Monday, 17 November 2003 It's been a while between updates hasn't it? Sorry about that - needed to have a break. Probably curious why there hasn't been any mention of what happened with our 7th mob event - welp, .. it flopped. Not in the sense that it flopped because of lack of participants but more in the sense that many of the mobbers that attended simply didn't get the same 'buzz' as they usually would. From an organiser point of view, I thought the idea was clever and would work well.. but at the end of the day, the mobbers are what makes or breaks a successful event and in this case, it broke.
So with that in mind, I've found it pretty difficult to actually create a mob #7 page that involves an event that didn't quite come off the way we expected. I will bite the bullet this week and create it regardless though. But in the meantime, for those are curious here are some links to the footage taken of the event:
Low Band
sydmob7_1.avi 5mb
sydmob7_2.avi 6mb
sydmob7_3.avi 5mb
High Band
sydmob7_1.mpg 69mb
sydmob7_2.mpg 39mb
sydmob7_3.mpg 16mb
The result of mob#7 has actually been good in one respect though; it's time we changed the rules. And with the next event, which happens on Saturday November 22nd, all mobbers coming along will pretty quickly realise which important 'guideline' which I've decided to scrap (no we're not going political and no we're not going to burn down any churches) You'll just have to come along for mob #8 to find out ((:
As per the usual, the email instructions will be sent out on Friday (21st November) between 8 and 9am. If you attended mob #7 and think perhaps we've lost the edge, come along to mob #8; you just may be pleasantly surprised!
Friday, 31 October 2003 - Updated the menu with the GFM link and also created a new page for the Sydmob Mailing List which includes details instructions on how to subscribe, unsubscribe and posting to the list itself. New page found via the Mailman on the menu. And placed up the Sydmob News Archive (bottom of this page)
It's going to be hard to top the numbers we had for the GFM event at the Opera House, but we plan to give it our best shot. The next scheduled event will be on Sunday 9th November and this may be our last event to be held in the CBD as we plan to start taking the events further out into the suburbs of Sydney. If you aren't on either list... well you know the drill..
Sunday, 26 October 2003 - Our GFM was absolutely fantastic. Threatening weather, bullyboy security guards and an itchy eyepatch, it doesn't get any more fun!
Check out the results here http://www.sydmob.com/GFM.html
Congratulations to all the successful GFMs around the world ((:
Friday, 24 October 2003
GLOBAL FLASHMOB
On the morning of Saturday 25th October, you should have already
synchronized your watch to the time of the telstra clock available by
calling 1194
*By 1:20pm you should be in the inner city. Go to Circular Quay, to the
location where the ferries arrive. A Mob Rep will be between Wharf 5-6,
wearing an eyepatch. Once found, say this phrase "All aboard" - you will
then receive your instructions.
*The Mob Rep will be only present between 1:30pm and 2:00pm*
**NOTE: It is vital that EVERYONE intending to take part in this event
approaches the Mob Rep to recieve their OWN SET of instructions
Move away, read it, then follow them.
(Mobbers are cordially invited to attend the Cat and Fiddle Hotel @ 456
Darling Street Balmain for afternoon drinks/post-event celebrations)
Thursday, 23 October 2003 - 2 days until the big one. We've been looking forward to this day for sometime, and we really hope that it also manages to attract the "fence sitters" out of the woodwork as well. If you haven't been to a mob and were thinking about it, this is the one!
The Global FlashMob involves the following cities (not in order, this is just to give an impression of who & where):
"San Francisco, Berlin, Toronto, Montreal, Minneapolis, Tempe Arizona,
Berlin, London, Vancouver, Amsterdam, Boston, Chicago, Dublin, Mexico City,
Austin, Houston, New Orleans, St. Louis, Stockholm, Las Vegas, Cape Town,
Moscow, Seattle, Sydney, Orlando, Hong Kong, Seoul, Rome, Singapore, Santa
Cruz, Nice, Hamburg, Rio De Jeneiro, Barcelona, Taipei, Phoenix, Los
Angeles, Salt Lake City, Odessa Ukraine, St. Petersburg Russia,
Philadelphia, Billings, Edmonton, Santa Rosa, Athens, Belfast, Prauge, Orsk,
Columbus, Beijing, Vienna, Toledo, Milwaukee, New Delhi, Kuala Lumpur,
Budapest, Alexandria, Mumbai, Palm Beach, Bombay, Indianapolis, Des Moines,
Oslo, Helsinki, Portland, Kansas City, Manila, Denver, Washington D.C., Fort
Lauderdale, Miami, and possibly New York city!!!"
