In what can only be characterized as a moment of sheer drunken madness, b5media has asked DeepJiveInterests to join the b5media community. And before they can sober up, I am taking them up on the offer!
The move came a few weeks ago as I was debating which direction to take me and this blog; I got a few kind emails from Darren Rowse and Mark Evans asking how things were, with an invitation to join b5media at the time. The reason for the delay is that the folks at b5media are allowing me to be a test case of sorts, as I’m the only blog thus far that has not actually moved to their servers.
As a result, getting the blogroll up and going has been a hair raising (and pulling) opportunity that I am still sorting out with Aaron “Code Ninja” Brazell. The issue has mainly been around Dreamhost, the host I love and hate, which doesn’t support include(), file(), or other functions that are able to call a URL remotely.
At any rate, since its monday, I thought I would make the announcement, since its as good a time as any — and thank all of the guys at b5 for the invitation. I’ve had the chance of meeting Mark and Darren in person (man, that Pre-Mesh party was great) as well as a few others over the phone (Liz, I’m lookin’ at you! :), and they all seem like a class act.
And heck, how could I refuse joining a blog network that isn’t founded in Silicon Valley, but my home town of Toronto? :)
Here’s towards the beginning of a beautiful relationship, guys.
Look for me in the “Tech” section as soon as I figure out the D@#(*& blogroll (or maybe a little sooner).
December 18th, 2006 at 1:20 pm | Permalink
welcome aboard, tony!
December 18th, 2006 at 1:30 pm | Permalink
Thanks man ;)
December 18th, 2006 at 1:32 pm | Permalink
What the? …
I didn’t approve this! Mark, you’re fired!!!
;-)
I kid, I kid. Tony, I was so pumped when Mark told me this was possible. And thanks to you, we may have a whole other category of blog, which is rocking.
So welcome!
December 18th, 2006 at 1:34 pm | Permalink
Yeah figured out the remote stuff for Dreamhost. Just need to solve some other issues and you’ll be good to go. :)
December 18th, 2006 at 1:36 pm | Permalink
Jeremy … Thanks man! :)
So … when is our Christmas Party?
(I am told 9Rules throws a pretty huge one)
December 18th, 2006 at 1:37 pm | Permalink
Hey Aaron … whenever you’re ready.
I’m in no rush, but great news, great news.
I knew any guy who can whip up a WP Plugin in an hour or so would clearly be up to the task. ;)
December 18th, 2006 at 1:43 pm | Permalink
Congrats mate! :D
December 18th, 2006 at 1:55 pm | Permalink
Excellent work, Tony, and well deserved.
I still don’t want an accomplished blogger as my doctor, though. ;)
December 18th, 2006 at 3:09 pm | Permalink
is DJI going commercial? hehe…congrats on the success. i’ve always enjoyed reading this blog for its honesty.
December 18th, 2006 at 3:38 pm | Permalink
Welcome to b5! What channel are you going to be in? Technology?
December 18th, 2006 at 3:49 pm | Permalink
Congrats on the new digs Tony! What a nice surprise!
December 18th, 2006 at 3:57 pm | Permalink
So if Tony’s not required to switch servers, and all he’s doing is throwing up some code in the sidebar, does that mean that b5media is officially stepping into 9rules territory now?
December 18th, 2006 at 4:05 pm | Permalink
Naw @ Dan. We’re huge fans of great content. And Tony has some of the best content around. I wouldn’t read much more into this than just that. Great content. Tony rocks. And he’s local so it was a no brainer to try and make this work :)
December 18th, 2006 at 4:20 pm | Permalink
Oh okay, I got ya Jeremy. I just got a bit confused with the additions of Slacker Manager, Copy Blogger and now DJI. I just saw a 9rules trend happening. Are these new writers being paid like the rest of the b5media writing crew, do you now own/license all their content or take a % of their ad revenue? Sorry for the barrage of questions but for those of us who might not make it into 9rules I’d like to know if there’s a 2nd place alternative.
December 18th, 2006 at 4:23 pm | Permalink
Dan, to answer your last question first, we are always, always interested in hearing from existing bloggers with top notch content.
On CopyBlogger and SlackerManager, they are paid more or less like normal b5 blogs. The arrangement with Tony’s different (cause, y’know, we’re not making hard cash or anything).
A lot of this is learning. Consider this an experiment. We’ll see how it goes, and if there’s a real shift in strategy we’ll undoubtedly communicate that so everyone knows.
I’m a big believer in setting expectations properly. So for now, our standard “we don’t really take on existing blogs, but you can always email us” line sticks.
