Actually, I do like you on the show (I talked to Carl before you were on the show and told him I thought it was a great idea to bring you on board), I just like listening to the guests a bit more :-). Admittedly, finding the right balance between commentary and silence isn't the easiest task in the world (probably why I'm not a host), but try to remember that the focus of the show should be on the guests, not the hosts (after all, the guests are the reason people listen to the show).

Jesse -

"try to remember that the focus of the show should be on the guests, not the hosts"

I agree. But, this time, it was hard to sit still...

Anyway, the question is something I've been wondering about, and I think I've done enough shows now to be able to get a reasonable sample of the general feelings about me/.NET Rocks, so I'm going to run with it anyway...

I do like you, but I think Jesse has a point. If you listen to the previous show, it's obvious. There are a lot of good things you brought to .NET Rocks, which is great and I love it. But then again, there are times you have to be "host". I think Carl is very good at it. I hope you will keep on going because a lot of people love you. :-)

Rory, I've been reading your blog for the past 6 months and lately it has struck me that you should really try to not let critisism get under you skin the way it seems to do lately.
You're a celebrity now so everybody will have an opinion..and lots of them will be negative no matter how high you jump.
"You can please some
people some of the time, but you cannot please all people all the time".... is basically what I wanted to say ;-)

To be honest, I think in the first few shows you were too quiet, and I think you're now getting the balance right. And there's nothing better than hearing people get enthused and excited about the subject in hand..

Mark was great too, and had a different style, and it was sad to see him go - but I think you're now making your mark on the show, and I wouldn't want to miss stuff like "google weirdos" for the world. It can't be easy being a co-host on a talk show.

vbNullString -

"there are times you have to be 'host'"

Thinking back to the show, this brings everything together.

What you're saying is that, rather than drawing more out of Bob, I acted like I was a second guest being interviewd alongside? If that's the case, then I can see it now, and this post was worth that one little bit of information...

Thanks :)

I actually watch the show more now with you on it. Keep up the good work man.

Rory,

You've been an excellent co-host. I agree with the comment that you should spend less time worrying about the negative feedback. In speaking at conferences, one conference organize gave me good advise: Get rid of the top 10% of praise and the bottom 10% of critisism and then worry about what is in the middle.

It seems true with anything we do that is public. People will be critical because they can, not because they are right. Its finding that balance, that middle area.

I also think you have to view what has been done to this point as a trial run. Its a good time to re-evaluate what you've contributed to the show and what areas you can improve on. Build on your strengths, improve on your weaknesses.

As a side note, I think what you and Carl are doing is totally innovative. I hope some day to immitate it on my website in a very small way for the audience we target.

I use to be a big fan. Religiously downloaded the show after 5 minutes of being released since around the 3rd episode was realised. Then use to listen to it on my mp3 player on the commute to work.

I haven't even downloaded the latest episode yet.

I think my change is due to 2 things:
- Lot more garbage in the show, music, google weirdos etc
- The show isn't about the guests or the guests knowledge.

The audience are smart, they want to listen to smart people.

Lately, a guest will start speaking, then the hosts will inject there own 2 bit story, or simple humour remark, (we don't care), stopping the guest get into there topic of knowledge, it breaks the flow and doesn't allow the guest to get to the guts of the matter.

I'm the first to admit, Mark wasn't the most entertaining host, but he knew what questions to ask, and more importantely, knew when to listen and keep quiet. Initially, rory was more entertaining, but due to the cost to the content, as a listener, this is fustrating.

I hope the show gets back to it's old self.

On a side note, does anyone get the perception, that rory can't go anything wrong in carl's eyes ?

Chris -

"Rory, I've been reading your blog for the past 6 months and lately it has struck me that you should really try to not let critisism get under you skin the way it seems to do lately."

You're right. I'm pretty new to this public-eye thing.

I think this week is going to teach me to let some things go...

Raging -

"Lately, a guest will start speaking, then the hosts will inject there own 2 bit story, or simple humour remark, (we don't care), stopping the guest get into there topic of knowledge, it breaks the flow and doesn't allow the guest to get to the guts of the matter."

When I think about things as an outsider (as I'm trying to do right now), I can see what you mean.

I think that's what vbNullString was getting at, too.

"(we don't care)"

I don't know if I'd speak for everybody if I were you, but the overall point of your comment makes sense.

In retrospect, we *do* tend to interrupt people. Sometimes it's the right thing to do, but other times, and you're obviously aware of this, it isn't.

Consider your points taken.

I've been listening since show one and I've very rarely been unimpressed. My views are:

Rory: Good addition and serious change of pace from Mark, this isn't a bad thing, just different. Slightly too quick on the jumping in for me. vbNullString put it best about the holding back a bit, chill dude!. Your enthusiasm is catchy though.

Mark: Gone but not forgotten. Bring him back as a guest!

Google Weirdos: Funny and welcome, you can almost hear you bouncing along when you do this bit.

Linux Vuln of the week: Childish, annoying and cringe worthy. If i want to know about Linux vulnerabilities I'll look at something like Packetstorm which is more impartial and actually has some credibility when it comes to security. I don't want to hear dot net coders telling me about Linux vulns and i don't want to read about another IE hole on unix sites.

Carls acoustics: Very cool and help break up the longer shows.

Ok, first of all, I would like to say that I have been an avid listener of .NET rocks since the first ever episode. I was there from the start.