The email instructions for the GFM will be made available to everyone on both the mailinglists tomorrow morning (Friday 24th October) between 8 and 9am, with them repeated on this site at approx 10pm that night. Bring your wife, your uncle, your auntie, your grandparents, your kids, your neighbours kids... bring everyone! The world is going to be watching, so lets make sure this one isn't soon forgotten ((:
Monday, 20 October 2003 - Mob#5 page done and placed onto menu. Now that we've got #5 under our belt its 'full steam ahead' towards the big one coming up next Saturday, the GFM (Global Flash Mob) This would be the event that everyone who hasn't tried a bit of mobbing yet, to come along to. Sydney is currently 2nd in line for the global 'mexican wave' of flashmob events happening on the day in 36 different cities around the globe, with a very good chance of us being the ones to start it all off if Auckland doesn't come through (they've currently got pole position but are yet to confirm a promised event for the day)
As Saturday draws nearer, I'll be posting more information regarding the GFM and releasing the list of cities involved. Not on our mailinglist yet? Get to it!
Sunday, 19 October 2003 - Mob #5 went ahead today with a crowd of 120 eager punters taking part in a mock "boot camp" outside the Museum Of Contempary Art at Circular Quay. The event was lead by a Mob Rep acting the role of one "Drill Instructor HardArse"; and even though he was battling with a failing throat, he still managed to put the mobbers through some paces before giving the signal for us all to disappear back into the throng of the Quay crowd.
At the moment, we are without any photos of the event but do have some footage. Even though the quality is not the best, you can still make out what went on and the sound is great. Heres the links:
sydmob5_1.avi 6MB
sydmob5_2.avi 3MB
A page for mob #5 will be created once we have ample photos/footage to share.
Thanks to everyone who came along today, and also thanks for being such good sports for putting up with Drill Instructor HardArse ((;
Saturday, 18 October 2003
SYDMOB #5
On the morning of Sunday 19th October, you should have already synchronized
your watch to the time of the telstra clock available by calling 1194
By 12:30pm you should be in the inner city. Go to Herald Square at Circular
Quay (lots of funky sculptures) Corner of Alfred & Pitt Street
http://www.whereis.com/search/email_map_redirect.jhtml?id=288925
(The Mob Rep will be present at this location only between 12:40pm and
1:20pm)
Within that vicinity locate the Mob Rep wearing a blue beret. Once found,
say this phrase "Reporting for duty" - you will then receive your
instructions.
**NOTE: It is vital that EVERYONE intending to take part in this event
approaches the Mob Rep to recieve their OWN SET of instructions
Move away, read it, then follow them.
Friday, 17 October 2003 - Our next event will be happening this Sunday (#5). The email instructions have been sent out to all the punters already on both mailing lists and will be posted onto this page Saturday night, for those who are eager to come along but are yet to signup to either list. However, even if you aren't planning to come along to the event this weekend, be sure to signup for the Global Flash Mob (GFM) happening next weekend on the 25th.
See you all on Sunday!
Thursday, 9 October 2003 - I apologize for the lack of updates lately, but I'm currently enjoying a bout of the good old spring flu. Hopefully I'll have it shaken soon enough. I've finally got around to making the mob #4 a permanent link on the menu too; think perhaps that menu is starting to look way too long? Perhaps a redesign will be put into the works soon.
We have two mob events approaching soon. The first will be mob #5 and this will be a rather special one due to the fact that we've called upon the mobbers on both mailinglists to send us their ideas on what would make a cool event. This gives us plenty of time to concentrate on the big one which happens on the 25h October, Global Flash Mob (GFM). This event will be happening worldwide in 30 different cities on the same day, in a 'mexican wave' At the moment it looks like Auckland will be kicking off and Sydmob next in line. For this one we'll be pushing to get as many pple coming along as we can. This will be a once in the lifetime opportunity to take part in a global event, so add yourself to either mailinglist to keep up to date.
