Observations from a media center

Well, it's been an interesting day - spending it on the mezzanine overlooking the broadcast studio of a major news network. I'm in MSNBC's studios today with several other "analysts", and we've yet to be really utilized today.

And that's a good thing. I didn't think I'd ever be happy being bored out of my skull, following basically the same thing that you are, on the internet and on TV. But I couldn't be happier, to this point.

As I write this, it's 5PM Eastern time in the U.S., and I'm getting prepared to make a few overseas phone calls. The information that I've been getting has been mostly very positive, and believe me, I'm in the middle of a news pipeline that simply couldn't be any better.

My plans right now are to post updates hourly for the next 6 or 7. I think the next big thing will be GMT rollover, in a little under two hours. That's the one we'll be watching closely.

To this point, things are playing out much as I anticipated, but don't forget that this is a "long haul" issue. However, I don't think there's any question that if we get through the evening unscathed, it's a good omen for the future.

-- Rick Cowles (rick.cowles@msnbc.com), December 31, 1999

-- Critt Jarvis (critt@critt.com), December 31, 1999

Answers

Ok, it's about 7:30 PM - made it through GMT - looking good. I think the greatest concern for GMT was telecommunications, and I just made a phone call to South Africa (gee, I'm glad it's their phone bill, not mine!). Nothing much new to report. Will be on MSNBC between 10 and 10:30.

-- Rick Cowles (rick.cowles@msnbc.com), December 31, 1999.

-- Critt Jarvis (critt@critt.com), December 31, 1999.

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