Electronic Frontiers Forums

In this Episode I talk with Electronic Frontiers Forums track director Scott Jones about their offerings during the Con, Wikileaks, and who to trust with your data.

Links:

Electronic Frontier Forums

The Computers, Freedom, and Privacy Conference

Tentative 2010 Schedule

Dragon*Con Animation Track

In this Episode I talk with Animation Track Director Jess Merriman about their offerings during the Con, the DC Animated Universe, and crowded Hentai panels.

Links:

Dragon*Con Animation Track Home Page

Tentative 2010 Schedule

Tom Merritt, host of Tech News Today

In this Episode I talk with TWiT’s Tom Merritt about TWiT’s Live Coverage of Dragon*Con, Tribbles, and comfortable shoes.

Links:

Tom Merritt

TWiT.tv

TWiT Live

Sword and Laser Podcast

Skeptic Track Schedule

Podcasting Schedule

In this Episode I talk with Kimber McDermott about last year’s Thriller world-record attempt and her work organizing this year’s Super-Hero and Star Trek attempts.

Video of the Thriller Attempt in 2009

NOTE: Kimber asks that you please read the info on the Facebook pages here and here if you’d like to participate in this year’s events.

NSFW Live @ Con of the Dragon!

In this Episode I talk with Justin Robert Young about the first live NSFW for the TWiT network that will take place in Hilton Room 204 on Friday night at 7pm. We discuss the show, renaissance fairs, and the importance of fans to a podcast.

Klingon Assault Group

Get more information on the Klingon Assault Group here.

Look out behind you, Scalzi!

Now that the contest is over and winners have been declared we have been encouraged to share our entries in the contest.  If you didn’t hear about it here is the gist from the original post on John Scalzi’s Whatever blog:

For the benefit of the Lupus Alliance of America, John Scalzi, Wil Wheaton and Subterranean Press are running a fan fiction contest, in which contestants write a 400 to 2,000 word story describing the picture above.

Please enjoy my first attempt at fan fiction… And don’t judge me too much, it was for charity!

The Ogre’s Revenge

In Which the Servant of the King of Kinternet Saves the Kingdom and Rides a Flying LOL-Cat

by Bill Meeks

Young Wil wasn’t much for pleasantries. Born into servitude to King Leo (the mighty) of the majestic Kingdom of Kinternet he woke up early, went to bed late, and made sure his master’s every whim was satisfied. Whether mending King Leo’s robes, pumping up his royal throne, or feeding the dreaded Lol-cat imprisoned in the deepest depths of the castle, Young Wil was always loyal to his king.

He was a frail thing but sported a potent beard that was the talk of many of the female servants in the castle. Sometimes he feared it might take glory away from the king but he could not bring himself to shave it. His uniform was simple but symbolic. A pair of pale blue shorts to allow him to move freely and an enchanted tunic that was fashioned from the skull-meat of a court jester by the king’s enchantress F’licia after they conquered the nearby kingdom of Beebes. It protected him from falls, tumbles, and other minor accidents.

On this morning, King Leo sat atop his spherical throne staring at his scepter, utterly lost in thought.

“M’lord,” said Wil, “thine posture appears heavy. Thou art mighty, but appear troubled. Might I assist you in some way?”

“Mine troubles are mine own, beloved servant,” answered King Leo, “These shoulders have borne the weight of worlds. They will not break.”

Wil nodded and bowed his head.

“Forgive me, m’lord,” he said.

“Never mind it, Wil. All is forgiven. Can thou fetch me mine noontime meal?”

“At once, your majesty!”

With that, Wil was off to the kitchen to fetch the royal artichoke salad for his master. He took it from the grand wooden table and ran as fast as he could back to the throne room. As he stepped back through the grand marble doors he could not believe his eyes. King Leo was gone, his throne popped and impotently lying next to the window that stood over the great Kinternet Canyon. King Leo was gone!