Mob #5 information will be coming up soon.
Saturday, 4 October 2003 - Approx 170 mobbers today converged into Chinatown (Dixon Street Mall), shook hands with total strangers, high fived a busker dressed in a gorilla suit, screeched like chimpanzees, and anything else that the Mob Reps leading the two roving Mob groups performed. It may have been a planned location, but the act itself was one of total spontaneity - and the result was very very funny and a total success!! Thank you very much to one and all who came along today, you all did a fantastic job. SYDMOB #4 page is currently being created, so if you have any footage/photos to contribute it'd be much appreciated.
Thanks again guys, Eee-Eee-Ooh-Ooh!!
SYDMOB #4 PAGE NOW AVAILABLE
Friday, 3 October 2003
SYDMOB #4
On the morning of Saturday 4th October, you should have already synchronized your watch to the time of the telstra clock available by calling 1194
By 11:40am you should be in the inner city. Go to Haymarket (China Town) and locate the "Golden Tree" on the corner of Sussex St and Haymarket St
http://www.whereis.com/search/email_map_redirect.jhtml?id=283862
(The Mob Rep will be present at this location only between 11:50am and 12:25pm)
Within that vicinity locate the Mob Rep wearing a backwards black baseball cap & sunglasses. Once found, say this phrase "Monkey See?", you will then receive your instructions.
**NOTE: It is vital that EVERYONE intending to take part in this event approaches the Mob Rep to recieve their OWN SET of instructions
Move away, read it, then follow them.
Wednesday, 1 October 2003 - Our 4th event happens in 3 days time (Saturday 4th October), and even though its falling on a long weekend, we will still have our usual strong numbers attending. The email instructions for this event will be sent to both lists (mailman and announcement) on the Friday morning (3rd October) between 8 and 9 am. So if you want to be involved, be sure to add yourself to either list if you havn't already done so.
Also, an article came out today in The Daily Telegraphs supplement magazine, SLM. Adriana has been kind enough to share a scan and it can be viewed here . Hope to see you Saturday!
Friday, 26 September 2003 - The video footage of #3 is now available!! Enhanced with The Thunderbirds theme!!
Thursday, 25 September 2003 - Added mob #3 to menu. Thanks again to the generosity of some participants from our 3rd event, we have received two video's worth of footage. These will be soon available on the SYDMOB #3 page shortly. Our 3rd event was the most interesting so far - It'll be hard to top, but we plan to give it our best shot.
We've currently got #4 scheduled for October 4th; but taking into consideration the fact that this would fall in the middle of a long weekend, that date is not yet set into stone. Once we've got a fair idea of the number of people with the intention of attending, then we'll be able to announce the set date.
To all the people that attended #3, thank you very much for taking part; you guys were the stars of the show.
Saturday, 20 September 2003 - SYDMOB #3 was bloody fantastic !! Not only did we once again attract more participants, but also left a very large amount of Pitt Street Mall midday shoppers absolutely stunned ((: I'm in the process of creating the SYDMOB #3 page with the script info and photos of todays event. Thanks to everyone who attended, you all did a great job!
SYDMOB #3 PAGE NOW AVAILABLE!! SYDMOB #3 - Will be added to menu soon.
Friday, 19 September 2003
Since today (Friday 19th of September) is "International Talk like a Pirate Day", I thought we'd do our share. So here you all go, the email instructions for SYDMOB #3 as a pirate would say it. Ya-haar!
** PS: The 'normal' email instructions can be found below it ((: **
SYDMOB #3
Arrrr! By ye rise of the earl' morn ye should have ya timepiece aligned to
the suns rays accordin' to the telstra clock. Be lookin to speak to those
salty dogs on 1194
When ya timepiece be pointin to 20 past the 11th hour of the morn, ye should have set sails full mast to t'inner city. Cast ye way ov' to the place where tis said th' Martin did rest down onto the dusty ground fallen soldiers, ye place be easy seen even with ye own tired salty eyes by t'cenotaph that be found ther'.
http://www.whereis.com/search/email_map_redirect.jhtml?id=279623
Keep ya eyes open for a scruvy landlubber, the yellow upon the skull tis what ye be needin' to be watchin' for. Once yast has found, askin' "F.A.B" and ye bounty will be yours t' reap. Cast ye eyes upo' the scribbled word and pull up ye anchor.