Hope that helps :)
December 18th, 2006 at 5:57 pm | Permalink
Congrats, Tony — and to Mark and Jeremy at b5 for landing you as a blogger. I guess now I know what that one other thing you were going to tell me was :-)
December 18th, 2006 at 5:57 pm | Permalink
Congrats Tony.
I should have gone to the bookies some weeks ago when we mailed lol.
December 18th, 2006 at 6:38 pm | Permalink
Ian: bloggers can be doctors, too! :)
December 18th, 2006 at 6:38 pm | Permalink
Doug: I think I’m going to be in Technology … but I’ll be happy wherever they put me. Tech would be a good fit though.
December 18th, 2006 at 6:42 pm | Permalink
Good Stuff .. although, Toronto isn’t the Hub of Canada you know .. Winnipeg is ..// HAHAHA .. just kidding, that didn’t even look right in print.
December 18th, 2006 at 7:47 pm | Permalink
Mat, Franky — thanks for your sentiments. ;)
December 18th, 2006 at 7:53 pm | Permalink
Jeremy — thanks for taking a chance on on DJI.
Dan and Chris — DJI is the furthest thing from what blogs consider “commercial”. But thanks for your concern. ;)
Cheers
t
December 18th, 2006 at 9:00 pm | Permalink
HART — if all that mid west oil money is any indication, I think quite a few Canadians DO think that Winnipeg is the Hub of Canada ;)
December 18th, 2006 at 9:16 pm | Permalink
k now you guys are talking Canadian. Some of us only speak English. :-)
December 18th, 2006 at 11:31 pm | Permalink
Fantastic!
December 19th, 2006 at 12:30 am | Permalink
Aaron — Just have a beer and some donuts, you’ll be speaking Canadian in no time. ;)
Marshall — thanks for stopping by. How’s splashcast working out for you?
December 19th, 2006 at 12:34 am | Permalink
I’m having a real good time, itching to launch but blogging in the mean time. Thanks for asking. Take care!
December 19th, 2006 at 12:43 am | Permalink
Marshall … glad to hear that you’re spending your time profitably otherwise. Gotta stick with your core competencies! :)
t
December 19th, 2006 at 12:59 am | Permalink
Congratulations Tony! As promised, I’ve been reading DJI since the Mesh Meetup, and it’s addicting.. can’t put it down. B5 is lucky to have you on board! =)
December 19th, 2006 at 2:05 am | Permalink
wow ! congratz ! you deserved this ^^ great news :)
December 19th, 2006 at 4:47 am | Permalink
Welcome to the b5 family! We’re really proud to have you join us. And, even better, you won’t be the only doctor in the group. Although you will be the only who can perform surgery, which you hopefully won’t be called on to do. :D
December 19th, 2006 at 5:49 am | Permalink
Welcome mate - really glad to have you on board!
December 19th, 2006 at 7:09 am | Permalink
Darren — thanks man, it means a lot coming from you ;)
December 19th, 2006 at 7:10 am | Permalink
Hsien Li — you wouldn’t want me performing surgery … I’m in Internal Medicine. ;)
December 19th, 2006 at 7:11 am | Permalink
Queryoon / Vince — thanks for the well wishes. ;)
December 23rd, 2006 at 8:40 am | Permalink
hi tony, welcome to b5 and welcome to the tech channel :)
December 23rd, 2006 at 3:04 pm | Permalink
Why am I always the last to find anything out?
This is fantastic Tony… Glad to see you with b5!
Wait a minute… there’s money involved? ;)
December 23rd, 2006 at 5:23 pm | Permalink
Thanks Brian,
Although with the Holidays, here, there’s bound to be a slowdown everywhere — including, here! :D
And, as for your comment about money … well, Jeremy and co. are doing there best I guess ;)
Best of the holidays to you and yours!
t
December 23rd, 2006 at 5:28 pm | Permalink
>>Jeremy and co. are doing there best I guess
I was being facetious Tony… things are moving along fabulously with b5, and there’s going to be plenty of continued compensation flowing towards b5 bloggers. No doubt about that. ;)
February 18th, 2007 at 7:12 am | Permalink
[...] Well, what do you know? You invite one of Canada’s most prolific and talented bloggers (Tony Hung, aka Deep Jive Interests) out on the town (the mesh meet-up last month at the Irish Embassy Pub) and before you know it, he’s agreed to join b5! For people who haven’t read Tony’s blog yet, he’s got an engaging writing style and some keen insight about the Web and technology. What’s even more impressive (editor’s note: surely, one can’t be more impressive than a blogger?!) is he’s a 3rd year Resident in Internal Medicine. Welcome aboard, Tony! [...]