Where is open source headed, and what forces are shaping the direction of the open web? In this episode of Channel 4, Bob Dunn talks directly to listeners about a shift in the content focus.
After over eight years of highlighting individual builders and product launches, Open Channels FM is moving toward broader conversations. Philosophy, trends, and the bigger picture of what’s happening in open source today. Bob Dunn explains how the network’s shows will sharpen their approach to stay relevant and engaging, inviting you to join in as we explore not just the stories behind the projects, but the landscape that connects them all.
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Takeaways
- Shift in Content Focus: Bob explained that Open Channels FM is moving away from primarily featuring product launches and demos toward broader conversations about open source and the direction of the open web.
- Historical Context: Bob shared that the podcast has been running for over 8 years and initially focused on giving builders and makers a platform to share what they were working on.
- Bigger Picture Conversations: Bob emphasized a new interest in discussing deeper topics such as the philosophy of open source, the forces shaping the open web, and overarching industry trends, rather than just individual journeys.
- Evolution Not Overhaul: Bob clarified that this is a natural evolution rather than a complete overhaul, with the hosts already gravitating toward deeper discussions.
- Role of Builders Remains Important: Bob stressed that builders and makers are not being excluded; rather, their stories will be part of a broader context, focusing more on mindset and work than just products.
- Show-Specific Changes: Bob outlined that “Open Web Conversations” will dive more into big-picture thinking, “Open Maker” will maintain the builder focus but shift toward mindset and process, “Open Channels News” will remain mostly unchanged, and “Channel 4” will continue as a catchall for miscellaneous content.
- Invitation for Feedback: Bob closed by inviting listeners to share their thoughts on these shifts, reinforcing a commitment to the audience and the open ethos of the podcast.
Episode Transcript
Bob:
Hey everyone, Bob here. I have something I wanted to talk through with you directly, our listeners, a shift that’s been happening across Open Channels FM.
So a quick bit of history first. We’ve been at this about, oh man, 8 years or more. More than 8 years, I should say. And for most of that time, we’ve done well with giving builders a platform, people who are making plugins, running agencies, launching stuff, and they all come on and tell us the story, what they built, why they built it. A lot of great conversations came out of that, and we have the archives to prove it.
But here’s where my head’s been at lately. The space literally out there is full. Everybody’s got something to launch, something to demo. And I’ve just found myself thinking a little bit differently. I’m interested more in the bigger stuff. What’s actually going on in open source? Where’s the open web headed? What’s pulling it in different directions and why?
Now, this isn’t some overnight decision, something I laid in bed last night thinking, oh, let’s do that. I’ve been chewing on it for a while. And honestly, our hosts are already doing this, or they’re getting really close to it. So this is more or less just me drawing some lines around what we’re turning into more than some huge overhaul of our content.
Now, what’s worth pointing out, Open Channels News has actually been showing the way here. And it’s still pretty new itself. It’s fast, it’s focused on what’s actually happening. And that’s the kind of model I’m pointing the rest of the network towards.
So it’s actually changing. Less, here’s my product, here’s my service, here’s the newest thing. I’m looking at more real conversation, more philosophy, more just talking through where open source and the open web are at, and where they’re going. Kind of stepping away from, let me tell you the journey of building this specific thing. Of course, the way conversations go, our hosts and guests will always mention things they’re working on. And that’s great because that’s part of the bigger picture. It just won’t be the whole picture anymore.
And look, I want to be clear on what this isn’t. We’re not ditching builders and makers, not at all. It’s more of a sharper angle than an exit, and it’s definitely not moving us away from what you all come here for. If anything, I think it’s getting us closer. More and more people are looking at things differently and wanting to see the bigger picture of what’s out there.
Now, real quick, since this hits each show a little bit differently, let me kind of walk you through that, and I promise this will be quick. We have Open Web Conversations, which is leaning even more into that big picture and where things are headed. Open Makers is still the builder show. That’s the one place we’re keeping that focus, but even there it’s shifting towards a mindset and the work, not just a specific product or service. Open Channels News, honestly, it’s not changing much. It’s like I said, fairly new. It’s already doing what we’re moving towards. And in a nutshell, Channel 4 is still Channel 4, the place for whatever doesn’t fit anywhere else.
So really, that’s the update. 8 years of putting builders front and center got us here, and I think this next stretch is just a natural next step, not some reset. Be interested in what you think about it.
Thanks for listening, and thanks for sticking around through it. Until the next time, take care.
