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Trying to figure out WTF is going on

A Proud Malcontent

Peter A Bell

Jul 15

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On Sunday forenoon (13 July) I finally got that toe dipped in the waters of livestreaming/podcasting. Frankly, it was a bit of a shambles. But it was a very good learning experience. It allowed me to figure out how the various bits of technology work much more effectively than simply reading a how-to or watching a YouTube video. Most of what little expertise I have with computers has been gained by a process of messing about with stuff until I break it, then fixing it. It's in the fixing of it that you find out what goes on 'under the hood'. The theory being that, knowing more about how it works, you'll be more a proficient user and less likely to break it. If you learn from mistakes, then the more mistakes you make the more you learn. If that were true, I'd be an aging whizzkid by now.

The feedback I've had since that first show - I think that's what we're supposed to call them - has been generally positive. People like spoken-word explanations. It has taken me far too long to recognise the extent to which spoken-word explanations are preferred. Personally, I always want a written article. That's the way I best absorb information. So, I've tended to assume that others were the same. But however true this must have been at one time, it has been getting less and less true over the years. Audiovisual presentation seems to have overtaken reading as the preferred means of accessing information to a far greater extent than I had supposed.

Not that I am at all averse to audiovisual communication. I've done any number of speaking engagements over the years, and I've always enjoyed online chats with the likes of Eddie Morgan (Lochaber Talks). But I have always prioritised this blog when it comes to getting some message across. I realise now that if I am to get the message across more effectively, I'll have to do more livestreaming and podcasting. Sunday's experience was positive in that sense.

The live show on Sunday also allowed me to get some hands-on experience with the technology. A big problem for anyone coming to the livestreaming/podcasting business for the first time is the overwhelming choice of services. After a lot of research and advice from people with experience in the field, I had it narrowed down to two - Restream and StreamYard. I used the latter on Sunday, and was quite impressed - once I'd figured out how to actually go live. But it looked like Streamyard was going to be a bit pricey, so I've settled on Restream. There is still a cost, of course. (This is not a plea for donations! I shall manage!) But there has to be some compromise between finance and features.

I mention cost because it led to another decision. The original intention was to do one show per week on a Sunday morning. But this would not be getting good value for the subscription. So, I am now considering a midweek afternoon show in addition to the Sunday one.

Another thing I was undecided about was the format. I thought of doing something based on whatever I'd been blogging about. Or maybe a news review type of thing. On Sunday, I just talked off-the-cuff about something. I'm not sure what as I haven't listened to the show. I think it might have been something to do with Section 30 and why it is the Deil's device.

Another thought was to do a phone-in programme to answer questions about #ScottishUDI and the Manifesto For Independence. The feedback I've had suggests that answering questions from the floor - so to speak - is the favoured option. But the phone-in format involves a fair bit of additional complication. And it isn't really necessary as people can send in question beforehand by various means and put their queries live via the chat facility. I still like the idea of a real conversation, however. So, I may try having people join me live to ask their questions. There is also the option to have a live debate-type event with two or more guests. (Probably not more!)

You may have guessed that all of this is really just to help me sort out in my own mind what I'm going to be doing. It looks like it has been provisionally decided that ther will be two one-hour shows per week - Sunday 10:00 - 11:00 and Wednesday 14:00 - 15:00. I've brought the Sunday show forward an hour to avoid clashing with something else. I expect I'll find out soon enough if the Wednesday slot doesn't work for whatever reason.

The format will be a short intro followed by questions. These may be submitted by email to the address at the end of this article. I would prefer that all questions go to that email address as they may be missed otherwise. There will also be the chance to put questions during the show via the chat facility. In addition, people may request to come on live by writing to the same email address to request a link. We'll see how that works out.

Finally, a name. I reckon the show needs a title and I have opted for A Proud Malcontent. That shouldn't need much explanation. The email address for questions and/or guest-slot requests is proudmalcontent@peterabell.scot. The next show will be Wednesday 16 July 14:00 - 15:00. It will be livestreamed on Facebook, X, and YouTube. Links will be posted beforehand, and a recording of the show will be available afterwards.

I think that's enough provisional decisiveness for the time being.