SYDMOB #3
On the morning of Saturday 20th of September, you should have already synchronized your watch to the time of the telstra clock available by calling 1194
By 11:20am you should be in the inner city. Go to Martin Place, locate the War Memorial Cenotaph. http://www.whereis.com/search/email_map_redirect.jhtml?id=279623
Within that vicinity locate the Mob Rep wearing a yellow cap. Once found, say this phrase "F.A.B", you will then receive your instructions.
Move away, read it, then follow them.
Wednesday, 17 September 2003 - This Saturday (20th Sept) will be our third mob event to date. And judging from the increase in membership over the last 2 weeks (we're now at 906), this could be the biggest turn out of people yet. The email instructions for SYDMOB #3 will be sent out to both the announcement list and the mailman list at approx 1pm on Friday (19th Sept) - I'll also be placing up the email instructions onto this page at approx 11pm that night, for anyone who somehow failed to recieve them.
If you want to be involved and aren't on either list, scroll to the bottom of this page for info on adding your details. Three more sleeps guys!
Wednesday, 10 September 2003 - Placed up the SYDMOB #2 link into the menu. Well since our second mob which was highly successful, our memberlist is growing at a steady rate. The discussions on the mailman list are also becoming more about flashmobbing rather then the screams of ubsub (injoke) we'd all been hearing lately.
Before I began this update I was taking a browse around and found several references to flashmobbing as being a past time for the unemployed. Now, I'd like to think I have a pretty good sense of humour about most things, but straight out labelling people's financial situation in respect to what they choose to do with their spare time is just downright nasty. It's bad enough that some people are still struggling with unemployment (I know I was for quite sometime myself) but to have it thrown into their faces is just primary school behaviour.. if that. From the events we've had so far, I have seen people from all walks of life, all ages, share a moment where none of these social labels meant anything. It's just good old fashioned fun. And to the people who like to spend their time hating them for it, I ask you this; In the time it's taken you to update your personal blogger with more spite and unwarranted hate towards the mobbers, they've probably gone out and taken part in an event which has put a smile on their face for the rest of the day - So tell me, who really is the bigger fool ?
Saturday, 6 September 2003 -SYDMOB #2 Page now available - featuring images from todays mobbing event and also the Channel Ten and Channel ABC new stories and the article from todays Sydney Morning Herald
SYDMOB #2
(Will be linked via menu soon)
UPDATE: Today's mob event was an all around total success! The headcount is still unknown but by accounts its definately more then we had for our debut 2 weeks back. The converge, act and disperse came off without a hitch and everyone who attended (and witnessed) had a good laugh. I'm still putting together the SYDMOB #2 page which will hopefully be up for viewing shortly. A big thank you goes out to everyone who took part and especially to those who helped out. Another top flashmobbing by SYDMOB !!
SYDMOB #2
On the morning of Saturday 6th of September, you should have already synchronized your watch to the time at the following site http://www.timeticker.com/main.htm or alternatively, use the telstra clock available by calling 1194
By 11:20am you should be in the inner city, go to Central Station and make your way to the Devonshire Street underground pedestrian tunnel, emerge at the Devonshire street end.
http://www.whereis.com/search/email_map_redirect.jhtml?id=275737
Within the vicinity of 'Ibero American Plaza', you will find the mob rep. Look for a person with a sheep. Once located ask the question "Got a ticket?" and then receive your instructions. Move away, read it, then follow them.
Thursday, 4 September 2003 - Tomorrow afternoon at approx 1pm the email instructions for SYDMOB #2 will be sent out to everyone on both lists. So now would a good time for all those thinking about participating in Saturdays event to sign up to either one. Note: For those of you who are on MailMan list and currently in digest mode, I'd recommend perhaps changing your options and selecting the individual post mode so there won't be any chance of you seeing the announcement too late (The digest is posted out after a set amount of postings have built up and seeing as this can change from day to day the time you recieve the digest might not be suitable)
Two more sleeps ((:
Tuesday, 2 September 2003 - Hello New Zealand !! Today I noticed my inbox was giving off more *DINGS!* then usual and noted the unusually large amount of people signing up to the announcement list. Well that's good I thought, must be some late interest coming in for the weekend event. Then I decided I'd check the webstats. We've gone from the usual 900 odd hits yesterday to an amazing 6263.. and thats so far ! Once I'd stop hitting refresh to watch how quick the hits were coming in, I thought I'd better see exactly where all this sudden attention is coming from... and its from our cousins over in the land of the long white cloud ((: It'd seem that their first flashmobbing has started a an absolute blaze of attention (the NZMOB membership has now reached over 600) that isn't showing any sign of slowing down. Well done m0nty, you've done us all proud !