I'd like to share a little story with you. I have a few friends here and there dotted around the .NET community, as we all undoubtably do. I talked to a guy I know about .NET rocks when it first came on air, I loved the show, I mean I couldnt really fault it, it didn't lie to me, it did exactly what it said on the tin. However, my friend listened for about an hour or so and eventally said to me, "MAN, that is dry!". A long time passed and I eventually told him you took over from Dunn and that it was not all that "dry" any more. He listens religously now.

My own personal feelings. Nothing against Mark Dunn, or the show, but as far as I am concerned it NEEDED you. The show has more life now than it ever had. And I understand that this is not a comedy radio show, and that it is for technically minded people. But hell, there is more to life than shop talk. Your humour makes a good show, even more listenable.

You have a hell of a lot of talent, comedy comes naturally to you and it shows. However, on top of this, you also make a good radio presenter. Take a pinch of salt with anything anyone has to say about how much air time you suck up. There are times when you are quick to ask questions, makes jokes, and others where we hardly hear a peep. All together you make a great host.

Finally on the topic of "what segments do you like/which don't you like?", no point in asking that question. There will be ALWAYS be a divide here. Put that nice new feature in, there will be some people who use it and some who don't. And as long as not listening live, just skip the segments you don't like. Don't like the music..... skip it. Adverts? Skip them.

Ok, enough of the sucking up. Although it sounds that way, all of it is true.

You're a way better host than Mark, I look forward to hearing you on the show. I had never read neopoleon.com before you were a guest on the .Net Rocks, but now I have to read it everyday!
Keep up the great work!

This is fascinating, and helpful. It's good to get some honest feedback. However, since Rory came on the show our downloads have gone up by like 800%

So, while opinions are good to get, and some people may like this or not like that, I'll be more concerned when the download trend is falling and not rising.

Keep the comments coming, folks. We can take it, plus and minus.

Rory,

Personally, I haven't missed a show since you started co-hosting. Mark was good, but in my opinion, you bring something more to the show. As a previous commenter suggested, bring him back on as a guest so we can find out how he's doing these days.

Google Weirdos: As always, is a riot. :)

Music: Your songs are great. Wish I knew one end of an amp from the other, but there you go. I think if I were to start singing, small children would run screaming into the streets, and bird would mysteriously drop out of the sky...

Linux vulnerability of the week: Why not? People (like Chris Anthony) seem to think shoving Windows vulnerabilities in our faces is fun, why shouldn't we give something back?

As for negative comments and emails, you're never going to be able to please everyone, and it's useless to try, as it will never happen, be that on .NET Rocks, your blog, or the rest of the offline world.


Just my 2 cents. :)

-Sean

“or simple humour remark, (we don't care)”

I couldn’t disagree with this more. I get enough bits, bytes, curly braces, and semicolons from the myriad of other .NET resources I frequent. There is a hell of a lot more to being a programmer than the technical fliggity-bliggity (mumbo-jumbo is an overused phrase so fliggity-bliggity it is). I really enjoy (read: need) a more light hearted perspective. I would say I’ve been enjoying the show more since Rory came on board. That’s not to say anything against Mark Dunn, mind you. I just feel that, as a listener, I connect more with Rory than I did with Mark. Keep up the good work Rory. You’ll continue to grow as a co-host with each episode.

Wow, there’s an awful lot of “I”s in that last paragraph. I (there it is again) need to start using “me” more often. :)

Hi Rory

First, I don't have the time or bandwidth to watch .Net Rocks, so can offer no insights about your actual performance. Your blog however is excellent.

I think the temperament of a skilled interviewer is quite different from the temperament of a great comedian.

You talk good, Rory, but do you listen good? Do ya?

That british guy Parkinson is a good interviewer -- he gets the talker to open up, because he has good research, he rarely interrupts, he listens well. Insights of his own, interruptions of any kind, jokes -- these are things he doesn't indulge in.

Just listening is a skill (it often *hurts* to just listen) and maybe that's what you can work on.

Again, this isn't a personal complaint about you -- it's good advice for anyone who wants to be a good interviewer.

And damn, 'just listening' is also a crucial aspect of being a boyfriend, husband or son.

Well, I hope they don't fire you for being so obviously crap :+)

cheers
Leon

Hey,
I think your show is great, in fact I think it's better now that your around. Things like google weirdo's is awesome.

Don't worry what some people think, your never going to please everyone. My friends and I agree that the show is more listenable now, than what it was before.

Already said, but to provide reinforcement:

Mark was great, different style, but great.

Rory, you *were* really quiet the first couple of times, and I am sure anyone would be. I do agree that your 'enthusiasm' does, once in a while, preempt what the guest(s) is/are saying. But generally, you have a great presence and add tons of needed humor to the show (not that Carl and Mark are necessarily lacking in this area, but it *is* your forte!).

I am sure if Carl thought you were causing him grief, he would let you know. You guys do this in the same studio, so maybe you guys have hand signals or wave to each other or something to indicate that, hey it is my turn or something. I don't know. Either way, I like the advice that you should ignore those most critical of you as well as those who are spending every moment praising you. I think, considering the MVP Summit political crap we have been reading this last week, that you have handled this latest issue in a respectable way. Taking criticism can be difficult, but you seem to be taking this in stride.

It's all good dawg . . . :P

#1) Stop being nervous. The SQL episode you hosted was painful. Even if you are nervous, just press onward.

