Is there any interest in a print ‘zine of Invisible Oranges, with content not available on the site? It would not cost much and be an old-school, black-and-white, Xeroxed affair.
Is there any interest in an Invisible Oranges presence on Twitter? The idea does not appeal to me on many levels, but I have gotten requests for it.
I am moving to Los Angeles. I am seeking (1) a room to rent, and (2) work preferably in nonprofit business development, both starting September. If you have leads as to either, please email invisibleoranges at gmail dot com. Thanks!
Wow, I can't see where you're coming from here, at all…
1. What can the printed zine format offer you that your blog isn't doing? 2. AFAICS, the advantage of twitter is that you can post meaningful (or, perhaps no-less-meaningful) updates while you're actually out and about, from a phone or something. Is this useful to you? 3. You're leaving the New York area for LA? Never seen either, myself, but I know which I'd rather visit
Sorry for the negativity. Hope everything works out well.
1) there can never be too much metal to read in print. it would give me something besides decibel to look forward to in the mail. just don't run any ads saying "first annual".
2) unless it's for metal sightings or contests, please no twitter.
2. If you guys were a news site, this would make more sense. The only possible application of twitter I see for you guys is a notification system for the occasional contest you put on. But if you're not updating it otherwise, why give people who don't read the site an instant advantage over those who do? People should just subscribe to your RSS feed if they want updates whenever a new post goes up.
IO was born on the internet and therefore cannot be 'oldschool'. You're using the web to your advantage, hyperlinking where relevant and putting videos up and whatnot. Though I enjoy your writing, I feel this is the best format for it and you should focus on its strengths instead of diluting them with a print zine. It won't cost as little as you think and it'll be a large investment of time to go to the post office and mail 30 zines out to 30 countries every month. Unless it's an annual thing or bi-annual, I'd suggest you reconsider. Also, it needs a graphic designer. It being black and white and xeroxed doesn't mean it shouldn't be designed, does it?
2. No interest whatsoever.
Anonymous
Posted August 10, 2009 at 7:42 AM
twitter is useless.
I love reading IO on line but I wouldn't read a physical copy.
2. Yes, I know Twitter isn't popular with 'core people, it's a fantastic way of viewing all of the sites you follow in one place and I feel it would actually drive me to the site more. You add content to your site, tell people via Twitter and they will visit. Those who don't have it…won't see it.
I was anti-Twitter for a while until I found sites that use it well and got sick of scrolling through countless blog links everyday.
I remember when people bashed blogs all day long. They'll come around…
1. oh hell yes sign me up right now. 2. dont see the point in twitter 3. wish i could help but i live in NC
ginger balls
Posted August 10, 2009 at 10:04 AM
I'd say yes to the zine if you were able to more lengthy interviews, features on cool bands. I'm not sure but sometimes it seems like interviews are edited for space constraints on the web? maybe thats not the case. either way I'd be interested in it if there was good content not available on the web. I prefer physical media always.
don't bother with Twitter. twitter is depressing, and it just contributes to ever increasing disposable nature of everything. I think music journalists are putting themselves out of business doing that shit.
if you can dig up my email, (hint, I won the ABsu tickets) I can send you any pertinent LA info I have. I dont want to post any email addresses etc here.
1. If the zine format allows you to branch out into different kinds of coverage, go for it. Otherwise I agree with Helm. You make the most out of multi-media, and I would miss the immediacy of trolling around IO based on links you provide.
2. Do Twitter if you're serious about Twitter. It's useless if you're not actively updating it all the time.
3. Yes, I may have some ideas. Mondo excited that you're coming to my hometown Cosmo. There's so much health food here.
Regarding a print 'zine and a Twitter presence, I am not leaning much either way at the moment. As you guys point out, each has pros and cons.
A print zine would have longer features than is possible on the web (at least with this current format). However, that is counterbalanced by the physical costs of a print zine.
As per the advice here, I won't do Twitter unless I find a definite need or advantage to it.
1. Yes. DO IT. PRINT WILL NEVER DIE!!! 2. No. Twitter is the tip of the iceberg when it comes to interweb ADD. That will be a huge decline to the quality of the site content. 3. Call me when you get sick of LA and if ever you decide to move to Chicago.
1) I would, but since I live in Spain and I don't think you're shipping any of them (at least at the beggining) my opinion is rather weak .
2) The only useful thing you could do with a Twitter account is embedding it on the blog for updates such as "today's posts are going to be published a bit late"…and even that is pretty stupid in a blog like this one. I'd tell you to give it a try, you will probably abandon the account in a couple days.
3) Good luck there, man!