With our second mob event happening this weekend, I'm sure all this is enough to keep everyone's anticipation at high - keep it there guys, it's going to be a big one !!
Sunday, 31 August 2003 - SYDMOB #2's location has been found and will be going ahead on Saturday 6th Sept, so if you want to take part, place yourself onto either of the two mailinglists to make sure you recieve the email instructions when they are sent out. Everywhere else seems to be pretty quiet on the flashmobbing side of things, does that mean people have lost interest or is this just the quiet before the storm ? We'll see soon enough.
Tuesday, 26 August 2003 - Placed up the rest of the video footage of our first mob and made it a menulink. Check out the last video for the disperse that I've been forever gushing on about.
Well with our first mob event behind us and the next looming so close ahead, it's good to see the mailing list is partaking in some good discussions about locations that wouldn't be as effective as others etc. If you're actually on the list and havn't shared your thoughts on the subject as yet, you are more then encouraged to do so. This is your mob community after all. As for the people still yet to get on board, carn on - get innit !
Monday, 25 August 2003 - Quick update: Some video footage has been kindly shared with SYDMOB of the event from Roger Barnes, a participant in SYDMOB #1. It manages to capture the feel of those 3 minutes that images just cannot even begin to touch - men, women, teenagers and children barking, snarling, hissing, and growling in the middle of inner Sydney on a Saturday. Absolutely hilarious ! I'll be placing the link into the menu sometime tonite, but in the meantime, you can check it out here .
Well, the first event got all our toes wet and wanting more. And more is what we're planning to give you all. I won't be giving the date out just yet but it isn't far away at all. So if you want to keep up with the turns of events and the latest SYDMOB info, jump onto the mailing list (note: A lot of newcomers to the list have been a little surprised.. well.. unimpressed perhaps is the right term..with the amount of emails coming in from the mailing list to their inbox. I would advise everyone that the best way to avoid this is to select the digest mode when signing up. That way you will only be recieving the SYDMOB mailing list digest a few times a day, which is all the singular emails posted to the list placed into one email. Also be aware if you do post to the mailinglist, try and make sure you select text only in your email client, this helps remove all the unwanted clutter from HTML encoded emails.
Well thats about it, enjoy the videos and look out for the next lot coming up in the next few days which shows the mob from start to finish taken 2 stories above looking straight down ! The disperse has to be seen to be believed.
Saturday, 23 August 2003 - SYDMOB #1
UPDATE - Click here for some images/information from today's SYDMOB #1 - NOW WITH VIDEO FOOTAGE !
At 12 noon today approx 130 people converged around a small statue of a talking terrier outside the QVB in the inner city of Sydney. Howling mournfully, they were soon joined from behind by another horde of people, who proceeded to growl and hiss. Both groups turned onto one another, hissing, growling, scratching at the air and barking. Then as quickly as it started, both groups disappeared.
I am very proud to say our very first Flashmob in Sydney went off rather well ((: The diverse crowd was simply astounding. Adults all the way down to young children attended and had a very fun time performing the chosen script. It's not everyday you walk past the QVB and witness a group of total strangers from all backgrounds behaving like cats and dogs towards each other, and for the onlookers who witnessed the event, I don't think they'll be forgetting that vision for quite awhile!
We also experienced some healthy media coverage which was expected, and hopefully will result in a positive light upon what we did today and have planned for the future (yes this isn't a "flash in a pan", we are planning many more to come) Tonights ABC news will be showing an interview with myself and hopefully some great footage of the event. The media sure jumped onto Islay pretty quickly didn't they ((: I'm in the process of completing the SYDMOB #1 link where I'll be placing up all the hilarious quotes overheard from passerbys, the photos, and the video footage taken from people attending (including one great one taken 2 stories up in the QVB by my housemate which shows the disperse happening in full effect!) Below is the instructions they recieved:
SYDMOB #1
Mob Length: 3 minutes (converge at 12:00pm, disperse at 12:03pm)
Mob site: QVB, Corner George and Druitt streets, Islay the talking terrier Monument.