#2) Victim of format change. I think some of the complaints are being caused by the new format, which is not really your fault. Its killing me to wait 25 minutes for the guest. Yes, I've figured out how to to push fast forward.

#3) The canned bits are boring. Google wierdos was fun once. Maybe twice. This should be a rule: if it has a theme song, drop it.

You are at your best when talk tech: c#, tablet pc, compact framework, java.

ian

Rory,

I agree with the general sentiment that being a good host is knowing when to let the guest run with a topic, and when to engage in a more back-and-forth conversational-style interview.

With that said, however, I don't think it's necessarily black and white. The recent topic was definitely more opinionated and thus conversational in nature, so I sort of expected the flow to be as it was.

In general, I think you're doing a great job. Don't change your style based on a couple bits of feedback... if anything, adjust, but certainly don't change. As Carl points out, people evidently enjoy your style (the evidence being # of downloads and readers).

Prior to you joining, .NET Rocks was something I'd listen to when an interesting topic popped up... now I listen in every week. Not quantifiable, but it's true.

Ciao.

Joe Duffy said:

>Prior to you joining, .NET Rocks was
>something I'd listen to when an
>interesting topic popped up...
>now I listen in every week.
>Not quantifiable, but it's true.

that's pretty high praise!

makes me think i should take the time to watch this .net rocks thing...

You rock Rory!!! You have moved up my list of interesting stuff I want to hear. As opposed to the boring shite I post. But hey I aspire to be as observent as you on most things and really dig that you and Carl look into the whole what/how and why of software development as opposed to just code. Keep it up I say!!!

The entertainment value of the show has gone up considerably since Rory's been on the show ...and yep, that's a consideration: when I just want technical content there's always MSDN TV.
We need some entertainment with our tech since VBTV has been deceased (even though I'm a C# person I used to watch it religiously because it was informative *and* a good laugh). And where would we be without Google Weirdos?
I also think Rory's technical/business perspective is useful, since it's closer to that of the average cubicle slave (no offence intended).
So in short, I like .NET Rocks fine the way it is.

I didn't listen to the show all that much before you were on the show Rory. I do like the new format - google weirdos is funny as hell. I think the linux votw should be dropped - or at the very least stop reading some web page, Carl put it into your own words - it feels forced and I usually just tune it out.

That said - yes sometimes you should jump in and add color to the conversation (which you do very well), but other times - like last show - Bob Reselman was absolutely fascinating - he was really incredible - so in cases like that don't interrupt with "I said that! I said that".

I do like you on the show - I find you very entertaining - I say give it some time to settle into something comfortable. And, like previous comments - don't get upset everytime someone blogs about not liking something you did/said/ate, pick up a tabloid sometime, things could be much worse.

Just to add my two cents worth. I enjoy the show much more now that Rory is co-hosting. I've always thought he is very entertaining. I'm an absolute geek/business guy type and enjoyed the opportunity to talk to some of the movers and shakers in our industry. I personally think Rory is doing a great job and I want to see the show continue to grow. I really think the best is yet to come.

-Mark

Paolo -

"don't interrupt with 'I said that! I said that'"

Argh! You're soooo right... ARGH ARGH ARGH.

I remember that moment clearly, though, even though I haven't listened to the show yet (well, since we did it, anyway (I usually don't listen to the shows after we do them (at least not in their entirety))).

I was just *so* happy to find someone who thought the same way about music/coding. It's such a weird thing and so subjective that I felt like there was this guy on the other side of the country with whom I had some seriously weird connection.

But, then, I'm guessing that a lot of people had similar experiences with Bob during that show, but didn't blurt anything out at their speakers :)

If I could go back, I'd wouldn't respond like that again, but still... It was so weird to find someone else who thought the same way.

Really weird...

I mean, you'd expect two people to have the same ideas about 2+2, but this is different :)

Anyway, I'm rambling. Haven't slept well this week, and it's starting to show...

I seem to have stirred the pot and prompted Jesse Ezell's post (although I didn't take it as far as he did).

As far as a "verdict" is concerned, look at how many comments are on this post -- and it's only been available for a few hours! It's obvious Carl and Rory (and Mark, and all the behind-the-scenes folks) have built and are building a great community around the show and .Net.

Everything you say and every episode isn't going to be the absolute greatest audio on the internet, but I'd take a bad hour of DNR over a "good" hour of commercial dumb-dumb radio ANYDAY (and I've not listened to any DNR that are bad -- a few mediocre ones, sure, but nothing bad).

You guys keep going, keep jamming your tunes and expressing yourselves without too much regard for conformity -- a true conformist would never create an internet radio "variety-show" for the software nerds! Conformity sucks!

Grant -

"I seem to have stirred the pot and prompted Jesse Ezell's post (although I
didn't take it as far as he did)."

Yeah - your comments were actually what really got me thinking (and then I saw Jesse's post, which just sort of provoked me).

Yours, though, is the one where I initially started thinking about the "Hey - we really *do* interrupt a lot" topic.

I'm definitely going to try to be better about that. As vbNullString pointed out, I have to help host (and, by inference, *not* try to be a guest each week :) ).

RoRo --

I'm short on time but thought I better chime in.

You already know this, but I think you're awesome on the show. It's been fun listening to you evolve as you hone your hosting skills. You have nothing to be worried about.

Just remember to keep it real out there on the east coast, yo. :)

I may write more later after I go back and read what others wrote, but my advice (FWIW) is to just be yourself and roll with it.