Wil stood there for a moment, staring. Suddenly, he heard a large crash. He was in such disbelief that it took him a moment to realize that he had dropped and broken the royal salad bowl. On a normal day he would have been horrified to break the 1000-year-old, jewel-encrusted treasure. But this was no ordinary day, and even though he was in shock he still had a duty to his King.

He ran through the halls of the castle looking for the enchantress F’licia. He found her in the courtyard staring into her mystical mirror. She noticed him and quickly waved and her hand over the mirror causing the image of an epic war to disappear.

“Wil,” she snapped, her eyes filled with fury, “What are you doing here? I am keeping watch over our armies as they battle in a distant land and cannot afford to be interrupted!”

“Pardon, m’lady, but we have more serious concerns at the moment. King Leo has been taken… or he jumped into the canyon… or something!”

“The time has finally arrived,” said F’licia, “we must prepare you at once!”

“Arrived?” asked Will. What had arrived? Prepare him? He feared his one hope for finding the King might be drunk or mad or both.

“The King and I have known this day was coming. This is the day the ogre Scalzi has made his play for our fair kingdom.”

Wil knew the legend of Scalzi the Ogre well. It was told in to children across Kinternet whenever they misbehaved. The land the kingdom was built on supposedly was once known as Eyohel and ruled over by Scalzi. It had been taken from the ogres and Scalzi had been banished to the depths of Kinternet Canyon. It was said he fed on bad children and would abscond with them in the night. Wil always thought these were simply legends. Now he wasn’t so sure.

“But Scalzi would surely be dead by now,” said Wil.

“Ogres can live quite a long time,” said F’licia, “and hold a grudge for twice as long. It appears he has finally decided to enact his revenge.”

“You said you must prepare me? What did you mean?”

F’licia took Wil’s beard in her hands and stared into his eyes.

“Simple, simple Wil. This is the quest you were bred for. Why else do you think King Leo would have trusted you with that most valuable Jester’s tunic? Why would he allow you to grow a beard so… grandiose? Like every servant to the king before you, you true function was never to serve the king… It was to save him!”

Wil could scarcely believe it. Him, the savior of the king? He had never cleaned a weapon, let alone used one.

“I’m sorry, m’lady,” Wil said, “I think we need to try something a little less… dangerous.”

“Be quiet,” shouted F’licia, “Follow me as I lead you to your destiny!”

Wil, as always, did as he was told.

Wil stood at the door of the enchantress’s chamber as she rummaged through an old wooden chest. She pulled out weapons and animals and bits of cloth, and after a moment Wil wondered how she was able to fit so much in such a small chest… perhaps it was bigger on the inside?

“I’ve found it,” F’licia said as she pulled a spear that was easily twice as long as Wil was tall, “This spear was enchanted by my ancestor and used millennia ago to banish the Ogres from our burgeoning kingdom. Your tunic and beard shall protect you, and this will deliver the killing blow.”

“I am no soldier, m’lady,” Wil said.

“You needn’t be. Enchantments I’ve placed upon you link you to the spear. Simply take it with you and it will find its target true.”

Wil took the spear in his hand. At once it felt comfortable, as easy to wield as the mop and broom he used to tidy throne room.

“But how shall I reach King Leo? The canyon is very deep and very dark and very dangerous, but I am but a man.”

“Worry not! Now Go to your quarters and prepare! Meet me in the courtyard in an hour and all will be answered.”

An hour later Wil entered the courtyard. It was empty save for the king’s pet Flying Spaghetti Monster who was resting underneath an apple tree. Wil sat on a bench and waited.

Suddenly there was a loud MEEEEOOOOOWWW from the sky. Wil looked upward and saw the lady F’licia atop the dreaded Lol-cat soaring through the sky. The Lol-cat had the body of a kitten, the wings of an eagle, the horn of a unicorn, and the deadliness of something very deadly indeed. Wil had always feared it, and dove under the bench as it landed in the courtyard.

“How now? Our kingdom’s only hope hiding in fear? Wil,” F’licia said as she dismounted, “I think it behooves us both to leave this out of our telling of the tale when we are done.”

