As per usual I am sitting in Starbucks on my unibody Macbook Pro sipping a ‘Grandé Zen Full Leaf Tea’. I’ve been reading article upon article about Apple’s new mobile device- The iPad. Based on the amount of coverage it has received in the passed weeks I think it’s safe to say that you have seen it, or at least heard of it. For clarification you can find more information here, there, and everywhere. The speculative reviews [not many people have actually seen let alone touched one] are in and the results are mixed. Some people see it as a XL iPod Touch, some see it as a gimped netbook. I see it as opportunity. I see it as a new product that shouldn’t be compared to anything passed. It’s all new, it’s fresh, and the possibilities are endless. One question that I heard time and time again regarding the iPad: “What do I do with it?” I don’t know about you, but I can see many uses for the iPad, and can justify it in many ways. Let’s look at my typical schedule, and how an iPad could settle into it.
Where I'm At
About the author
You've found me where I'm at, and now this is where you are, and where you're looking. I'm glad you're here now, because I have a lot to tell you. Enjoy my thinking, my thoughts, and if you want to find more than look below. I'm everywhere.
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On The Current State Of Digital Media.
Here I sit, Friday night, and I am at Starbucks listening to the latest offering from Souther Rap Star - ‘Lil’ Wayne’. “Weezy” decided to shake up the “rap game” by releasing a Rock album. Now, it’s pretty good. I mean, I’m happy to listen to it, and I have - multiple times. It won’t win a Grammy or even have a chance at being nominated, but it entertains me, and that’s what counts. That’s what music is.
As I’m sure you’ve heard and seen, there is a lot of frustration regarding the iPad [Apple], the Kindle [Amazon], and the Publishers of the eBooks many of you read. If you don’t here is the lowdown (skip if you know what’s up) :
THE LOWDOWN: Basically Apple isn’t going to have a fixed price on the eBooks offered in it’s digital bookstore. This is completely contrary to Amazon (The #1 in eBook distributors) who restricts publishers to a sliding price chart which only allows publishers to sell at a maximum of 9.99 for a New Release / Bestseller. Long story short, the publishers are essentially threatening to leave Amazon if they don’t follow suit with Apple. Amazon, and Kindle users are in uproar.
So, with that in mind, and with the Lil’ Wayne metaphor let’s sit at a distance and evaluate this. Not from an eBook standpoint. Not from a music standpoint. After the jump let’s look a digital media as a whole.
NEW FACEBOOK INTERFACE
I have been waiting on a new facebook interface for a few months now. I had seen some screenshots of this awhile ago, but now that it’s here - I’m impressed. It’s a lot more integrated. The previous version seemed like a cheesy toolbar tossed on top of a regular web page. The new style works well through and through. Nav on the left. Suggestions and Reminders on the right. News in the center, and notifiers up top. Seems solid. I’m awaiting the inevitable hate groups that will follow. We’ll see. Later.
I spent the passed few days in Tweed, Ontario- A place many of you may never have an opportunity to see. I met a fantastic man of whom I grew quite fond of over the last few days. He shared many stories of his upbringing, his shenanigans, and his travels. We found an old slide projector, and started exploring his travels through his photographs. This man, is a pilot, a great driver, and a world traveller. He has been very successful in his life, travelled to many lands including Egypt, Switzerland, Holland, and Lebanon and today he resides back in his hometown of Tweed, Ontario. His name is Robert. He has had Cerebral Palsy since he was four years old, and never has that stopped him from accomplishing more than me, and I’m sure many of you reading this. To Robert. It was a pleasure to have met you.
@johnzanussi of college humor hooked me up with an invite to the beta release of “flavors.me” a service that basically aggregates your online existence. It syncs with all your favourite social networks and brings them all to one trendy page that you can use as a base, or a portfolio, or whatever works for you. Check out mine here, and check out some other great designs here. Enjoy.
And $100,000 Grand Prize goes to…
Marko Slavnic, a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin!
@chasejarvis @rainnwilson and @iJustine have announced that this video entitled “Chicken vs. Penguin”. A sweet story of two advertising mascots who battle to the death, and inevitably fall for each other. All said, and done in 140 seconds. Check it out, and enjoy!
Cannot Get Sicker x Adam Green
You know the feeling that you just have too much music? I have had this album for a year or so, and never heard this song. I feel deprived. Enjoy!
It’s still cool and trendy to help haiti, so if you haven’t done so yet, I would truly suggest it. It’s too easy to do, so there isn’t any excuse. No debit, no credit, no cash, just text the number and it’s billed to your cell phone contract. I’ve donated $15, and every cent counts. Someday this could be us.
→ Text “HAITI” to 90999 to make an instant $10 donation to the Red Cross for aid and supplies.
→ You can also text “YELE” to 501501 to donate $5 to the relief fund.
→ Click the photo to donate any amount online here at the Red Cross’s website.
→ Find a blood drive and, if you qualify to do so, donate blood. You can also volunteer to help with the blood drive, if you do not. You can check the requirements on the Red Cross’s website, linked in the above bullet.
→ Contact your local division of the Red Cross or other disaster relief efforts to find out how you can donate money or supplies, or how to organize a drive for these things at your workplace and/or college. If you’re in high school, a drive may already be being organized — check with your activities office or guidance counselors about how you can get involved.
Incomplete Manifesto for Growth
From Bruce Mau’s Website: Written in 1998, the Incomplete Manifesto is an articulation of statements exemplifying Bruce Mau’s beliefs, strategies and motivations. Collectively, they are how we approach every project.
What is Photography to you?
To me, Photography is about documenting and archiving your interpretation of an event. See, Capture, Present, Expose, Embrace.
