TV Didn’t Want Call for Help: Do You?
I can’t wait to see UndoTV spring to life in a few months. Every few days, I’ll get an IM from a PikSpot team member (Scott) asking me for feedback. I’ve seen their next-gen design and it looks amazing – though I’m not sure it’s going to make it into v1.0 of the product. Still, beta testers like long-time Gnomie Mike Chandler are using it already. In preparing for our upcoming launch, I came up with a wacky idea that might not have worked a few years ago.
Let’s take the idea of “Call for Help” online?
When I was hosting the show (after and before the god-like Leo Laporte), we received our fair share of both accolades and admonishments. We seldom took more than three calls per show, aired live in the afternoon when most users were at school or work, and were constrained to a traditional television production and schedule.
Now, before I go any further – yes, this is exactly what we plan on undoing on UndoTV. The goal there is to mix your favorite personalities with the new community personalities that deserve just as much of our attention. But, there’s a lot to be said about getting the idea out there sooner – and YouTube certainly has the world’s attention (I bet every single person reading this entry has a YouTube account, or will at some point in the future). Here’s the idea:
The “Call for Help” name is pretty much dead at this point, and even Leo’s continued television efforts will be under a different name soon enough. I guess I’ve gotta scout for the video networks that make it easy to respond to video with video comments, record the Q&A, upload those recordings to the various video networks, then rinse and repeat.
When UndoTV launches, that’ll be the primary distribution point for new segments (and promoted as such). Until then, does anybody care to record a video response for the above clip?
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16 Comments
Apple updates its Hot Deals site - Chassidy blog
April 28th, 2007
at 10:08am
ve really been liking live lately. Really. tv show, video, video recording Related Content: UndoTV Party An UndoTV Update TechTV = UndoTV World’s Highest Linux Distribution OPEN: The Small Business Network? TV Didn’t Want Call for Help: Do You? The Lab Launches with Leo Laporte Bijan Yaminafshar on Linksys Network Optimizer File Sharing from Windows Vista to OS X G4 is a Big, Fat Loser [IMG]
Spencer
February 13th, 2007
at 6:26am
I was a big fan of Call for Help. I learned many things from it, and discovered new software and tips that I might not have found elsewhere.
UndoTV sounds like a great idea, and I look forward to seeing it.
cyberdoyle
February 13th, 2007
at 6:36am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jf0SulzeA_8 a video response for you from the uk, a Call for Help…
Greg Birch
February 13th, 2007
at 10:04am
Wonderful Idea Chris! make your own NETWORK!. I think that’s what the net is coming to anyway. People will kind of be their own networks…….
My question is a big one….
I have a Toshiba Satellite laptop that is about…..1 day old. I want to
1. Clean it out, and maximize performance before I load any apps.
2. Protect it with antivirus/antispyware.
3. Add any tweaks download all upgrades.
4. Backup this state so I can return to it in the event of failure.
5. Then transfer my data/apps
The machine is running vista business
for example I have already uninstalled Macaffee and installed Windows live one care (I figured Microsoft would know more than Macaffee about Vista.)
My question to you would be…………..What would you do? how would you go about prepping a new machine for use….what steps do you take, what tweaks? how do we as consumers maximize that purchase? how do I geekify my laptop for probably years of service. What are the best first bookmarks? Should I install Google desktop? Why do the function keys not work after I put the thing to sleep? Why does the biometric finger print scanner not work after the machine sleeps, and how should I use it to keep track of my passwords?
Is there anything I should do now when it is new that will help me later when it is 3 years old?
I know this is a series of huge questions, but after listening to Leo the other day and installing Java for firefox, my favorite browser actually WORKS again…I got this information second hand but it’s frustrating out here on the front lines because I can’t take time to monitor all the companies that have their fingers in this technology.
Sooo Thank you for being out there. Nice to have someone like you in our backyard, do us proud.
Sincerely
Gregory Birch DDS
Port Angeles, WA
98362
(360)457-3183
PS I would add a little funding for your network if you needed it. I can cough up the occasional 50-100 bucks if it does some good?
Lisa Lee
February 13th, 2007
at 11:32pm
I was just thinking tonight about how much I miss Call For Help. I still pine away for that show and former incarnation of that network. You guys were all my friends. I loved tuning in and watching Screensavers and CFH and other shows on at that time. And I learned so much!
Well, just saying. :)
Jorge Quinteros
February 14th, 2007
at 8:21am
Great idea Chris! I can really see this whole Call for Help or should I say Shoot for help taking off. Unfortunately I don’t have a webcam at the moment but in due time. What ever happen to Kat Schwartz anyway?
Mike
February 14th, 2007
at 9:01am
Yo! I’ve attached a video response. Now please provide me with the key to instant fame and fortune… or at least tell me how to get people to watch my flippin’ podcast! ;) Hope all is well…
Aaron Brazell
February 14th, 2007
at 3:01pm
Ah yes… Call for Help. That was back in the day wasn’t it? I always preferred Screen Savers because, well, that was where I was at the time… and I always thought Kevin was a stupid fragger anyway. :p
Anyways, Chris… Great idea. Sounds like a fun thing to watch.
Forgive Me, Father, For I have a Tech Question » Technology, Blogging and New Media
February 14th, 2007
at 3:26pm
[...] Chris Pirillo, the nutty, high-strung brain behind Lockergnome and former host of the TechTV (remember that network?) show Call For Help is taking the Call For Help idea to the bastion of new media, the blogs and YouTube. He has initiated his first video and is soliciting further questions. [...]
Dave K.
February 15th, 2007
at 12:06am
I never watched anything else – Call for Help was it and I almost lost my marbles when it was taken off-air. Whatever the network does now, I have no idea because I don’t check the channel anymore.
I’m not big on Web capturing myself, but I would love to watch. Please bring back Call for Help in whatever manner and whatever name you can.
Thanks for keeping us up-to-date!
oDIN
February 15th, 2007
at 10:00am
I’m your fan from malaysia .
Love to see you answering tech questions ..
Because of you , well ,, I end up in IT industries ..
I’m still learning btw programminng esp ..
annette
February 15th, 2007
at 11:54am
now that I have got up on your blogs and read your idea about CFH. I am ready and quite excited about a CFH. There are lots of times when the midrange geeks need help. Yipppee.
Craig
February 18th, 2007
at 11:45pm
I believe its a great idea Chris! I watched TTV as much as possible while it was on the air. It may sound silly, but when the network was changed to g4 I was crushed. TTV, I thought was the best channel out there and my tv rarely left that channel. I miss all the old shows so much (call for help, tss, fresh gear, etc) Anything kind of help I could give to get this off the ground, I will back you 100% I miss you guys
Call For Help Video Submission » Technology, Blogging and New Media
February 24th, 2007
at 2:16pm
[...] If you’re new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!Chris Pirillo is doing Call for Help again and he is requesting video questions. I just submitted this to him but thought I’d post it here in case anyone wants to respond directly to me: [...]
James M.
April 14th, 2007
at 9:21pm
Chris:
I loved Call 4 Help and was surprized when you left. I wonder what happened to Cat as her web sites are no longer working. I would love to see the program be brought back, and on the Internet no less!
James M.
stormyone
June 25th, 2007
at 6:17pm
7 + years later, I still miss CFH, heck even the wife loved you Mr. Pirillo.
Now enough with petting the cucumber, I was smashed when CFH was taken off air.
I’m completely lost nowadays when helping people, however from back when we did have Tech TV, I made a name for myself with friends and family.
I’m the go to guy with no more tech shows…G4TV sucks for a hard core geek like me….I miss your show big time man…
=(