Tom Reynolds

They made a big deal of it at the time, but ever since Xbox added Facebook and Twitter to the features, it’s really fallen away.

I think Microsoft/Xbox didn’t think much beyond “Hey let’s put a Facebook and Twitter client on the Xbox 360″ and hoped it would work gangbusters.

I think that the Facebook client is actually the least important aspect of the setup.  I bet Microsoft’s analytics show that the FB client is used for browsing FB updates, pics and so on, but rarely if ever used to update or comment. If you don’t have the chatpad it’s a very frustrating experience- worse than an old non QWERTY phone.

Where I see opportunity with Facebook and Xbox  is not the way the client was implement- it’s actually very good in look and features, but rather the lack of a true Facebook Connect feature.

You can already tweet your Xbox activity, but I think that is not only lame but also likely to cost you followers.

What I want to see from Microsoft is a Facebook implementation with some smarts behind it. Why not set my status as “Playing XYZ on Xbox” when I start playing? Why not examine my Xbox playing habits and suggest games, tournaments, playing times (when my friends are online) and new Xbox live friends to me?

What about a landing page on the Xbox (after I sign in) with some FB/Twitter widgets? What about integration with a Microsoft Exchange (or an improved Hotmail) account with calendar and tasks etc?

Despite Facebook’s current woes with privacy, I’m in little doubt that it’s user base will remain strong and where we (the users) think there is a tangible benefit, we will give “private information”- such as when we playXbox  and what games we like.

I received this in the mail after call from Ford regarding a parking fine I received while driving a test vehicle in JUNE 2009.

Things I am not going to pay.

Now, I know the car park in question. It is the park for the Woolworths. I am in no doubt that I parked there, HOWEVER I also know their retarded way of managing the parking there. You MUST get a ticket no matter what- and you don’t have to pay for less than an hour (or thereabouts). When we park there, we do this everytime.

Now, in the event that we didn’t get a ticket from the dispenser, then I would have ruefully collected the “fine” and paid it as I was in a test car and, like speeding fines, it is bloody embarrassing having the car company contacting you to inform you of the fine. As a professional car reviewer/journalist my reputation and brand are all important; there’s no way I would not pay the $88 as issued.

So there are three scenarios possible here:

1. I did not get a car parking ticket and they issued me with a fine- not on the spot, but rather via the arse about take-the-rego-pass-it-on way they seem to have done it. So when I returned to the car, there was no fine at all.
2. I did not get a ticket and they issued me with a fine that I then threw in the bin as I don’t give the remotest crap about my reputation.
3. I did everything right, they issued me with a dishonest and dodgy fine as a revenue raiser because they have a history of doing such things?

Add in that it has taken them “only” 10 months to get back to me, well I have no choice but to file this under things I will never, ever pay and they can totally get stuffed. I love the fact they threaten me with a collections agency- collecting a monetary amount for a breach of contract NOT an actual fine.

As this is a civil matter, the balance of probabilities applies- and they are probably as dodgy as all hell.

If you have been “fined” by these dodgy arseholes, try this fact sheet and this advice from consumer affairs. In the meantime I will be ignoring the notice, but emailing Consumer Affairs and Woolworths.

RACHEL AND I ARE HAVING TRIPLETS. A follow up scan showed the other two babies were obscured.

I AM RUNNING AWAY. Rachel is talking about buying a Honda Odyssey and moving to a bigger house- in the country.

(Happy birthday Jake)

UPDATE: While it is Jake’s birthday, the rest of this post is but an April’s fools day prank.

I wrote, shot, directed and edited the following:

To say the engineers were good sports about it, would be to understate it. They really took this and ran with it. Thanks guys!

Tom + Rachel, originally uploaded by thomasrdotorg.

It’s out third wedding anniversary!

The trouble with wedding anniversaries is there is no goal per se. I want to say “3 down, 47 to go”…

Prior to the start of the 2010 motor racing season, ThomasrDotOrg is offering a media training workshop for interested riders, drivers, team members and principals.

