b5media Technology Channel Blog Openings Aug 2007
Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at August 5th, 2007Here is a listing of blog openings for the b5media technology channel:
Office Tweaks
This is a blog that discusses GTD around the number of available office suites. From traditional suites such as MS Office to open source Open Office, as well as online applications like Google Apps. [link]
New Linux User
What more can I say? I’m looking for a new Linux blogger. Thanks to Kyle Pott who kept the seat warm these past months. [link]
If you would like to know more about b5media, you can read a comprehensive interview with Jeremy Wright on his personal blog. The interview discusses b5media through the years, its business model and direction.
To apply, head over to http://b5media.com/jobs.
SM Hypermarket: Business Blogging Booming?
Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at July 9th, 2007
The SM Group of Companies has always been, in my opinion, one of the more traditional and conservative corporate institutions to have inculcated itself as a strong part of Philippine culture and mass consumerism. Which is why I was surprised to have been invited as a resource speaker a few weeks ago to help shed some light to the Hypermarket staff on the business aspect of blogging. Sounds crazy right?
Here was my proposition: SM doesn’t need to concern itself much with online marketing as they don’t have any “controversial” products and services such as broadband Internet service that tend to lean towards more colorful discussion online.
So why bother?
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Mike Leano: Gamer, Video Games Channel Editor for b5media
Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at July 4th, 2007I have known Mike Leano to some capacity as a fellow gamer, gaming journo (he is a member of AGJA which was founded by Joey Alarilla) as well as a behind the scenes guy in doing market research for the local video games industry. He’s quite a fun character who I bump into the oddest places.
Mike takes over as the third heir to the throne of channel editor for the b5media Video Games Channel. The announcement was made moments ago in the b5media forums and Mike has formally accepted this title.
Congratulations Mike, you’re such a geek!
Blog Openings June 28 2007
Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at June 28th, 2007There are openings in the b5media technology channel.
- a HD / Blu-ray enthusiast blogger who can write for the b5media network
- someone who can take over The Flightnest
Interested parties can apply through http://b5media.com/jobs. Thanks!
b5media Downtown
Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at June 23rd, 2007
Shai Coggins posted some pictures of the new b5media office downtown. Suite 302, 174 Spadina, Toronto Canada.
Neat! The couches look so menacingly comfortable.
NY Times: Blogging (and b5media) as a Source of Jobs and the “Institutionalizing” of Blogs
Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at June 11th, 2007The New York Times has an article on blogging as a relevant source of jobs, with a special mention of b5media Inc and CEO jeremy Wright. But beyond the job opportunities, there is something more important brewing – ‘Institutionalized Journalism 2.0.’
In his recent article on Mobile Philippines, EIC Adel Gabot points out key differences between bloggers and journalists. He says that bloggers, unlike journalists are not bound by an “institutional check” which could be dangerous in the long run. I fully agree with this statement as I have mentioned that bloggers are … bloggers because they enjoy that certain “freedom” and spontaneity, unlike journalists who are subjected to layers of editors and time before an article sees the light of publishing. It is a function of prudence and what you get when you have a working institution.
However, this is subject to change.
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We are all teachers
Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at June 10th, 2007A few posts back I talked about certain events that led to my demise as a geek, thus closing some doors, albeit temporarily, to my fabulous musical career.
I will share a little bit more about my personal life zeroing in on my passion as an educator, as people have wondered why I never took a communications or arts course in college. I graduated college with a course in Development Education, sort of like a mix between development studies and a full-fledged education course. It was a course designed to train you with skills in the craft of teaching, the psychology of learning, andragogy (‘how adults learn’) and a little bit of organizational development.
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Migs Paraz has questions. I have answers.
Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at May 29th, 2007Here is a short interview from Migs Paraz. This is a tagged post from him. If you want me to send you my set of five interview questions, just leave a comment expressing your interest.
About the Mac. I’m having Mac Envy. Give me a good reason not to get a Mac. OS X’s Safari doesn’t render post quicktags in the WordPress dashboard. You can install Windows and it will become prone to viruses.
About blogging. It’s your advocacy. What’s the strangest experience that blogging has brought you? A number of companies “monitor” my blog. When I go to press events, I feel a cold shudder running down my spine as I write “Jayvee from A Bugged Life.” It’s all good really. It is a little disconcerting but at the same time flattering to be on the phone with a PR agency and the first thing they say is “hey we were just with [name of client here] and they said they read your blog.” The strangest experience is when people find out my online persona is cooler than my real life 
About your cellphone blog: what’s the favorite cellphone you’ve owned? I never really had a favorite. I guess with all the phones I’ve owned, they each had a special place in my heart with different strengths and weaknesses. I guess I treat them all like my children – I did my best with all of them. Contrary to what people think, although I’m a geek, I only change phones once every two years as SMART gives away a free phone depending on your retention plan. No questions asked.