Wil climbed out from under the bench. He approached the Lol-cat cautiously. To Wil’s surprise the Lol-cat kneeled and bowed it’s head.

“Thou art the Lol-cat’s true master, Wil,” said F’licia,” He will do as you command. You will ride him to the bottom of the canyon where you will find the ogre and defeat him. Your destiny awaits.”

Wil gulped in a breath and climbed atop the beast. It let out a gentle PUUUURRRRR as it stood and spread it’s wings.

“To victory, Wil!” said F’licia.

Wil raised the spear over his head.

“To victory!” he yelled. The Lol-cat lurched into the sky, circled the castle, and descended into the canyon.

The farther they flew the darker it became. Wil looked up to the top of the canyon, which at this distance appeared as a tiny sky-blue dot.

“Faster, Lol-cat,” Wil commanded, “we may already be too late!”

The Lol-cat doubled it’s speed and in a moment Wil could see the dull glow of a fire and a small cottage. The Lol-Cat alighted near the fire and snarled towards the building.

“Scalzi the Ogre,” Wil shouted, “release our king at once or today shall be your last!”

Scalzi exited the cottage. A small, green, goateed ugly thing. He wielded a mace and a giant wooden shield.

“Who dares enter my camp?” asked the ogre.

“Tis I,” said Wil, “the king’s humble servant, here to save the king and end your mad quest to destroy our wondrous kingdom.”

“T’was mine first, child, and it shall be again. Now be gone, or else I shall have two dinners tonight!”

“Fat chance, ogre! Lol-cat, attack!”

The Lol-cat launched into the air and aimed for the ogre. Scalzi leapt in the, swinging the mace over his head and landing a crusher of a blow into Wil’s chest. Luckily, the Jester’s tunic absorbed the blow. Wil guided the Lol-cat back around and rushed back towards the ogre.

“Eat spear, Scalzi!” Wil screamed as he chucked the weapon towards the monster. It stuck in his chest, slowing his charge until finally the ogre fell to the ground.

“It’s not possible,” Scalzi whispered.  “If only I had used the bacon on that cursed cat!”

The ogre’s breathing slowed as Wil leapt off the Lol-cat and approached it.

“Dare I say, Ogre, you’ve been beaten by Wheaton!”

Scalzi coughed up a little blood as he groaned “What… ev… er….” and his body fell lifeless to the ground.

Back at the castle, King Leo stood looking out the window into the canyon as Wil pumped up his replacement throne.

“Finish your task and leave me, servant,” he said, “I am in need of rest after our ordeal.”

“Of course, your majesty,” Wil said.

Wil placed the throne back in it’s place and strolled towards the exit. As he reached the door he turned back to the king.

“Sir?”

“Yes,” said King Leo, “what is it, servant?”

“I enjoyed our adventure together.”

The King looked Wil up and down with a serious expression. For a moment Wil thought he might have offended the king. He needn’t have worried. King Leo’s frown flipped into a smile and he said the thing Wil most wanted to hear.

“So did I.”

Everything will also be archived here at the main Meeks Mixed Media site, but please add the new site to your feeds for all the latest updates.  I’ll also update this post with a Subscribe link for the podcast once it is live in iTunes. See you at the con!

My confirmation postcard for Dragon*Con. Two weeks until I leave. So excited!

vChat – Episode 3 – Home vSphere Labs from Train Signal on Vimeo.

Check out the final motion graphic intro Meeks Mixed Media made for TrainSignal’s new video podcast vChat! It took a few revisions but turned out great! You can find more information here and Subscribe on iTunes here. Here’s hoping it’s a big success for David and all the others involved!

Earlier this year Personal Finance expert Farnoosh Torabi interviewed me about Meeks Mixed Media for her new book Psych Yourself Rich. The book came up for Kindle this week and the hardcover release is imminent.
Here’s a small blurb from my section of the book:

Intrigued? You can purchase the books using the links below to read my full interview:

Kindle Version
Hardcover Edition

Brian and Justin were getting very nervous as nearly an hour passed since filming finished and there were still no edited videos coming in, until finally BillMeeks came to the rescue with his unnecessarily large 1080p opening title sequence. This single video, restored hope in the hearts of both the hosts and the chatroom. From here on out, the show turned into happy-fun-times as more and more zombie videos came in as they transferred from TWiT to BBLiveshow.com for the after show and we all went to bed happy, knowing that Tony will spend hours stuck in a tiny room, piecing together the many different parts of one of the greatest NSFW episodes ever.

