We have been working hard on episode 3, but unfortunately I won’t have any behind the scenes images for you tonight. I don’t want to spoil anything for the launch on October 5th. Do I need to keep saying that, you guys do know we release every 5th right?

Ok, big news, I’ve totally re-done the Episodes page. I think it looks a lot better, and no more trying to find a working mirror. That’s right, DNS has synced and Hak5.tv (not Hak5.org) is being hosted on another ISP to handle the direct downloads. Yay! Now that we have a single download server I can start the wonderfully fun adventure of getting us listed on iTunes, among others. I’m sure it will be an absolute breeze, I mean, it’s Apple’s site right? It should be a walk in the park, with our good friend RSS, and happy bunnies will be bouncing all about the screen while cheerfully exclaiming their love for open standards and freedom. Joy!

But first, I’m off to play with Broadcast Machine. Hopefully that Video-CMS will allow us to organize our episodes, teasers, half-week-hacks, etc, all in one spiffy environment while also providing everyone with an RSS feed for their favorite podcatcher. Let’s just hope it’s compatible with everyone’s feed requirements.

Alright, thanks everyone for the continued feedback. We’re really excited about releasing episode 3. Only 2 weeks away! Ooh, I guess that means I should get back to editing.

–Darren

All sorts of goodies to go over tonight hacklings, so lets get right to it.

After an intense brainstorming meeting with the entire crew we’ve finalized segments for episode 3 and started filming. Wess is coming to us with two amazing mods. We’re also introducing two new segments, one with Harrison based on Security, and something special with Alli. She’s ditching the “Chick-Tips” for a longer, more creative and energy filled segment.

Second big announcement, we’re moving to a new web host. We’ve worked out a great deal with an awesome ISP who will be providing us with the terabytes we need to do great new things like 1. Offer a single, reliable, direct download link. 2. Get listed on iTunes, woohoo. And 3. Offer a RSS feed for your podcatching clients that don’t support Bit Torrent. More on that as the move progresses. And while we’re talking about it, I’d like to thank konefku and everyone who provided mirrors while we were getting off the ground. I can whole heartedly say we have the most awesome fans!

Third, we finally have T-Shirts available. We’re currently doing them through cafepress as we don’t have the capital to produce and distribute them ourselves, however we’ve kept the prices as low as possible. With every T-Shirt purchase, Hak.5 gets a dollar profit. That may not sound like much at first, but keep in mind that one dollar can go a long way in the cheap domestic beer department. And you know those beers are a driving factor in the show. Or at very least they power the out-takes . The fronts have the Hak.5 logo, and the backs of two of them have “Trust Your Technolust” across the backs. Spiffy. For the cost of one T-Shirt, you too can sponsor a needy IPTV actor. For less than a cup of coffee, you can provide these starving artists with the alcoholic nourishment they need.

Fourth, we’ve got a hotline. Feel free to call in with your questions, comments, segment ideas, or pranks. The number is (206) 338-HAK5. That’s (206) 338-4255.

Fifth… Well, I’ll let Alli take this one. See the video below:

If you don’t have Macromedia Flash installed or the video above isn’t working, a Quicktime version can be downloaded here

So, now that all that stuff is out of the way, here are some highlights from last nights mod shoot with Wess:

1000 watt work lights, $30. DV tapes, $14. Getting to wear latex gloves for a mod with Wess, priceless.

Alli is now our official production notes photographer. As you can see we’re using a Sony HC-85. Buy 8 thousand T-Shirts and we’ll be able to upgrade to the Canon XL2.

Words cannot express how happy I am to have these for queuing and editing purposes

Lastly, thank you for all of the feedback in the forums, email, blog, and polls. We’re getting better at this all the time and we’re having a blast trying new things. Let us know what you think about “Half-Week-Hacks” between episodes in the poll on the left.

–Darren

Please bear with us as we revamp the site. We’ll be making major updates to the cast and episodes pages shortly. And hopefully the new design will allow us to cover the costs of hosting and equiptment. Shoot us an email if you have questions, comments, or suggestions.

EDIT: Welcome Slashdotters. Good news Hak.5 fans, we’ve worked out a deal with an ISP that will be providing us with the terabytes of bandwidth we need to continue the show. And as many of you have asked, yes, this means we will be doing iTunes shortly. We just finished shooting a mod segment for episode 3 and we’ll have production notes online tomorrow. Many more great announcements coming as well. So again, welcome slashdotters, check out the episodes page, and hopefully the server won’t melt!

EDIT (again): I’ve installed the WP-Cache 2.0 plugin and everything seems smooth now. Maybe we won’t melt after all.

Thanks,

–Darren

First off, thanks go out to everyone who watched the show and provided such awesome feedback. We are thrilled that everyone enjoyed the show, which gives us a ton of energy for the next episode. Thank you so much for everyone who is seeding the bit torrent file, which helps tremendously. And everyone who provided mirrors, you rule!

I know that at least a handful of people are having problems playing the h.264 version, mainly on mac with quicktime. If VLC, Mplayer, etc aren’t working for you please let us know. We’re trying to find the perfect codec for everyone. Until then I’ve added a Quicktime version of episode 2. You can find the links on the episodes page.

–Darren

Wow, I can’t believe we’re still working on the show. Between taking a week vacation and shooting 4 segments which won’t even make final cut, it’s no wonder I’m up the night before release doing post video. At least everything is on the timeline. Boy I could use a quad-opteron with 4 gigs of ram and 15K RPM SCSIs right about now.

Glue. Our favorite part of the show

Alrighty, that’s all for now. Back to editing.

–Darren

Alaska is beautiful. If you ever get a chance to visit, don’t leave without at least a 28mm lens. Today we took a hike and shot a quick piece for episode 2 in the rain. Fun stuff.

I would like to give big thanks for SSID: Linksys for generously providing bandwidth while I’ve been here. It’s a bummer Sprint PCS has not rolled out Vision wireless-web service in the area.

10 more days ‘till show time! See you on the 5th.

–Darren

The last segment has been edited. As you can see the set is really starting to shape up. I fly out to Alaska tomorrow morning and will return to the Hak.5 lair a week later. Then we’ll wrap up the episode with the “glue” and release on the 5th. We should have some interesting announcements after that release as well. Stay tuned.

No fruits were harmed during the production of this segment

PS: September 5th is Labor Day. Hopefully we’ll all be off work so we can do something special for the release. If only we didn’t have to work so we could do the show weekly .

Last night we turned on the webcam pointed at the Hak.5 studio during the shooting of two segments. We had a blast but have since taken down the cam. If your tuning in late, sorry you missed it, I’m sure we’ll do it again.

Jon and I do a quick segment to be taken with a grain of salt

After 3 segment reshoots and 6 DV tapes we’re almost done with Ep 2. Half of the Hak.5 cast is on vacation this week but we’re really excited about filming the last bit and getting this thing out the door. Thanks so much for the feedback, votes, diggs, and seeds.

Head over to the episodes page to download the teaser for episode 2. Of course the official release will be September 5th.

Two pizza pies and a microphone. Where it’s at

The lights just turned off, on, and off again. We’d love to know who hacked us first. A free t-shirt awaits. Email info@hak5.org with IP address for verification with the subject “Winner”

You know who you are. Now turn ‘em back on

Aren’t eastereggs fun?

http://www.digg.com/technology/Hak.5_remote_lighting_script_got_HAKED.1

Head over to the episodes page to check out the Hak.5 pilot episode trailer.

Edit: Welcome Diggers. As you can see the Pilot episode debuts this Friday, until then check out the Trailer, and thanks for the diggs.