Later,

Stuart

<quote from="Rory">I was just *so* happy to find someone who thought the same way about music/coding. It's such a weird thing and so subjective that I felt like there was this guy on the other side of the country with whom I had some seriously weird connection.</quote>

Interestingly, I had instantly remembered a previous exchange you, Carl, and a guest had on this subject from about a month ago(?) when I hear this... All I remember is that I burned the CD and was listening while driving 2 1/2 hours up to NH for some ski-time. But anywho, the fact that you were like, "Oh yeah! I said this before" didn't seem odd to me for that reason - I remembered.

Maybe you guys could do some sort of wrap-up at the end, where you and Carl chit-chat for a while about what was discussed, share your own thoughts, opinions, experiences, etc. That way you and the guest both get your own time.

I'm a big fan of talk radio, and it's interesting to witness the different styles employed by hosts. Over time, you definitely learn what you like and what you dislike, and can pretty quickly identify the bad apples. I find the most enjoyable hosts to be those that editorialize _in addition_ to interviewing subject matter experts, but perform the two activities during separate segments.

On a separate tangential topic. Isn't it freaking weird to know people are listening to you in their cars, on subways, maybe even at college frat parties? I guess it's that fame and fortune thing, ...

<joe/>

It still rocks! But...

#Region " Feedback for Rory "

Rory, you tread a fine line between "inspired, insightful & intelligent" and "insipid, insulting & irritating".

I enjoy many of your comments - you make me think even more deeply about the topic at hand because of how you bring ideas together.

But you have stopped your guests when they too were about to say something wonderful. Bide your time and you can say what you want once the guest finishes. ;-)

You clearly you have a quick and creative mind. Just slow down the talking to let the mind "process" that which you'd like to say to ensure you're on the "right side of the line."

#End Region

#Region " Feedback for .Net Rocks! "

I like the email segment. Keep it.

The google weirdos and LWotW segments are a little off-topic. And terribly long. Why should I wait 30 minutes before I get to hear from your guest?

How about ".Net Sites, Services & Successes", "Technology of the Week" or "Microsoft Watch" etc?

#End Region

I liked Mark Dunn, his name is still on the link on my Favorites bar. Carl is better now, more grounded. You'll get better with each show Rory, listen to the tape after each show.

Readin the other posts here I just realised there's a cultural difference, since the interrupting thing has never bothered me: North Americans place a lot of value in having their say and hearing the entirety of what someone they have chosen to listen to has to say without interruption, whereas I'm more with the French, who tend to regard conversation as something you pass from person to person without it necessarily staying too long in one place.

I like you on the show over Mark Dunn because you add more humor. The last show had an undfortunate incident where the three of you were all taling at the same time which doesn't do anything good for the professional sound of the show. Other than that I really like the show, the show was good before you and it's good now.

Think you both need to think about the whole taling at the same time thing, you don't do it much (either of you) and I'm no pro at this radiothing, so maybe it's just me being picky :)

Dude,

you know my opinion on this one. Yes, Mark Dunn was definitely a cool guy, and I'd have to say you appear (over the air-waves) pretty different in your approach, but hey aren't we all right? If we were all the same I wouldn't get out of bed on a morning.

I listen to .NET Rocks for some primary reasons, basically it's smart, it's friendly, it's not patronising to people that are just starting in .net or scary, it's very helpful for them (this includes me), and it's damn funny too. I think I speak for one person in this world, I've got my own criteria on this, but I do consider myself a big fan, and for my vote, I think you do a great job alongside Carl.

Yeah, ok, you chip in maybe without warning, that obviously annoys some people out there but I don't have a problem with it. I would imagine (and that's all I'm doing, I have no solid fact on this but..) most techy people would not make the greatest presenters for a show, especially when it's something your passionate about and it's live, and in that respect you do a damn fine job along with Carl in getting stuff across to us. This, let's face it, is a show for us geeks, we should drop all the pompous arguments and just enjoy it for what it is. Peace .Netters.

Rory, you're a great co-host and i do think the shows with you as co-host are much better then the older ones. !! (Is there a Rory-fanclub of fanpage?)

That said, i do want to give some critisism, because you asked for it. Not much, cause i like you just the way you are.
During last weeks show, i remember thinking: "Rory, you've been host for 1 week and now you're trying to take over the show."
It was just a thought that popped up in my mind, i know that wasn't what you were doing.
It wasn't an easy topic last week and i can understand why you couldn't stop thinking and talking.
But if you could do somehting about it, try not to interrupt the guest while he's forming a complex statement. That's all ... except one more thing, i think you've missed my google-wierdos entries. :(

That's enough, i don't want you to feel bad about yourself, cause there's no valid reason !
Keep up the good work, i'll keep on listening.

Take care
Peter

I wanna add to that.

Infact, I LIKE 'chippin in'. If the co-host sat back and didn't respond to things until there was a 'chance to speak' or someone prodded them with a stick, it'd be terrible.

Keep chipping away, and doing your thing. I can't wait for 4:30 gmt, I'm going into a cold sweat just thinking about it.

This is going to sound a little fanboy-ish, but .NET still rocks and is sounding better than ever. I have a lot of respect for the shows that Mark did but never felt that he had much presence. As with all changes it was a little hard to get used to but now my only regret is that I am never around to hear it live!

