Subscribed 35: Houzz.com

Subscribed 35: Houzz.com

Houzz screen

Houzz.com is one of my main sources for new thoughts on home and garden these days. I originally thought of it only as a way of finding home furnishing and design ideas, but I quickly discovered it also contains a huge amount of gardening and landscaping content, too. If you follow my social media accounts, you will find I am often sharing articles from Houzz.com. Sometimes these articles are about the design of a garden — both landscape and hardscape. At other times, there are great review articles of a particular type of plant or plants for specific uses and locations. This is one of the few sites where I subscribe to both the RSS feed and the Houzz.com Email Newsletter so I am sure to never miss a great article.

Houzz.com also has companion iPhone/iPad and Android apps for your mobile devices.

What are some of your favorite Subscriptions? Share them here in the comments!

Previously highlighted on Subscribed:

Subscribed is a Careers in New Media series  highlighting the Podcasts, YouTube Channels and Blogs that I follow on a daily basis. Check out this entry, and past entries, for some great New Media Content — Douglas

Subscribed 34: Total Biscuit: The Cynical Brit – The UK’s #1 Variety Gaming Commentator

Subscribed 34: Total Biscuit: The Cynical Brit – The UK’s #1 Variety Gaming Commentator

Total biscuit 2

It seems I am bouncing between my food subscriptions and my gaming subscriptions lately in this series. I guess that shows where my viewing preferences lie. The two categories are almost diametrically opposed and yet I enjoy them both deeply.

Total Biscuit lives up to his nickname of ” The Cynical Brit” in his reviews, let’s play videos and commentary. I think I like him so much because he is not afraid to be honest, sometimes brutally so. Of course, the British accent helps to make the, sometimes harsh, medicine go down. He engages in such honesty, though, to help make sure gamers have the best experiences possible with the games they buy, avoid the lousy ones and tell you when even a highly reviewed game is lacking in a few areas (witness his recent review of Bioshock Infinite.

Total Biscuit has a variety of regularly scheduled shows including the WTF is… series, which introduces you to new games on the market, The Content Patch, with gaming news and information. his lifestreams and his Starcraft II commentary of professional and amateur matches of that online game.

As always, my son introduced me to Total Biscuit and after watching a few episodes I subscribed on YouTube so all his shows appear in my daily newsfeed.

 Looking for lots of gaming information and reviews? Check out Total Biscuit.

What are some of your favorite Subscriptions? Share them here in the comments!

Previously highlighted on Subscribed:

Subscribed is a Careers in New Media series  highlighting the Podcasts, YouTube Channels and Blogs that I follow on a daily basis. Check out this entry, and past entries, for some great New Media Content — Douglas

Subscribed 33: Ruhlman.com

Subscribed 33: Ruhlman.com

Michael Ruhlman

I first discovered Michael Ruhlman via his book, “The Making of a Chef” where he details his journey through the program at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA). I never had a desire to be a chef but his story was so compelling that I actually checked out the textbooks used at the school to learn more about cooking — both food and technique. A short time later, I found his book, Wooden Boats: In Pursuit of the Perfect Craft at an American Boatyard, which immersed me in the world of boat making and the people who made their living there. I have found all his books compelling reads and it is amazing to see how his career has progressed over the intervening years. Finally, Ruhlman’s book, Ratio: The Simple Codes Behind the Craft of Everyday Cooking opens an entirely new world of cooking where learning a few simple rations between ingredients can allow you to experiment widely in your own kitchen.

With my appreciation of his books, it only makes sense to follow Michael online, as well. Ruhlman.com has regular posts about a wide variety of food-related topics and I always appreciate seeing a new post appear in my feed reader. I am sure that that the fact that he is a fellow Ohio boy doesn’t hurt either. (SMILE)

From Ruhlman.com...

The best things in life happen when you get carried away. I went into a cooking school to write about what it means to be a chef, and instead I became a cook, got a job line cooking, lucked into one of the great restaurants of the world to work with the chef on his book, and I kept on writing about food. I got carried away, and it’s made all the difference.

What are some of your favorite Subscriptions? Share them here in the comments!

