If you have an original idea / business model / startup to kick off on the web, but feel short in cash or resources, then the perfect way for you to nail down a potential partner are OpenCoffee format meetups, which are now going to take place in Riga too.

That goes to investors as well - now you have an opportunity, in a totally informal setting, to consider the ideas while sipping coffee with their authors and negotiating on a potential partnership.

OpenCoffee welcomes all industry professionals as well, those who care about online presence of their business and would like to brainstorm on fresh ideas or just meet the thinkers alike.

Since the start of the last year, when first OpenCoffee meetup was held in London, such format meetings regularly take place all around the world. A few months ago I had a chance to visit the OpenCoffee in Tallinn, together with Maxim and Evgeny. There was very friendly atmosphere reigning in there, enterpreneurs were present, as well as people representing future and ongoing internet services (Skype, for instance), plus some bloggers and even a college professor. And last week, I heard through the grapevine that AlexR is getting the idea of OpenCoffee in Latvia through, which of course is extremely cool and hopefully this movement will become a tradition around here.

The OpenCoffee concept is as easy as it gets: in a previously agreed place, where good coffee and free Wi-Fi should be both a yes, on a previously agreed time, entrepreneurs, investors and all those who think they need to be there, are gathering. Usually, the place is a permanent venue, the time is also scheduled for no change (for example, each Thursday 10 - 12 @ Starbucks Elizabetes St.). It’s not important who comes, perhaps some days there ain’t gonna be anyone coming - people are just need to know that if they wanna meet, the place is here and the time is now. If you don’t make it this time - it’s not the end of the world! You’ll make it next time! That’s why these meetups should be regular. Maybe, if meeting each week for Latvia would be too frequently, then it could be, say, first Thursday of each month.

At this moment, the introduction meetup of Latvian OpenCoffee Club is scheduled for June 5 this year. As the time and venue are still discussable, I’ma vote for 10 AM. I truly believe that this type of gatherings will be way more serious and productive if we throw them up in the mornings, in spite of just the next one bloggers’ “after work” beer drinking evening. After all we are talking “work” here, aren’t we? The SunSet Bar seems to be OK, if not one thing - during the fall/winter off-season it’s not gonna be open in the mornings, and there’s actually no.. “good coffee” in there =) This can be lived with though, but those who know more than two types of coffee (black and white) will surely understand me.

Alrightie, so meet y’all soon, at the OpenCoffee!

For the first meetup, to increase the attendance and interest, there is a topic set up: “The Web 2.0 Evolution or Where is the Web Rolling?”, as well as a visual presentation of a new project to be launched on Latvian market will be held.

Yesterday, I have discovered a perfect way to watch live NBA games while in Riga. I mean, not even discovered but really tried it out for the first time. There are Conference Finals underway in the World’s premier basketball league, the Finals are ahead and that means, it’s time to watch some beautiful basketball.

During the regular season and since the Playoffs have started, I got used to checking out games by downloading the torrents. But in that case, the time shift is present and I get to know the result later as the game is being watched the next day (for example, last time it took almost the whole day for the game to download, because it was in HD, 14 Gigs). From time to time I also run up into some spoilers, result updates somewhere on the web, which spoil the whole thing - there’s no sense to root for any team when you know the final score.

That’s why this time I’ve decided to turn to live broadcast and to chant “M-V-P” and “Let’s Go Lakers” together with packed Staples Center and while doing it from my Riga residence though, be present at this historical moment of my main man Kobe battling for the champion’s title.

I don’t give a damn what my neighbors might had been thinking about me at 4 AM then - when the show time tipped off, it seemed like the whole world is watching. The Finals are no doubt a huge event, including in Los Angeles where the 20,000 fans arena featured various mega stars like my favourite actor Denzel Washington, season ticket holder Jack Nicholson, Sylvester Stallone, David Beckham and Victoria, Spider Man, and of course basketball stars, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, and tens more of globally known celebrities.

Ha, I don’t even speak about the ball game itself. Yes - the emotional factor here means a lot more to me. This is real additional value, provided by original commentary, game analysis brought by basketball icons Charles Barkley, Magic Johnson, Kenny Smith, Reggie Miller. This is a possibility to feel my presence in there - at once with other fans who are following this grand show. TNT Overtime All Access is even offering to choose one of four online cameras to decide who you wanna follow - either one of the players, or the part of the court or the arena you like.

This TNT feature is pretty cool, and for real, I felt like being present at Staples Center - all sounds are heard and you can switch cams watching the game from different angles. There’s a disadvantage though, the video is playing in the web page built-in flash player thus full screen mode cannot be toggled. Also, there’s no commentary and no live result shown anywhere on the screen, as well as no game/shot clock.

I went to watch the full game with all the commentary and stuff to one of the channels provided by p2p technologies. I found a stream which was broadcasting the same TNT, only the TV version where cameras are chosen by the director or whoever and of course with all the commercials (much more attractive than our Latvian ones here though), but like I said with commentary and easy to read game data, stats and live results displayed.

