Hah, I have one of the coolest bosses ever. I use the term ‘boss’ a big liberally because I only work a few hours a month with him. Jeremy Wright, author, entreprentur, blogger, and all-around cool guy has reflected on his last 6 months running his (very successful) blog network. How do I know it’s successful? I’m the guy who crunches the numbers and tells Jeremy how much to pay each of his 50-plus bloggers. I almost forgot blogging could be so lucrative (I shoot to earn $1/day with my Adsense). In any case, I appreciated his mention. From one guy to another I realize how tricky it may be to express any kind of feelings so I appreciate his… appreciation. I, too, look forward to the next 6 months.

Hey, if you’re thrifty and trendy like I am then you might appreciate this deal: FREE SHIPPING WHEN YOU BUY 2 OR MORE MEN’S AE POLOS. Shop ae.com now through Tuesday, March 28, and use the AE Discount Code: 78999192.

What’s your Entreprenurial Quotient? I got a 72%. I’m okay with that because a few of the questions ask what are the ‘best’ and, well, I get to pick what’s ‘best’ right? But seriously, they’re some good questions. Oh, and why make us go through the Tickle sign up? If I can make a FIRO-B assessment you can put together a quiz that doesn’t require my birthdate!

Despite popular belief, television is still great and still very alive. Sure, technology and the internet are awesome. But what I’ve found to be more awesome is the combination of the two. Windows Media Center Edition brings my TV to my computer. No longer do I need two seperate screens in my room (hah, but I do anyway). I just pull up Media Center and can tune into my cable TV. Besides, I watch the History Channel like it’s my job and I’m glad I can take screenshots from Modern Marvels:

In fact, I use Media Center to watch TV more than I use my bigscreen. Why? For beginners, MCE downloads program data into the ‘Guide’. When we had basic cable I had to sit and watch the TV Guide channel for 10 minutes before I realized there was absolutely nothing on. MCE let’s me search and sort by genre (Movie, Children, etc).

My favorite feature is the ability to record shows. I have a bunch of storage space (about 250g) and I have no problem finding space to record three or four different programs each day. The best part is I can Suspend the computer and it will automatically wake itself up to record shows when I’m not around.

I’ve also found Media Center’s ‘My Pictures’ to be a great feature. I can watch professional looking slideshows with no effort at all. It’s also simple enough to play music in the background. When you’ve got a nice looking slideshow all you need to do is then hit the ‘Burn’ button and you’re good to go.

But, some of my favorite features are found under the ‘Online Spotlight’ section. Here I can pull up MTV’s Overdrive and watch music videos, on demand, with my remote. I can visit Comedy Central’s channel and watch clips. Even the Associated Press has news clips and a scrolling news ticker.

If Media Center’s Music capabilities were a bit better (it doesn’t handle my 12,000 MP3s very well) then I’d really have no reason to ever close the window. So, to recap, Media Center is the best because:

• Screenshots,
• Built in TV guide,
• Record shows (and even entire series),
• Picture slide shows,
• Online Spotlight, and
• MCE remote and keyboard

In short, I don’t think most people realize how useful Media Center Edition is. I use it constantly and can’t picture myself having another computer without it. I’m sure Nathan would agree.
[tags]tv, entertainment, media center, mce, windows, pictures[/tags]

Here’s a video put together, by real actors, to mimic the opening scene from The Simpsons. Almost as fun as Matisyahu…

We know what John Moore is reading and what’s on Kathy Sierra’s (virtual) coffee table. I decided I’d take a look and see what I’ve been reading.

One of the best ways to get to know someone is to look at their bookshelf. Or at least their coffee table.

I couldn’t agree more. I remember someone walking into our house one day and the magazines on the coffee table gave an insightful look at who I was and what I was into. They mentioned how great the magazines were and he and I quickly found some common ground (The magazines were Fortune, Cargo, PC Magazine, and FastCompany). I no longer have magazines on my coffee table but I certainly have a growing pile of books lying around. These are the books I’m in the process of reading:

…and these are the books on my shelf. Most have been read while a few will sit there until I feel it’s appropriate to read them.

