I have had the wonderful privilege of spending the entire afternoon in front of my computer while I watched a beautiful day in Wellington NZ pass me by trying to figure out technology. We have some of the most advanced software around, but unfortunately none of it wants to work together. We are still working on solutions to the video codec problems and now it is looking like it will be more like 2-3 weeks before we have the proper drivers that we need to get this show on the road. We are easily as disappointed as all of you are as we have some really amazing content to show all of you. But I guess it will just have to wait.
The problem is that there is nothing that we can do. Sony sold a product that will not allow for editing with any software for at least another couple of weeks; even their own Sony Vegas editing system is not compatible yet. It is the HDR-SR1 camcorder. Then the Panasonic cameras that we use were compatible until our new workstations were shipped with Windows Vista, which the drivers are not compatible with. We did not even have the option of using Windows XP because Microsoft and Dell have an agreement to only offer Vista from here on out. It is their way of forcing companies like Panasonic to update all of their drivers. Now, one might say, Microsoft has typically participated in shady business practices like this, but I think that another way to look at it is that they are pushing the limits of technology. I have to admit that Windows Vista is the coolest operating system that I have used from the graphic interface to the technology behind it; however, everyone else needs to keep up.
With the high prices of the hardware that we are using I feel that it is all of the company’s responsibilities to keep up. Windows Vista has been in the works for over a year and Microsoft has been working hard to help all of the companies keep all of their software compatible. Companies like Adobe, Macromedia, and many others have worked with Microsoft and taken the steps to keep things working. Why are the rest not following suit? As we go forward with this expedition, I have learned more and more that people regularly put things on the back burner and then make their lack of follow through someone else’s problem. As we were departing the country we had at least 5 of our sponsors shipping things to LA instead of Denver because they kept putting shipments of our gear off. They new of our departure date for months. Some of them are even now having to get us paperwork and gear in Australia because they have fallen so far behind.
I do not want anyone to think that we are not greatful for our sponsors and the help that we receive, we most certainly are. I do however want to get the point across that many times technology like email and cell phones seem to make people less efficient. More often than not I get emails saying that something will get done instead of it has been done. I find myself a victim of this as well as I have a lot on my plate, so I recommend to everyone…if there is something that you are working on…just get it done, don’t put it off to the next email or call. In the end someones procrastination at Sony and Panasonic has made us look bad and delayed our content to all of you.
We will have a bunch of photos up tomorrow. And we will keep as many photos coming as we can until we get all of this worked out. I again want to extend our sincere apologies to our audience, our sponsors, and our media outlets. We are not down here screwing around, we just can’t get the help we need from the big guys to get this done.