Previously highlighted on Subscribed:

Subscribed is a Careers in New Media series  highlighting the Podcasts, YouTube Channels and Blogs that I follow on a daily basis. Check out this entry, and past entries, for some great New Media Content — Douglas

Subscribed 32: Joy the Baker

Subscribed 32: Joy the Baker

Another great source of recipes for my never-ending desire for great cookie recipes — along with other recipes I can put to use in my own life. Joy the Baker always turns of a regular supply. I recently shared this Joy the Baker recipe for Honey Chamomile Soda that I came across a week or so ago. I am planning on trying to make a sparkling version of it when I have a few moments.

Joy the baker

Here’s how Joy describes herself…

“I’m Joy. I’m a baker. Had you guessed as much?

I’m currently hurtling into my thirties, trying to show the world, and my kitchen, what’s what.

I’m a self taught/ family taught/ taste buds taught baker.

I grew up in the kitchen in between my father, who makes a mean Sweet Potato Pie, and my mother, who makes a really weird purple hot dog casserole… don’t ask. Between my kitchen loving parents, the clinking cake pans, and the flying flour, it became clear that baking is in my blood.

I live in Los Angeles, by the beach. That’s where I do a majority of my living, working, eating, cocktailing and related horsing around.”

Check out Joy the Baker. Add it to your favorite feed reader. I think you will find some very interesting stuff there.

What are some of your favorite Subscriptions? Share them here in the comments!

Previously highlighted on Subscribed:

Subscribed is a Careers in New Media series  highlighting the Podcasts, YouTube Channels and Blogs that I follow on a daily basis. Check out this entry, and past entries, for some great New Media Content — Douglas

Subscribed 31: FRANKIEonPCin1080p – Game reviews, critique and playthroughs

 

FRANKIEonPCin1080p – Game reviews, critique and playthroughs

I am not a big player of first person shooter (FPS) games, but many games these days have excellent story lines and watching an excellent player work their way through the game can take on some aspects of watching a television or movie drama. Frankie takes this to a new level with both a critical eye towards the games themselves and excellent commentary that actually adds something to the game itself. His video quality is also top notch and looks great on our new HD LCD tv.

Frankie

One of Frankie’s latest play through is the new game BioShock: Infinite. This game looks absolutely gorgeous in its art design and the game play, while a bit gory, is excellent too. It is a pleasure to watch Frankie’s play though of this and absorb the story through his actions.

Frankie also does a lot of videos of DayZ, a zombie scenario FPS based mod for the ARMA II engine. In these playthroughs he engages in a bit of role play and storyline which adds a lot to the videos.

If you are wondering what the state of the art is in gaming today, Frankie’s videos are a great place to start.

What are some of your favorite Subscriptions? Share them here in the comments!

Previously highlighted on Subscribed:

Subscribed is a Careers in New Media series  highlighting the Podcasts, YouTube Channels and Blogs that I follow on a daily basis. Check out this entry, and past entries, for some great New Media Content — Douglas

Subscribed 30: Tod Maffin: Making the Digital World Human Again

Subscribed is my series highlighting the Podcasts, YouTube Channels and Blogs that I follow on a daily basis. Check out this entry, and past entries, for some great New Media Content — Douglas

Tod maffin

Tod Maffin: Making the Digital World Human Again

Lots of great New Media advice to be had here on Tod’s site. Blog posts on improving how to you set up and use YouTube, blogs, podcasts and more. It is always a pleasure to find Tod’s content in my RSS stream.

Recent blog posts:

  • The Secret of the Red-Bold Email
  • CBC Radio “Real Life Chronicles” Shows
  • Switching from WordPress.com to the Self-Hosted WordPress
  • YouTube’s Secret Link That Will Boost Your Channel Subscribers

FromTod’s web site…

“Tod Maffin is one of North America’s leading digital marketing experts, specializing in viral and ROI-based campaigns for sectors from human resources to real estate to education.

Maffin, president of engageQ digital, is one of the country’s go-to commentators on the impact of accelerated technological change and innovation on the business and economic environment and can speak to every aspect of technology and resulting implications for the world in which we live.

Link: Tod Maffin: Making the Digital World Human Again

What are some of your favorite Subscriptions? Share them here in the comments!