Here’s a video of the moment in question:

And here’s the full trailer I edited in the final version of the episode:

Always a fun show. Tune in at 9:45PM tonight on TWiT. They have Kyle Gass from Tenacious D and his band Trainwreck.

Tech News Today from the TWiT network featured another of my “video voicemails” on Episode 36 this past Wednesday.

Tech News Today

Check out the full episode.

Here’s a quick little video I made for the guys over at the NSFW podcast on TWiT based on the Brodyquest video.

In anticipation of the DVD Release of the Atomsplit Animated Series I worked on last year I’ve animated this music video for the Atomsplit Original ‘Find You Flair,’ and it features all the best shots from the 12-part animated series.

It’s hard to believe, but Meeks Mixed Media is now two years old! To celebrate I am hard at work on a complete re-design of the site and shot a video (above) where I discuss some of the highlights from the past two years and talk about where Meeks Mixed Media is heading in 2010. I’d like to thank Kirk Harnack (of the This Week in Radio Tech podcast) for providing narration, Doug Davenport Jr. (of Atomsplit) for providing the great testimonail, and all my clients over the past to years for keeping me in business!

As far as how Meeks Mixed Media got started,  I was working at a small  manufacturing company doing web design and video production. My manager told me a client of the company liked our website and wanted to hire him on a freelance basis to create one for his company. He asked me if I’d be interested in doing everything on the programming side and splitting the money. I was more than willing, of course, and he said he’d let me know. A few weeks went by and he told me the project was being put on hold so I shrugged my shoulders and hoped for a raise as I had a child on the way and wasn’t making enough to support my burgeoning family.

The whole situation got me thinking that maybe I could get some side work while I waited for the raise to happen. I did some online research and discovered a great website called FreelanceSwitch that had tons of resources for people looking to freelance. One of the sites they mentioned was called Scriptlance. I decided to place a few bids to see what would happen. A lot of the projects were quite shady,  but it required no initial investment so I thought I’d give it a shot. I bid on a few jobs and promptly forgot about it. About it a week later I received a message from Randy Henderson at Okie.Net that my bid was accepted and I had a gig.  I completed the project in a couple of week working at night and on the weekends when I wasn’t taking care of my newborn son. We really enjoyed the extra money, but having to work around at a full-time job meant I couldn’t take on any projects that were terribly complicated or time-consuming.

Back at work I still hadn’t gotten the raise. It was really frustrating because I had taken the job at a rate much lower than what I generally earned at that point with the promise of making more very soon. Frustrated, my wife and I sat down to try and figure out our finances for the next couple of months and just for fun I ran the numbers on what I had made per hour on the freelancing gigs. It was about $15 an hour, $4 more than I was making at the 9-to-5.  After talking it over we decided that my boss had 2 weeks to push the raise through and if it didn’t happen I’d put in my two weeks and start bidding.

While I’m not making mansion and Lexus money quite yet it is pretty empowering to casually drop into conversation that I’m animating a commercial for an Australian gym, programming a web-based back-end for an insurance firm in London, or filming a promotional video for a Ticketmaster competitor (although when I mention the web a lot of times they think I’ve fallen in with some pyramid scheme selling vitamins).

There are a lot of of perks to being self-employed, but I think the biggest one is that you never get bored. Sometimes when you are working one job at one company your creative mind can stagnate from the repetitive tasks and goals that recur quarter after quarter. If I have a really intense web programming job and I feel like I’m starting to burn out on it I can always go and find a job editing some videos or composing a background track for a video game. I love all aspects of New Media and freelancing allows me to build my skills in areas I already have experience in and also allows me to try new things.

