I was logged into #CNETFans on WyldRyde as usual, when a Global announcement popped on: the network had been sold. A few seconds later, a second Global: there was a new owner. An instant after that, a Global appeared that we were now on the GeekShed IRC network. The network name in X-Chat had changed! There we were, all of us, the channel, channel modes, access list and registered nicks all perfectly intact.

Yes there is still a WyldRyde IRC network with a couple of servers and Administrators. But we (#CNETfans) are all on GeekShed. So are all but two of the former WyldRyde staff.

This transition was extraordinary. Yes I call it a transition, because that was how it appeared to those of us who were present.

Congratulations Phil, Allan, Pierce, Mist, Atri, Corey, Kat, Admiral_Justin, therock247uk, PurPle_Teddy, Ryan, SubWolf and crrj – that was Awesome.

Bravo!

Thank you for all your hard work.

#CNETFans is now proud to be on irc.geekshed.net

For more info, see:
GeekShed Notice of move
Wyldryde Statement of change
IRC Report
Pirillo’s Blog

Follow GeekShed on Twitter

Post from: Jeannie's Brain

GeekShed IRC

Some people can simply minimize their client or app, walk away and live their life. I could not. Obsession seems to be my middle name. I love my Twitter and IRC friends, but sometimes I just need to be alone; to read a book, or listen to music, or sit in silence, or even get out of the house.

I love Twitter. Usually. I get most of my breaking news from there now, both silly and serious. And it’s wonderful to keep up with my friend’s lives and moods; it gives me a real feeling of community. But sometimes it starts to feel just a bit oppressive to keep up with. Or maybe it was because I kept it open on my desktop and hit refresh every five minutes. Time to log out.

IRC can be great, but after more than a year without a break, I just didn’t want to say ‘hi’ to dozens (or hundreds) of people any more, or answer the same questions over and over. For fifteen hours a day. I also find the multiple tabs for channels (chat rooms) and PMs stressful. Carrying on conversations with more than one person at a time is at best unsatisfying. My preference tends to be either to connect with someone or be left alone. Introvert thy name is Jeannie. And I was so obsessed with keeping up and not missing anything that I wasn’t taking care of myself. I was failing to eat, drink water, take breaks or do any work. Even my sleep was being effected. Time to log out.

I also needed a break from keeping up with so many podcasts. Some people complain that they’ll have nothing to listen to and nothing to do if they “run out of” podcasts. I love the podcasts I listen to and the people who record them, but I also wanted time to hear music I haven’t heard in over a year. I wanted to just sit or lie on my couch without a laptop or netbook. I wanted to watch movies or tv shows without also being on the computer, obsessively checking social sites.

So I took a little holiday. And it was goood.

Post from: Jeannie's Brain

Logging Out or: Leave me alooooone!

When Jason Howell appeared, the show jelled. They had chemistry. It was good. It was fun. It was hilarious. It became my favorite podcast. When Kelly was out on maternity leave for a few months during 2008, Lindsey Turrentine filled in and she was great too.

The show is ostensibly about gadgets, but has come to encompass just about every crazy thing on the web. Anything is possible during Gadgettes: singing, impressions, chicken noises, “snark, and vicious attacks on small, cute, helpless little pink gadgets” (from the podcast description). They have developed nutty segments such as: Pink Watch, Why Didn’t I Think Of That, What The Hell? and Kill Me. Each has a brilliantly hilarious theme song.

But it’s the hosts, rather than the content, that make the show what it is. They are outrageous, naughty, silly and often screamingly funny. Laughing to the point of tears is always a danger. I always warn people not to eat, drink or operate heavy machinery while listening. If you want to join in the fun come to CNET Live irc.geekshed.net #CNETFans on thursdays at around 2:30 pacific 5:30 eastern.

Post from: Jeannie's Brain

Gadgettes

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, 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.

Post from: Jeannie's Brain

WatchBOL and Me – My Life In #CNETFans

Last December, Bob made a Santa appearance on Chris Pirillo’s show as a holiday amusement. But this year, uStream asked him to do Santa Claus Live. They wanted him on six hours a day from December 9-24. Various WyldRyde regulars with technical skills helped him out with details. The first night, a regular made me a hop (half operator/moderator) and said, “go get em”. Toward the end of the run, #santa was called, “a honey pot for trolls”. It certainly was. The chat was thick with inappropriate, nasty, obscene and even malicious comments. But Santa persevered through all and managed to focus on the little kids.

Some children were typing in the chat, some were there through their parents, all were thrilled to see Santa. “I want a bike Santa”, “What kind of cookies do you want us to leave you Santa?”, “Do you like milk?”, “Where’s Mrs Claus?”, “How many elves do you have?”, “Say Merry Christmas to so-and-so Santa”, “I love you Santa!”. Bob deserves an award for patience, kindness, stamina and good humor. I hereby award him The Christmas Spirit Award for 2008. Thanks Santa!

Visit Bob year round in #databrokers on WyldRyde. His blog has the squirrelcam, plus the most amazing squirrel and bird pictures. Here’s one:

Bob surprised an owl at the feeder

Post from: Jeannie's Brain

Santa

I’m new to IRC, never went near it until March 2008. Unlike the other IRC networks I’ve sampled, WyldRyde is run by the nicest, most amazing, dedicated people with an extraordinary attitude of service. Their names and images are posted on the site. No anonymous, covert nonsense here. And they have attracted their own kind. I’ve now visited or become a regular in many channels (chat rooms) on the network. There’s no sleaze, filth, outrageous nastiness or illegal activity going on. The Terms of Service are enforced. If you’re looking for porn or a pick-up situation look somewhere else.

On WydeRyde I’ve found fun, companionship, friendship, laughs, information and technical help. I’ve met a variety of amazing people from an assortment of different countries. I’m glad I found WyldRyde.

Post from: Jeannie's Brain

WyldRyde