Latest articles by Frank Beacham
Armstrong’s Legacy Lingers in New York
"Armstrong was technically brilliant. Many of his ideas were truly great. He came up with solutions that others of us would not have considered." – Renville McMann
WTC Tragedy Rewrites Broadcast History
In a frightening instant -- punctuated with an eerie funnel of black smoke on a clear September morning -- New York City's skyline changed forever and with it did the history of broadcasting.
The Loss of Serendipity
Internet users are now spending more time concentrating on fewer Web sites. This means, as the novelty wears off and habits set in, the serendipity of random Web surfing is in decline.
PC, Internet Woes Deepen
In this winter of discontent, an economic freeze is putting the hard bite on personal computer sales and Internet specialty companies.
Peering Into the Future of Streaming Media
Rapid-fire developments in streaming media have come so fast in the past 5 years that those who follow the nascent industry find themselves in a constant time warp.
Pocketable, Reliable Plug-‘n’-Play USB Memory
Although USB is portrayed by the PC industry as a simple plug-‘n’-play method for daisy-chaining computer peripherals, the reality is that some devices stubbornly refuse to work as promised.
Desktop Television Gets Big Boost
Two significant developments early this year foretell the future of television.
New Internet Content Creation and Distribution Apps Debut
One of the neat things about the Internet is that people are constantly coming up with new things to do with it.
DTV's Cuckoo Nest and the Public Interest
Getting a firm grasp on DTV in the days before NAB2001 is a bit like trying to stab a mound of Jell-O with a fork. When you think you've got it, the darn thing slips away again.
A Gutsy Kennard Faces Down Broadcasters
Bill Kennard is not what you’d call a great orator. He lacks the inspiring delivery and populist charisma that are hallmarks of a winning political figure.
The (Re)Selling of Interactive TV
Observe the electronics industry long enough and you might note an interesting phenomenon: Failed high-tech products rarely die; they are just reintroduced ... again and again and again.
Copyright Protection: Be Careful What You Believe
It’s one thing to inflate piracy figures, but the MPAA and RIAA have far more dangerous ideas for the future.
The Impact of Mobile Technology
Who could have predicted that Apple's iPhone would forever change television and democratize the way the nation receives its news and information?
Answering the Next Generation's Question
One of the interesting things about getting older and having survived as a freelancer is that younger people ask for advice.
A Perfect Storm Hits Media Businesses
The year 2009 will most certainly go down as an historic turning point in our industry.
The 'Next Big Thing' for Videographers
There are many people with professional video skills who are out of work and looking for new opportunities. If you're one of them, read on.
Apple's iPad and the Future of Video Media
I suspect it is the first step in a grand design that will offer a new multimedia distribution platform that could reinvent the journalism business.
Reporters Take Control Of Their Future
The need for well-told, accurate news stories has never been greater.