This event presents all attendees with training in the following areas:

• Television presenting. How to professionally present your team, sport, sponsors and self. What to avoid (did someone say “wearing sunglasses?”)
• Radio interviews. Whether in studio or in person, you’ll learn how to hit your key points and make it appear you think on your feet like a seasoned pro.
• Press conferences. Pre or post race, it doesn’t matter. You’ll learn how to get your message across, how to prepare and how to react in this pressure filled environment. If you can get a reaction (preferably a laugh) out of a room of tired, jaded journos, you’ll soon be a star.
• Social media. Website, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and beyond. How a professional racer can make the most of this exciting, but occasionally problematic environment. Watch out for the YouTube Video Of Embarassment For Life.

All attendees will also have the opportunity to have professional portrait photos taken of them in their team uniforms included in the price.

Team/vehicle photos by prior arrangement at additional cost.

Our media trainers are being announced as we get closer to the event (see bottom). All are currently working at the highest level in their chosen media stream, or at least in a field that they’ve found themselves stuck in.

Total cost $135 includes digital copies of your portrait shoot plus a short HD video interview with **you**.

Bookings essential and numbers will be limited email: training@thomasr.org to secure your spot!

Presenters (more to be announced in due course):

Tom Reynolds is the principal of ThomasrDotOrg Media Services and will lead the media workshop training day. Tom has worked in marketing, PR, advertising, web technology and the media for over ten years. He has worked for (or continues to ply his trade with): Australian Superbike Championship, Australian Rally Championship, Radio 3AW , Radio SEN, Holden Race Team, Grand Prix Corporation as well as hosting many events and media calls.

Jay Mueller. Radio MMM Melbourne Breakfast Senior Producer.
Long time producer of top rating breakfast show on 3AW, last year Jay made the jump to MMM to take the senior producer role on Eddie McGuire’s new brekky show “The Hot Breakfast“.
Jay will be going through what he finds works on radio. He will explain how to prepare for your interview with people who know nothing about you or your sport.
He will also address how to get yourself on radio and what producers (the gate keepers!) are looking for when they decide to put someone to air.

Where possible, I try to be as professional as possible as often as possible.

But like many before me, I occasionally let myself down.

I had one such moment at the recent final round of the Australian Superbike Championship when I was interviewing the riders for the last time this year. Being the last time, I adopted a slightly looser and more affectionate tone. That was not unprofessional- if anything it’s de rigeur for such occasions.

My screw up was simple and stupid: I was chewing gum. Yup, chewing GUM! I had some there at my desk and for reasons unknown I took a fresh piece and then interviewed the riders. What’s worse is that I really chewed the shit out of it.

I have no memory of it being in my mouth and was horrified when I saw the replay.

So, in the spirit of learning. I present this monumental screw up:

Never. Again.

It’s not a well known secret that I am participating in Dieter Kahsnitz’s wonderful new panel style show “The C-Word Naked” along with Lincoln Burns. We’re not actually naked (well one of us is), but we are free from restrictions.  Perhaps that’s why it’s naked. Who knows?

Ep 3 is online now! Go to Cword.tv/naked

As the PR/Media rep for Woodstock Honda Thor Racing, I had the opposrtunity to not only send out press releases on behalf of the team, but I get to interview the riders after the races.

At the Sydney SuperX held at Parramatta Stadium,it was my pleasure to interview “The King” of SuperX, 37 yr old “semi retired” Jeremy McGrath. Not only a legend of the sport, but an affable, funny and utterly likeable bloke. Today’s vodcast features my interview with Jeremy in teh Woodstock truck after his brilliant (and clever) second place.

AS a fellow 37 yr old, I say this: Jeremy, keep on keepin’ on![podcast format="video"]http://thomasr.org/podcast/jeremy-mcgrath-interview.mp4[/podcast]

Complaint sent to Triple J today:

I am very disapponted that Triple J decided not to delay the news by a minute and have the traditional Remembrance Day minute silence. Commercial radio (in Melbourne) DID observe the minute.

I understand the news is on relay/whatever, but you clearly have the technology to get around this.

In an era when the last WW1 diggers are gone and the WW2 diggers diminish, Triple J could stand as a station that, like other ABC stations, ensures “Lest We Forget” actually stands for something.

Launching into the news at 11am was poor show.

Tom