If your birth month falls between January - June, you are a cat.
If your birth month falls between July - December, you are a dog
12:00pm -Dogs: Converge around Islay.(standing) Start to howl. A mournful howl. Poor Islay.
12:01pm -Cats: Converge around the dogs.(standing) Start to growl/hiss. Horrible dogs.
12:02pm -Dogs: You are not happy to see the cats. Show them your disgust, growl & bark. (continue for a minute)
12:02pm -Cats: Scratch in the air at the dogs, hiss! growl! (continue for a minute)
12:03pm -DISPERSE
No one should be left at the site by 12:06pm. Go about your normal business.
Once read and memorised, hide this slip from view. Do not throw into a public bin.
More to come !
Friday, 22 August 2003 - Are you busy tomorrow ?
SYDMOB #1
On the morning of Saturday 23rd of August, you should have already synchronized your watch to the time at the following site http://www.timeticker.com/main.htm
By 11:20am you should be in the inner city, make your way to the back of St Andrews Cathedral http://www.whereis.com/search/email_map_redirect.jhtml?id=272469
Locate the following individual in that general vicinity: Red shirt, black umbrella, black hardcover book. Once found, approach and ask this question: "Got 2 cents?"
You will be then handed the rest of the instructions. Move away and read them.
See you there.
Thursday, 21 August 2003 - Today at approx 6pm AEST, SYDMOB #1 instructions will be emailed to the mailing list. These instructions will tell you where you need to be and at what time
on Saturday - the rest of the instructions will be recieved at the location. If you hop onto the mailing list and seemed to have missed them, fear not; the posts to the mailinglist are accessiable by all SYDMOB members via this archive link . Everything is planned and prepared for Saturday. Remember to spread the word, and get ready to have a good laugh !
Tuesday, 19 August 2003 - It seems we broke the mailing list service ! Nothing more then a slight hiccup. So until I get the new one running (by this afternoon), I have placed in a simple email submit form. Don't panic if you don't get a confirmation mail straight away, they're all coming straight to me and I'll be replying back as soon as humanly possible.
Sorry for the inconvenience to those who have attempted to signup and got nothing but a 404. I'm not sure what time it broke but I would say it happened very early in the morning. So those of you who may have come back hoping it would be working, use the form below. More soon.
UPDATE - We now have access to our very own fully functional mailing list. The old mailing list has been dissovled and I am now in the process of moving all the contacts from the old into the new (it's going to be a manual process so it won't be happening straight away) For the moment, however, the mailing list is working fine if you would like to check it out (if you do subscribe to the new one when you already had a subscription with the old, ignore the confirmation email you recieve as that would be just myself in the process of bringing everyone over. I'll also throw into the mailing list archive section the previous issues I already sent out with the old so everyone who missed out can read them. Well the mailinglist is now added to the menu, so go have a look . Back soon.
PS: The mailing list numbers are still coming in thick and fast ! Keep it up guys !
Sunday, 17 August 2003 - Well, the site structure is now up and running. All links now contain content which will help people at least understand some basics of the FlashMob. Hopefully I haven't missed any keypoints and also made it anymore confusing for some people then it already is. If so, do tell me. Still to move the site to the new webhosting but I'll be doing that next.
Also, for those who missed it, here's the mp3 of the TripleJ interview from Friday 15th August. It features myself talking about SYDMOB and also Fred Hoyst from http://fredhoysted.com/ talking about the NY FlashMob. Enjoy ! (if I get one more email asking me if I'm "overwhelmed" I'm gonna scream :P ) - 2003-8-15-triplej-flashmob.mp3
Saturday, 16 August 2003 - Today I checked out the chosen location for next Saturdays SYDMOB #1 and I'm happy to say it will be definately on that day and at the place. Which place ? Well, I can't really go letting that cat out of the bag yet, can I ? Besides, it's not like I'd just tell the general public ! Geez ! However, if you do want to take part in Sydney's first FlashMob, all you need to do is drop your email address into that box down the bottom of the page and click the button. Then you'll be on the SYDMOB mailing list and be recieving all the stuff I can't discuss on here.
