But I'd probably better warn you...after watching c|net central, you might find yourself positively anxious to get on the Web. I've got to admit, as soon as the last episode ended I found myself firing up the modem to check out some of the great stuff I'd just heard about. The entire show had my whole family glued to the screen. We didn't even mute the commercials. Hey—I haven't seen commercials this good since Saturday Night Live!
But first, just what is c|net? c|net: the computer network (no caps) was started in 1992 by Halsey Minor as a cable TV service focusing on digital technology. Last April, c|net launched its flagship TV series c|net central on the television airwaves. A companion Web site, c|net online, made its Internet debut in June. Both are loaded with the choicest high-tech information, human interest stories, and just plain fun. But this is much more than just a TV show with a Web site. c|net central is intimately integrated with c|net online, allowing viewers to go to the Web and access the show's content (24 hours a day) as well as a wealth of resources related to each segment of the show.
The Players
Considering the talent involved it comes as no surprise that both c|net central and c|net online are the stuff of which hits—and hits—are made. President of c|net TV is Kevin Wendle, a founder of Fox Network and producer of those shows we love to hate: Married...With Children, The Simpsons, 21 Jump Street, and Beverly Hills 90210, to name a few. Editor-in-Chief at c|net online is Chris Barr, former executive editor of PC World, and senior editor of PC Magazine.
Emmy Award winner Richard Hart, the creator and host of the Discovery Channel's Next Step, hosts c|net central, along with Gina St. John, a former Los Angeles radio personality. Contributors include San Francisco anchorwoman Kate Kelly; Dave Ross, host of CBS Radio's Chip Talk; and that well-known computer pundit, John C. Dvorak. As if this weren't enough, c|net's corporate partners include heavy-hitters such as USA Networks, and none other than Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen.
The Show
c|net central is a fast-paced, fact-packed and fun-filled "magazine-format" program featuring stories about the Internet, multimedia reviews and examples of real-world uses of digital technology as well as interviews with some of the major—or just "majorly" interesting—players in the online world.
An interesting character in his own right, Desmond Crisis—a guy with a less- than-corporate haircut and a digital dashboard rivaling the Batmobile's—recently introduced viewers to Jerry Yang and Dave Filo. These two former Stanford grad student yahoos (hence the name) designed the popular grass-roots utility Yahoo as a hobby in 1994. Entering Jerry and Dave's "office," the camera panned over piles of papers, tools, shoes and, yes...dirty clothes on the floor. (I couldn't help but wonder if their mothers were watching this segment and cringing.) Yahoo, the Web's largest search utility, does 6 million file transfers a day and is currently adding 500-1,000 sites daily to its database. It just goes to show that neatness doesn't always count!
One of the things that makes c|net central so enjoyable is the show's interactivity. It interacts not only with the online site, but includes us—the viewers—and it includes the c|net staff. In a recent episode, Richard Hart took us behind the scenes, to the screens behind the scenes. He presented various screen savers of the c|net staff like he was showing slides of a family vacation. I wasn't really crazy about the roaches and flies (very realistic!) crawling across the screen in "Bugs." Not to mention the exploding Barneys. (If it's true, as Richard says, that "screen savers are a form of self-expression," I'm afraid they've got some sick puppies working there!) Ending with the reminder that "the best of the Web is free," Richard encouraged viewers to visit c|net online for screen savers.
Lest you think c|net central is all fun and games, however, one of the more heartwarming recent stories focused on Sharon Mutthaof, a member of the "Community Breast Health Project" Web site. Sharon is a breast cancer survivor and one of many people aided and empowered by information available on the Web. She draws strength and support from the friendship of other online cancer survivors on the Internet. Note I use the word survivors. Describing one of the benefits of her online community, Sharon said, "It removes us from that mode where we're looked upon as victims, because a victim doesn't have power. I don't think there is anyone in this group who will tolerate being called a victim."
Another group who will not tolerate being victimized is online parents taking responsibility for what their children are exposed to. Children and Pornography on the Web was covered in September by co-host Gina St. John. Gina spoke to concerned parents who have joined groups such as "Safe Surf" and the "Information Highway Parental Empowerment Group." Cyber Angel (from an offshoot of the Guardian Angels) Colin Hatcher described to Gina how the Angel crime patrol hunts down and reports online child pornographers. He also explained how any AOL member in a chat room can confront and report members who are behaving inappropriately.
