0"” was written by Merlin Mann for 43Folders.com and was originally posted on May 13, 2007. Except as noted, it's ©2008 Merlin Mann and licensed for reuse under CC BY-NC-ND 3.0. "Why a footer?"

Wikipedia on "ratholes"

Merlin Mann — Mon, 07 May 2007 07:34:07 -0400

Ratholing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ratholing is a used to describe a conversation or process that has deviated from its original productive purpose into a generally unproductive but long and winding detour that eventually comes to a dead end. The original discussion purpose may be to agree on a course of action. However, if one or more people rathole into a specific point of the discussion then the discussion stalls with no actionable outcome. This term is frequently used on the Macbreak Weekly podcast, resulting in the eventual creation of the “Rathole!” jingle^[1] and subsequent full-length song.^[2]

I first heard “rathole” used in the developer meetings run by my old boss and current friend, Richard Ramsay. Any topic that could be better handled offline or that took the group off the meeting’s stated agenda would be declared a rathole, and we’d immediately move back into the subject at hand. (Richard was great at this, by the way — one of many things I learned from him.)

Of course, as anyone who listens to MBW has figured out by now, our ratholes are usually the most interesting part of the show. I think of it like “You Bet Your Life,” where the “news” is an icebreaker for letting us talk about more compelling stuff than who sold the most chips the preceding week or whether the rumors of Apple’s iLawnmower carry any weight.

In any case, I salute Richard for teaching me this fine term, and — owing to my own fragmented attention and general lack of interest (or ability) in typical Mac punditry — I’m proud to have a role in bringing ratholes to a broader audience.

(Here’s The Official Rathole Jingle)

[via scottgladstone’s bookmarks on del.icio.us]

”Wikipedia on "ratholes"” was written by Merlin Mann for 43Folders.com and was originally posted on May 07, 2007. Except as noted, it's ©2008 Merlin Mann and licensed for reuse under CC BY-NC-ND 3.0. "Why a footer?"

Blogs: Watching passionate thoughts evolve (in public)

Merlin Mann — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 07:33:40 -0500

The Blogging Church
by Brian Bailey

A few months back, Brian Bailey asked me to contribute a short essay for his new book, The Blogging Church: Sharing the Story of Your Church Through Blogs (neat idea for a book).

As I’m sure Brian realized at some point, a lot of the advice in the book (creating an online image, deciding who the blog’s for, and improving your blog over time) will also be of interest to small business and garden-variety bloggers. I enjoy Brian’s writing and think he has a sound grasp on what makes blogs work (or not). Good stuff, and red meat for anyone thinking of taking their church (or their business or their kittens) to the web.

Here’s an excerpt from what I sent him.

The most exciting and difficult time for a new blogger is the barn-raising period after the new blog is launched and the daily dash for new and interesting content begins. As perhaps thousands of ostensible bloggers discover — sometimes as early as their site’s inaugural week — this can be surprisingly hard work.

It’s hard not simply for the obvious reasons — that regularly-scheduled writing (or photography or even just linking) takes time, preparation, and care. You may also have days where you just have nothing to say and are tempted to meta-whine about how you have nothing to say. You may find yourself padding pages with the results of online personality tests or the latest funny-once meme du jour. Resist this with extreme prejudice.

Remember that your blog is only incidentally a publishing system or a public website. At its heart, your blog represents the evolving expression of your most passionately held ideas. It’s a conversation you’re holding up with the world and with yourself — a place where you can watch your own thoughts take different shapes and occasionally surprise you with where they end up…

That last fact is something I learn and re-learn every single week, and it’s still the most surprising and illuminating dividend of thinking and writing in public.

”Blogs: Watching passionate thoughts evolve (in public)” was written by Merlin Mann for 43Folders.com and was originally posted on February 15, 2007. Except as noted, it's ©2008 Merlin Mann and licensed for reuse under CC BY-NC-ND 3.0. "Why a footer?"

Kati Kim's life-saving ingenuity

Merlin Mann — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 08:39:16 -0500

The story of the missing Kim family finally took at least one promising turn yesterday afternoon when Kati Kim and her and James Kim’ two daughters were found alive and in amazingly good condition after surviving for 9 days of exposure in what the Chronicle describes as snowy “wilderness.”

We prattle on quite a lot here about what amounts to “how to put your pants on faster” tricks that can make you more theoretically productive. But, when it comes to real-life life hacking, this woman takes the cake.