I wish I had more time to read becuase I have a lot more books piling up in queue. My goal is to finish a book a month and so far im 0/2. I think it’s best I get back on track…

What’s on your bookshelf? Is it a pretty accurate portrayal of who you are and your interests? Mine certainly are. I love business, marketing, blogs, history, and technology. What about you?

[tags]books, reading, bookshelf, book[/tags]

Brand Autopsy points out one of my soon-to-be favorite blogs: gladwell.com.

Heather mentioned working from home the other day and I, too have thought extensively about it. In fact, Seth made an awesome point:

“The reason you go to a building to go to work every day is that steam or water power used to turn a giant winch-like structure that went right through the factory building. Every workman used that power to do his work. As factories got more sophisticated, it remained efficient to move the workers, not the stuff.” Seth Godin

Nothing I do requires a factory. I’m a “knowledge worker”. I’d estimate that roughly 10% of my job actually requires human interaction; 5% of that can be eliminated with phone calls (there is only so much email can do). The point being: my desk is wasted overhead. In fact, I’m a sizeable cost. I eat the snacks, I use the electricity, I have a computer, chair, etc. Sure, some of these are sunk costs but there are plenty that aren’t.

I’m also less productive at work. As Heather mentions, the side conversations are amazing distractions. We’ll talk about the craziest stuff sometimes. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all about socializing. But, for someone knee-deep in PHP while juggling support requests and e-mail… distractions are already plentiful.

Team meeting? Sure, I’ll drive in and take a seat at the table. Computer blew up? Of course I’ll be right there. Other than that, I’d rather sit at home with my slippers and put my two monitors to good use. I can eat from my fridge, take a break with my TV, and enjoy my house that I pay oh-so-much for to spend oh-so-little time in. Wow. Just writing this has improved my morale.

So, why don’t more employers let employees work from home? Can we not be trusted? Do we really need to sit near people to work? Don’t get me wrong, I’m well aware of the benefits of working around people. Many jobs requires. But, to some extent I feel we do this because it’s always been this way…

The communications barriers are nearly eliminated. Skype can put my phone number in any city. Planes can land me in any country. Video can place me in any room.

I haven’t worked at any other desk job so this is all I know. It just seems that we should all be moving back home now. Our lives lack solitude because we rush from A to B to C back to A. Am I wrong? Would anyone care to enlighten me?

Well, ask and you (well, I) shall receive. I’m now interning with James Turner of One by One Media and working my way towards Blogonomics.Blogonomics is a 5 day blog conference in October where individuals like Jeremy Wright, Tris Hussey, Darren Rowse and Robert Scoble will be speaking (among many other people). This should be a great trip because it’s not merely a social opportunity, it’s a cruise! I didn’t even realize cruise ships had wireless. Personally, I’m looking forward to a day of (mini) golf and some great company.

Anyway, it seems pretty evident that anyone who has anything to do with blogs should be going to this event. You’ll obviously learn a lot and have a lot of great conversations. In addition, you can bring guests! Seems like a nice escape for folks because the conference is held during the boring down time on the ship.

With that said: I’m excited. Have you signed up yet? Apparently the slots are filling up pretty quickly. Plus, if you register now you’ll get a pretty decent discount. So… go register! Don’t forget to tell them devinreams.com sent you!

Why don’t awesome events have student discounts? I can start rattling off a list of big events I would kill to go to this year (or last, or probably even next). But, they cost something like $300, $500 or even $1000-plus. Jeremy pointed out Blogonomics today. It sounds like an awesome trip. Why don’t the folks putting on big events start setting aside some student tickets? We’d love to participate, too… unfortunately some of us have to pay for a lot of schooling though. How about a send-Devin-to-Blogonomics fund? I’ll sell my soul, I’ll do anything!