Todd Mundt - Latest Comments

Re: Piping public media’s economy stories

katiekemple — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 10:45:06 -0000

Todd, thanks for featuring the economy collaboration and providing feedback. We're always looking for ways to improve and to make our combined projects more accessible to stations. I think it's great you created a Yahoo! Pipe. We've got several other feeds that you (and other stations) may wish to add. I'll send those your way in an email and would be happy to share with anyone else who is interested (you can reach me at katie.kemple@gmail.com). Hope to see you at PRPD. Katie Kemple, Communications Manager, Public Media's Economy Story

Re: This NPR API is a BIG deal.

lisat2 — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 19:00:36 -0000

Happy you are still accepting comments. You're truly prescient in this post!

I noticed from NiemanLabs blog today -- that NPR API calls have doubled from June to July and are now 6 M http://bit.ly/3Cz1vv - Whoa! You guys are aiming to be the posterchild for Radio 2.0. Way to go!

Re: Video: Disconnecting the Coax

Lono33 — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 17:02:20 -0000

We too left the cable company. I was bummed to lose the DVR more than anything, but every single month Comcast raised our rates. Tired of their bs, we disconnected cable about three months ago and as a result our cable bill dropped $100.

We too still have the broadband internet through them. It's impressive. it powers our Wii, our laptop, and our Roku box. Easily worth the $50 a month.

The Roku box is awesome. You had mentioned netflix. The Roku box delivers Netflix queue straight to your DVR through a wifi connection in your house. Though the whole catalogue isn't on there, there is an impressive selection. After a one time investment of $100, the service is free... and just runs off your netflix service. Also, they are now hooked up with Amazon. So, I can watch the newest DVD releases, just like with on demand.

We get a great HD pic on all the local network affiliates. I only miss the food network, and espn.

I am excited to see what unfolds when the digital conversion goes down. I think my selections will either go up or down drastically. It was tough the first month or so, especially not having the DVR. Now, it is more satisfying just not paying them. If I did go back to subscription tv, I wouldn't be with Comcast. As a matter of principle, I would go to sattellite TV.

Re: Cutting the Coax: an update

michaelklasmeier — Fri, 29 May 2009 17:20:35 -0000

By the way, the kids are great bike riders and gardeners because of the lack of tv.

Re: Cutting the Coax: an update

michaelklasmeier — Fri, 29 May 2009 17:17:43 -0000

Dude, we are going on 7.5 years without cable. What's the big deal? I'm not paying to have all the crap come into the house with 1% of it actually good programming. And we don't have any reception at all...

You won't miss it. You will realize how much free time you have when you aren't glued to the tube.

Re: Cutting the Coax: an update

toddmundt — Fri, 29 May 2009 15:57:34 -0000

Since my original post, Food Network, etc., have joined the Hulu platform.

Re: Cutting the Coax: an update

jtk426 — Fri, 29 May 2009 15:52:40 -0000

To watch cable shows from Food Network, HGTV, Travel and such, go to TidalTV.com. It's great.

Re: Jesse Thorn and Merlin Mann rock public media

jmproffitt — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 15:12:11 -0000

Hmmm... How about adding a link to your neanderthal note? Heh.

Re: Working the Kindle 2

mwp — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 09:48:09 -0000

My wife gave me a Kindle for Christmas, I got it in February, and I love it. Here's my favorite thing: like many book lovers, I'm easily seduced or almost seduced by a book in a bookstore. On the other hand, I often find I have an inspiration when I'm not in a bookstore ("I'd love to reread 'The Brothers Karamazov"!), then have second thoughts when I have the book in my hand. Over the years, I've bought lots of books I never got around to reading, so I pretty frequently talk myself out of buying things (I tell myself this is a book I want to have read, not a book I want to read).

