Woodworking Goes Web 2.0 with TheWoodWhisperer.com
Marc Spagnuolo, AKA The Wood Whisperer, takes you into his fresh vision of woodworking through videos, podcasts, chatrooms, and even a live streaming shop web-cam. TheWoodWhisperer.com is the first website of its kind, allowing people of all ages and skill levels to learn, watch, and interact with others interested in the age old craft of woodworking.
Phoenix, AZ, June 28, 2007 --(PR.com)-- When you think of woodworking, do images of plaid flannel and graying beards come to mind? Get ready to throw away those old-fashioned notions, because one intrepid Internet entrepreneur is cutting a new groove in the woodworking mold. Marc Spagnuolo, AKA The Wood Whisperer, takes you into his fresh vision of woodworking through videos, podcasts, chatrooms, and even a live streaming shop web-cam. TheWoodWhisperer.com is the first website of its kind, allowing people of all ages and skill levels to learn, watch, and interact with others interested in the age old craft of woodworking.
The Wood Whisperer originally started out as a fun project that joined two of Marc's passions, woodworking and technology. “Marc really got into listening to podcasts after I bought him an iPod,” said Nicole Spagnuolo, Marc's wife and frequent guest-star on the podcast and live stream. The iPod brought Marc’s attention to the video podcasts and the massive Web 2.0 trend. Simply and inexpensively generated audio and video content was, to Marc's enjoyment, filling his iPod and entertaining him while he worked in his shop. He soon realized that there was a lack of quality podcasts for woodworking, and it wasn't long before Marc and Nicole decided to make their own show. With a polite nod to Cesar Milan, the Dog Whisperer, the first Wood Whisperer episode was made. While continuing to produce The Wood Whisperer podcasts, the couple added other unique features to the site. After the addition of a webcam to the shop computer, The Wood Whisperer viewers could now catch live snapshots of Marc in action. The webcam experience was enhanced later as a live stream when, after listening to one of Marc's favorite podcasts, Leo Laporte the Tech Guy, Marc was introduced to uStream.tv. Emphasizing the growing "mashup" status of the site, Nicole stated, "We now have live streaming video, as well as interactive chat, that provides our viewers a unique opportunity to learn directly from a professional woodworker."
Marc originally started woodworking as a hobby. With a degree in molecular biology, science was his primary focus. It didn't take long for Marc to realize that what began as a hobby was quickly becoming near-obsession. He spent his every spare moment practicing and teaching himself the core techniques needed to build fine custom furniture. Realizing the value and need for formal instruction, Marc enrolled in various classes and eventually had the good fortune of apprenticing with David Marks. A move to Arizona presented Marc with a unique opportunity for a career change. He left the biotech industry and began woodworking full-time, as well as offering one-on-one woodworking classes in his shop. Marc is now fortunate enough to follow his two passions, making fine custom furniture and sharing his knowledge and techniques with others.
Historically, a woodworker apprenticed with a master. Learning daily under the master woodworker's tutelage, the apprentice eventually became the master. Unfortunately, we don't do the apprentice-master thing too much these days. Most woodworking is done as a hobby, for enjoyment, and most people don't have the time or access to study with professional woodworking masters. Thankfully, though, we have the Internet to bring down those barriers to entry. Because of current technologies, it is now possible for woodworkers to interact with communities of other woodworkers and get a direct look inside a professional woodworking shop. What really sets apart the Internet as a media platform, though, is the interactive aspect. Not only can a visitor see what Marc is doing in his shop, but the chat room discussions often spur Marc into impromptu tutorials directly from viewer requests.
"The Wood Whisperer is the best wood working site I've come across. Besides the always entertaining and informative podcasts, the chat room (which allows you to share ideas with a rapidly growing number of viewing woodworkers), and episodes of Woodtalk Online (a radio format podcast w/fellow woodworker Matt Vanderlist). I get to watch a professional in his shop, see his mistakes and how he fixes them. He will, at times, stop everything and answer viewer questions or give an impromptu class on veneering, dovetailing, etc." says Victor Hubbard of Pasco, WA.