Tying the show together with its blend of technical information, human interest, and humor, Richard Hart appears throughout, popping in with news bites from the digital world. He may have the latest word on Netscape 2.0, a hot new site, places to get free stock quotes—or even how to get instant access to a company's financial records on the Web. He shares the latest and greatest offerings in the c|net Virtual Software Library and unveils subjects for future shows.
Those with an iconoclastic nature should not miss the segments by c|net's two curmudgeons, John Dvorak and Dave Ross. Dvorak, a computer columnist and author well known for his insight and wry (if not downright caustic) humor, picks and pans the latest CDs with a Buy it, Try it, or Skip it! designation. Those tagged Skip it! are Frisbeed into the camera (which just goes to show that even a master computer critique geek can still be athletic enough to aim a purty mean Frisbee).
"The Last Word" on the show is usually had by number-two grump Dave Ross. Dave is constantly annoyed by all this technology hoopla. Taking us to Uncle Dave's Home Page—a handwritten list of bulleted items on a piece of poster board— Dave "clicks" on games (by pointing his finger) and fetches out the exciting "3-D multimedia, adventure game"—Life! (We're talking the classic, boxed version here.) He moves one of those funny, cone-shaped, bright-yellow place markers across the board, bragging, "This game has icons you can pick up and drag—without a mouse!" (Yeah, that's great Dave, but I lost all those icons long ago.) Did I mention Dave also was in charge of presentations for Ross Perot?
The Set
While in San Francisco for a high-tech graphic arts convention I was invited on a c|net tour by a good friend I met online, John Cornicello. John is currently the systems manager of commercial online services (CIS, MSN and BBS), for software behemoth Adobe. He had been asked to stop in by c|net's director of business development, Matthew Barzun.
The c|net location is a little difficult to find, but we were told to look for a train car out front and figured, how hard could that be? "A train car?" you say. Perhaps a sleek metro car, symbolizing the speedy pace of technology? Nope—just a train car. And an old one at that. c|net headquarters are in what was formerly the home office for the nostalgic restaurant chain Victoria Station. The building is constructed of brick (not the place to be in an earthquake, I'd bet) and nested at the base of a cliff. The homes with the great views from the top caught my eye—especially the one with the corner of its cement patio hanging in the air about four feet over the edge. We could easily have been in Malibu, San Clemente or even Laguna Beach. With all our modern technology we still can't do much about natural erosion or earth movement—but look at how optimistic we are!
Described in their promo literature as a "state-of-the-art production facility," it occurred to me that c|net headquarters is something of an analogy for the entire venture—and perhaps a fitting analogy for state-of-the-art of technology altogether. We are embracing these new technologies while still housed and living in the shadow of the old. Our natural curiosity can't help but be aroused by the shiny, bright-green banner spanning c|net's entry, bidding us "Directions to the Future: Get On!" Still, it contrasts a little awkwardly with the worn red brick facade.
Inside we were met by Matthew, who walked us out into the studio. It was large and airy and looked pretty much as it did on TV, only not quite as vibrant. The floor in this area was cement with cracks in a few places. There were the people working at their desks. "Yes," said Matthew, "those are real c|net employees you see working in the background on the show." I was awed by the stacks of large, black SGI computers...before discovering they were just shells. The powerful stuff from inside was hard at work upstairs.
Passing the large, round dais Matthew casually remarked that it was "painted to look like wood." (I've been wondering ever since why they didn't just use wood. I mean, isn't it more labor intensive and expensive to paint in that wood grain? And anyway—do they ever really use this stage for anything other than decoration? I've yet to see anyone actually on it.) From there we stepped through a door and our feet made that unmistakable, satisfying contact with the smooth, even surface of a basketball court, built by the Victoria Station Corporation shortly before their demise. Actually it's only a partial court now, as about half the floor space is taken up by a maze of overflowing, standing bookcases. We were all just sick at the thought of it when Matthew told us the court was soon to be carpeted because more storage and office space was desperately needed.