Sneak Peek of the New Website

Here are the stories I’ve posted thus far, and please subscribe to WeirdThingsTV. Justin needs some friends!

My First Story on Weird Things

Starting this Monday I’ll be a regular contributor to Justin R. Young’s Weird Things blog. I’m most aware of Justin from his co-hosting duties on the NSFW podcast on TWiT, but he’s also worked for several newspapers and was an associate producer at G4TV in 2009. Here’s a description of the site:

Weird Things is a blog dedicated to people who love both science and are fascinated by the impossible and fantastic. It’s for people who believe a mystery is interesting no matter the outcome.

Our goal is to bring our readers interesting content on a daily basis; consisting of original features and links worth looking at.

I’ll be writing an article 5 days a week starting this Monday, June 7th. You can follow my articles specifically here, but please visit WeirdThings.com for all the latest in the world of weird from Justin, Andrew Mayne, Matt Finley, and myself. And there’s already one article up: Werewolf Teenagers Grip West Texas.

The new daily news podcast Tech News Today from the TWiT network featured my “video voicemail”  on their second episode this past Wednesday. Thanks to TWiT for playing it, and thanks to Tom Merritt and Becky Worley for complementing my video skills. And for the record, Becky, I am a pro.

Tech News Today

Check out the full episode.

Youtube on the Roku

The Roku Digital Video Player is a great little set-top box that brings tons of online video content (including Revision3, TWiT.tv, Netflix, and Amazon). You may have seen my post back in November which outlined a way to use the new Mediafly channel to play Youtube videos. Hours after my post went up the work-around was displayed somewhere along the supply chain and I was without further recourse to pull Youtube clips onto my TV without the aid of a laptop.

Thankfully I did what I normally do, waited for a solution to come by. Hobbiest Roku Channel Developer TheNowhereMan has developed a private channel that allows you to access Youtube videos straight from your Roku. It’s as simple as linking your box to the Roku.com website and entering a Private Channel code. He has full instructions and the code at his site. as well as instructions on adding his other awesome channels like Pod TV and Woot!.

By the way, you can always find experimental channels to put on your Roku over at the Roku Forums.

A video bumper for the vChat Video podcast by Train Signal.

Need to hire an expert for your own video podcast intro?  Hire us!

trade secrets

Many applications on the web and mobile platforms ask for personal information, but how many give you something in return?

Meeks Mixed Media has announced a fun new app for Android phones and Facebook users that allows users to trade their secrets anonymously and get other user’s secrets in return.

Accessing Your Collection on Android

Users simply enter a secret in one of fourteen different categories and select how many people they want to share their secret with. After submission, that same number of secrets is added into the users collection for them to browse whenever they like. Once a secret has been shared the requested amount of times it is sealed off, and only those who have already received it can access it.

trade secrets on Facebook

User-submitted secrets are never linked to their user account, and the database is randomized several times per day to ensure complete anonymity.

trade secrets is available as a free application on Facebook and for only $0.99 on the Android Market.

Facebook App: http://apps.facebook.com/trade-secrets/

$0.99 Android App with the ability to get up to 15 secrets at a time: http://apps.doubletwist.com/trade-secrets/-7938986245535818284

Free Android App with the ability to get up to 3 secrets at a time: http://apps.doubletwist.com/trade-secrets-free/-2996575342383243366

The Geocities-izer

From the demented minds of wonder tonic comes this funny, fun tool that will send you right back to dial-up! Simply enter any website and The Geocities-izer will convert it into a site that looks like it’s straight from the web’s dawning years. Animated GIFs, fallacious counters, an auto-playing MIDI pop song, and MADE WITH NOTEPAD bragging honors made the web so much better. Let’s bring them back!

Here’s The Geocities-izer applied to The New York Times homepage:

I Am Curious... Yellow.

Visit The Geocities-izer.

Bill Meeks by Shannon Gerard

I want to thank Shannon Gerard for the awesome portrait she did for my personal Facebook profile and Twitter profiles to promote her new graphic novel.

Here’s more info on that: