Bakotopia

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Help me ... help you ... to talk about yourselves *and* Bakotopia!
Topics: Bakersfield media journalism newspapers, Bakotopia, Bakotopia.com, entertainment, Bakotunes
Posted by KeenKernObserver Wed Sep 27, 2006 12:43:24 PDT
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5 responses 20 comments Calling all extroverts, know-it-alls and condescending smartypants:

I am a freelance reporter working on a story about Bakotopia.  Yeah, I know - media coverage on media coverage - we journalists can be a little self-obsessed at times.  But still, Bakotopia is a cool place and represents something that is increasingly rare in journalism - an experiment in getting the community (that's you folks) involved with a newspaper that actually seems to be working.

I've talked to the people behind Bakotopia about why this space was created - but I'd like to hear what the actual users think/feel about this little mini-MySpace.  Thus, I'm hoping to spark a discussion about why it is that you're here.

What does Bakotopia do for you that MySpace or the other innumerable national/international options don't?  What would you like it to do more of?

Is there anything about Bakotopia that you find frustrating?

Oh yeah - the article is for the NAA (Newspaper Association of America) - which is an organization of newspaper publishers on the lookout for anyone doing something smart & innovative.

Thanks in advance for any or all questions, comments and scathing criticism.

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Comment From: MaeQueen

Personally I owe a lot to Matt, Glenda, Spud and all the others that maintain Bakotopia. This is the only place that anyone from Musicians to Regular Joe can come and hang out, post whatever they feel {within reason}, get quality information, Etc. and not be snubbed. I tried posting information, quotes, advo for my band and yes my Paranormal Group {haha} on other web based sites and newspapers and I either had to take out a loan or give up my first born, or just flat out was turned away or ridiculed.I have been in Bakersfield since 1985 and this is the best source of News & Information I have ever seen or been a part of in Bakersfield. And its Free. But I always mention Bakotopia to my clients and fans. It's a wonderful & caring relationship. I love you Bakotopian's! You are the best :) Comment From: matt

All I know is, I have an alibi for anything I'm accused of!!! LOL! Bakotopia is all about the users. If it weren't for them, We'd be nada... Comment From: CorinaEmily

I LOVE Bakotopia! It is a much safer place to come and make friends/advertise/promote than myspace, facebook, and other popular sites. The administrators actually care about the users, and make sure that inappropriate/obsene comments and messages are taken care of without imposing on what others say (I say this from first hand experience). Bakotopia also offers so much more than other popular websites. Bands can display thier music and upcoming shows for everyone to see, and it makes the weekends easier to plan! There's not really anything that I think can make Bakotopia any better, I just love it!!! Comment From: JulieJordanScott

I hope I am neither a know it all or condescending smarty pants, but I am somewhat of an extrovert. I sent you this via email, but here it is again, in case that gets lost in cyber space. There are several things I like the best about Bakotopia. One is it is local... most everyone here, except for the occasional reporter from Los Angeles, is from Bakersfield or the surrounding areas.... that way we can connect, collaborate and create together... and support each other in whatever we are doing. I have met quite a few people "in real life" from Bakotopia and no one yet has been a jerk. This is HUGE! I also appreciate being able to post my activities here, like auditions... which new folks can then hook into the theatre community when they didn't know how else to do it. I have had brand-new-to-town people show up at auditions (and get cast)... and since I am always looking to expand my reach this works beautifully and has less of a risk of falling through the cracks of a huge, monolithic world wide site. I also like seeing what has recently been posted, so if I am away for a while, like I was for the last five or so days, I can see right away what is new and fresh and I don't have to wade through stuff that is no longer relevant. Ok, my flu-ridden-mind says "That's a great start, go back to bed!" so I am going. :-) Comment From: twinkie

I love how it's a "one stop shop". I can log on and blog.... or respond to a blogger. I can sell stuff, buy stuff, and find out when the next big Bakersfield event is happening because Matt will post it on the home page. AND sometimes win free tickets to said event! Also.....Bakotopia works for bands because it's more personal than myspace. I like what Matt said to someone a while back, you don't fill a stadium with myspace friends. You have to start local. On myspace I have the bands friend thing blocked because.. even if I like your music.. no way in hell I'm flying my ass to New York to catch your show at some dive bar. Not gonna happen. But if you friend me on bakotopia.com and I like your stuff... then yeah.. I will probably at some point drive to Bakersfield to catch it. Just like this Sunday I am going to the fair to watch Lihky2. I am actually going to be out of town Saturday night to Sunday... but I'm driving back early to see them. Julie Jordan Scott... I would NEVER have known or been interested in theatre if I didn't "get to know her" through her beautiful, open and honest blogging here in bakotopia.com. More artists need to learn from her example by the way. Reach out and touch your fans. Get personal. Let us get to know you. The one thing I would change about bakotopia.com? I would tell bands to reach out a little more. Don't request to be my friend just because you want to have the most friends. And then never leave me a comment telling me when your next performance is. You're assuming I'm THAT interested in you that I am going to go out of my way to see where you're playing next. Another thing I would change about bakotopia.com is I would have happy hour every day with an all-you-can-eat Twinkie and other Hostess products buffet. :) Comment From: KeenKernObserver

OK, here's what we reporters like to call a follow-up question: Do you think that there are sociological/psychological conditions that are unique to Bakersfield and the surrounding cities that have contributed to the success of Bakotopia? OK, now in plain English: Bakersfield is overshadowed by the colossus to the south: L.A. For both good and ill – but I’ll get back to that. And Bakersfield and the surrounding cities such as Weedpatch or Oildale often crop up as the punchlines to bad jokes (a related subject: what are the best Bakersfield jokes you’ve heard?). So. Do you think that there’s some kind of “us against the world” sentiment at work here? Because there’s nothing like an exterior threat to get people to forget their differences and band together – just like in all the old hack movies where a couple of the minor characters start squabbling, leading to the scene where the Hero stands up as the patriotic music plays and declares something like “We’ve all got to stick together now, or the Redcoats/Nazis/Dean Wormer will just pick us all off, one by one…” Hey - you can even see it in the title bar on this page: "The Bakersfield You've Always Wanted." What does that say to you? That perhaps the Bakersfield you current *do* have is somehow falling short? Hmmmm... Whaddaya think? Comment From: twinkie

I don't know about all that. I'm just here for the free tickets and free music. I listen to bakotunes radio at work and home. And listen to their podcasts on weekends full blast while cleaning. I tried yahoo music before and for some reason it keeps feeding me SLOW POP music. I like some slow pop..but come on... Enough already. Give me some Mento Buru and Zeno and the Stoics and Likyh2 and Throatshot and Flithies and Dirty Spanglish all on one station! Comment From: Chase

I think this site reveals a lot of what you might miss were otherwise. Bakersfield seems void of intelligent life or anyone who is interested in anything other than big trucks and pretending to like Rap because they think it's funny. It doesn't feel like a huge advertisement everytime you get on and when people contact you, they usually have a legitimate reason rather than saying "whats up" [end]. Plus, my band is very grateful to Mr. Matt Munoz esq. for helping my band out. We've been able to gain the attention of people who respect music that takes longer than 3 minutes to hash out and even less time to play. Plus, its nice to read the opinions and thoughts of people from the same community. Comment From: eotds

Yea this place is better than myspace in that the mods are a lot friendlier and social. Bakotopia is a great place in all because it seems more like a good internet home than a source to use for communication. The people are a lot nicer here to. And whats more important is when someone talks about something like an event or so, cus its just limited to around the Bakersfield area, every one knows what one is talking about. Its a good tight connection between everyone and it really helps support the bands like ours :) - Vince :Priest (bassist) Comment From: glenda

I've alreay spoken to you about all this via email but I'd be happy to give you more input if you'd like. I just wanted to thank everybody for commenting and supporting Bakotopia. It's the people that make this the best online community around! Comment From: bigrkent

I don't reply to many posts,I'm not that much of a writer,but I feel I need to let you know how thankfull I am for Bakotopia being here in Bakersfield.I was looking for local some musicians to jam with.I happened to type in local bakersfild musicians and Bakotopia came up.I checked out the site and saw it was what I was looking for.I created a profile and made a post.I happened to be reading some of the ad's that were posted while I was waiting for a reply and came across one that I just had to reply too.I hooked up with the coolest guys and we formed a band.Now that we have been together for awhile we are useing Bakotopia to get the word out about us.Bakotopia has alot to offer Bakersfield and the Kern area.Richard Comment From: Calcaneous

