Friend.peer

I started this weblog as an experiment. I thought it would be a good way to collect information regarding some of the major changes happening in the printing, publishing, and media distribution areas. My intent is to look at things from a business/production perspective, weaving in technology and other items as appropriate. I still intend to do that.

But along the way I have found myself going down the rabbit hole. The revolution in personal publishing being wrought by the weblog is astounding. I think it has enormous implications for the publishing industry's future. And I realize that to meet my objectives for this weblog I need to really, truly understand both the technology and methodolgy of blogging.

I also need to understand the implications for sharing what I learn and what I'm learning. I have a deep-rooted interest in collaborative computing, knowledge sharing, and the impact it can have on a company, a small business, or a project.

I have my own small business in mind -- one that addresses some of the gaps I see forming in the print/publishing industry. To make it work I need to understand how to bring a geographically dispersed team together, to keep them focused, and to keep them all moving full-speed ahead in the right direction.

I've been party to too many failed virtual efforts. I've seen companies stagnate, and even come completely apart because they couldn't manage a virtual business. I must learn how to do that if I am to succeed. So forgive my digressions into blogging, klogging, and intranet design.

My primary point, and I do have one, will become apparent once I have mastered the basics. Right now the information regarding my topics of interest -- new publishing distribution models, new print production models, new consumer models -- is widely dispersed, disconnected, and hard to find.

Publishers don't like what's happening becasue it will force them to change. Printers don't like what's happening for the same reason. Consumers don't like it because the benefits are still just a gleam in the eye of a few visionary people. But it will happen. I plan to be a part of it. I plan to share much of that ride with you.

In the mean time, I'm thinking out loud, trying to share what I learn along the way. I will get back to the point when the time comes. I hope you still find this weblog useful in the interim. Thanks for hanging with me.