Also, the site is near total completion. The "congregate" and "act" links are now active. That just leaves me with the organize link left, which I will complete tomorrow.. because frankly, I'm starting to dream in html! But don't worry, that'll be done and the entire site moved over to new hosting. Once that is complete, I'll add the reader interactive stuff (comments, new mailing list, forum etc etc) Enjoy the rest of your weekend guys !
Friday, 15 August 2003 - It would seem the triplej interview went over very well and I am now getting quite a LOT of emails from people asking to be involved. This is fantastic. I cannot even begin to express how overwhelmed I am with this very sudden influx of attention.
So much so that I feel somewhat guilty (and a little silly) for not having the site up to par with peoples expectations. At the moment it's only myself doing the design, creating the content and updating, so as you can understand thats a pretty hefty load to balance along next to a normal working life as well. I am endeavouring to have all the links operational by the end of the weekend (if not sooner)
In regards to all the email requests from people to be placed onto the SYDMOB mailing list - Scroll to the bottom of the page and enter your contact details. The mailing list I'm using at the moment is only a 'make do' until we have our own inserted. I'll be sending out the first SYDMOB mailing post tonite sometime with some more details about the site *and* the upcoming very first Sydney based Flashmob ((:
SYDMOB #1 - NEXT SATURDAY 23RD AUGUST - SYDNEY
(Location yet to be revealed but this is DEFINATELY going to happen!)
Thank you all for being so patient and your interest in SYDMOB is very much appreciated !
Thursday, 14 August 2003 - The domain is now working correctly. Also, the site will be moving from this server to be hosted elsewhere with full PHP/CGI support, hopefully this will be happening in the next 2 days while I update the rest of the site. The Disperse link is now up - bear with me while I complete the rest. Meanwhile listen to TripleJ tomorrow (Friday 15th) between 9am and Noon for an interview with myself about the sydney flashmob community !
Tuesday, 12 August 2003 - I seem to be having nothing but bad luck with my chosen dns service. Though the domain email is working great, no one, including myself can actually reach this site via its correct URL www.sydmob.com . But help will hopefully be coming from another source, and if all goes according to plan, then this site will be housed elsewhere and removed from my isp accounts web space, thus solving the problem. Now I just gotta hope that actually IS the problem.
With that in mind, I am yet to update the rest of the links just yet. And speaking of links, SYDMOB has been linked to from http://www.flashmob.co.nz/ as the Australian site for FlashMobs. Now I guess the pressure *really* is on for me to get some serious work into the site huh !
Saturday, 9 August 2003 - The site is now live, and for the most part mostly still 'bare bones'. The link menu currently only features this front page as I work on the others to hold informations relating to the various different aspects of FlashMobs and the incentive to get people motivated enough to become involved with organizing a local mob action. I have a few hurdles to cross before this site becomes what we really need it to be:
1) The site is sitting on my own isp account web server; thus halving its potential to a mere "sydmob news site" Thats not what I (or rather, WE) want this site to merely be. For it to become a fully operational hive point for local mobbers, it'll need to be sitting on webspace that supports PHP or even just simple cgi scripting. In theory we *could* use third party scripting for a simple mailing list etc, but that would come at the cost of annoying popup advertising (in most cases) and the severe lack of web viewer site interaction (such as leaving comments and the like) Any suggestions on cheap web hosting would be very much appreciated.
2) The other hurdle is maintaining constant updates on the site. Even though I have created and paid for this site that doesn't necessarily mean I want to be *the guy who runs sydmob*.. That would counteract the whole ideal of a community feel that flashmobbing creates, and even though this is purely digital that doesn't mean it cannot have the same feeling of interaction that comes from mobbing. Basically, I'm putting this out there to see if anyone has an interest in perhaps helping with the site ? Whether it be collecting news snippets from other sites or coming up with some never seen before flashmobbing ideas. Anything and everything would be greatly appreciated.
At the end of the day, sydmob.com will belong to us all. And together, we can have some real fun !