TomB
Posted August 10, 2009 at 3:31 PM
1) I was totally on board with a "yes" to the 'zine, but I like the comment about the ability to link (not as useful in print) and I appreciate your inclusion of actual songs / song samples that I can get on the web. That said, I realize that this format is more difficult to monetize, so I'd happily pick up something that you penned / printed. I already love your contributions to P4k, Decibel, etc. The 'monitization' comment wasn't meant as a knock, either. We all NEED cash.
2) ABSU-lutely not. I reluctantly joined facebook a few years back, but that's my only exception. Agreed with the comment about Twitter's chipping away at the inherent value to longer format writing people like you do well. I think Twitter is the epitome of cyber egomania taken to the extreme – a perfect amalgamation of the worst of what the internet has become.
3) No, but I may be there soon, too. I'm hoping to leave STL, though, and not NYC, so for me it may be a good thing. For you, not so much.
Congrats on the decision Cosmo! Good luck with the move. I wish I had some big shots in LA to connect you with, but alas…
deathwithabeard
Posted August 10, 2009 at 8:16 PM
I'd be interested in the print 'zine, of course. It'd also be neat to see some writers onboard who don't already contribute to IO as well. However, this idea sounds like a lot of time and effort to put into something that could be just as easily posted online. I mean, the capsule reviews are really best-suited for this online blog. Like other people have said, there are links and samples for download at our convienence.
1. I'd be interested in a print zine, theoretically, but I'm at a point in my life in which I'm trying to "declutter" and trying to rid myself of physical things around me. That said, if I could get a PDF in lieu of the actual paper, I'd down for it.
2. Never saw the point. I use Google Reader to read a bunch of shit at once.
3. I may have some contacts, but they work in particular fields. Do you want to be more specific?
Stave – PDF versions of physical print shouldn't be hard to manage, if it comes to that.
I'm not too worried about specific nonprofit fields. I'm just generally interested in the administration of them. Hunger, health care, environment, etc. – it's all game for me.
Totally in favor of an Invisible Oranges Twitter. For many people, Twitter is a de facto substitute to an RSS/feed reader. Other people, such as myself, use both, but Twitter is more immediate and i would love to be able to read this blog's updates with the speed of lightning.
I'm pro 'zine too, but since I live in Spain and buy physical stuff from US is still slow and expensive, it would be nice to have a pay-per-download PDF version, or something like that.
By the way, I think most of the user feedback I'm reading here about Twitter is pretty biased/distorted. Twitter does not 'decrease the quality' of anything. It's just another way to reach your public. It only makes your online experiencie superficial, ADD or stupid if you and your social circle already were. It's a tool. And can be a powerful, flexible one if you use it correctly.
Via Twitter, I can reach BoingBoing, The Guardian, NASA, several artists/photographers/musicians i like, CNN, relevant local news, etcetera. My social circle is limited to people i know in person, and i don't have to read/suffer any 'worst-of-the-internet' evils you seem to automatically associate with Twitter.
1-Definitely on the 'zine. Been looking for something good ever since MM changed hands.
2-Twitter is good if used appropriately, but I don't see it working for your content. I use a mobile for twittering, and can't following MP3 links, easily see you tube vids, or imagine a decent 140 character record review. Or 120 character if you want people to re-tweet it.
3-in the bay area, but I know some LA folks. i'll ask around.
Ah yes, metal people hate Twitter. Pretty funny actually.
Twitter has me spending less time on sites, links and blogs I don't dedicate myself to. The Hydrahead and Enemies List feeds are…
Ah, what's the point…just opinions.
Ryan Electrocution
Posted August 12, 2009 at 10:25 PM
1. If it's something you really, really want to do, that's cool. I'd most likely buy it, but that depends on what would be offered in it as opposed to here…..and i'd say that there's less restrictions on here, than in print, where every page costs you in the end.
But i'd say to expect to lose money even doing it on a budget. The people that i've known that have done zines have never really made any money off them. It's also took them a ton of time, from doing some sort of design, then cutting/ pasting/ stapling…and then driving them to the post office and spending their time to package them and mail them out.
2. Can't really say, i've never used Twitter. Maybe it might be good for quick updates.
I'd definitely buy an old school version of IV in print. Got a good concept on what kind of stuff would go into it?
Fuck Twitter, though. What you gonna write in a sentence that be worth my time
?
Can't help on 3. I'm in Copenhagen, Denmark. Hit me up if you're gonna move here
.
Wow, I can't see where you're coming from here, at all…
1. What can the printed zine format offer you that your blog isn't doing?
2. AFAICS, the advantage of twitter is that you can post meaningful (or, perhaps no-less-meaningful) updates while you're actually out and about, from a phone or something. Is this useful to you?
3. You're leaving the New York area for LA? Never seen either, myself, but I know which I'd rather visit
Sorry for the negativity. Hope everything works out well.