"Marc is one of the smartest and funniest guys I know. Pretty much anything he does will be interesting, informative and make you laugh out loud. He happens to know a heck of a lot about woodworking, so that just sweetens the deal," proclaimed Matt Petty of Riverside, CA, owner of several original pieces by Spagnuolo.
The Wood Whisperer is an award winning podcast (Best of iTunes 2006 Staff Favorites) that is released semi-monthly. To watch the podcasts, or for more information, please visit TheWoodWhisperer.com.
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The Wood Whisperer originally started out as a fun project that joined two of Marc's passions, woodworking and technology. “Marc really got into listening to podcasts after I bought him an iPod,” said Nicole Spagnuolo, Marc's wife and frequent guest-star on the podcast and live stream. The iPod brought Marc’s attention to the video podcasts and the massive Web 2.0 trend. Simply and inexpensively generated audio and video content was, to Marc's enjoyment, filling his iPod and entertaining him while he worked in his shop. He soon realized that there was a lack of quality podcasts for woodworking, and it wasn't long before Marc and Nicole decided to make their own show. With a polite nod to Cesar Milan, the Dog Whisperer, the first Wood Whisperer episode was made. While continuing to produce The Wood Whisperer podcasts, the couple added other unique features to the site. After the addition of a webcam to the shop computer, The Wood Whisperer viewers could now catch live snapshots of Marc in action. The webcam experience was enhanced later as a live stream when, after listening to one of Marc's favorite podcasts, Leo Laporte the Tech Guy, Marc was introduced to uStream.tv. Emphasizing the growing "mashup" status of the site, Nicole stated, "We now have live streaming video, as well as interactive chat, that provides our viewers a unique opportunity to learn directly from a professional woodworker."
Marc originally started woodworking as a hobby. With a degree in molecular biology, science was his primary focus. It didn't take long for Marc to realize that what began as a hobby was quickly becoming near-obsession. He spent his every spare moment practicing and teaching himself the core techniques needed to build fine custom furniture. Realizing the value and need for formal instruction, Marc enrolled in various classes and eventually had the good fortune of apprenticing with David Marks. A move to Arizona presented Marc with a unique opportunity for a career change. He left the biotech industry and began woodworking full-time, as well as offering one-on-one woodworking classes in his shop. Marc is now fortunate enough to follow his two passions, making fine custom furniture and sharing his knowledge and techniques with others.
Historically, a woodworker apprenticed with a master. Learning daily under the master woodworker's tutelage, the apprentice eventually became the master. Unfortunately, we don't do the apprentice-master thing too much these days. Most woodworking is done as a hobby, for enjoyment, and most people don't have the time or access to study with professional woodworking masters. Thankfully, though, we have the Internet to bring down those barriers to entry. Because of current technologies, it is now possible for woodworkers to interact with communities of other woodworkers and get a direct look inside a professional woodworking shop. What really sets apart the Internet as a media platform, though, is the interactive aspect. Not only can a visitor see what Marc is doing in his shop, but the chat room discussions often spur Marc into impromptu tutorials directly from viewer requests.
"The Wood Whisperer is the best wood working site I've come across. Besides the always entertaining and informative podcasts, the chat room (which allows you to share ideas with a rapidly growing number of viewing woodworkers), and episodes of Woodtalk Online (a radio format podcast w/fellow woodworker Matt Vanderlist). I get to watch a professional in his shop, see his mistakes and how he fixes them. He will, at times, stop everything and answer viewer questions or give an impromptu class on veneering, dovetailing, etc." says Victor Hubbard of Pasco, WA.
"Marc is one of the smartest and funniest guys I know. Pretty much anything he does will be interesting, informative and make you laugh out loud. He happens to know a heck of a lot about woodworking, so that just sweetens the deal," proclaimed Matt Petty of Riverside, CA, owner of several original pieces by Spagnuolo.
The Wood Whisperer is an award winning podcast (Best of iTunes 2006 Staff Favorites) that is released semi-monthly. To watch the podcasts, or for more information, please visit TheWoodWhisperer.com.
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Contact
The Wood Whisperer
Nicole Pitts
623-853-1330
thewoodwhisperer.com
Nicole Pitts
623-853-1330
thewoodwhisperer.com
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