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Cambridge Reporter Revisited

Colin Carmichael — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:56:14 +0000

It seems that my foray into community publishing in 2008 has garnered some interest on the Twitter… There is some confusion, understandably, about who was doing what when and under what when.

I may do an in-depth post sometime on the whole experience, but for now I’ll offer a simple timeline to clear the air:

(I’m doing this from memory, so I may revise these a bit after publishing)

June 2008: I launch CambridgeReporter.ca. it’s a community-driven site where anyone can submit stories and opinion. It’s intended to be more news than opinion – similar to NowPublic.com but on a smaller scale.

October 2008: TorStar sends me a friendly email about how they still own the Reporter name and they’d appreciate it if I could stop using it. Important to note that in Sept 2008 TorStar did not own any of the relevant URLs, but in October, CambridgeReporter.com suddenly appeared with syndicated content from the K-W Record. Update: Rabble.ca did a story about this here: http://www.rabble.ca/news/cease-and-desist-i-dont-think-so

Later in October 2008: CambridgeReporter.ca becomes CambridgeVoice.ca.

Spring 2009: The Cambridge Voice becomes The Cambridge Advocate under new ownership. (I’m totally drawing a blank on the timing here, so I’ll update after a little research)

There it is – my best recollection of the events surrounding my involvement with the Cambridge Reporter.

On the Twitter, there’s already talk about trying again to create a community-driven local news & opinion website. Stay tuned.

Christmas Review

Colin Carmichael — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 15:52:10 +0000

It’s Sunday, which means a Family Sunday post…

The past week has been all about family so it’s hard to pick something specific to write about. It has been an amazing experience to watch the two older kids get excited about Christmas for the first time. Hannah has managed to learn more Christmas songs and carols than I thought possible for a 4 yr-old. (This in addition to her Avett Brothers repertoire.)

Next year will be very interesting as the twins will be running around on their own, Hannah will be half-way through her first year of Kindergarten and Bella will be fully conversant. We’ll also be away from home for an full two weeks over Christmas. Should be interesting.

As I write this, we’re on the road to Ajax for more family visiting – the girls are more excited than they look here:

Is Gordon Brown as brilliant as he seems?

Colin Carmichael — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 19:02:42 +0000

I’m watching a very recent TEDtalk (that will appear in a future TEDtuesday) where Chris Anderson interviews British Prime Minister Gordon Brown about global ethics and global citizenship.

All I can say is WOW. If this guy is serious and isn’t just blowing TEDsmoke, he’s an outright revolutionary…

Is this the real Gordon Brown? Is he as much a revolutionary world leader as this interview suggests?

Link: http://www.ted.com/talks/gordon_brown_on_global_ethic_vs_national_interest.html

Meeting Called to Discuss Coworking Space in Galt

Colin Carmichael — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 12:23:22 +0000

Yesterday’s blog post sparked quite the conversation on Twitter last night! I thought we should try to capitalize on the momentum and get a bunch of people in a room to brainstorm, so I called the first meeting of the Galt Coworking Group.

We will meet Monday, December 21st at 8:30pm at the Golden Kiwi pub on Dickson St.
RSVP here: http://guestlistapp.com/events/11064

Everyone is welcome to come and offer your $0.02 on this idea.

Update: There is a public working document for fleshing out the principles of what we are trying to accomplish. Read and edit it here: http://colincarmichael.ca/galtcoworkdoc

Working alone, together.

Colin Carmichael — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 19:46:30 +0000

Not an ideal working environment…

Guess where I spent most of my day today? The public library. Why? Well, long story short, the weather made commuting to the office a silly thing to attempt so I was stuck in town with nowhere to work.

I essentially have three options in this situation: 1) work from home, 2) work from a cafe, 3) work from the library

The first option is really not an option since there are 4 pre-schoolers there and no “home office”. Option #2 is my usual habit – but you can only drink so much overpriced coffee in a day. So today was #3 – no pressure to leave , but still less than ideal.

The biggest problem with each of these options (even #1) is isolation. Humans are social creatures and require social interaction, within the context of their work, to be creative.

So what to do? I’ve been intrigued by the concept of coworking for some time. The idea of being able to work on my own but in an office full of people I know is very attractive!

I have this feeling that we’re reaching a critical mass in Cambridge that could support some kind of cooperative working environment. In talking with a few folks today and yesterday, I’m sure I’m not alone in that belief.

So let’s do it. Let’s incorporate a non-profit to create a cooperative working space for professionals in Cambridge that need a place to hang their hat from 9 to 5 but have no use for a full office of their own.

Who’s with me?

UPDATE: a few of us are throwing around ideas on Twitter. Use the #galtcowork hashtag to particpate!

Meeting Called to Discuss Coworking Space in Galt

A New Year, A Fresh Start

Colin Carmichael — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 05:17:09 +0000

Hi there. Remember me? I own this little corner of the web but have been something of an absentee landlord of late. It’s not that I haven’t had any interesting ideas or any shortage of things to say, it’s just that, well, let’s not dwell on the past.

The future is what is important! And the future of this blog is looking much brighter today. Today I have resolved (albeit a few weeks early) to re-energize and re-invigorate this blog. I will be posting more often, and on a wider variety of topics. This blog will be me – in all the various places my brain takes me.

So with that promise to you, dear reader, let wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and I will see you in 2010 – renewed and refreshed!

from a 12 year old girl