Leaving the area, we passed a piece of "retrotechnology," an Aztec Pinball Machine. I asked about the kayaks across the room (they came with the basketball court). Up the stairs was the c|net video cam mounted and aimed at the desks and "stage" below. The cam updates once a minute and, if you are of a mind to, you can spy on c|net 24 hours a day at the "cameras on the net" section online. [This list of cameras came in pretty handy one sunny Southern California morning; I was cruising the site while my husband was packing to catch a plane to New York. He wondered what the weather was like there, so I clicked on a New York City cam—Broadway and Lafayette. Oops! Wet streets and umbrellas—better take a raincoat.]
Matthew led us on to the "Graphics Room," lined with rows of tables and people designing graphics and information content for both the show and the Web site. This is where c|net online is updated and changed on a daily, if not hourly, basis. If you've been to the site you can appreciate what an enormous task that must be. Next came the "Control Room," containing a vast array of fancy production equipment. We relaxed and chatted for a few minutes in comfy theater seats while Matthew explained a bit about the Virtual Software Library (VSL).
The Virtual Software Library is quite a nifty search engine. It was developed by a man in Slovenia (for some reason Slovenians seem to be quite active on the Internet) and is designed to search for FTP files rather than just URLs. This means once a company has set up a "smart directory," the VSL browser can constantly update the source links and list the requested files, as well as mirrored sites. The VSL browser even posts the size of the file and the approximate download time.
To experience the VSL hands-on, Matthew took us to his office and showed us some features in greater detail. Since the Library is platform specific, and being a "Mac person," Matthew brought up a list of the most popular files downloaded from the Library for the Macintosh. The number-one file was a set of texture graphics, followed by clip art files, a program to add a comment to TIF files, more textures...tips for Kai's power tools— lots of digital art stuff. I inquired as to whether PC people requested different types of files. "Yeah, all they want is the porn!" he laughed (just kidding—they don't really keep porn in the VSL). Switching over to the PC side: first on the list was a shareware utility to remove programs from Windows, second was a newsreader, third an uninstaller utility for Windows, fourth a virus checker—mmm...lots of fun stuff. Perhaps I should take the advice I've been given a thousand times and "Get a Mac." (Nahhhhh...how would I ever live with all that jeering and those "I told you so's"?)
Winding up our tour, Matthew took us by the executive offices. There we ran into Richard Hart, who gave us each an enthusiastic handshake and a Lotto Scratcher ticket. (He's been buying "about a handful" a week for almost three years! And no...no big winners—yet!) Richard is every bit as exuberant and friendly off-camera as he is on. We quickly found ourselves discussing things like modem speeds and strange Web site names. (Sorry...Matthew has morbid.com locked up.)
Host: Richard Hart
Anyone who ever watched Next Step knows this about Richard: the guy loves his work! Watching him try out the latest high-tech gadgets with such obvious delight, I used to wonder how much he paid them to let him host that show. But beyond enjoying it, Richard actually understands the world of technology.
Later at home, upon reading his "bio," I wasn't at all surprised to find out that he has a degree in Physics. (I also wasn't surprised to learn he is a second-degree black belt in tae kwon do.) When I spoke to Richard during a phone interview I asked him how such a science-type became a journalist and how he came to the world of television. Richard always advises would-be journalists not to major in journalism. He says it is most important to have a good knowledge base in an area of specialty. Richard had written for a local paper since high school and continued this through college. When it came time to graduate, he realized he had a better chance of earning a living by writing about science and technology than by being a physicist.
His interest in the Web was piqued when he covered the Web browser Mosaic. When asked if he spent much time "cruising the Web," he responded that he goes to specific places to gather information and documentation on topics or products. He also uses the Web to get the latest drivers and utilities he needs to troubleshoot. Just last week he "downloaded a router program [he] needed." Well...I've got to admit, I'm not quite up to speed on all this connection technology (I just finally have a bit of a grasp on setting IRQs and comm ports!) so I asked him what he meant by the term "router." Now here was a question he could really sink his teeth into! The natural teacher in him came out as he launched into an explanation of terminal adapters and the inaccurate terminology people use when they call an ISDN interface a modem.
