new web site for wonderingmind42/Greg [Archive]

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DavidWood99

01-02-2008, 09:23 PM

manpollo.org and wonderingmind42.com are awesome web sites - doing valuable jobs.

And - Greg needs a web site that he can give out on TV and that people will remember easily.

PLUS - it needs to capture email addresses, so people can be reminded and updated and influenced to act.

After discussion with Greg, I've registered www.SaveOurHides.com , and my current plan is to add links to the above two sites, plus other useful links, and a big fat email capture form. (I may host the videos, or simply link to wonderingmind42.com for that)

Any other suggestions for this site?

Thanks,
David

wonderingmind42

01-06-2008, 12:08 AM

I've had bits of this conversation individually with David Wood, hazy (webmaster for wonderingmind42.com) and Eric (webmaster of manpollo.org), and thought I'd bring the discussion to a single place, where perhaps other interested parties could chime in as well as those three.

THE PRESSING ISSUE: chances look good that the David Letterman show will be having me on within the next month. If it happens, I want to maximize the opportunity to drive people to the videos. Which means I need a phrase or title that is easy for them to remember when I say it casually (so that I don't have to sound like a commercial: "That website again is slash-slash-tilde. . .") Cuz chances are the interview will focus more on the "human element" of the story, and less on the arguments--so I need the title to stick in people's minds for later recall and googling when I drop it in the course of answering Dave's "So how many energy drinks DID you mainline?" questions.

"The Most Terrifying Video You'll Ever See" fits the bill for easy recall for later googling, but takes people to a possibly inferior product (see this thread (http://www.manpollo.org/forums/showthread.php?t=33)). I would like them to end up at a website which makes it VERY EASY to navigate the "How It All Ends" project casually. wonderingmind42.com and manpollo.org each accomplish that, but I fear neither fits the bill for "Sticks in the mind the first time it's heard."

David Wood has brought up the additional issue of the missed opportunity of having droves of people watch my video(s), with no mechanism to get ahold of them for future world-saving purposes ("email capture" he calls it, though I admit to not knowing what the hell he is talking about).

WHERE IT STANDS NOW: Hazy has expressed that it seems a little silly already to have two websites trying to do the same thing--why add a third? I think there's a time for a chaotic fecundity, and a time for focused effort, and I haven't the foggiest idea of how to discern the difference between those times. That's not my skill set, and I've finally gotten old enough to recognize that. That's for the rest of you to decide.

So, that's the question before you interested parties. I just need a name to drop on the Letterman show. The rest of you can figure out what goes behind that name. I think it would be swell if it captured emails for you Information Warriors to go off and do great things with while I get back to my wife and kids. (Oh yeah, and that job thing.)

David has registered www.SaveOurHides.com, while hazy possesses OurGreatestBattle.com (and org). I think both do well with the "Sticks in the Brain" criterion, as well as conveying some of the scope and urgency of the issue. SaveOurHides is a bit more irreverent, which might be a good thing--the audience I'm picturing is not the Already Green, but instead the Reachable-But-Unreached, who is susceptible to the "Holy ****--I had no idea it was that major!" epiphany.

I don't have a date from the Letterman show--I'll let you know here as soon as I do. Last time I was in contact was a week ago, when the word was "sometime in January."

BTW--if any of you watch ABC World News with Charles Gibson, watch for me. They did a piece on me and the videos which I'm told they do intend to air; it's just sitting on the shelf for when they need a filler.

Cheers!
Greg (wonderingmind42)

Arbron

01-06-2008, 12:46 AM

Another possibility is to take all of these domain names and point them to a single website. That way people could search for whatever term they happen to remember from the interview, and still end up on a centralized site with all of the up to date information.

- Jeff Hitchcock

Ken Zakreski

01-06-2008, 04:06 AM

I have, sitting idle, the domain rocketdocs.ca . You can used it as you like BUT I suggest this site can be specially developed for DVD distribution.

I suggest that a DVD be mastered and distribution of the series be set up from that site. The other websites can be linked and promoted for their specific purposes.

I would agree to produce a valued added version on dvd with a suitable cover, liner notes, other reading and comments from the developers. I would agree to distribute the dvd under GNU license working as a not-for-profit partnership.