The Karamazov example is real -- I've always thought of it as my favorite book from college, and for the last decade or so I've meant to reread it. But when I stand there in the store with the book and $15 in my hand, I think "O, come on, you'll never actually get around to reading this" and I put it down. WIth the Kindle, I ordered the sample when I had the inspiration (in the case of BK the sample must have been 50 or 60 pages) and it was clear when I got to the end of the sample and actually bought the book that I had the momentum to read it. I've read or reread several books on this basis.

I find the reading experience to be just fine. One complaint is that I'm nervous about how much I have to use the 5-way navigator. There's no alternative to it -- if it breaks, the unit is junk -- and I'm not sure how pleasant the repair process would be. I'm always a little nervous when I use the device (unlike my Palm Pilot, say, which I toss around pretty carelessly).

Actually, navigation in general feels pretty 1st generation on the Kindle. Using tables of contents feel like you're clumsily clicking through barely converted text. Compared to navigating on an iPod Classic, for example, it's the difference between an old text-based computer game like "Adventure" and something more modern.

That aside, though, I'm a very happy KIndle user, and I could imagine using something like this for a long time. It doesn't feel like a gimmick to me, but like something that could comfortably fit into my life.

Peace,

Mark.

Re: Working the Kindle 2

jocko — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 19:18:14 -0000

Great review, I'm think I might have to pick one up after reading your entry. I was wondering if any affluent library systems were picking them up and sure enough, Sparta Public Library (SPL) NJ purchased a few, and the waiting list is two months; it sure makes a swift and inexpensive alternative to interlibrary loan.

Oddly enough the Amazon/Kindla Terms of Service prevents a user who wishes to "sell, rent, lease, distribute, broadcast, sublicense or otherwise assign any rights to the Digital Content or any portion of it to any third party." So far Amazon is mum on the topic and they don't seem to be raising a fuss with libraries, it'll be interesting to see how Amazon irons out the concept of popular lending. Oh Andrew Carnegie, if you could see us now!

Re: #IMA09: Jessica Clarke, Center for Social Media

Adam Gee — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 18:13:40 -0000

Hi Todd, thanks for highlighting Big Art Mob - I commissioned it for Channel 4 in London (the other public service broadcaster apart from the BBC in the UK, the really innovative one which punches above its weight ;-) ) and we're really proud of it as an example of taking on a worthwhile public challenge (in this case, creating the 1st comprehensive map of UK public art) with the help of people power. You can find out about other similar projects I'm working on at www.arkangel.tv. You may find the latest one of particular interest - www.landshare.net - which links people who want to grow their own food with people who have bits of land to share.

Re: Contact

John La Barbera — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 09:00:21 -0000

Congrats on Veep status. Hope you have a twin so you can work all the miracles Donovan expects from you.

Marie & I miss seeing you guys at the market and hope Spring hurries on its way. Again, big congrats. John & Marie La Barbera

Re: The cost of owning a car that sits more than it drives

Fefrie — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 23:11:31 -0000

Get a used scooter. The convenience will more than pay for itself off. And join a car co op although the use of which is pricey compared to owning a used car, is comparable compared to owning a new car.

Re: The cost of owning a car that sits more than it drives

Vicki — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 20:21:34 -0000

Hi Todd,

I also was in your situation, and although I was petrified, I took the big bite, and got rid of my car. I was so fearful at first, wondering how I would get to the hospital at 3:00am if something happened, and how I would survive without the 1:00am drives I used to take when I couldn't sleep....

Well, after one month's time without, I had a complete epiphany. I realized that I was alot less stressed out, since I didn't have to worry about people breaking into my car, and I didn't have to waste a couple hours per weekend washing the car, nor worry about taking it into get maintenance done. Not only that, I saved an extra $300/month because I wasn't buying as many frivolous things at the store (since it wouldn't be so easy taking them home).

Now, one and a half years later, I worry about the day I might have to go back to owning a car (i.e. if my work moves to a remote location). I'm very content and much less stressed without. I dont need to worry about my 1:00am drives, since I'm sleeping much better than ever! All I can say is not only better for the environment, but it's better for you too. I hope you find the courage to take the plunge and go car-free!