While creating Next Step, Richard made it a priority to present the content in a clear and enjoyable way. He has some criticism for shows that seem to deliberately obfuscate technology and make science an all- too-serious pursuit. He feels strongly that we need to be honest about technology; it is not mysterious and has no moral context—it is only a tool. A favorite of his in the "educational genre" is Bill Nye the Science Guy. Not only does Bill imbue his experiments with humor—they sometimes fail. Children need to know that things don't always work. Even for the experts.
I asked him what he thought of the current state of computer technology, to which he responded that it was still too difficult. I could sense a little frustration in his voice as he described how recently a poorly designed program created a software conflict that took him almost six hours to solve. (Just imagine my delight when I found out he had been using a Mac!)
When asked his opinion on the Web, its future and its relationship to other media, Richard described the Web as "a revenue stream that does not borrow from the others" and adds to, rather than subtracts from, other forms of communication. "For now the Web is still a solo pursuit," he mused. As for the future: "The Web will become the dominant medium when you can search and shop with a friend." And that day is coming.
Host: Gina St. John
I wasn't able to meet Gina on our tour, but made contact with her later by phone. I don't think I have ever experienced such instant rapport. Five minutes into the interview I felt like I was having a conversation with an old friend.
She is warm, bright and funny—and drop-dead gorgeous—and a dynamic woman besides. She is very clear on not allowing fear or intimidation in her life. This was just one of the motivations behind her purchase of a computer a couple of years ago. Although she considers herself a "technophobe," Gina looked around and saw that anyone not familiar with computers would soon be out of the loop. Despite her trepidation, or perhaps in spite of it, she went to a computer store and bought herself a 486 IBM-compatible PC. With some word- processing software and manuals she took it upon herself to learn how to use it.
When asked if she got much flak for buying a PC instead of a Mac, she laughed: "Yeah, I had a roommate with a Mac!" I was impressed.
The conversation that followed confirmed much of what I have felt myself and have been hearing from many women for the past few months.
KARE: Do you think women are looking for something different from the Web than men are?
GINA: Oh yes. Absolutely. Women are looking for communication. I get so much mail from women—especially African American and Hispanic women. I get mail from men too, but the bulk of it is from women.
KARE: What do they say?
GINA: Mostly they write that they are just so glad to see me here. Many are happy to see a woman in this position to have the female point of view represented, and many are even more inspired because I am a black woman, a woman of color. I do a lot of public speaking and women are hungry for inspiration and information out there.
KARE: Do you find you are treated differently on the set because you are a woman?
GINA: All the guys are great. They are wonderful about helping me and we really have a lot of fun. But every now and then...you know, we all tease each other.
KARE: What would you say is the ratio of men to women at c|net?
GINA: Well, there are a lot of women—and that does make a difference. I'd say women are probably about 40% of the staff. But of course the people at the top are still men.
KARE: Do you think that affects the response to your story suggestions?
GINA: Sometimes, because of the kinds of stories men like. I tend to like the "personal" stories. I want to know how the technology has helped someone, changed and affected them. How has it made their life better? Those are the kinds of stories that really appeal to me. I felt good about the children and pornography on the Web piece.
KARE: And what kinds of stories do the men like?
GINA: [emphatically] Products. The bells and whistles; they want the latest new toy. I can usually get support for a human interest story unless there is a hot new product out. Then forget it. [But] we all have the responsibility to know more about these things. Women need to get involved in the Web and in technology in general, because wherever women go, they make it better.
Women on the Web will make it a better place. The important thing for women to remember is they have to get over their fears and discomfort to get the information they need. Every acronym has a meaning— find out what it is. There are many times when I hate asking the same question again, and I feel embarrassed for not understanding something, but I have to put that aside and find out what I need to know. You have to get the information. You aren't always going to like how it feels, but you just have to do it. And it gets easier.
We had to end our conversation when Gina was called back to the set. There wasn't much she said that I hadn't heard from other women before. Gina is one of those who is brave enough to work and push for change. As I replaced the receiver, I felt strong and inspired. There is no doubt in my mind that wherever Gina St. John is will be a better place.
The Shot
c|net online is billed as the "largest original content site on the Internet." In only four months, it has acquired over 157,000 registered members, and is growing by approximately 12,000 members each week.
With its innovative approach c|net has created a new use of media. This convergence of television and the Internet has taken communications technology another step.
Get ready—this just may turn out to be the show heard 'round the world!