I had TNT All Access running in other window so I was switching to it occasionally to watch Kob’ exclusively, but during the commercial breaks to watch the bench, arena, and the show at halftime.

Oh yeah, and KB24 was simply incredible. I follow his ways from back in his (and mine) high school days - on and off the court. I’m so happy for him getting an MVP this season, everything is moving towards the ring too.

But regarding the NBA broadcasts and the aura that reigns at the games, here’s a few words I’d like to share - it’s so pity that basketball is not that popular here in Latvia, and our league has such a long way to go to that level. Couple weeks ago I was at LBL Semifinals game in Arena Riga, which was not even half empty, but well - empty. National broadcasts are also not being provided like they supposed to. LTV7 is trying to show something from time to time, including NBA, but that’s actually a rare occasion and of poor quality. This upcoming Monday, May 26, 6:50 AM local they’re gonna air Game 3 of Western Finals though. But ain’t no wish to watch that channel anymore with all its stupid host comments, funny-ass interface/titles and so on - that ish makes me wanna lose my lunch, straight up.

I know that in Latvia it’s possible to tune in to some satellite channels that show NBA. Seems like Garais was telling me about DirecTV? But anyways, I don’t have the plate so I’m stayin’ with torrents and live online broadcasts while enjoying original atmosphere of the basketball motherland. Go Lakes!

Njā, Kārlis ir tāds Seržants.

“LNT rīcībā ir nonācis šokējošs video”. Manuprāt, gan - nekas vairāk, kā kārtējais lēts mēģinājums uztaisīt sensāciju.

Kā divas krievu tīnes izrēķinās savā starpā, pareizāk - viena izrēķinās ar otru, ir redzēts vismaz pirms gada (pietiek ievadīt vārdu “драка” youtubā un atradīsies daudz kas pa šo tēmu). Nav runa, kadri, protams, drausmīgi, meitene tiek piekauta brutālā veidā, un tas nevar neatstāt zināmu iespaidu. Bet fakts, ka klips tika uzņemts visdrīzāk Krievijā, nevis Cēsīs (!) un ka tas ir pieejams internetā jau labu laiku, neapstādina mūsu sensation maker’us no brauciena uz Cēsīm, viesošanos policijā, krievu vidusskolā un savu skatītāju maldināšanā. Reportāžas beigās gan nevainīgi tika piebilsts, ka mol “iespējams” šis materiāls netika maz filmēts Latvijā. Ja taščusj.

Atvērot TV*Netu, lai sameklētu linku uz šo reportāžu, ieraugu vēl vienu “šokejošo” video, kur nofilmēts kāds alkašs, kas rāpo pāri Vairoga ielai. Kamoon, folks, “dienas video”? Tas sūds jau bija netā pirms pat vairākiem gadiem!!

Vārdu sakot, bajāns, LNT. Check yourselves before you wreck yourselves.

On the note of TNS releasing the news of the tremendous growth online media advertising market saw through 2007, I would like to praise and applause for this thing we’re so used to: the Web. C’mon y’all, stand up! That’s what I’m talking bout.

Ad market is surely reflecting what the masses chew on - an increase by 81%, for Latvia sounds just amazing. Still amongst the lowest in terms of turnover though the web is soon to get its key rivals - outdoor and radio. Mags, papers and TV are leading the race but the pattern is clearly seen, internet based media are taking the advertising market by storm.

Facing the aftermath of BarCamp Baltics 2008, I start to turn more and more in the direction of getting schooled about New Media and experience exchange seems vital like ain’t never else. My eye was caught by the upcoming conference on e-marketing which is to take place here in Riga on March 12. Hosted by originally Estonian altex marketing and named “More than a banner: The future of internet marketing in Latvia” the self-dubbed Emarketing!1 (E!1) promises to be a pretty interesting event. But these are emotions right here. The facts are available on altex home page. Since they happen to be hookin’ me up with a free admission for this, I will surely try to be there and grab some precious knowledge.

Anyways, my late night message to y’all is like, Latvian online media are developing quicker than you can manage to follow. Blogs are born and banners become old-school. Plenty of proof around that the show is underway and I ain’t the one to sit back, relax and just enjoy it, believe me. I am actively taking part in propelling the whole movement. Yikes.

What’s been up?

I have been traveling to our Lil’ Switzerland and back all week long, but I know I should come in here and post. Thanks for staying on the line!

Today, I wanna point your attention to comments on the war between internet and printed media that been showing up here and there as of late. After listening to one radio show I thought, I can’t let this issue untouched.

Radio Baltcom aired Wednesday how Vice Prez of Latvian Press Publishers Association Guntars Licis spoke for newspapers, truly protecting them. Sure, his optimism is alright, but he sounded like underestimating the web and it just made me smile.

“One thing doesn’t disturb another”, says Mr. Licis at the time when sales and the number of subscribers of Latvian tabloids are getting critically low. On the other hand, subscribers to RSS feeds of not only news portals but also blogs, steadily rise from day to day. And obviously citizen journalism and blogging perform the analysis task, which is to be done by press. Therefore, they act as evident competitors of printed media.