Whats good...
Google weirdos (I worry that there will not be enough weirdness to sustain it but will enjoy it whilst it lasts!)
The guests (last weeks show, with Bob was one of the best, any ideas if he can ship his book to the UK?)


Whats not so good...
The music (this is a minor complaint really as I actually like what you play, it just seems to get in the way of the interesting stuff)
The time before the guests get on the show (It's simple you will just have to make the show longer :-) )


and to think we brits thought Americans had no sense of humour :)

This is going to sound a little fanboy-ish, but .NET still rocks and is sounding better than ever. I have a lot of respect for the shows that Mark did but never felt that he had much presence. As with all changes it was a little hard to get used to but now my only regret is that I am never around to hear it live!

Whats good...
Google weirdos (I worry that there will not be enough weirdness to sustain it but will enjoy it whilst it lasts!)
The guests (last weeks show, with Bob was one of the best, any ideas if he can ship his book to the UK?)


Whats not so good...
The music (this is a minor complaint really as I actually like what you play, it just seems to get in the way of the interesting stuff)
The time before the guests get on the show (It's simple you will just have to make the show longer :-) )


and to think we brits thought Americans had no sense of humour :)

I've just started listening to .NET Rocks, and I like it a lot. Ur a funny guy, Rory. Keep it up :)

Sorry for the dual post, newbie mistake!

Well, I loved the show with Carl and Mark. They had a dynamic that worked. Mark left. Rory came. There's a new dynamic. I love it. You guys are funny and, for me, that equals motivating. By that, I mean there's a good reason to listen to you and your guests. I'm guaranteed to enjoy myself and learn a bunch of stuff about a bunch of people.

The last thing I want to hear is some ultra-boring nerd-fest. Judging by the shows, that's not likely to happen. Cool!

Don't worry about what we think about your performance; have fun. You are doing great.

I think you'll find that in general people who don't like a thing are more vocal than those who do. And there will always be those who don't like the product of change. It's inevitable, natural, human nature and stuff.

You're now what we'd call in old money a "broadcaster". I wonder what a more appropriate word might be? And you're a novice, but that will change. Feedback like you're getting here (there, everywhere) is part of that development process. You read it, digest it, lick your wounds and carry on.

Not everybody is going to like you. That's a hell of a thing but it's the way it is. Sure as hell not everybody likes me...

Carry on, I'm enjoying watching (listening to) your journey.

The solution is simple...

Make the show 3 hours long so to include the "Rory factor" ! :)

Something I’ve noticed is there seems to be a division between people concerned with the “what and how” and those interested in the “who and why”. I’m definitely in the latter camp. I can get the “what and how” from plenty of other sources. The “who and why” is pretty hard to come by.

Just an observation :)

i love the show and the presenters...nuff said. everyone stop whinging.

FWIW, I do agree that sometimes you guys interject a little more than probably should...

I actually started listening to the show about the time you came on... (Yes, I've gone back to listen to all the prior episodes with Mark... I actually started reading your blog after you came onto .Net Rocks (I've been aware of the show since its inception... I just thought it would be a waste of time).

As far as the last episode went, one of the reasons I recommended it to people on my blog was that i felt that some of YOUR comments in the interview were excellent (the comment about "you should just be outsourced, buddy!" was one that I think every programmer should hear (and consider if it applies to themselves)...

Just remember that the interview is about the guest... BTW, this doesn't seem to be a problem when you guys are interviewing someone you know... (Like Scott Hanselman, for instance)

listen up asshats

get rid of the linux vulnerability of the week (it's just a waste of time, and when carl's reading it, it sounds like he has no idea what he's talking about)

do google weirdos once a month or even less frequently (you don't do it weekly on your blog do you? it's gets to be quite a long segment and eats into time that could be spent with the weekly guest. it was amusing the first few times...)

that is all.

Rory goes, I go. He is one of the funniest individuals I have ever heard (mainly because we have the same kind of shock humor). I think he brings a great presence to the show. Coders don't have to be geeky, homly nerds popping zits all day long. We can be well spoken, extremely funny and able to fit right into society like everyone else. I think Rory is a perfect example of that. And I really appreciate Carl for bringing him aboard. You are a funny bastard too, Carl!

p.s. Rory stop drinking man, those pictures of you dancing scared the piss out of me! ;)

Looks like the people have spoken. Keep up the good work and don't get all this fame get into your head. ;)

I'll be honest with you. Recently I found myself missing Mark Dunn too, and I think it's because he balanced Carl personality better. I think you and Carl are more on the same side, so the show is taking a detour from the way it's used to be. However the universe doesn't revolve around me, so don't let these critics discourage you. You don't have to change the way you are.

Ooops, sorry for the blank post above.

I just have a couple of suggestions regarding the beginning of the show:

- Get to the guest a little sooner. The last few shows it's almost 30 mins in before you start the interview.
- Instead of doing "Google Weirdos" every week, do it alternating weeks and bring back ".NET In The News" for the off weeks.
- Have Rory speak with a southern accent and say "shave a cat" and "flew a bug to work" once in a while

Keep rockin' guys.

Linux Vulnerability - is it 'equal' time? I use MS only. But I don't hear much about Windows vulnerabilities on the show. If you want to give 'equal' time, add maybe some Mono info.

Rory - Very funny. I like Google Weirdos, but keep them shorter. I like your excitement. I can understand vbNull's point. We want to hear the guest, or we wouldn't have tuned in. BUT you do have valuable information, that's why you're here. You're getting into it.