About new media. Which media mogul (past or present) would you like to trade places with? Chris Anderson, editor in chief of WIRED and author of The Long Tail. I’ve learned to put up a virtual board of directors to help run my life. Borrowing principles and attitudes from different people in my preferred industry helps me keep a smiling face, a positive outlook and one hand in my pocket. Chris is a brilliant editor, having steered WIRED to become something like the NatGeo of tech. And that Long Tail book. Oh don’t get me started on that. I can go on and on.
About people. Who’s the most interesting blog celebrity you’re met or communicated with online? There are so many, but Darren Rowse of Problogger leaves a good impression on me. My relationship with Darren has many levels. First, I was a fan of his blog ever since 2006. Second, he is technically my boss at b5media and I sometimes ping him on Skype to clarify work-related stuff. But among all these times, Darren has what I like calling a “unity of life” where how he is on his blog is exactly the same way he is in chat, in his internal podcasts and in the forums. It’s something I admire because it spells a genuine and sincere character.
Juned asked to be tagged. This is my interview with him. Riz Sanchez also answered my questions to her dismay! My interview questions are very thought provoking.
Here are the rules:
1. Leave me a comment saying “Interview me.”
2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. I get to pick the questions.
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.
b5media now hiring for music channel
Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at May 17th, 2007We have a new channel editor up for a new line of products. Here I go helping spread the call for emo bloggers who know their music.
b5media is really excited to be launching a new music channel, which will cover a wide range of genres, geographic locations, bands and interests. We’re looking for writers who have a keen interest and engaging knowledge of specific topics and aspects within the music industry.
We will be looking to cover various genres and categories such as: acoustic rock, British invasion and influence, classic albums, hip hop, rap, indie rock, music industry news, online music services, the indie experience (from a band’s perspective), pop, Top-40 and the world of guitar playing. We will also be looking to cover specific bands who are newsworthy and blogworthy such as U2, the Beatles and Justin Timberlake.
You can view the call for applications here.
New Blogs at the b5media Tech Channel…
Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at May 14th, 2007If you were to ask me what I love most about my job description, it would be helping craft new blog concepts as well as looking for job-fit bloggers who can weave content in awesome ways. This month, the b5media tech channel launched two new blogs – actually we launched one and rebranded another.
Office Tweaks is a “getting things done” blog that talks about how to make your way around the dozens of office suites available for consumers. It was formerly known as Office 12 Watch. (The) Gadgenista is a glam gadget blog for the fashionistas – something which I’ve been wanting to launch for quite some time. It is also a part of the Glam.com Network.
With companies churning out more and more office productivity suites, Microsoft has a ton on its hands in terms of competition. You got your open source Open Office, your Microsoft Office for the Mac, as well as your web based suite like Google Apps. With a ton of these available at your disposal, it may prove to be more confusing than productive to actually get things done because of the many choices available. Well fret no more! Say hello to Office Tweaks!
It sure took a while, but we’ve found our Gadgenista! And ever since, the technology channel has added a little bit of pink to its corners. The Gadgenista is that one stop blog for things that make you go “oh that’s so cute!” to the utterly weird in tech + fashion finds. It’s also a place for guys to find something special for their geeky better halves.
Office Tweaks is written by Kyle Pott while The Gadgenista is written by Lia Espina.
Thank You Hsien Hsien!
Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at May 3rd, 2007I rarely write about goodbyes on the network I work for. Truth is, bloggers come and go. Some stay for a month while others stay on for a year or two and then leave. I’d like to bid goodbye and good luck to a virtual friend I’ve made over the past several months in Dr. Hsien Hsien Lei who was channel editor for the genetics and health channel. Hsien was part of the About Weblogs fold that came into b5media several months ago.
As one who has been with b5media since the start, I’ve seen bloggers write, write, write some more and then leave to pursue their other passions. Hsien was one of those who I got to know, albeit briefly on a slightly deeper level when I opened up and asked for advice about my brother’s medical condition (he has a swollen cornea that thank God is healing well now) several months ago. Not that she gave a doctor’s prescription, but she was there to empathize and listen through about two or three days worth of rants from me.
Thank you Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei for being part of my b5media adventure and good luck with your passions!