I swear, if my family and I are ever in a situation like the Kims went through, I hope to God that one person in our group has the clear thinking, make-do ingenuity, and life-saving cleverness of Kati Kim:

They ran the heater in their station wagon until the car was out of gas, then burned all the tires in a desperate attempt to keep warm. When the food ran out, Kati Kim breastfed her two young daughters to keep them alive.

Hope was running low for the Kim family nine days after they became stranded in the snowy mountains of southwestern Oregon while making their way toward home in San Francisco. Then, at 1:45 p.m. Monday, Kim spotted a helicopter her family had hired to help in the search. She waved an umbrella on which she had taped reflective striping, and soon she and the girls were saved.

I honestly can’t imagine I’d ever have the ability to hold it together for nine days in the wilderness — let alone have the presence of mind to find reflective tape and put it on an umbrella. Man. Go, Kati.

I’m sure you all join me in sending good thoughts toward the Kim family as everyone holds their breath and hopes for James’s safe location and rescue as soon as possible. A website has been set up to assist in finding James, and there’s an email address on that page where you can send good wishes to the family.

[link and quote via BB]

”Kati Kim's life-saving ingenuity” was written by Merlin Mann for 43Folders.com and was originally posted on December 05, 2006. Except as noted, it's ©2008 Merlin Mann and licensed for reuse under CC BY-NC-ND 3.0. "Why a footer?"

HOWTO network without becoming a disingenuous weasel

Merlin Mann — Mon, 16 Oct 2006 06:53:53 -0400

Business Networking Advice: Merlin Mann from 43Folders.com - Interview

Josh asked me two interview questions about business networking, and I answered them. [Spoiler: historically, I’ve not been such a big fan of business networking]:

I have to admit that I loathe “networking” in what I take to be the conventional sense of the word — to leverage friends and strangers for whatever intrinsic value their relationships can bring to oneself.

Consequently, I’ve always tried to avoid becoming one of those horrible little men who pretends to like everyone for the primary purpose of eventually pressing a crisp new business card into each of their palms while making a vague promise about future synergies and meals. That makes my skin crawl…

[The] heart of ethical and humane networking means not asking favors of others, but instead frequently doing unrequested propers for others. And expecting zilch in return.

So I guess networking, in an ideal world, just means you help your friends meet cool people as you do nice things for them. I can get behind that.

Also, if you are confused by the Snuffy Smith-style letter substitutions in the final line, please be informed that the word I had chosen was “douchebag.”

”HOWTO network without becoming a disingenuous weasel” was written by Merlin Mann for 43Folders.com and was originally posted on October 16, 2006. Except as noted, it's ©2008 Merlin Mann and licensed for reuse under CC BY-NC-ND 3.0. "Why a footer?"

Open Thread: The '43 Folders' of money management sites?

Merlin Mann — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 08:40:09 -0400

Funny thing — in the last week or so, I’ve gotten email from three different people asking me which site I’d consider to be the ‘43 Folders’ of money management.

By this, I think they mean they’re looking for some kind of framework and tips for understanding the role money plays in their life, and then trying to find the best and most practical ways to implement and maintain healthy financial change. As against fancy “wealth management,” I’m thinking more along the lines of “what tricks will help me get smarter about the day-to-day dollar leakage?” Money Hacks, if you prefer.

The short answer, unfortunately, is I have absolutely no idea.

Lifehacker does lots of coverage of financial stuff, and I’ve enjoyed reading I Will Teach You To Be Rich and Get Rich Slowly. I think Frugal For Life is pretty close in terms of hack-i-ness (which I mean as a compliment, of course.)

But, you tell me. What are your favorite sites about managing your money? Any places out there you think might especially appeal to 43 Folders readers? Feel free to toss in your favorite books on the matter, too.

”Open Thread: The '43 Folders' of money management sites?” was written by Merlin Mann for 43Folders.com and was originally posted on September 29, 2006. Except as noted, it's ©2008 Merlin Mann and licensed for reuse under CC BY-NC-ND 3.0. "Why a footer?"

"Inside the Net" Meetup; Say hi to Merlin in YYZ

Merlin Mann — Wed, 27 Sep 2006 15:33:01 -0400

Upcoming.org: “Inside the Net” Taping & Meetup at No Regrets (Tuesday, October 3, 2006)

I’m heading up to Toronto next week for a whirlwind three-day visit — including a podcast session with Amber and Leo for Inside the Net; shooting some segments for Call for Help with Leo; squeezing in a couple other little podcast-y, broadcast-y treats; plus sidling into a serendipitous Long Winters show on Wednesday night. And, yes, I’m leaving before Friday, so, no, I won’t get to see Sloan in their adoptive hometown. C’est la vie, as they presumably say in Quebec.