Previously highlighted on Subscribed:

Subscribed 029: CookAppeal – Food-Wine-Fun

Subscribed is my series highlighting the Podcasts, YouTube Channels and Blogs that I follow on a daily basis. Check out this entry, and past entries, for some great New Media Content — Douglas

Cookappeal

CookAppeal

This is another one of the many food blogs I follow. I regularly re-pin and repost interesting items from all these blogs. They also help me keep in touch with what is happening in food all over the US and even other parts of the world.

Recent recipes and articles from CookAppeal include Apple-General Tso Glaze Stuffed Cornish Hen, Cherry-Lemon Pecan Cake and 5 Spices Beneficial to Your Health.

From the CookAppeal web site…

“I experiment with Flavors”… Elizabeth Stelling, hails from her home state of Texas and has been involved in the food industry via institutional, fast food, B&B’s, ethnic eateries and other restaurants since she was fourteen. Now living n New Jersey she has ran her own cafe, teaches culinary classes, runs a small boutique catering and staffing business, restaurant consulting for NJWBO, is a personal chef and shares her love of cooking with local, organic, healthy, and natural ingredients with the community. Chef E is a member of Slow Food and the American Wine Society, Princeton, New Jersey. She has published written works of poetry and media pieces, as well as ran Open Mics in the Princeton, NJ area.”

Link: CookAppeal

What are some of your favorite Subscriptions? Share them here in the comments!

Previously highlighted on Subscribed:

Subscribed 028: City Farmer News

Subscribed is my series highlighting the Podcasts, YouTube Channels and Blogs that I follow on a daily basis. Check out this entry, and past entries, for some great New Media Content — Douglas

City Farmer News

City farmer news

I like to keep a eye on what is happening in the world of urban agriculture and City Farmer News helps greatly in that area. They post a wide variety of urban agriculture stories including, recently, Portland State University survey of Urban Agriculture, Bitponics: Where Urban Agriculture Meets The Internet Of Things and Urban agriculture and food: between public policies and local initiatives.

From the City Farmer News web site…

Shoemakers, fashion models, computer geeks, politicians, lawyers, teachers, chefs … all city dwellers … all can grow food at home after work in back yards, community gardens or on flat roofs. For the past 35 years, City Farmer has encouraged urban dwellers to pull up a patch of lawn and plant some vegetables, kitchen herbs and fruit. Our message is the same today as it was in 1978 and will be relevant far into the future.

This website is a collection of stories about our work at City Farmer here in Vancouver, Canada, and about urban farmers from around the world. The site is maintained by City Farmer executive director, Michael Levenston.

Link: City Farmer News

What are some of your favorite Subscriptions? Share them here in the comments!

Previously highlighted on Subscribed:

Subscribed 027: Londonist

Subscribed is my series highlighting the Podcasts, YouTube Channels and Blogs that I follow on a daily basis. Check out this entry, and past entries, for some great New Media Content — Douglas

Londonist

Londonist logo

Having visited London twice now — and always itching to get back to the UK — I follow a number of Uk blogs, including Londonist. This is the UK division of the large scale Gothamist LLC which runs city blogs in a number of cities and countries. I also subscribe to my local version, LAist, here in Los Angeles.

I love seeing what is happening in the city and also love seeing those sites that I have seen on my travels there. I am an avowed anglophile and Doctor Who fan, so by immersing myself in the day-to-day happenings in this amazing city, I can live vicariously until I have the chance to visit in person again. 

Link: Londonist

What are some of your favorite Subscriptions? Share them here in the comments!

Previously highlighted on Subscribed:

Subscribed 026: Peter Lythgoe of the Zzipp & Co Podcast

Subscribed is my series highlighting the Podcasts, YouTube Channels and Blogs that I follow on a daily basis. Check out this entry, and past entries, for some great New Media Content — Douglas

Peter Lythgoe of the Zzipp & Co Podcast

 

I have been highlighting Peter in many ways lately, including an interview with him about the reality of being a local podcaster and an account of his New Media Gear. Peter’s podcast and videos allow me to enjoy the south coast of England vicariously. I am itching to return to the UK again, but it is an expensive and time consuming trip. Still, when I of visit again, I am sure to look up Peter and perhaps take him out for a pint at the local.

