When I see more businesses and local groups using the Internet I get excited and feel the need to share that with everyone. A couple weeks ago Radio Taiga emerged online on both Twitter and Facebook. As soon as I saw this I became a Fan and followed them on twitter, as I do anyone from Yellowknife. I have always known there was a Francophone Radio Station but have never really listened in, only because I don’t speak French and don’t understand a word of it. Seeing their website, Facebook Page, and Twitter account, I sure wish I could though.
About Radio Taiga, translated by Google Translator:
Since 2001, volunteer leaders give themselves, body and soul, to the mission of Radio Taiga, which is to provide the Francophone and Francophile population of Yellowknife. This local French radio station is able to reflect the interests and concerns of the community. Each volunteer contributes to the team radio, they contribute their enthusiasm, knowledge and abilities. The participation of these volunteers enriches the role of how our radio plays from the Francophone and Francophile population of Yellowknife. REMEC We very warmly thank all those brave people.
It seems they are making a tremendous effort to appeal to listeners online and I think this is just great. Their website not only has full news stories in text, but on occasion they include the audio clip. I will admit it is a little hard for me to navigate their website. This is mainly because I don’t know what some of the words are but some of the features I have found on the site are, like I mentioned News stories sometimes with audio, a full schedule and program descriptions. One other feature their website has that is worth mentioning is the ability to subscribe to their news feed via RSS. RSS is a simple way for their news content to be sent me, rather than me going and looking for it. They also have had a couple local bands come into their studio to perform. Below is the video of 3 Across Dee Eye performing in studio, another band would be Priscilla’s Revenge and hopefully more in the future.
I don’t think they stream their audio live on their website, but I’m willing to let that slide as they have an abundance of other content available for followers. I can confidently say that Radio Taiga is a valuable part of Yellowknife and its Francophone Community. I hope they continue to grow both online and throughout Yellowknife.
Yellowknifers and businesses alike have no doubt heard of Twitter, but now some are actually dipping their feet in. Over the last week or so I have seen more and more businesses take the plunge and at least try it out. There can be many benefits if a business properly uses twitter. Marketing is only part of it, a small part at that, remember that it is about the conversation and that is what will draw in customers. Be forward and helpful, don’t hide behind the wall.
Here is a list I compiled of businesses on Twitter. If you are on twitter you can follow the entire list by going here. If you don’t see your business on the list, make sure to let me know.
I am sure you are probably wondering what a Tweetup is. I will explain, because it is actually rather simple. A tweetup is just a meet up of people and businesses who are on or want to be on Twitter. Now before you judge Twitter here me out. Twitter is not just another social networking site for your kids. It can be a networking tool for your business, among other things. That is why I encourage anyone who is the least bit interested in Twitter to come out to the YZFTweetup.
The Tweetup will be happening on October 8th, 2009 at 7pm at Javaroma Coffee Shop on main street in the Northwestel Building. Feel free to drop by and say hi and find out more about Twitter. I am hoping one of the topics that we might talk about is how the City can use Twitter and Facebook.
I just found this video that I believe Liz shot and produced. It is of Shelagh Montgomery explaining about why she is running again for council and talking about some city issues.
I came across this page on the City of Yellowknife website today and it is about being prepared for emergencies. Now I am not entirely sure if this page was on the site before the dump fire or not (been told it was) but none the less it brings up an important question. Would the City be able to alert its residents if there were a city wide emergency. The short answer is unfortunately no, but they want to change that. In one of last weeks Yellowknifers, councilor David McCann did state that they should look into a City Twitter account and Facebook page.
If you didn’t know when the dump fire broke out, Facebook and Twitter lit up with updates about the fire. RT’s, Photos and News flooded these new media sites with information about what was happening as it was happening as well as the Mayor’s Message he released. The City on the other hand had no real way of getting the message out, except for radio, which is only one medium. Now I am sure there are many issues The City would have to work out to get a Twitter account and Facebook page up, like the fact they would actually have to allow an employee to use these social networking sites to update them.
I am going to go ahead and assume no one would be against an official Twitter account and Facebook page so my questions for you are. How do you think the City can manage these accounts if they were to set them up and would you follow them. Will this be an election topic?
We could also continue this conversation by adding all the other things the City could do with these accounts besides just emergency purposes. Such as the Mayor Message, Council Minutes, New ByLaws, etc.
Today I want to talk about the YkOnline Podcast. Normally I do it alone and talk to my self about news, what’s going on in Yellowknife and online but last week I went live while doing it. I was happy to see that there were at least 3 people watching me, 3 people from Yellowknife I might add. So that got me thinking, wouldn’t it be great if we could have a panel of people talking about the weekly topics.
I knew how to record a Skype call but the problem with that was I wouldn’t be able to do it live unless that person also streamed there video live somewhere. Which would end up eating up bandwidth pretty quick. So I began to Google, I searched for “how to record audio output” and after a good hour of looking and trying different things I can now successfully record the audio output. What does this mean?
Update: I will now be using Skype for the conversation and uStream for the live show. While recording the Skype audio I will be able to broadcast that audio to uStream as well as my video.
The Podcast will start at 7pm MST on Mondays. You can watch live at http://ykonline.ca/live. If you want to join in and help me host or be apart of the conversation please contact me before 7pm sometime so I am aware you will be joining.
If you have any question on how this is going to work go to the Contact page or Twitter me @KyleWith or @YkOnline.
No doubt you saw the massive amount of black smoke being emitted into the sky earlier Saturday evening. The dump was on fire once again, this time in full forced. What started at 4:30pm continued to burn for about 12 hours. With help from Airport Fire Dept as well as helicopter and bomber they managed to contain it.
Mayor Van Tighen released this statement at 6:44pm:
There is a fire at the dump.
YKFD is on site and fighting it.
City heavy equipment is being supplemented by RTL.
ENR are working to enable an air attack.
YKFD asks residents t…o stay indoors and keep windows and doors closed until it is extinguished.
Unfortunately I was not able to be there myself and take pictures, nor was I even in internet range, but here are links to picture and posts they were put up as the first was happening.
When I see more businesses and local groups using the Internet I get excited and feel the need to share that with everyone. A couple weeks ago Radio Taiga emerged online on both Twitter and Facebook. As soon as I saw this I became a Fan and followed them on twitter, as I do anyone from Yellowknife. I have always known there was a Francophone Radio Station but have never really listened in, only because I don’t speak French and don’t understand a word of it. Seeing their website, Facebook Page, and Twitter account, I sure wish I could though.
I am sure you are probably wondering what a Tweetup is. I will explain, because it is actually rather simple. A tweetup is just a meet up of people and businesses who are on or want to be on 