I really like the fact that we can connect with our community and promote our music. There has been a Calcaneous page on Myspace for about a year now and it has only generated about 50 hits until recently, and most of those were ours. Our Bakotopia site has been up for only about six weeks and has generated nearly 1000 legitimate hits. You can't argue with results like that. I also really like the information about our community too. Matt and the crew have done a bang up job in keeping the content current and up to date. There are always plenty of photos and write-ups after the latest happenings and events in Bakersfield and that is very cool. I also like that the home page is actually informational and not just full of worthless ads. I can't thank Matt and his crew enough for their efforts. Bakotopia is a great place to be! Stanley Jay Tucker Comment From: matt

Thanks to everyone who's been commenting. It's GREATLY appreciated! Like I said, without the users who keep Bakotopia hot, we'd be gone by now. Thanks, Muchas Gracias, Merci', Danka, baby!! Comment From: twinkie

What did Glenda have to say via email? Inquiring minds want to know..... :) Comment From: CorinaEmily

The Follow Up Response: I don't think that Bakersfield is necessarily (sp) lacking at anything, just that it's not quite perfect. "The Bakersfield you always wanted" (I think) refers more to the idea that the site is about great music, shows, events, and people. Bakotopia gets rid of the ever present statement of "I have nothing to do this weekend," because there's ALWAYS a show to go to, an audition, a good movie, or even just a chill place to kickback. I don't think that Bakersfield is any different from other towns, but Bakotopia kind of opens up doors to things you may not have known were there. Comment From: doctormason

Because I have only around 70 friends connected to me, I'm certainly no expert, know-it-all and/or condescending smartypants. Extroverted fits me about as well as it does many others online here in this niche market.

In my opinion, Bakotopia.com is relatively unknown and would really take off if other locals knew of its existance. When I email locals (CA), I try to remember to invite them here even if they're not interested in whatever I happen to be emailing them about.

Word of mouth. Viral advertising. Encouraging others to "email this page". As I'm a "status seeker", Bakotopia.com allows me the opportunity to be in the list of "the most connected". And seeing that you have only "a few" friends, it wouldn't hurt you to add me to your list.

Comment From: glenda

I said a bunch of stuff but the over all message that it is appealing to have a local website to talk about local things and perhaps meet local people. We are very into community in Bakersfield. Comment From: JulieJordanScott

I am going to attempt to cover your follow up question, at least a little bit. I lived in L.A. when I got out of college, and Bakersfield was about the last place on the list of where I wanted to go. Circumstances landed me here and I fell into the swirling vortex of Bakersfield and wasn't able to get out, or so it seemed. And then I discovered the arts - yes, the arts! here in Bakersfield... and everything changed. I went from lamenting, "There is no one here who 'gets' me, there is no one here 'like' me," to "Look at all these great people I am meeting!" I share with others about all the stuff I am up to and they are amazed that Bakersfield has so much going on. One of my friends from L.A. came to a play I was in recently and she said, "I can't believe it, I have to come to Bakersfield from L. A. to see great theatre!" (She has come here for three different productions I have been involved with and what always impresses here is the passion of the performers on stage, among other things.) Sure, I get frustrated with things about Bakersfield... but I get frustrated with things everywhere. I don't think this will be my permanent home, either - and sometimes I am shocked I have been here this long... but the people I know here are some great folks who are up to some great things... and are focused on making this place better. My heart can follow that intention, and add to it with my own little bit of "making Bakersfield better." One of my friends and recent transplants from Long Beach was saying recently "I love this town!" So yes, it is possible! Comment From: spud

You all are bringing tears to this potato's eyes, or R2 robot eyes or whatever. Hearing you talk about what Bakotopia is doing for you makes us all very happy, because this is EXACTLY what we'd hoped for when we started the site almost two years go. It really is all about you, the users, and we're delighted to see that you understand that and are using Bakotopia to meet, connect and share with others in Bakersfield. You all rock. And yes, Matt Munoz is the kingpin and evangelist extraordinaire! He has taken this site to an entirely new level. - BEEP! Spud. Comment From: matt

THANKS EVERYONE! again, and again, and again, and again, again, again....and AGAIN!!! :)