It Only Takes One
Broadcasting things live is a tricky thing. There’s always this element of the ‘unknown’ and I think that’s what freaks some people out. I think that’s what causes people to shy away from it and decide to not do it. There’s also this element of making yourself subject to the public in real time. Where all you can do is react to people and what the decide to do. I think this freaks people out too.
I don’t know how many of you showed up to Jonny Diaz’s Live Chat last night, but if you did you noticed the “one chatter”. You know the one. The fifteen year old hiding in his mom’s basement typing the most offensive things he his middle school brain can think of to try to get a reaction from the rest of the chatters. Now, most of you know, this stuff happens. If you’ve ever been on any sort of live chatting thing, there’s always some scholar that throws out obscenities to try to get a reaction and it’s pretty easy to ban them from the chat. However, last night was a little different.
Due to some technical issues beyond my control and the flippant attitude for customer service expressed by Ustream I was somehow blocked out from being able to ban Mr. Offensive Chatter. What should have taken two clicks of a mouse turned into three phone calls and creating a whole new account to simply log in and block him. The problem? It’s a game now and he’s trying to be more offensive.
So, ten minutes and several comments later, I was finally able to ban him from the chat with no help from Ustream or even an, “I’m sorry this happened.” Not scoring points for Ustream.
So, bottom line. If you were offended, annoyed, distracted, or whatever else last night during the chat I apologize. Some time this stuff happens and we’ve got to just roll with it. Next I’ll be writing an email to the co-founder of Ustream to ask him if he thinks I should switch back to Mogulus for our live broadcasts.
+ (While a frustrated post, I am still being positive… except for my attitude toward Ustream)
Positive Post Tuesday – Ustream
As most of you know, we have been broadcasting every show of the MercyMe tour on their blog. And as most of you also know, it’s been a complete toss-up every night if it was going to work or not. So far we have been super fortunate with internet and churches that want to help out.
Well, the other day I decided to switch from Mogulus to Ustream the other night because there were a couple different features that I liked better, and since most of what I do is ‘on the fly’ anyway, it just felt right to change.
Well the first night the stream was a little worse and everyone was complaining about the new chatting system. Because I didn’t know much about the system, I just went with it and hoped it would get better, realizing that the next night we might need to switch back. Are you tired of all this tech talk yet?
Anyway, during the first show I got a private message from an Administrator at Ustream who had been to one of the shows in the past. We chatted back and forth, he helped me figure out how to get less people mad at me and we exchanged emails. ”JimmyMac” bailed me out that night and passed on what we were doing to some more folks at Ustream. I decided to stick with it, and try it again the next night.
The next night a few more Ustream folks were watching and I was ‘private messaged’ by a few other guys. They gave me some more tips on how to make things run smoother, and little tricks to make people happier. Finally the third night, even more folks from Ustream showed up to watch including one of the co-founders of the company and his dad. More private messages and more help and some phone number exchanged and over 3500 unique viewers of the show that night. The guys at Ustream were kind enough to put the show on their front page and push as many people to watch the show as they could. What?! Maybe they do this for everyone but it sure seemed nice.
Anyway yesterday I talked to them again and we have come up with a pretty amazing way to promote what MercyMe is doing online, along with other bands in the future. I was pretty taken back with how helpful and easy to work with these guys are and love their interest in the band and what we are doing. So, ‘JimmyMac’, Brian, Fred and Brad, thanks so much for your help.
Now, I understand this is a little different “Positive Post Tuesday” but here’s the thing. There aren’t any other bands doing what we are doing with MercyMe and it’s awesome to have a company reach out and ask how they can help. Again, maybe they do it for everyone, but here’s the cool thing that I see. I’ve been to about sixty or seventy MercyMe shows since I have known them and every single show is a powerful time of worship. It’s amazing to be at the show and that worship even translates on these live broadcasts. The part that excites me with this “partnership” is the fact that thousands of people may stumble on to the show and connect with something they weren’t expecting. That’s awesome to me. If I can be a small part of getting the message of MercyMe to people who need to hear it, count me in.
Welcome to Tuesday. You know what to do. For those that don’t, it’s easy. Write something nice on your blog and fill out the box below. Ready? Go.