The show in general... don't lose your focus guys, we're talking about the greatest programming platform/framework ever created! Talk about that, what people are doing with it now, what they hope to do with it, what they would like to be different.

This is crap.
People need to chill out. The show is great, and my opinion of the matter is that you bring a great new perspective.
Most of the time I've thought that you have been a little too quiet.
You and Carl are the hosts, and presumably the bosses of the show. If Carl's happy then don't worry about everyone else.

I'm sure there will be occassions where the show may not be as good (asshats) as other weeks, but that's the way things go.

Try not to get too down, I'm sure it feels like you've been attacked all week. But remember; the people that like you don't think they have to be vocal about it. So it may seem like everyone dislikes you. But we do, we really do. (thanks Sally)

OK Rory, here is what you and Carl NEED to do:

Get some cheesy speech API's and write an application for the show that will recite your pre-written, pre-sequenced questions in a monotone, robotic drone. Make sure the electronic voice is 100% devoid of any inflection or personality.

Said program will pause while the guest replies. When the program detects that the guest has finshed (3 seconds of silence perhaps), it will proceed to the next question without any danger of expounding on the guest's reply. There will be no chance of that evil, free-flowing thing called "conversation". Ew!

Maybe THAT will make these tools happy, and you and Carl can sit back and listen like the rest of us.

In the mean time, rawk on my brotha. You're doing a fine job.

Epilogue:

Holy cripes, I'm listening to the show right now and the guests are running the asylum! Rory and Carl haven't been heard from in, like, ten minutes. The other extreme...

If in your heart you feel it's the right thing to do, then you continue to do it. But every now and then a dose of self-relection is good to keep one grounded.

[and my apologies if I added to that self-reflection time this week]

I haven't read the swarm of previous comments yet, but I enjoy you on the show a lot. The parts I listened to on teh live show today made it seem like you were trying to hard to not talk.

I did notice that you could not get a comment in after more than enough tries to start your sentence.

I think you add to the show. The show is still young and I think you all do quite well for how long you have been at it. It's not like you went to school for communications. (Communications, lol. That is a funny degree)

I think the show is even better and livelier. The only thing I would change is to spend less time on the "other" stuff and more time on the host.

First off, I really have been meaning to comment about one thing that is really starting to piss me off about the show, but I never got around to it. Now that there is a discussion, no better time than the present:

I like a wide variety of music, but really, enough with the classic rock/pseudo-blues. I used to think Pittsburgh (where I live) was stuck in the past with the plethora of local bands and radio stations playing that stuff. Now I know that at least in New London, they do it too.

But really, if anything, I think Carl's head is getting too big. I actually stopped listening until Rory's first guest appearance. I was just fed up with all of Carl's masturbatory ego-stroking.

Then Rory came along, and breathed new life into the show (because, while Mark is good, he isn't assertive enough to keep Carl in his place). And it was fun and interesting again.

I don't mind the musical interlude - it is probably necessary, so everyone in the studio and stand up and stretch their legs for a moment. But it would be nice to hear music other than Carl's (and Rory, while I really like your two songs, even that will probably grow old).

So, anyway, as I have rambled on, I'll summarize - less Carl's music and ego. Rory, good, but be careful (for the reason's you mentioned). Eric, still an untalented, jealous bastard who has gotten over classic rock.

Rory,

No way man. Your the greatest. No offense to Mark but your way more entertaining. I have actually thought you often don't speak up enough, especially in your earlier appearances. Don't let the assholes get you down. The silent majority is behind you :-) Guess by this posting alone, I can't be a member of the silent majority anymore. Or is there some term based penance I can get back in with. If it involves keeping my mouth shut about what I think. Forget it. The vocal minority is with you Rory.

I think you're fine on the show. You're stepping into a popular show, while Mark got to practice when the audience was smaller. Also, he may have been drunk <wse-humor-impaired:joke>.

I think the common denominator for your listeners is the .NET part, so when in doubt I'd vote to err on the side of .NERD and get down and dirty with the code. Up to the point of reciting MSIL fragments, that may be a bit too far. I'd like to hear some in depth stuff, like when Bill Vaughn was talking about concurrency issues, Dino was talking about security issues with ASP.NET, or when Juval was talking about "squirting" code. Pick something the host is an expert at and go deep. I haven't heard anyone complain that the show got too advanced, technical, etc.

I think the musical interludes are okay, but I wish they were shorter. Most musical interlude breaks on radio shows are under a minute - like NPR's market place's 10 second things.

I think the Linux vulnerability thing is kind of undignified and dignifies the silliest Slashdot posts.

And I agree that it's great that you want people to like what you add to the show, but you can't focus on it too much. As these comments show, the majority is generally content so they don't speak up.

Also, I think you should have the Georgian "Are You Excited" Saying Of The Month as a recurring feature - Mark could phone in some sound clips. It's part of the show's rich heritage.

[plants for google weirdo fun, please ignore: torpid convulsive conspiracy goth overdose omen tickle freemason counterfeit]

"I don't mind the musical interlude - it is probably necessary, so everyone in the studio and stand up and stretch their legs for a moment. But it would be nice to hear music other than Carl's (and Rory, while I really like your two songs, even that will probably grow old)."