Here is the pitch. Buy the DVD for $20 and we'll send a copy to you and a copy your MP (Canada) / Congress/Senator (US). This would leave (guessing) profit of $7 per unit for eventual development to reshoot and produce a broadcast version. This gives you more then email capture but an actual bricks and mortar address plus working capital.

Let me know. Ken

Tempest Stormwind

01-06-2008, 01:32 PM

I REALLY like that DVD distribution model.

Redirection to a single website is probably for the best, especially if that website is polished, has the videos in the right order right up front, and has background information. Mapollo and WM42.com both come close to this already.

Ken Zakreski

01-06-2008, 04:51 PM

Project management issues aside, including mission creep, I recommend the sale of a suitably boxed DVD mailed to individuals and a copy to their elected officials.

On the issue of what domain name.

Rocketdocs.ca for DVD distribution only
I recommend Rocketdocs.ca because the core of this project is a video and expectations are for an indie style distribution ( i.e. not through Paramount Pictures ) with a not for profit business model. Linking to a separate website for dvd purchase and delivery allows the other websites to focus on their core tasks (as defined in their mission statements for their websites). Rocket docs will deliver DVD's to the purchaser and their elected officials nothing more. There will not be a million other tasks for the web master for Rocketdocs to undertake. Mutual linking to the various websites should occur. Once we know the scale of this venture we can consider assimilating all the features into one website by the use of forwarding (all addresses go to one web site, a simple task).

Manpollo.org for development of a comprehensive risk analysis of GCC
I am not telling anyone what to do but only making a suggestion here. Manpollo Project should be a site to develop a comprehensive model on the impacts of Global climate change, it is not ending up like that.
This point was articulated by Mattslight, " This is where the definition of the Manpollo Project becomes murky since the Manpollo Project was defined as the government lead risk management on the scale of the Manhattan and Apollo projects. Thus the goal of this Manpollo Project is to ensure that the government does that risk analysis by (1) Promoting the Manpollo Project. Manpollo.org should be closed to ignorant deniers but open to rigorous debate.

Wonderingmind42.com for public general GCC discussion and resource development
I am not telling anyone what to do but only making a suggestion here. Wonderingmind42.com should house the public general discussion including deniers comments much like manpollo.org does now. I am not sure if it is possible to move the forum over so a new forum could be established. A complete copy of the current series for streaming to be included and other comments from developers.

Saveourhides.com
Not sure of the mission for this website as it is new. Possible forwarding to wonderingminds42.com. I am not telling any one what to do but a youth oriented site might go good here. The same mission as wonderingmind42.com but targeting a younger audience.

Mutual linking to prevent disinformation
Distinct web sites with clear goals. The common graphic could be used along with mutual linking to demonstrate being sanctioned by Greg (if Greg wants to be the traffic cop here, btw Greg needs a project manager). Other sites could be added as additional volunteer efforts permit. Remember if the DVD sales rocket as a result of Greg's charming demeanor and passion, additional resources will be forthcoming. With success comes copy cats and misinformation websites that could appear to be coming from Greg.

DVD distribution Business Model
The DVD would be a copy of HIAE v 1.00 and include the "you tube" look as you see it now. Orders from the website (or other normal channels i.e . book/video store orders) are fulfilled in Canada and US by a willing partner. I suggest we partner with New Society Publishers ( http://www.newsociety.com/) for order fulfillment as our goals seem to coincide and they are up and running. Their Canadian office is on Gabriola where I live and I trust them. I can personally complete order fulfillment until things pick up and a suitable order fulfillment system is in place. Carbon offsets from our activity can be obtained locally.

Rocketdocs can be incorporated into a not for profit corporation with the sole purpose to distribute the HIAE video series. v 1.00 for general distribution. v. 2.00 for high school science teachers and broadcast and so on. (we need to think long haul and what is the end game - define success now so we know when to stop or change direction) .

I have connections from my past media experience with talented people that can help with DVD and DVD box production. They are not free but do excellent work cheap for good causes. Having a planet with breathable air is a good cause. The DVD box will be something WE ALL can be proud of, yet still retain an indie look that seems to be needed for this issue.

