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1. Richard! I thought for sure you wouldn't post! Say it isn't so :)

   BTW, I started this on Thursday so it's not the weekend blogbruhaha - that we can save for something more fun :)

   Richard, it's simple. Her show is created for the purpose of helping FM clients like yourself. See, she linked you based on FM (and because you are one of the best) and now you have linked to her. This is what I have said in both posts. I would like to believe that she linked to you because you are the best, but when I line up the links like I did, I hope you see the lineup that starts to form. Makes you go hmm...

   I think FM did a smart thing by creating this family-link show. More links from FM sites = more traffic to Webb. More traffic to Webb = more impressions for FM to sell. More links back to FM sites = more ads to sell on those FM sites.

   As I sat on the number 5 train this morning crushed like a sardine, I thought more about this topic. From my perspective, her show is an infomercial, same as the ones that push the mop, the hairdryer, etc. The difference is that you don't know it's an contentvertisement.

   This is more of an issue from FM > You vs You > FM. When the video is embedded as you have done, no disclaimer is included that it's a family show. So the user has no idea that what they are being presented is an contentvert for FM sites. Of course you explained the relationship which is great. Check out the other FM blogs who linked to her yesterday. None of them explain that they did this to help a brother FM blogger and that they expect links from her in return. Thats the issue. It's not a conspiracy, it's a fact.

   I would love to chat more about this topic as I think it's an interesting one. And as I have said before, FM is trying new things which is great except this one crossed the line so far that you can't just jump back across.

   You know I think the world of you Richard and love RWW and this won't tarnish that. I still look forward to meeting you one day, hopefully in your land!

   (on a side note, perhaps you can explain why you like the show. I didn't really see much there, even before I went Columbo.)

   Posted by: allen stern | August 3, 2007 2:17 PM





2. Allen, you are a great person and I enjoy your blog, but I think you're reading way too much into this. You said:

   "None of them explain that they did this to help a brother FM blogger and that they expect links from her in return. Thats the issue."

   That's just not true. As I said in this post, I was thrilled to see r/ww mentioned in today's episode - but there is no ulterior motive as to why WebbAlert linked to me. As I said, r/ww is a leading web tech blog and so I would expect it to be used as a source for a show like this. TBH r/ww often gets overlooked when other media covers tech blogs - it's always the Valley-based blogs that get attention. So it's a nice change that r/ww is mentioned :-)

   As to why I like the show, it is a nice 5 minute summary of the top web tech stories. Of course I like it even better since r/ww got mentioned, but that's human nature isn't it?

   Posted by: Richard MacManus | August 3, 2007 3:24 PM





3. Thanks for the kind words Richard, it means a lot coming from you.

   I think it's awesome that R/WW is mentioned today. I face a similar issue as you do with linking. I wish you were linked more. I agree that the valley-based blogs keep their circle tight to some extent (tho I do get some links here and there which is awesome).

   What I think you are missing is Webb's disclaimer. Check it out on her site. She clearly says that FM blogs will get more love from her than others because they "I also have a traffic-sharing relationship with each of these blogs. In other words, we link to each other". You don't see any issue with this?

   Thanks for sharing why you like the show, I think the show has potential if she would stop the neck moves/face winching, slow down, breathe, and move back from the camera about a foot.

   And Richard, so you know, whenever I think (or am asked) about the top tier of tech news/opinion blogs, I name 4: GigaOM, TC, Mash and R/WW. My goal is to one day be able to join this elite set. I want access to the secret handshake!

   Posted by: Allen Stern | August 3, 2007 3:35 PM





4. Hi Allen, I have to correct you on one thing - the quote from WebbAlert "I also have a traffic-sharing relationship with each of these blogs. In other words, we link to each other".

   That *only* applies to the 6 blogs linked to at the bottom of the site (Ars Technica and Boing Boing are two of them). It is *not* a relationship with FM blogs as a whole and certainly R/WW (or TC et al) aren't part of it. It appears to be a link agmt between those 7 sites, but because it is clearly disclosed on WebbAlert, I don't have a problem with it.