Wow what a perfect opportunity. I'm a techie looking to get out of the world of information overload into a more musical based approach (music is what actually gets me out of bed). So if you're interested for some musical 'outsourcing', I'll be happy to ablige (and willingly shove all other projects aside because my work is no longer meaningful). The only problem with this is I'm so busy I've yet to actually produce any songs but I have tons of sound clips I could string together. It would give a tech/musical junkie like me a chance to be heard somewhere even if I might not be that great. It'd be better to be bashed by fellow techies than by some American Idol wannabe trash anyways (sorry I believe music is best unadultered not some big business lameness it's become in this country).


I think the criticism here is good but for any successful talk show you really will need some decent amount of variety. Doing the same things every week can be predictable in some cases and in others may be down right annoying. I don't know if you break up certain things or if they are pretty much the same every week. The only thing that really should be the same without fail should be that there are guests. Everything else should be dynamic as possible yet have some structure. Weekly things can be good to a degree but there are some cases when bi-weekly or monthly do better.


I consider an interview process such as this more like a stage coach ride. .NET Rocks is the coach. The guests are the horses pulling it. The hosts are the ones holding the reigns. You can get out in front of the horse to tell it what to do which can be valid at times or you can simply use the reigns to gently 'guide' the horse (guest) to do what is beneficial for the coach (.NET Rocks) as a whole. A coach typically has more than one horse too, so they don't always work together. It's the driver's responsibility to look ahead and to guide the horses to stay on path and work together as a team. Sure you could get out and try to pull the coach yourself, but there's a ton of wasted energy in doing so.

Anyways I believe your guests are always valid and bring something very important to the show. Some guests may have a hard time speaking and will need more coaxing. Others will only need gentle guidance in the form of intelligent questions that 'steer' the guest into the direction the show needs to go. The goal is to have a more steering role than a coaxing role but that'll be left up to you to decide when one is more appropriate over the other.

I could be completely wrong in my analogy as I'm not really any good at public speaking. I've observed this in the past and it seems to be what works for a majority of the cases in the interview process. You don't want to control things too much, or the show suffers yet you don't want to have no control, or the guest may take the show to some weird tangent it doesn't need to be in. The key will be balance and only you will be able to decide the thresholds for said balance.

Just to put in my 2 cents! I am a huge fan of the show. I think the show is better since Rory has joined. I like the comment made earlier that there's more to life than shop talk.

I think we all tune in to listen and gain some knowledge from the expertise the guests bring, but how far can the show go, or how big would it ever grow if we didn't enjoy it as well. Technical interviews are great, and it's a great service you guys provide, but quite frankly I wouldn't listen for very long if it wasn't somewhat entertaining as well.

You'll never please everyone! Doing this show the way you guys do it will probably bring in a broader fan base in the long run. You'll always piss people off. Don't worry about that!

Do what you guys do best. Continue to get great guests! Continue to do technical interviews. Continue to be entertaining! These things don't contradict each other they form a great radio experience.

Do your thing Rory! I love the humor and depth you bring to the show. I listen to the show now every week since you started.

Keep on keepin on!

carl masturbates while doing the show? what?!?

Rory,

Not entirely sure if you will read this, but I certainly hope you since I just lost 30 minutes reading all the posts up until now to make mine.

A couple of non related comments
Although I thought I had mentioned this to Carl in an email I’ll re-iterated here. I liked the .NET news of the week, as I think some others did too based on posts here.

Another suggestion I thought I had made in the past would be to allow listeners to rank the show and or perhaps add post to the shows, kinda ala Channel 9.

NJ John’s “Domo Arigato Mr. Roryboto” post was great!

Disclaimer
The feelings on this post are mine and mine alone and may not reflect the attitudes of most listeners!
General Thougts

I think you are very talented. Your writing is good, the things you bring to the show are awesome, but I am not going to make this a brown nose post. I’ll do my best to give it you straight!

First as the many posts expressed don’t let negativity bother you. I agree with that 100%! It really means you’re somebody now. Think of what celebrity’s go through with the rumors in the grocery counter magazines! Yes I get out once in a while!

I’ll state my feelings about you first. In the beginning God created.. oh wait that was a different beginning!
Okay, so I first saw your blog from a Chris Sells post a long time ago, I wasn’t overly impressed, so I only really visited once in a while. However the Cartoons now keep me coming back for more!

As you record more .NET shows you charisma has begun to shine through. Also, at first you were too focused on making jokes, while now I see a very intelligent side of you and although, most listeners don’t know you guys personally I think man Rory but fit right in joking around with my buddies!

The Good, the Bad and the Rory!
Having said all that! I use to think man Carl is very funny, but sometimes it seemed like he has to pull teeth to get Mark to laugh. So having a livelier person on the show is DEFINITELY better! However I notice Carl now plays the more fatherly conservative role, and seldom seems to add the humor, a bit more balance where you guys trade off the spotlight would be good. Don’t get me wrong you have your moments of pure comedic genius, finding the right balance is key and I am sure you will fine tune this until its perfect! You are doing fantastic job for the short period you have been at it.

Here is an observation that many other have made, I use to learn so much from the show in the past. I mean every single show either the guests or Carl would point out a gotcha or something I had no clue about until I heard it from the “Expert” (think JET! Lol). Now I listen more for the social commentary, I hardly learn anything new. I’ll admit 2 probable possibilities. 1. Either I have leaned everything there is to know about .NET and all the interesting things have already been mentioned in previous shows. Or the show is changing to a more “talk show” social format. In either case I would still listen. I wonder about the balance of both.