If Greg is really going to be on David Letterman we need to work fast to prepare the site for orders (I estimate 1,000 to 100,000 units). We have floating around a copy of the video's, I am willing to take orders once I have a high res master DVD and the box prototyped. We will produce what is needed on demand.

So in closing, I need a copy of the video series in the highest res available, an agreement from Greg for distribution of the content and agreement from the other 2 web masters (Manpollo.org and wonderingmind42.com) to link to Rocketdocs.ca.

Let me know what you think.

Ken

BaerbelW

01-07-2008, 12:39 AM

Hi Folks,
I'm more than impressed with what you are planning with regards to the DVD-project! From the sounds of it, the first version of the DVD will only be available in Canada and the U.S., right? Will it therefore be released with just the regioncode 1? I'm asking, because I live in Germany - and all of Western Europe uses regionode 2 for DVDs, so most players do not play region-1 DVDs (unless you know some hacks). I'm aware that German versions (or English versions with German subtitles) will most likely not be available in the near future, but that wouldn't necessarily be a big issue as people here in Germany usually do understand (some) English. I would also be willing to help with translating subtitles from English into German.

Cheers
Baerbel

hazy

01-07-2008, 11:15 AM

Hi all,

I like how Ken split everything apart, it does make sense to us. But how does the marketing work on that? There is no way people will remember abc.com is DVD and def.com is for GCC information, etc. Even with the cross linking I think it is going to confuse way to many people. We need to keep this simple, users aren't going to take the time to figure out a website.

Also by having one domain I'm hoping to get some collaboration going. Have a sandbox area where people can develop & collaborate easily. Bringing in the open source mentality into a website.

But having one domain doesn't mean we won't have our own areas. Yes we would have to have an overall design through the domain but www.abc.com/wonderingmind42 could be one section and www.abc.com/dvds could be another section. Plus the domains can be pointed to each area... so wonderingmind42.com --> abc.com/wonderingmind42

For those who have developed Facebook applications that is what I'm thinking of. Where there is a site structure & each different area looks after it's content.

Also in the collaboration area this would allow new users to sign up and see all the projects that are happening & give them the option to which one they want to help with.

I have an entire server we can use & i'm sure there is a suitable CMS out there that would meet most if not all of our needs. Oh... and we can't forget about egos! haha We all want to be recognized for the work we've done so I was thinking we could have a page listing all of the developers/supports etc. This could also be an area where we could list future sponsors.

These are just my thoughts behind having one domain name... I'm not trying to tell anyone what to do so please don't get your back up. This is just how I feel the site(s) could be most effective.

Remember we're trying to inspire education but also community. We're asking people to come together to influence the decision makers in our respective geographical areas. What message are we sending them when even all the information is split apart?

-hazy

Tbolger

01-07-2008, 11:20 AM

BaerbelW,

I'm not sure if Tempest has a German translation for subtitles for his DVD he is producing but if he doesn't I'm sure he would love to have one. He is trying to have as many subtitle options as possible on the DVD.

Here is his quote "If anyone is willing to do some translations of the subtitles for me that would be fantastic. Just post something here and I will give you the file you need to translate (don't worry, no special software required, just a text editor). I would like to see a couple of different languages available on the final DVD"

the link to the forrum he is talking about is http://www.manpollo.org/forums/showthread.php?t=13

As for the region one/ region 2 question.

I have received DVD’s from Europe in Region 2 format and had no problem converting them to region 1 format with my DVD burning program (just takes time). I'm pretty sure that you could pick up the torrent once the DVD is done and convert for the short term/ bootlegged period. As for the long term that is probably, something that needs to be looked at.

* As for the misinformation websites that may pop up. I propose having an official graphic for websites and things affiliated with the movement. It would have to be something that is a protected graphic that can't be saved and downloaded to put on another website. (I have no clue how to write the code to do this but I'm sure that one of the excellent web savvy people we have on here can do that.) I or Waspbloke could just edit the Manpollo badge with something that says "official member of the Manpollo movement." It also would be nice if we always had it link back to the main website (whichever one we choose.)

* For the record, I like the one website with different sections model the hazy is talking about. I would like for the www.saveourhides.com to be just a redirection for now as well as our greatest battle. That way Greg could use them on Letterman and whatever else may come his way until everything gets collaborated and merged. The question is what website do we need to redirect to? My vote is for Manpollo (nothing against wonderingmind42.com just Manpollo has a place for people to help us get organized and collaborate that is already in place.)

Arbron

01-07-2008, 03:46 PM

Hi Folks,
Will it therefore be released with just the regioncode 1? I'm asking, because I live in Germany - and all of Western Europe uses regionode 2 for DVDs, so most players do not play region-1 DVDs (unless you know some hacks).

We will probably release the DVD with Region 0 encoding, which means that it will work in any DVD player around the world no matter what encoding it is set for.

I'm aware that German versions (or English versions with German subtitles) will most likely not be available in the near future, but that wouldn't necessarily be a big issue as people here in Germany usually do understand (some) English. I would also be willing to help with translating subtitles from English into German.

It would be great if you could help us with the translating, hopefully soon I will have the files ready and I will post them up here on the forums so you can work on that. The more people we can reach with these videos the better.

- Jeff Hitchcock

BaerbelW

01-07-2008, 04:05 PM

It would be great if you could help us with the translating, hopefully soon I will have the files ready and I will post them up here on the forums so you can work on that. The more people we can reach with these videos the better.
- Jeff Hitchcock

Know what, we could also use the wiki (http://klimaschutz.pbwiki.com/) Maiken and I moderate for this endeavor. The advantage of the Wiki is, that we could put the English texts in need of translation into a table directly on a page or multiple pages (not as an attachment). Whoever wants to help with the effort, only needs to get in touch with Maiken and myself via the Wiki's contact form and we'll set them up as contributors. This should speed up the process as it would easily be visible for everybody what still needs to be translated. We could also help each other out whenever we just can't think of a good translation.

I'm getting ahead of myself here, but we could also set up separate pages for different languages and/or one page per video.

How does this sound?

Cheers
Baerbel

Note: this post has been moved to a new and dedicated thread about the translation-effort for subtitles (http://www.manpollo.org/forums/showthread.php?t=40)

Ken Zakreski

01-07-2008, 04:13 PM

hazy

01-07-2008, 04:44 PM

haha - i completely missed the domain name thing for letter man there... I think either work. I don't have time to build another site atm (four sites going out for clients and a blown engine in my car, ugh!) so the domain is there if anyone wants to run with it... or use dave's.

I'll gladly donate my current site coding & hosting if anyone wants to start with that frame work.

As for the resources I have a dedicated server at my disposal which I'll donate to the cause. I'd like to see a show of hands for who would like to be involved in site(s) and maybe we can organize a skype conference call?

DavidWood99

01-07-2008, 09:23 PM

Awesome comments guys.

Please view the first draft of this site. Given Greg needs to give journalists something memorable that has word-of-mouth passability, I think this has to be the domain (let me know if I'm wrong).

The question is - what's on it?

OPTION 1) SOH.com links to MP.com and WM42.com

OPTION 2) everything goes on the one domain. (which then raises issues of who would run it, how we would work together etc. I'm open)

As long as the domain is memorable, and email addresses are captured, I support it. (An email list is power, and translates to action)

Thoughts?

David

Tempest Stormwind

01-07-2008, 10:42 PM

The fewer links the better. An average end-user needs the information to be presented to them conveniently more than anything else -- they don't want to navigate a web of links any more than they have to. (You'll notice this with successful website designs, for instance: If the website is necessarily complex (Amazon, for instance) it makes a point of presenting convenient information along with the requested information.) This is also why putting the How It All Ends clip right up front on these sites is a good idea. I've jokingly said that the size of an internet resource's audience decreases exponentially (in the mathematical, not colloquial sense) as the number of links required to access it increases.

I'm no economist -- anything relating to finance, distribution, production and similar is totally over my head -- but from an information-management standpoint, your ideas are most sound if all the domains link to a single site.

I'd propose a merger. Manpollo is probably the logical choice for this: Employ Hazy's resources wherever we can, polish up the main site as best we can, and have Wonderingmind42.com and SaveOurHides.org redirect here.

We can also try google-bombing it.* Reference all the relevant words and link them to the site. This means that if they google those words they'll get the main website. If "manpollo" didn't already link to here as the first hit on Google, it would be a natural choice, but other quick phrases (including "How It All Ends" and "Save Our Hides") would be good choices as well. This doesn't take much effort if you already have a substantive Web presence -- I've made nearly thirty thousand posts on assorted fora over the past few years, for instance, and a quick signature change on those populates to Google in a few days as that many links to the word. This also doubles as free advertising.

I'd love to get more involved, but sadly, my course load is apparently extremely heavy this year (by all accounts), especially on memorization, which is the one area that I'm even worse in than economics. I don't know how much time I'll be able to devote to this (especially when research factors into it; my professor and I have three papers and a book in progress and likely at least one more paper before the end of the year), but I'll work on it as best I can.

* The Science Creative Quarterly tried this last September with the word "truth". Google just that word and look for the result from there; you'll see how effective this is with enough pages linking the relevant words.

wonderingmind42

01-08-2008, 01:36 AM

Please view the first draft of this site. Given Greg needs to give journalists something memorable that has word-of-mouth passability, I think this has to be the domain (let me know if I'm wrong).

Do you ever sleep? :) Crickey, man, that's awesome!

FYI (you're probably aware), there are a number of broken links on the "Media" page. I'll post the latest list of links to media that I have onthis thread (http://www.manpollo.org/forums/showthread.php?t=12).

Cheers!
Greg

hazy

01-08-2008, 08:30 AM

lol - another forum... just what we need.

For the life of me I'm baffled why you're building another site? You are simply building a clone of this site... Would it not be way easier to change some branding on here or even wonderingmind42.com & add a form on them to capture email?!

Why aren't we all working together? We need to be working smart, not hard.

Ken Zakreski

01-08-2008, 12:25 PM

From the perspective of getting the message out to, "use risk management tools" to determine a course of action during this time of change it also makes some sense to have multiple sites to get the message out. The point that we should work smarter is valid.

Websites, from my experience and training, should have:

a clear mission statement (why this site, why this domain)
a clear vision statement (how will this site accomplish the task)
after these goals are stated a general time line for success (i.e. if we haven't done x by month 2 what should we change)

Determine when the website has accomplished its goals so that you know when to stop or do something else.

Many performers in films and music have more then one site, some official, some not, that hasn't seemed to hurt Britney.

If Greg was to appear on a late night talk show tonight, I see no reason for him not to mention wondermind42.com as a website, if asked. I do think it looks lame to just say the web address to get hits, after all his name and you tube tag both work quite nicely under a web search.

What might look ok is for Greg to walk on stage to have a sign with the web address(es) hand printed (like in the videos) on it promoting some one else's site like the NAS or AAAS. Remember he still has to develop a persona in the mass audience , people may think of him as an opportunist if he too strongly self promotes.

A better suggestion is to use the sign with the credibility list on it from the video, gives the host a subject to speak about and a prop to carry.

Ken

esodomka

01-13-2008, 09:57 PM

I've got to say, I really like the name SaveOurHides.com. Very catchy.

I'm also pleased to see someone stepping up with the DVD distribution. I'll definitely link to the site once everything's set up and ready to go.

I would like to have this site focus more on the "Manpollo Project" as it is stated in the videos. That's what I'm most interested in and it is the topic most relevant to my area of study. However, I'm also responsible for hosting all the medium and high resolution videos for wonderingmind42, which I have no problem continuing.

As for the other aspects (gathering scientific publications and statements, different types of action that can be taken, etc.), I'd be happy to have someone else help out with this, either as a staff member for the Manpollo site, or through some other means. For now, it's been left up to the Manpollo community, and we've had some good contributions so far. I've added some new forums to hopefully encourage discussion and further contributions.

Hazy has also sent me a message expressing interest in collaboration, and I'm looking forward to see what we come up with. Keep the suggestions coming if you've got more.