Foremost among Peter’s channel are his regular interviews with authors who are giving readings in the Weymouth area. These are wonderful as I hear from authors I might not otherwise learn about and they also provide a great service to the authors and Peter’s community. The Zzipp & Co podcast and YouTube Channel give you a taste of the UK and also a taste of what local podcasting can do for each community,

Link: Peter Lythgoe of the Zzipp & Co Podcast

What are some of your favorite Subscriptions? Share them here in the comments!

Previously highlighted on Subscribed:

Subscribed 025: Cold Antler Farm

Subscribed is my series highlighting the Podcasts, YouTube Channels and Blogs that I follow on a daily basis. Check out this entry, and past entries, for some great New Media Content — Douglas

Cold Antler Farm

Coldantlerfarm

Here is a blog subscription that goes entirely counter to almost every previous Subscribed post — a blog about homesteading. Cold Antler Farm is the story and blog of Jenna Jackson. As Jenna says in her blog bio…

“Enjoy the story of a young writer living in Washington County with her fancy dogs, sheep, lots of chickens, fiber & meat rabbits, geese, ducks, turkeys, a hive and a garden. Expect to hear a lot about mountain music, the civil war, local food, and my friends along the way. It’s a big time folks.”

I love reading about Jenna’s experience with her farm, weather, her horse, Merlin, the weather, finances and more. Perhaps it is because I grew up in a farm environment, I respect her choices and her challenges in trying to homestead and make a living. Jenna has a lot of other activities beyond the farm, too, but all of them include it in some way. She has a wool CSA, runs a fiddling seminar, hosts the Antlerstock conferences at the farm and more. She tries to give her readers everything that happens on the farm and everything that happens with her. Sometimes this means posts about what a struggle it can be and at other times Jenna can be writing about the shear joy of rushing over snow-covered roads in a sleigh or driving her own cart and pony in a local parade.

Maybe reading Cold Antler Farm is my way of getting away from Los Angeles, at least in my mind. Despite 26+ years in California, there are times when I am still a small town boy at heart.

Link: Cold Antler Farm

What are some of your favorite Subscriptions? Share them here in the comments!

Previously highlighted on Subscribed:

Subscribed 024: Sorted — What I’m watching and reading!

Subscribed is my series highlighting the Podcasts, YouTube Channels and Blogs that I follow on a daily basis. Check out this entry, and past entries, for some great New Media Content — Douglas

Sorted

This is a new subscription for me, as I only discovered Sorted YouTube Channel and web site with the launch of Jamie Oliver’s Food Tube “network” on YouTube. They are a very personable group of guys and the food they highlight is quite good. With my work on #KitchenParty, I am finding that I am adding a lot of food-based subscriptions to my reading and viewing mix.

From Sorted Food web site…

Welcome to SORTED…The online food hub for beginners and pros.

There are hundreds of quick, easy, delicious recipe videos plus a whole load of skills, tips & tricks and cool food stuff from around the web.

Whether you want to get smarter at cooking, save some money, or just have a good laugh in the kitchen, we can definitely get you SORTED.

Link: Sorted Food YouTube Channel

Link: Sorted Web Site

What are some of your favorite Subscriptions? Share them here in the comments!

Previously highlighted on Subscribed:

Subscribed 023: Cooking Stoned with James Stone

Subscribed is my series highlighting the Podcasts, YouTube Channels and Blogs that I follow on a daily basis. Check out this entry, and past entries, for some great New Media Content — Douglas

Cooking Stoned with James Stone

I am always looking to branch out in my subscriptions, so it is great to find some new YouTube programming that isn’t gaming or geek related. Cooking Stoned are short (2-5 min) cooking video on a wide variety of dishes. One of the best elements is James seems to be enjoying himself a lot, which is always important in any video. His dishes fit within my fussy eating habits for the most part and some reach just far enough beyond that I am tempted to check them out at least once.

Cooking Stoned is “snackable content” in both senses of the term.

cooking-stoned-thumb

From Cooking Stoned YouTube Channel…

“Fresh and simple vegetarian recipes by DIY chef Jerry James Stone. Inspired by the San Francisco Bay Area and California cuisine, Cooking Stoned is a series of quick and tasty recipes and easy-to-follow HOW TOs.”

Link: Cooking Stone YouTube Channel

Link: Cooking Stoned Web Site

What are some of your favorite Subscriptions? Share them here in the comments!

Previously highlighted on Subscribed:

Subscribed 022: Backyard Farmer from the University of Nebraska

Subscribed is my series highlighting the Podcasts, YouTube Channels and Blogs that I follow on a daily basis. Check out this entry, and past entries, for some great New Media Content — Douglas

Backyard Farmer from the University of Nebraska

I just recently discovered Backyard Farmer when I friend forwarded me this video on Cleaning Garden Tools. They are an excellent source of gardening information and you can subscribe in a number of ways. There are vides on everything from trees to ponds to drought to chainsaws to ponds. I am just starting to delve into their collection of past videos myself, but I also look forward to whatever new videos they produce.
backyard-farmer

Link: Backyard Farmer Web Site

Link: Backyard Farmer on YouTube

Link: Backyard Farmer on iTunes U (Subscribe as a podcast)

What are some of your favorite Subscriptions? Share them here in the comments!

Previously highlighted on Subscribed:

Subscribed 021: Make Magazine, Make Blog, YouTube, Podcasts

Subscribed is my series highlighting the Podcasts, YouTube Channels and Blogs that I follow on a daily basis. Check out this entry, and past entries, for some great New Media Content — Douglas

Make

Make logo

Make is a print magazine, but it also has a huge presence on the web as a blog and also a YouTube Channel.

“MAKE brings the do-it-yourself mindset to all the technology in your life. MAKE is loaded with exciting projects that help you make the most of your technology at home and away from home. This is a magazine that celebrates your right to tweak, hack, and bend any technology to your own will.”

I am always amazed at the great content I find in both the blog and the YouTube Channel. I don’t DIY nearly as much as I would like, but Make encourages me with great ideas for projects that I might like to build — everything from hands-on woodworking and the creation of functional art pieces to electronics projects using the tiny Arduino computer system.

Subscribe to both the the blog and the video channel to get everything the Make has to offer.

Link: Make

Link: Make on YouTube

Link: Make Magazine Podcasts on iTunes

Make youtube

What are some of your favorite Subscriptions? Share them here in the comments!

Previously highlighted on Subscribed:

Subscribed 020: Lifehacker

Subscribed is my series highlighting the Podcasts, YouTube Channels and Blogs that I follow on a daily basis. Check out this entry, and past entries, for some great New Media Content — Douglas

Lifehacker

Lifehacker logo

We all know about hacking in computers and technology, but what exactly is a Lifehacker. A Lifehacker is someone who experiments with their own life, their own work, their own productivity and is constantly looking for ways of making themselves more effective, more efficient and, in a lot of cases, happier.

Lifehacker seeks to give you to the tools and information to help you along in this endeavor. Whether it is organizational tips or advice on how to go paperless, each tip is dedicated to making your life just a little bit easier. On the blog you’ll find tips that are high-tech, low-tech and no-tech at all.

If you are looking for ways to make some improvements in your life, subscribe to Lifehacker and see what they can do for you. I know for myself, I have found a wealth of ideas there.

Link: Lifehacker.com

What are some of your favorite Subscriptions? Share them here in the comments!

Previously highlighted on Subscribed:

Subscribed 019: Building with BDoubleO

Subscribed is my series highlighting the Podcasts, YouTube Channels and Blogs that I follow on a daily basis. Check out this entry, and past entries, for some great New Media Content — Douglas

Subscribed 019: Building with BDoubleO

Build bdubs 

This is another one of my Minecraft (and other gaming) subscriptions. BDoubleO (John) is a member of the same Mindcrack server as Vintage Beef, KurtJMac, and PaulSoaresJr, mentioned earlier in this series. He is very funny, highly personable, and also great at sharing his experiences of transitioning from his previous contracting job to a full-time YouTube producer. Not only do I enjoy his Minecraft videos, but I have also learned a lot about how to manage and fill a profitable YouTube Channel.

