topicalhuman.com

Amazon is apparently going to launch their DRM free music store globally this year. It has the four ‘major’ labels, and a plethora of independent labels on board. And they’ll work with most devices, specifically of interest to me is the iPod.

Should be good.

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Now playing: The Distillers - Seneca Falls
via FoxyTunes

Hugh writes about a friend who he thinks would benefit enormously from releasing her unpublished novel in serialised form via a blog. He reckons she would probably have a publishing deal within six months, especially if she released it in English as well as her native French.

I think he is probably right. Not that I’m an authority on such matters, of course - there are no absolutes. However it would be worth a shot since she hasn’t seemed to have any luck with the more traditional methods of getting published.

But…

…it makes me wonder about my personal favourite online author, Cheeseburger Brown. This guy has an excellent way with words, and most importantly, has great idea’s and a natural knack for storytelling. Sure, he could do with a professional editor, but his many fans love him nonetheless. He has released a few books, self published through Lulu (nothing wrong with that!). But WHY!?!? oh why aren’t publishers beating a path to his door, and pounding his front door off it’s hinges?

I’ll tell you right now, if I walked into my local bookstore, and saw a full length novel by Mr Brown, I’d buy it. And that is an absolute.

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Now playing: Lou Reed - Satellite of Love
via FoxyTunes

Brisbane Bullets captain Sam MacKinnon is out for the rest of the season. Damn! This will make it tough for the Bullets to defend their NBL title. However, I’m not writing them off just yet. With players like CJ Bruton and Ebi Ere the Bullets will beat any team that aren’t at their absolute best.

Don’t believe me? Fair enough if you don’t. But perhaps you should re-acquaint yourself with what Mr Ere (in particular) is capable of. Check out this video from last year…

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Now playing: Frank Sinatra - My Way
via FoxyTunes

Right now, I’m shuffling around the house and listening to Triple J broadcast (via the interweb) the 2007 Hottest 100. The stream cuts out for a few seconds every couple of minutes, but it’s better than a kick in the shins, especially given I don’t have a conventional radio at the moment.

If that isn’t enough to keep you entertained, check out that wacky Tom Cruise getting totally excited about Scientology. Kudos to Gawker for not bowing to legal bullying and continuing to host the video.

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Now playing: “triplej 2″
via FoxyTunes

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Now playing: Front End Loader - Pulse
via FoxyTunes

I had an awesome day last Sunday.

Jules organised a surprise day out, and after lunch at her place, she took me to the Andy Warhol exhibition at the Gallery of Modern Art here in Brisbane. I really enjoyed it. I had wanted to go - although I’m not an expert on his work, I’ve admired the simplicity and accessibility of much of Warhol’s work. There is something for everyone there, and I think even casual art fans will enjoy it.

After taking out time at the Gallery, and catching up with some friends for coffee, we went had had an early tea - fish and chips in the park. Nice! This was followed by a visit to the Moonlight Cinema. And what movie was showing? Only my favourite movie of all time, “The Blues Brothers“.

Awesome!

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Now playing: Ray Charles - Georgia On My Mind
via FoxyTunes

In my last post, I added a bonus link for the Top 25 Video Clips for 2007, according to Readers of Rolling Stone magazine. I hadn’t seen them all at that point, but now I have, and here are my thoughts on the ones I liked, and a few besides, in no particular order.

#2 Feist, performing “1, 2, 3, 4″ - Very catchy pop ditty; very uplifting. The simple single shot concept works superbly, the colours work extremely well, and the choreography was perfect for the song, and well-performed.

#3 Modest Mouse, performing “Dashboard” - Another great song from Modest Mouse, and a fanciful, funny and engaging clip.

#9 Bat For Lashes, performing “What’s a Girl To Do” - A slightly dark video, it seemed to me like it would fit into a David Lynch film. Loved the BMX’s, but I found the giant bunnies riding them scary. The song could really grow on me.

#21 Jill Scott, performing “Hate on Me” - I love the voice Ms. Scott possesses - she builds it up, and rips it down, and does it always right on time. A good clip that really suits the message of the song. Soulful and Funky.

#20 Battles, performing “Atlas” - One of the strangest songs, and best videos. The revolving room is a cool concept. A very unique sound, but I think I like it. I would like to hear more of them. The wah-wah vocals are far out!

#15 The Go! Team, performing “Grip Like Vice” - A clever title, wicked beats, high energy vocals and something to say makes this one of my favourite songs on the list. The fact it has a very cool video just added to my enjoyment.

#16 Tool, performing “Vicarious” - Ummm, this could ruin your day. Another brutally agonised song from Tool. It uses real news foootage, and takes segments from other music video’s. I recognised a few, but only know by name the part from the “Come to Daddy” video by Aphex Twin (that video is itself a scary thing). The combination of these elements and some other confronting footage makes this a powerful, powerful video clip that is very, very depressing, but is pretty much spot on with what it is trying to say.

All in all, I wasn’t that impressed with most of the clips. While I love a really good music video, I still firmly believe that if the song sucks to start with, nothing you can do with a video camera is going to improve the end result.

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Now playing: Nena - 99 Luffballons
via FoxyTunes

I was really impressed with this story dg linked to about the Pearl Jam song, Alive. Lead Singer Eddie Vedder explains how the audience, through their positivity and participation, changed the meaning of the song, for themselves, and ultimately for Vedder himself.

[Bonus Link] Rolling Stones Readers Top 25 video clips of 2007

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Now playing: Ella Fitzgerald - Undecided
via FoxyTunes

Sun announced yesterday that they are acquiring the MySQL database platform. This is big news to followers and supporters of open software. Sun boss Jonathan Schwartz has the details on his blog. Even more importantly (and fairly predictably, I suppose) is that they are offering Global Support services for the MySQL platform. This will make it an even more attractive option to CTO’s and CIO’s of large organisations. I would imagine this is good news for Sun partners all over the world.

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Now playing: Midnight Oil - US Forces
via FoxyTunes

I just read an article by one of my favorite tech authors, Bruce Schneier, on wired.com that asks if you run a security risk by leaving your home Wi-Fi open and free for others to use.

I’ve always left my Wi-Fi password protected etc at home, but I can see many good points to leaving it open. But I guess I’m still worried that something bad could happen. I’m not a tech guru, and I worry about doing things that could lead to something needing fixing later. In tech matters, I often take the path that less potential ’surprises’.

Nonetheless, after reading this article, I wonder if I do indeed have anything to worry about. As Bruce points out, the computer you (I) use needs to be secure regardless of whether we’re running Open or Closed Wi-Fi.

What do you security conscious techs out there think? I’d love to know. Jimbo? Ben?

P.S. dg pointed towards this online backup - has anyone used it, or have an educated opinion of the service?

[28/01/08] P.P.S. dg gives us reason #1 why mozy sucks.

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Now playing: Powderfinger - Stumblin’
via FoxyTunes