1) there can never be too much metal to read in print. it would give me something besides decibel to look forward to in the mail. just don't run any ads saying "first annual".
2) unless it's for metal sightings or contests, please no twitter.
3) i can't help you in either way. rockon
1. Yes, I'm still very much up for this idea. I also support the zine idea as a space for more feature-esque pieces.
2. No, this probably isn't necessary for IO. I can see potential advertisers being up for this idea, though to produce more traffic to the site…?
3. J. Bennett
1. Print journalism must live on! I'd subscribe.
2. If you guys were a news site, this would make more sense. The only possible application of twitter I see for you guys is a notification system for the occasional contest you put on. But if you're not updating it otherwise, why give people who don't read the site an instant advantage over those who do? People should just subscribe to your RSS feed if they want updates whenever a new post goes up.
3. I'll message you over facebook.
1. Most definitely! Love print media and get tired of having to sit at the computer to read cool stuff.
2. I'm not a big on Twitter but others might be.
3. Sorry I can't help you with any contacts in LA.
yes! i love reading old school zines. if you make one, i could trade you of one that i put out a couple years ago….
1. I would absolutely subscribe to an IO print zine. Do it up!
2. I think that Twitter, by nature, would be antithetical to what this site is about, i.e., meaningful discussion, with no limit on length or depth.
- Craig
IO was born on the internet and therefore cannot be 'oldschool'. You're using the web to your advantage, hyperlinking where relevant and putting videos up and whatnot. Though I enjoy your writing, I feel this is the best format for it and you should focus on its strengths instead of diluting them with a print zine. It won't cost as little as you think and it'll be a large investment of time to go to the post office and mail 30 zines out to 30 countries every month. Unless it's an annual thing or bi-annual, I'd suggest you reconsider. Also, it needs a graphic designer. It being black and white and xeroxed doesn't mean it shouldn't be designed, does it?
2. No interest whatsoever.
twitter is useless.
I love reading IO on line but I wouldn't read a physical copy.
don't move to LA. It sucks here.
1. Yes.
2. No.
3. Good luck!
1. Yes, I would pick one up…
2. Yes, I know Twitter isn't popular with 'core people, it's a fantastic way of viewing all of the sites you follow in one place and I feel it would actually drive me to the site more. You add content to your site, tell people via Twitter and they will visit. Those who don't have it…won't see it.
I was anti-Twitter for a while until I found sites that use it well and got sick of scrolling through countless blog links everyday.
I remember when people bashed blogs all day long. They'll come around…
Good luck in LA.
1. Yes! I'd definitely subscribe.
2. Yes
3. No but I'm bummed you're leaving New York.
1. oh hell yes sign me up right now.
2. dont see the point in twitter
3. wish i could help but i live in NC
I'd say yes to the zine if you were able to more lengthy interviews, features on cool bands. I'm not sure but sometimes it seems like interviews are edited for space constraints on the web? maybe thats not the case. either way I'd be interested in it if there was good content not available on the web. I prefer physical media always.
don't bother with Twitter. twitter is depressing, and it just contributes to ever increasing disposable nature of everything. I think music journalists are putting themselves out of business doing that shit.
if you can dig up my email, (hint, I won the ABsu tickets) I can send you any pertinent LA info I have. I dont want to post any email addresses etc here.
would love to see a print variation of IO!
1: yes
2: no, twitter is dead.
3: sorry, never been to LA.
1. If the zine format allows you to branch out into different kinds of coverage, go for it. Otherwise I agree with Helm. You make the most out of multi-media, and I would miss the immediacy of trolling around IO based on links you provide.
2. Do Twitter if you're serious about Twitter. It's useless if you're not actively updating it all the time.
3. Yes, I may have some ideas. Mondo excited that you're coming to my hometown Cosmo. There's so much health food here.
A lot of great feedback here – I appreciate it.
Regarding a print 'zine and a Twitter presence, I am not leaning much either way at the moment. As you guys point out, each has pros and cons.
A print zine would have longer features than is possible on the web (at least with this current format). However, that is counterbalanced by the physical costs of a print zine.
As per the advice here, I won't do Twitter unless I find a definite need or advantage to it.
1. Yes. DO IT. PRINT WILL NEVER DIE!!!
2. No. Twitter is the tip of the iceberg when it comes to interweb ADD. That will be a huge decline to the quality of the site content.
3. Call me when you get sick of LA and if ever you decide to move to Chicago.
1. YES
2. No
3. LA sucks, don't move.
Really, stay here.
Why the fuck are you moving to LA of all places?
dammit.
1) I would, but since I live in Spain and I don't think you're shipping any of them (at least at the beggining) my opinion is rather weak
.