Also, even though the show is in theory twice as long it seems to have less content from the guest perhaps because of all the other stuff. It sometimes feels like a shame to have the top expert on XYZ technology and the deep conversations are only scratched.
I love Google weirdos, how about doing the Top ten Weirdos instead of all? Do keep the cheese one way messages to Rory! The music alone should make non geeks wanna listen.
Lastly, the Yahoo chat is awesome, I get plenty of bar talk there only problem is hard to fully follow the show, so I really listen uninterrupted on Mondays.

So all that to Say “You are .NET Rocks!” it’s hard to ever again envision the show without you! So Rock ON!

PS. Since I tell everyone, including non-geeks about the show, I should start introducing myself as part of the .NET Rocks Evangelist Team! (I think I mention it more than Russ Faustino at MS conferences)

Eddy Recio

At first I wasn't going to respond, because everyone was really saying all I wanted to say...but what the heck...

1) I think you are a great addition to the show. I've listened to every episode since # 1, and although I liked Mark, the show has definitely taken on more of a natural flow since you joined. There used to be more "pregnant pauses" with Mark.

2) I can understand how people are impatient waiting for the guest, but I enjoy the first part with Google Weirdos, etc. I very much like the idea someone else had for you and Carl to sort of "recap" the interview at the end, after the guest leaves. I wouldn't mind a 2.5 to 3 hour show for something like that.

3) The music interludes are ok, I guess. I like your music a lot, but there isn't enough variety to keep me interested too long. I'm sometimes tempted to fast forward. Shorter interludes would be better. Maybe some pre-recorded tips, or something, can help fill the break time?

4) Don't worry too much about what people think -- I mean, it's ok to ask how you may improve the show, but you do seem to take this stuff a little too personally. You'll only end up losing way too much sleep over this if you worry too much. It is NOT worth worrying about it. Don't ever try to please everyone -- it is IMPOSSIBLE.

5) I'm totally fine with the Linux Vulnerabilities. Despite what some people say, this IS giving it equal time (actually, doesn't even APPROACH equal time), and it's about time people got it through their skulls that the only reason we hear so many KNOWN vulnerabilities with Windows is because almost EVERYONE uses it, and it is the MAIN target. PERIOD. You guys help spread the word that it isn't the exclusive domain of Windows. Of course, you may be preaching to the choir...

6) I think you've relaxed Carl quite a bit. I sensed some stress when he did the shows with Mark -- I think he may have felt like he had to carry the show himself a lot of the time. Also, Mark missed several times, and Carl had to fly solo. It appears that he can count on you to always be there.

Keep up the great work -- I'll always listen to you guys.

- Mark

Rory,

There is only one "Rory" in this world, and don't let that change. I find that people say stuff like that because they wish they could have been that witty. I find the shows with you on quite entertaining.

Rory I never listened to .NET Rocks until you joined the show. It never interested me. I not only listen myself but have 4-5 friends and co-workers who tune in as well.

Don't stop being you! That's what we want to hear. Don't keep quiet next week because your worried about talking too much. Do as you have done, go with what feels right to you.

I would listen to you and carl talk without guest. Don't let criticism get you down and don't let flattery go to your head.

Rory, I have enjoyed all of the shows that you have been on, and I think your hosting technique will get better with practise.

The show is headed in a good direction. I like the stuff that talks about why we program.

Programming has to be about something. Just as writers are told to write about what they know, I think programmers should write programs about what they know.

.NET Rocks helps to make that connection between the real world and the world of code.

Well I'm chiming in kind of late here but I think you're doing a great job Rory.

It just may be that since the show is two hours rather than one like it used to be so you have to fill it in more with banter and google wierdos and such, maybey that's what's getting under people's skin.

Less chatter, more techincal.

Rory,

no doubt in my mind - stay on .NET Rocks. I always enjoy your humor and your technical knowledge is obviously deep and broad. I enjoy listening to the show now more than ever. I also read your blog daily and always find it worth the read.

So, keep on doing what you are doing
Michael

Another late chime...

Ding. Ding.

(Quit yer whinin' an' get back in front of the mike you nut ;)

As a follow up to my earlier comment...

Uh, did you take a bathroom break on the last show? I don't know if I heard more than a word from you in the last hour. Don't take it to the other extreme and mum up. It seems like you were so afraid of monopolizing the conversation, that you said hardly anything.

Like I said, don't take any comment personally. Be yourself -- that's why we love listening to you (and reading your blog).

I missed Google Weirdos this week. Please don't drop it anymore :)

- Mark

I think the show is long enough that there should be enough time to be both "Rock" and "Deep". But it seems to concentrate on the "Rock" with Rory on. To get more Deep in the subjects, a bit less of interrupting the guests would be good. Take a look at the technobabble part of Indigo ep of ".NET Show", now that's something to aim for, dry subject made extremely interesting even for the clueless guy like me.

Oh and .. Matt Warren is Seriously Funnier than Rory!

See
http://blogs.msdn.com/mattwar/archive/2004/04/15/114419.aspx
for one example.

Rory,
You are pretty good on the show! One thing that I have always been convinced about and this is personal is that, It is very very hard to be able to sound intelligent always to the development community. We developers as a community are a very intellectual crowd who like change more than stability now! Your sense of humor lends itself very well to the show but if you could help Carl question the guest more than pull their legs, I think the show would add more value. Humor is still very much required though.

See I miss you on .Net Rocks now and I liked you then.

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