Anyhow — and I am actually going somewhere with this — the Inside the Net crew invites interested geek Torontonians to come to a live taping and then stick around to hang and meet and talk and whatnot. I’ll be the one with the frequently replenished CANADIAN (mmm…) and the weird hair.

From our Upcoming page:

Amber MacArthur and Leo Laporte’s Inside the Net podcast comes to Toronto’s “No Regrets” on Tuesday, October 3rd, and you’re invited.

For this month’s episode, Amber & Leo geek out with Cali Lewis and Neal Campbell from the popular GeekBrief.TV podcast on the PodShow Podcast Network, plus — in for the week from that country just south of Canada — Merlin Mann from 43 Folders.
Stop by No Regrets around 6:30 to watch the taping, then hang out to grab a beverage, and say “hi” to the hosts and their guests.
Admission is free (as in beer); drinks are on you.

Cool part of all this? In all the preparation emails and various planning bits, I get to type “YYZ” all the time. Beauty, eh?

Hope to see you guys next Tuesday.

”"Inside the Net" Meetup; Say hi to Merlin in YYZ” was written by Merlin Mann for 43Folders.com and was originally posted on September 27, 2006. Except as noted, it's ©2008 Merlin Mann and licensed for reuse under CC BY-NC-ND 3.0. "Why a footer?"

Sloan get organized for new record

Merlin Mann — Wed, 27 Sep 2006 09:20:19 -0400

One of my favorite bands, Sloan, has a new record called Never Hear the End of It that just came out last week in Canada (currently only purchasable via import in the US; in Canada, you can buy it on MapleMusic).

While recording the CD, Sloan also shot a bunch of short in-studio videos, including a couple that reveal their innately organizational side.

In “Shades ‘o’ Sloan”, Murph shares the color-coded card system they used to track each band members’ song status. “I’m red, and Jay’s yellow, Patrick’s green, and Andrew’s blue…”

In “Sneak Peek,” the color system returns, vaguely Mondrian-like, plus you get to hear samples from a few of the songs. I’m a big fan of “Set in Motion” (which you’ll see is Chris Murphy Red).

The tracks I’ve heard from the record are really good — probably their best since Between the Bridges.

Also, if you ever get the chance, do catch Sloan on tour when they come to your town. Always a really fun show.

[ via Mrs. Mann ]

”Sloan get organized for new record” was written by Merlin Mann for 43Folders.com and was originally posted on September 27, 2006. Except as noted, it's ©2008 Merlin Mann and licensed for reuse under CC BY-NC-ND 3.0. "Why a footer?"

"My Dream App" voting open til Midnight EDT

Merlin Mann — Fri, 22 Sep 2006 12:11:26 -0400

My Dream App » Voting

The My Dream App competition (for which I’m a judge) has reached the first elimination round, so you have just a few hours to place your vote and help whittle down the competition.

Unlike the US election system — where you are often rewarded primarily with the unsettling feeling that you’ve chosen the least odious of available options — your vote for My Dream App also earns you a free (free!!) copy of Pzizz, a nap application that I happen to like a lot. How’s that for democratic motivation?

Off you go now, because the polls close at 23:59 EDT. And there ain’t no Katherine Harris to pop up and “fix” things if you don’t like the outcome. So vote now!

”"My Dream App" voting open til Midnight EDT” was written by Merlin Mann for 43Folders.com and was originally posted on September 22, 2006. Except as noted, it's ©2008 Merlin Mann and licensed for reuse under CC BY-NC-ND 3.0. "Why a footer?"

Weird Al: "White and Nerdy" video

Merlin Mann — Mon, 18 Sep 2006 11:49:47 -0400

Solid gold and closer to home than any of us probably like. Steven G has the full lyrics.

[ via: Waxy links ]

Excerpt:

First in my class here at MIT
Got skills, I’m a champion at D&D
MC Escher - that’s my favorite MC
Keep your 40, I’ll just have an Earl Grey tea
My rims never spin, to the contrary
You’ll find that they’re quite stationary
All of my action figures are cherry
Steven Hawking’s in my library

”Weird Al: "White and Nerdy" video” was written by Merlin Mann for 43Folders.com and was originally posted on September 18, 2006. Except as noted, it's ©2008 Merlin Mann and licensed for reuse under CC BY-NC-ND 3.0. "Why a footer?"