2) The only useful thing you could do with a Twitter account is embedding it on the blog for updates such as "today's posts are going to be published a bit late"…and even that is pretty stupid in a blog like this one. I'd tell you to give it a try, you will probably abandon the account in a couple days.
3) Good luck there, man!
1) I was totally on board with a "yes" to the 'zine, but I like the comment about the ability to link (not as useful in print) and I appreciate your inclusion of actual songs / song samples that I can get on the web. That said, I realize that this format is more difficult to monetize, so I'd happily pick up something that you penned / printed. I already love your contributions to P4k, Decibel, etc. The 'monitization' comment wasn't meant as a knock, either. We all NEED cash.
2) ABSU-lutely not. I reluctantly joined facebook a few years back, but that's my only exception. Agreed with the comment about Twitter's chipping away at the inherent value to longer format writing people like you do well. I think Twitter is the epitome of cyber egomania taken to the extreme – a perfect amalgamation of the worst of what the internet has become.
3) No, but I may be there soon, too. I'm hoping to leave STL, though, and not NYC, so for me it may be a good thing. For you, not so much.
Congrats on the decision Cosmo! Good luck with the move. I wish I had some big shots in LA to connect you with, but alas…
I'd be interested in the print 'zine, of course. It'd also be neat to see some writers onboard who don't already contribute to IO as well. However, this idea sounds like a lot of time and effort to put into something that could be just as easily posted online. I mean, the capsule reviews are really best-suited for this online blog. Like other people have said, there are links and samples for download at our convienence.
Don't use Twitter now; won't start for IO either.
1. I'd be interested in a print zine, theoretically, but I'm at a point in my life in which I'm trying to "declutter" and trying to rid myself of physical things around me. That said, if I could get a PDF in lieu of the actual paper, I'd down for it.
2. Never saw the point. I use Google Reader to read a bunch of shit at once.
3. I may have some contacts, but they work in particular fields. Do you want to be more specific?
Stave – PDF versions of physical print shouldn't be hard to manage, if it comes to that.
I'm not too worried about specific nonprofit fields. I'm just generally interested in the administration of them. Hunger, health care, environment, etc. – it's all game for me.
Totally in favor of an Invisible Oranges Twitter. For many people, Twitter is a de facto substitute to an RSS/feed reader. Other people, such as myself, use both, but Twitter is more immediate and i would love to be able to read this blog's updates with the speed of lightning.
I'm pro 'zine too, but since I live in Spain and buy physical stuff from US is still slow and expensive, it would be nice to have a pay-per-download PDF version, or something like that.
By the way, I think most of the user feedback I'm reading here about Twitter is pretty biased/distorted. Twitter does not 'decrease the quality' of anything. It's just another way to reach your public. It only makes your online experiencie superficial, ADD or stupid if you and your social circle already were. It's a tool. And can be a powerful, flexible one if you use it correctly.
Via Twitter, I can reach BoingBoing, The Guardian, NASA, several artists/photographers/musicians i like, CNN, relevant local news, etcetera. My social circle is limited to people i know in person, and i don't have to read/suffer any 'worst-of-the-internet' evils you seem to automatically associate with Twitter.
I'm not saying i'm not biased, of course
Print zines are always welcome!
hey cosmo, is there a way to email you privately? is it the invisibleoranges gmail address?
Stave – Yes, invisibleoranges at gmail dot com will work. Thanks!
1) Yes
2) Fuck twitter
3) Best of luck!
Yes, I'd buy a print version.
1-Definitely on the 'zine. Been looking for something good ever since MM changed hands.
2-Twitter is good if used appropriately, but I don't see it working for your content. I use a mobile for twittering, and can't following MP3 links, easily see you tube vids, or imagine a decent 140 character record review. Or 120 character if you want people to re-tweet it.
3-in the bay area, but I know some LA folks. i'll ask around.
Cosmo, I will give you $10 and if I get a zine sometime in the next five years I will consider it money well spent!
Sean
Ah yes, metal people hate Twitter. Pretty funny actually.
Twitter has me spending less time on sites, links and blogs I don't dedicate myself to. The Hydrahead and Enemies List feeds are…
Ah, what's the point…just opinions.
1. If it's something you really, really want to do, that's cool. I'd most likely buy it, but that depends on what would be offered in it as opposed to here…..and i'd say that there's less restrictions on here, than in print, where every page costs you in the end.
But i'd say to expect to lose money even doing it on a budget. The people that i've known that have done zines have never really made any money off them. It's also took them a ton of time, from doing some sort of design, then cutting/ pasting/ stapling…and then driving them to the post office and spending their time to package them and mail them out.
2. Can't really say, i've never used Twitter. Maybe it might be good for quick updates.