   Thanks for your kind words and keep up the good work on Center Networks. All anyone can do is blog about what they're passionate about, and so the rewards will come if you keep at it.

   Posted by: Richard MacManus | August 3, 2007 3:58 PM





5. Something that's been nagging me, while we're on the topic of TV and the Web:

   Why hasn't a decent TV show dedicated to the Web, in the way great blogs like this are, on cable? Surely someone can come up with an interesting format and pair of hosts (one male, one female). I prefer slightly quirky, in a good way, like Samantha Brown at the Travel Channel. Knows her stuff but has fun along the path. Folks who instinctively know how to frame the content and make it even more interesting. Ever wat Erin Burnett at CNBC? The best, most knowledgeable at conversational reporting I've ever seen.

   All the time we all spend on blogs ... of course we'd sit with popcorn in hand through a half hour TV show that's well produced, has a big flat panel screen like they do on CNN when they go to their net reporter. And when they take us on a 'behind the scenes tour', or a garage startup, or of one of the established big boys like Google, who wouldn't like that?

   We'll continue to see more of these short form webcasts, and that's great. I wish them the best of success. But I think we'll also see as the Rocketboom/WebbAlert/WallStrips grow in popularity, the mainstream folks will want to carve out a nice piece of the action.

   Tell me Arrington or Malik or Mr. MacManus here wouldn't like to be interviewed for a cool cable TV show about the Web. Most of the interviews would probably be via a computer cam and skype connection. Anyone??

   Posted by: Jeff Crites | August 3, 2007 4:51 PM





6. I love nothing more than jumping into the fray of a good disclosure debate, but I think what this boils down to is that FM is playing the same game that everyone does -- cross pollinating within their circle. The reason why it looks a bit nasty is that their circle controls quite a few eyeballs.

   R/WW disclosed, WebbAlerts at least disclosed that it was under FM's umbrella and we all know a little more about a new FM cross-pollination tactic.

   I am not a huge fan of FM having sway over the number of readers it does, but I can say a similar thing about Clear Channel.

   Conspiracy? Probably not. If it is, it is certainly a poorly laid out one. Thanks for the post Richard.

   Posted by: Steve Spalding | August 3, 2007 8:50 PM





7. Nice to be on tv
   http://www.letras32.com/
   I am not a huge fan of FM having sway over the number of readers it does, but I can say a similar thing about Clear Channel.

   Posted by: letras | August 3, 2007 10:58 PM





8. Thanks for stopping by CN to clarify. While attempting to sleep, I think I have a better example of my issue:

   FM has launched a "product" called WebbAlert. I think we all agree now that this is a FM product and not a standalone tv show. FM authors then post about the FM product. FM authors have a financial/fiduciary relationship with FM. Shouldn't there be a disclosure that "This new FM show is created/managed by the company who provides the banner advertising/revenue for this site."

   And in addition, I think the waters became muddied when Neil from FM commented on CN about the 11 tech blogs FM represents. But you made it clear which is great.

   Posted by: Allen Stern | August 4, 2007 1:29 AM





9. I'm with Mr. Stern on this one, muddied waters from the start, but clever nonetheless.

   And btw, the show is awefull. She rambles to much and can't sit still for a second. But then again that's probably me, I don't like watching commercials..
   Am I being to harsh now?

   Posted by: Stefson | August 4, 2007 6:33 AM





10. Good news for a certain audience on the web!

    Posted by: Antilos | August 4, 2007 8:46 AM





11. Nice work by these guys. Here are some suggestions to make it much better.

    http://abhishek.tiwari.com/2007/08/04/suggestions-for-webb-alert-and-other-video-bloggers/

    Abhishek

    Posted by: Abhishek | August 4, 2007 5:51 PM