Sun’s CEO Jonathan Schwartz on Software Freedom

September 18, 2008

What’s the future of the Internet?

Jonathan Schwartz, CEO of Sun Microsystems joined Sun News on BlogTalkRadio to talk about software freedom, open source, and the changing nature of the technology world.

Schwartz drops by to discuss the meaning of software freedom, and how Sun has embraced it for its business model.  Software freedom, according to Schwartz can be an “instrument of driving change, not only in the technology landscape, but also in society more broadly.”  He believes in the Internet’s ability to increase opportunity.

Open source should be embraced.  According to Schwartz, “open source is a critical enabler” that can benefit a variety of users, from college students, to start-ups, to Fortune 500 companies.

Schwartz also predicts that the future of the internet is still free for the end-user, in social networks, media, and beyond.  He predicts that “if one company is not providing a free service, there will likely be another one that is providing a free service.”  This competition drives innovation.

Take a listen to the archived interview, and you’ll catch Jonathan’s enthusiasm about what they are working on at Sun, and the potential of software freedom to engage and empower.


How to Have Your BlogTalkRadio Show Featured

September 11, 2008

Deb mentioned that some hosts had been asking her about being featured. I would like to clarify the process to request featured shows so we are all on the same page.

As all our esteemed hosts know, BlogTalkRadio is a growing community, a network of hosts and listeners, interacting on a wide variety of topics each day. These shows, these interactive conversations, are all valuable to our community as a whole.

Since we are all putting in such hard work to make our shows the best they can be, I wanted to give you my insider tips, straight from the Features Editor, to help promote your content:

1. Do your part. When submitting a Features Request, it helps to show the PR team what you have already done to promote your show. Have you embedded players on your blog, and sent out bulletins and reminders? What is your guest doing to promote? This shows us that you are as invested in getting the word out as you want us to be.

2. Time is on your side. Give as much notice as possible about your special guest. You wouldn’t promote a lecture, a performance, or a television show only the night before, so why leave your BlogTalkRadio promotion to the last minute? With less than 48 hours notice, there is limited ability to feature. You have been warned. The PR team sometimes receives requests for a show a month ahead of time. Everything is documented and you won’t be forgotten. If you receive a Confirmation email with your request number, there is no need to re-submit the information.

3. Say Cheese. Send us pictures. Even if its a logo from your guest’s site, or a headshot of you, or a picture of your dog. Its helpful to have that visual information at our fingertips, and will reduce the chances we will accidentally promote the wrong Michael Jackson.

4. Confirm. Make sure your guest is going to show up. We understand that things happen that are outside your control, but once we’ve done the promotion and put in the effort, we hope you have put in the effort to deliver the show you promised us and your listeners.

5. Relax. Although the homepage is the most visible way we promote, remember we have many more ways of getting the word out, some of which are not so obvious. Our PR Team does outreach to blogs, sends bulletins on social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace, blasts out show information via Twitter, and works with our PR Agency to spread the word about our great hosts. Please remember we are working hard for you, and that it benefits us both to get the word out about your shows. We are on your side.

6. Make it easy on us. Remember to submit your information directly from our site using our automated Features Request form. You can find it when you are logged in, under MyAccount>Promote. You can request a few different methods of featuring using this form. The PR team is available by email at hostpr@blogtalkradio.com for questions, but it is very difficult to keep track of any Features information that is sent via email. Our developers created an easy-to-use form for us, so please use it!

That’s just a brief taste of how to best request to be featured. Featured spots are limited and we receive many more requests than we can accommodate, but the PR team always does the best they can to promote your content.

We look forward to receiving your requests!


Special Summer Programming This Week

August 17, 2008

Many of us are lucky enough to take some time off to enjoy the end of the summer.  Whether you’re vacationing somewhere tropical, or just taking a break in your own backyard, tune into the special programming we’ve chosen on BlogTalkRadio this week to relax and soak up the last rays of summer.

On Monday, we’ll be highlighting some great Politics shows on the network.  With the conventions coming up and the election heating up, you’ll no doubt find some stimulating chat.

Tuesday brings live chats about Health, Fitness, and personal development.  Get fit, get confident, and get some great advice from the gurus on the air.

Wednesday, we’ll highlight the Entertainment shows.  From film lovers, to fan shows featuring your favorite reality stars, to celebs candid chats, there’s something for everyone.

Thursday will showcase some of the Bestselling Authors and noteworthy personalities who have appeared on BlogTalkRadio.

We get spooky on Friday with some of the haunting Paranormal shows on BTR.  Leave the nightlight on.

Saturday will feature the Best of Celebrity interviews and appearances.  We have great exclusive content, up close and personal with your favorite stars, from Gene Simmons of KISS to it-girl Kim Kardashian.