Not to even mention the task of delivering news, which newspapers are long not the source of - internet, radio, TV, without a doubt, bring the message to masses quick and easy.

I ain’t gonna be too sceptical though, I admit that prints have their own niche today. But this niche is becoming way smaller as internet develops. Icluding the regions - where the web is growing at rapid pace.

Guntars Licis agrees that “newspapers are read mostly by older generation and mid-age people, younger people somehow use the internet more”. “This is part of our culture and part of people’s habits, part of thinking”.

That’s what I’m saying, Mr. Licis!!! Today’s youngsters are going to be the same mid-age people by tomorrow, with own culture, habits and thinking. And going to “somehow use the internet more”…

Anyways, we’ll see. The only thing clear is that newspapers need to tightly secure their positions by printing reliable analysis, reports straight from events, interviews with key players in a field audience is interested in. And, of course, actively fight for a piece of an online pie.

Last bot not least, the Press Publishers Association should surely carefully observe the trends and head in the right direction, for not to end up broke and pity.

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]]> http://rigatalk.com/2008/02/02/internet-vs-print-round-12/feed/langswitch_lang/en http://rigatalk.com/2008/01/19/latvian-car-drivers-go-online-for-road-traffic-guidelines/langswitch_lang/en http://rigatalk.com/2008/01/19/latvian-car-drivers-go-online-for-road-traffic-guidelines/langswitch_lang/en#comments Sat, 19 Jan 2008 14:51:32 +0000 Aleksandrs "Lexxus" Borovenskis http://rigatalk.com/2008/01/19/latvian-car-drivers-go-online-for-road-traffic-guidelines/

The Road Guide, or Ceļu Gids in Latvian, seems to be pretty nice idea to gather information for drivers in Riga and Latvia, as well as around Baltic States overall.

When I first stumbled upon that site, I noticed official Latvian State Roads web camera information which is live from Jurmala highway. Make sure you check it out, looks cool. If you could access those admin menus and move the cam or something, that thing would be priceless =)

The Road Guide is officially run by Latvian State Roads so they got the freshest info on road condition. I guess they own the automatic Road Weather Information systems - I do notice those booths along the highways with anemometers and stuff.

Plus, they’re the guys who are down with road works so they put online the latest scoop on road works, locations, speed limits in those places, what kind of work is done and when it’s about to be finished. This section needs to be visual though, integrated in Google Map cause I don’t wanna scroll all the way down with my route in my mind.

Speaking on Google Maps, there’s amazing stuff found on the Road Guide - Riga traffic web cams with cam location integrated on city map. These are not official State Roads cams like the Jurmala one, but still convenient if you wanna check out what’s happening in those usual traffic jam places.

The site also offers Google Maps shortest route calculation between Latvian cities but I guess I better use the original Google Maps screen, it’s larger and allows additional features.

Links to Baltic Roads site do good, as it turns out that page got official road weather data like temperature (both air and road), precipitation, winds all the way from Lithuania up to Finland and St. Petersburg area.

Those who cross the EU border from Latvia will find out about queues and situation on border through the Road Guide.

The site sure lacks English and Russian, perhaps German and Lithuanian/Estonian cause I figure there are some foreign drivers who’d love to be informed.

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]]> http://rigatalk.com/2008/01/19/latvian-car-drivers-go-online-for-road-traffic-guidelines/feed/langswitch_lang/en http://rigatalk.com/2007/11/28/ajaveeb-emuars-blog-po-estonski/langswitch_lang/en http://rigatalk.com/2007/11/28/ajaveeb-emuars-blog-po-estonski/langswitch_lang/en#comments Wed, 28 Nov 2007 21:19:00 +0000 Aleksandrs "Lexxus" Borovenskis http://rigatalk.com/2007/11/28/%d0%b0%d1%8f%d0%b2%d1%8d%d1%8d%d0%b1-%d1%8d%d1%82%d0%be-%d1%82%d0%b5%d0%b1%d0%b5-%d0%bd%d0%b5-%d1%8d%d0%bc%d1%83%d0%b0%d1%80%d1%81-%d0%b8%d0%bb%d0%b8-%d0%ba%d0%b0%d0%ba-%d0%b1%d1%83%d0%b4%d0%b5/

Если очень захотеть - можно в космос полететь.

Или выучить пару словечек по-эстонски.

Сегодня копал эстонский вэб и выучил, например, как будет “блог”. Аявээб.

Прикольно, правда? А я - вэб =) и запомнить - проще простого.

Не то, что наш эмуарс… Макс и Йоха в одном из последних подкастов как раз прикалывались на тему дословного перевода - там пробегала Ugunslapsa, pārlūks, tīmeklis (globālais zirnekļa tīkls) и другие мутанты.

А я - вэб! Вот буду поплотнее общаться с нашими северными соседями, ещё и не такое выдам.