In retrospect, we really should have known better.
We’d entered the task under the assumption that it would be fairly easy to find a solution we wanted. This was because theoretically, what we were doing should have been a simple task: screen sharing a particular video to a pre-selected and thus very limited audience via a private channel. The problem came in that the particular clip we wanted said audience to see was only available on a DVD, and our normal sharing system only allowed sharing through a very limited and specific set of online media sources. One might not be able to accomplish a certain task with a specific tool, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t solutions out there – the phrase “it can’t be done” is a cop-out for lazy people who don’t want to take the time to see a problem to its resolution.
In the 21st century, for our particular task we had at our disposal a ridiculous amount of programs and services to help us render a solution – if you know what to look for.* Fortunately for me, the web ninja is one of those souls who not only has enough experience to know what to look for in this type of problem, but is also one of those inquisitive minds that, when presented with a problem of interest, latches on until a satisfactory solution is found. While I don’t have his wealth of technical expertise, I am the type who is willing to learn and research and try new things to make non-working things work and make working things more efficient. Our powers were combining on one of those rare unicorns of a rainy Saturday where neither one of us had anything particular we had to do. The plan was to come up with a bunch of potential solutions, start by trying the simplest one first. Once we had a solution that worked the way we wanted, the reward was to be a sneak pre-viewing of what is potentially the Greatest Video to Grace The Eyes of RCM Staff Ever (the few clips I did get to see at various points were everything I hoped they would be).
As the saying goes, the best laid plans often go awry. In spite of all our contingencies, what actually took place was a seven and a half hour odyssey of WTF moments and odd occurrences that might have caused lesser persons to quit. Thankfully, RCM staffers are made of tougher stuff than most. In a strange way, though, it was one of those situations where the journey, even with its frustrations, was more interesting than if we’d have just succeeded on our first attempt. I got to see the web ninja in full-out problem-solving teamwork mode, and watching him work through tasks in real-time, it becomes clear why he’s one of the best at what he does. On the flip, Hax got to see the strange little obstacles that crop up any time I’m working directly with technology (I am not crazy after all!) and how I handle different situations as they arise as well. If nothing else, having those insights into members of one’s core team prove invaluable when working through future projects – not just for getting the job done, but for keeping each other going. It’s one of the reasons Killer and I can tag back and forth so easily with whatever we’re working on for On Tap, and how Varyar and I take turns keeping each other level-headed when our tempers flare. When you take a step back and look at the ways people interact with one another in different situations, it isn’t hard to tell which projects and ventures will ultimately become successful and which will not.
As for the video problem, we did eventually persevere, though not with enough time left to enjoy the fruits of our labors (there’s always Friday). Even so, I learned a bunch of new things, got a lot more projects set up for the next few weeks, and overall had a rather enjoyable afternoon. Like a super-secret impromptu MCR concert, it was time well spent.
*For those of you who are thinking “why didn’t you just use Skype?,” the short answer is “because I didn’t want to give Hax an aneurysm.” I’ll let him explain his feelings on that service in one of his own articles.
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