We’ll close up the weekend with a focus on Sports.  Vocal fans and aficionados take on the world of sports, from wrestling and MMA, to Fantasy Football, and everything in-between.

Check out the homepage this week and see what we have in store, the variety of content is astounding and who knows, you may find your new favorite BlogTalkRadio show.

Enjoy your summer with BlogTalkRadio!

Image via stock.xchnge


Author, Columnist David Sirota on Think Youth

June 13, 2008

It’s been a long election season. And from exclusive interviews with John McCain, to The Obama Campaign in CA New Media initiatives, BlogTalkRadio brings you the political content you want to hear.

Today, we welcome an author who is affecting the political landscape.

Nationally-syndicated newspaper columnist, blogger, and political commentator David Sirota joins the Think Youth Live Podcast this evening.

He will discuss his latest book, “The Uprising: An Unauthorized Tour of the Populist Revolt Scaring Wall Street and Washington and how it connects to the trends of the 2008 election and beyond.

Think Youth Live on BlogTalkRadio brings you news and opinion by America’s Progressive youth.

Check out Think Youth’s ideas at their group blog.

The interview gets underway at 8pm ET.

Learn more about David Sirota.

**Update: this interview has been postponed and will be rescheduled.


Wickedly talented Jenna Leigh Green on Fruit Salad

June 11, 2008

You may remember her as Libby from hit 1990s sitcom, “Sabrina the Teenage Witch.”

But stage and screen actress Jenna Leigh Green is bewitching casts in a whole new way, since joining the “Wicked” cast as NessaRose and Elphaba.

Wicked, the Untold Story of the Witches of Oz, debuted in 2003.  Since then, the hit musical has been nominated for ten Tony awards, winning three.  Jenna has performed with the National Tour, on Broadway, and with the Los Angeles cast.

Tune in with Rico and Pauly of Fruit Salad this evening for a chat with Jenna Leigh Green.


NBC Tech Guru Calls BlogTalkRadio ‘Truly Amazing’

June 5, 2008

Earlier this week, Ken Leebow, the technology reporter for NBC affiliate WXIA-TV in Atlanta gave BlogTalkRadio two digital thumbs up!

In a special segment on Web 2.0, Leebow said, “When I saw [BlogTalkRadio] for the first time…it was truly amazing. I couldn’t believe it.”

Leebow is NBC Atlanta’s Internet Connection Expert, and author of the “300 Incredible Things to Do on the Internet” book series. Leebow’s review of BlogTalkRadio anchored his segment of his favorite online tools.

“Believe it or not, you can create your own talk radio show for free [with BlogTalkRadio] on the internet. So anyone can do it.” Leebow explains.

Leebow goes on to describe how easy the process is, and how he had his own show up and running in mere minutes.

We appreciate the “truly amazing” review, Ken and hope to hear you broadcasting with us soon!


NY Post’s Starr Report Quotes BlogTalkRadio

June 4, 2008

Mr. Media’s Bob Andelman interviews cultural insiders almost every day on his BlogTalkRadio show.

These media figures, ranging from innovative authors like Daniel Pink, to former Village Voice cartoonist Jules Feiffer, to Lassie star and author Jon Provost, enjoy the casual and insightful interviewing style of Mr. Media.

Today’s New York Post Starr Report by Michael Starr features a quotation from Mr. Media’s interview with Katherine Fugate, the creator and Executive Producer of hit Lifetime series Army Wives:

Dream on: Katherine Fugate, who created Lifetime’s “Army Wives,” has a famous aunt - “I Dream of Jeannie” star Bar bara Eden, 73. “I don’t know how many men I’ve dated who were trying to get to her,” Fugate told blogtalkradio.

Mr. Media’s friendly style, coupled with the ease of using the BlogTalkRadio platform, enables some unique cultural insights to emerge, and media outlets like the New York Post are taking note.

Catch Mr. Media’s show on BlogTalkRadio, including today’s interview with Will Eisner’s The Spirit producer Michael Uslan.


Fausta’s BlogTalkRadio Show Wins High Praise

June 3, 2008

Congrats, Fausta!

Fausta, a longtime esteemed host on BlogTalkRadio, has earned high honors at The Best of Blogs Best Podcast/Video Blog category.

After competing with other top Podcasts and Videos, Fausta’s fans made their voices heard.

When the votes were tallied, Fausta came out on top with her show on BlogTalkRadio, which focuses on political and cultural subjects and guests.

Check out Fausta’s blog.  Her show is affiliated with Pajamas Media and Heading Right on BlogTalkRadio.  For news and political discussion 24/7, tune into the Heading Right Station.