Best regards,

Re: On the Road Again with Mario Batali

Bob Rutkas — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 02:09:57 -0000

Mario is a National Treasure. You are correct in stating that he is made for TV. He and Emeril are, in fact, the reason FN exist today. Their success is certainly not due to FN's management ... far too many "reality contest" and other fluff programming!! Mario and Emeril really teach cooking in a fun and approachable manner.

Re: On the Road Again with Mario Batali

margaret cardillo — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 22:35:25 -0000

I absolutely love this show. Mario, my son is presently attending The French Culinary Institute, where you are so highly praised. You are his idol and the reason he decided to go to FCI. I hope one day he can meet you. His name is Andrew Cardillo and a wonderful chef. He grew up with absolutely nothing and worked since he was 15 yrs. old in restaurants and truly has a passion for cooking. He is right now at a 99.1 average at FCI and loving it. Thank you for being the person that you are and an inspiration to all. By the way, Bittman is terrific also!!! Very funny guy/

Yours truly,

Margaret Cardillo

Re: TPT Remembers Cindy Browne

Johny — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 09:54:04 -0000

a great loss to many ...
RIP

Re: On the Road Again with Mario Batali

toddmundt — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 08:03:49 -0000

Thanks for the comment! To my knowledge, there aren't any DVD's of Molto Mario available.

Re: On the Road Again with Mario Batali

Foodie — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:30:51 -0000

I couldn't agree with you more about Mario Batali. Not only is he a culinary genius but he's so darn loveable. By the by, would you happen to know if there are DVD's of Molto Mario floating around? I've been scouring for them for my man. I can't seem to find anything on the food network site or amazon.

Re: Changes at CBC Radio 2

susan campbell-webster — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 18:15:04 -0000

I used to be a devoted listener to CBC Radio 2. Suddenly there was a new announcer who sounds maybe nice if you are 19 years old and have never heard a classical concert in your entire life. Eric Freison was also suddenly gone -- and while the woman who replaced him - Julie Nazrallah is enthusiastic and learned and plays lovely music -- still for me, you simply cannot replace someone like Eric -- no way, no how. Jurgen Gothe -- gone. The new guy in his spot has character and is fun -- still, the music simply doesn't hold me and so I am gone. Back to the US jazz station -- its good public radio and all -- but how I miss my classical music all day. What a pity. When you guys take off the opera, you'll lose me for good.

Re: The cost of owning a car that sits more than it drives

Artificial — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 03:12:24 -0000

The Segways are pricey, but use no gas. Others have suggested biking to me, but my beef there is that I don't want to show up at work sweaty, nor do I want to deal with basically a second set of clothes for riding (that adds commute time because of the changing of clothes and such).

Re: Launching “The Mediavore” - aggregating public media

Rob Paterson — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 13:06:43 -0000

This is such a welcome breakthrough Todd - the start of something huge I think
Rob

Re: Changes at CBC Radio 2

Mickie — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 19:15:03 -0000

I am absolutely devastated at what's happened to my beloved Radio 2. If I wanted to listen to "poplar" music, and endless inane chatter, I'd tune into any one of a dozen private stations.

If it weren't for Tempo in the mornings and TONIC(a truly wonderful program) - I simply wouldn't bother turning on my radio. Please, please, please.... give us back our classical music.

Re: Cindy Browne

jimborus — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 21:20:04 -0000

Beautifully stated, Todd. I am devastated by her death, yet I agree with you -- she showed us all how to be courageous in the face of the big C monster. I am so fortunate to have known and worked with her, in Minnesota many years ago and more recently at Iowa Public Radio. There's a big hole in all of our lives right now, one that needs to be filled with memories of her laughter and bravery. I think Cindy invented and Barak appropriated the words "Yes we can."

Jim

Re: Hulu gets PBS, Comedy Central

Artificial — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 23:59:28 -0000

here are more reasons for you to say goodbye to cable, too: The Daily Show and the Colbert Report are joining the Hulu roster