BDubs has several series currently in production including Building with BDoubleO, Mindcrack Server and Feed the Beast (with all his fellow MindCrack members) and, for those not interested in Minecraft, Race to Commander :: B-Team Black Ops II and NBA 2K12 Season 2. John’s collaborations with recent Mindcrack addition, GenerikBB are greatly entertaining and I always look forward to those special B-Team episodes.

Finally, BDoubleO also holds regular live streams, Cocktail Tuesdays, where he interacts life with his audience while playing a variety of games. Between the building, the talking the fighting and the playing, BDoubleO presents an excellent and entertaining channel.

Link: BDoubleO on YouTube

Link: BDoubleO on Twitter

What are some of your favorite Subscriptions? Share them here in the comments!

Previously highlighted on Subscribed:

Subscribed 018: Thinking Allowed from BBC Radio 4

Subscribed is my series highlighting the Podcasts, YouTube Channels and Blogs that I follow on a daily basis. Check out this entry, and past entries, for some great New Media Content — Douglas

Thinking allowed 

Subscribed 018: Subscribed 018: Thinking Allowed from BBC Radio 4

I figured I might as well double-down on last week’s post about another BBC Radio 4 show, In Our Time, and post my other, favorite show from the BBC. Thinking Allowed with host, Laurie Taylor is all about culture and society. His guest regularly include authors and experts on sociology and culture as he explores 2 topics during each episode. Recent shows include discussions on Intoxication and Drugs, History, Heritage and Tradition in British Politics, Children in Hospitals, Family Funerals and Red Tape in India.

I love the far ranging topics of the shows and also the unique British take on problems and issues that effect all nations and cultures. It gives a fresh perspective on topics that have become the realm of dogma in American society. I tend to listen to both these shows as I drive around on client calls or as an educational moment when I am in the kitchen cooking dinner. As an audio podcast, it perfectly fills those 2 podcasting niches for me.

Like In Our Time, I highly recommend Thinking Allowed as a large part of any self-directed educational program. We should all be learning something new every day and this show is a great way to do it!

Check out more info on the In Our Time web site at BBC Radio 4

What are some of your favorite Subscriptions? Share them here in the comments!

Previously highlighted on Subscribed:

Subscribed 017: In Our Time from BBC Radio 4

Subscribed is my series highlighting the Podcasts, YouTube Channels and Blogs that I follow on a daily basis. Check out this entry, and past entries, for some great New Media Content — Douglas

 In our time bbc logo

Subscribed 017: In Our Time from BBC Radio 4

In Our Time, hosted by Melvyn Bragg, is one show that I always include in my collections of great podcasts. I consider it, along with a few other shows, “My Own Private Masters Degree!” I learn so much in 45 minutes that it almost seems impossible. In each show, Bragg, along with 3 experts, tackle the heart of a given subject. Some weeks it is history, sometime science, sometimes philosophy. Regardless, it is an entertaining and enlightening overview of the topic.

People often ask how I can carry on intelligent conversations with nearly anyone at a party. In Our Time is one big reason. It provides such a great introduction into so many topics that it is rare I can’t find some common ground for discussion with nearly anyone.

I highly recommend In Our Time as a large part of any self-directed educational program. We should all be learning something new every day and this show is a great way to do it!

Check out more info on the In Our Time web site at BBC Radio 4

What are some of your favorite Subscriptions? Share them here in the comments!

Previously highlighted on Subscribed:

Subscribed 016: The Kitchn from Apartment Therapy

Subscribed is my series highlighting the Podcasts, YouTube Channels and Blogs that I follow on a daily basis. Check out this entry, and past entries, for some great New Media Content — Douglas

The Kitchn Logo

Subscribed 016: The Kitchn from Apartment Therapy

Apartment Therapy is a large network of blogs focusing on style, DIY, Homekeeping, Family, Tech, renovating, Shopping and Entertainment. The Kitchn is their food blog and it never fails to have some amazing foodie content. I am constantly Pinning and Sharing posts from The Kitchn — almost so much that I have to pause between flurries of retweets just to give my readers a break.

Peppermint squares

Check out The Kitchn and the entire collection of Apartment Therapy blogs.

What are some of your favorite Subscriptions? Share them here in the comments!

Previously highlighted on Subscribed: