I got my first iPod in 2007, mainly because I wanted to check out podcasts. There was a tech podcast called Buzz Out Loud from CNET that was pretty good. Sometimes my mind wandered when there was a story I wasn’t too interested in, but the hosts were fun so I kept listening. In February-March 2008 they referred to a chat room on a site called WatchBOL created by someone named pb30. I went there at show time. The chat was on a page with the uStream feed of each host’s webcam in the podcast studio. Molly Wood, Tom Merritt and Jason Howell were funny, interacted with the chat and I started to get to know them.
A few of the chat regulars started telling me about IRC, which I had only vaguely heard of before. The WatchBOL chat (Mibbit) was connected to an IRC network. They said I should really get a client. The main moderator, DAKlives, used X-Chat so that’s the client I downloaded. It took me several tries – and lots of help, including screenshots from Tales – to figure out how to set up and configure it to connect to #CNETFans on irc.wyldryde.org
I continued to learn about X-Chat and IRC. pb30 added me to the access list as Voice then HOP. DAKlives went AFK, some other people got busier with their jobs, families and school, pb30 made me an OP. Then everyone got even busier until i was often the only OP around at show times. (I am somewhat disabled and work at home). In December pb30 made me an Admin along with Tales. I now know much more about IRC then I ever dreamed I would, and what I do in chat is appreciated.
Because I downloaded a podcast, I got to know three wonderful podcasters: Molly Wood who is an excellent journalist as well as a world-class ranter and a hilariously funny person (we could totally be girl friends in another life), Tom Merritt a broadcasting pro who is so punny and funny, and so sweet with his lovely, interesting (and chocolate-loving) wife Eileen, and Jason Howell, Sexiest Geek Alive (he blushed), musician, incredibly hard-working podcast producer and one of the nicest people on the planet. They are simply my favorite hosts of anything anywhere.
I’m one of the BOL fans on the second co host show #880 about 20 minutes in. Jason emailed and asked if I would do it. He was so nice I felt bad saying ‘no’, plus I thought it was a great opportunity to promote the chat. It was! Lots of people have come by since then saying they heard about the chat on that show.
Because I downloaded a podcast, I’ve gotten to know all sorts of terrific people from all over the world, first in #CNETFans, then in other channels on WyldRyde. I most often work with two remarkable young men, pb30 and Tales. More about pb30 in the last paragraph. Tales is like my incredibly intelligent, very tall, red-haired little brother. I now know a lot of the frequent chatters on Twitter, Plurk and Facebook as well. The tech is interesting, but it was the people that first attracted me. The relationships that continue to develop are the most enjoyable and rewarding aspect of the time I spend in #CNETFans.
A special thank you to pb30. If he had not created WatchBOL, it is unlikely that the present BOL community would have developed. I would not have become more involved in IRC, WyldRyde or tech stuff in general, I would not have met all these people, and I would not be doing this blog.
For more info about WatchBOL see the Buzztown Wiki
Addendum
After I finished this post, Molly Wood announced that she was leaving BOL as regular co host. She was a very big part of why I became a fan. I loved her presence, personality, humor, intelligence, insight, frankness and interaction with Tom. Molly is a strong, mature woman with definite opinions and you get them right between the eyes. The Buzz Report and Mailbag are good, but scripted, rehearsed and filmed. In the live streams of BOL we got the real Molly five days a week. And now we won’t. I cried the rest of the day when I heard…
And Later
After the shock began to wear off, I started to realize why Molly probably decided to pull out of full-time involvement with BOL. See her blog post.
At least we’ll have her live on Mondays, as well as Gadgettes.
im so happy you found us. no matter what, i hope you stay. It is and always will be a comfort to know your in chat. i to was severely shocked after molly’s announcement. heck i was barely able to focus on what i had to do at my job. Just remember we still have molly on monday’s. <3
-aric
p.s. you know how to reach me if you need to !
Having you around the chat is awesome, your always there, and will always listen to my problems.
Just don”t give up on BOL, ok… Molly will be around on Mad Molly Mondays
Tales
Beautiful post Jeannie.
It has been such a pleasure meeting all of the wonderful fans of BOL (and CNET). You are very interesting and kind community. I enjoy chatting and exchanging ideas with all of you.
Most of all, thanks for taking this renegade wife of a BOL’er into your wings
(Did that last sentence make any sense? Probably not.)
I noticed how you’re always the first to greet me when I log on to the chatroom. Makes me feel very welcome. Thanks for everything you do Jeannie!
That was a very well written, and heartfelt post. Thank you so much for it, I think the sentiment captures how many of us feel. You do so much for the community, today you were not there for part of the show, and I felt like a big part of the show had gone with it.
Gknee, you mention that you were became more of a fan of the chat room. I have to say that I agree. I used to just listen to the podcast, but after a while I decided to join the chat to see what is was all about. I loved it, and still do, and I have to say that you were an integral part of that. You are so kind and so caring, I didn’t have many followers on Plurk or Twitter but you were nice enough to follow me and I thank you. You always say hi to me when I come into the chat, I thank you again. True PB30 created the chat, but you make it for the rest of us.
Jeannie,
You’re the best. I’m honored to be a part of the BOL community. The BOL/CNET fans appreciate all you do for us.
Gknee rules the land with her supreme awesomeness!!!! Wouldn’t be the same chatroom without ya! Thanks for all that you do.
We love you! BOL forever.
Nice to hear that you are enjoying IRC still!
also good to hear that you have OPS, nice Blog btw
stay well
DAK