Music

Some news stories provide a perfect opportunity for a bit of imagination in writing a snappy headline, often with a pun or metaphor. News a few days ago that ad-supported music sharing site Spiralfrog has bitten the dust was one such opportunity as this view of news blog headlines in Techmeme illustrates. The word most [...]

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A little Latin flavour

Published on October 19, 2008 · 2:08 pm UK · 0 comments

in Costa Rica, Entertainment, Events, Music, Society

A part of the world that’s not constantly front-of-mind for many people in the UK is Latin America. One country that’s an integral part of that region is Costa Rica, nowadays a popular holiday destination and a place I call a second home having lived there for much of the 1980s. It’s also my wife’s [...]

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You’re no one if you’re not on Twitter

Published on September 8, 2008 · 9:07 am UK · 18 comments

in Humour, Music, Twitter

It’s nice to start a Monday morning with a bit of a laugh, and what better way to have a laugh today than with this song. If you’re a Twitter user, the lyrics will make you smile. Wry humour by songwriter Ben Walker that shows some insight into this social micro-blogging networking online world that [...]

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Podcasting and digital rights

Published on March 16, 2008 · 1:46 pm UK · 0 comments

in Events, Music, Podcasting, Technology

If you’re a UK-based podcaster and concerned about digital rights, an upcoming event from the UK Podcasters Association (UKPA) may interest you: UKPA is hosting a seminar on rights with the Open Rights Group at the Guardian, Farringdon, London, Saturday March 29th 2pm – 5pm and it would be great if you would come and [...]

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A number of things struck me as I sat in a briefing room in Microsoft’s main London office yesterday morning. The occasion was a press event by Microsoft to announce their vision for online video in Europe including their strategy for MSN Video, its on-demand free video channel on the web. Probably the biggest news [...]

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Maybe a nail in the coffin for the advertising-supported music download business model. From The Times yesterday: A website which promised to give music lovers the world’s first legal file-sharing service was forced into a humiliating climbdown today after it emerged that the company had not secured the backing of the record industry. Qtrax, a [...]

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The case for DRM

Published on August 13, 2007 · 10:50 am UK · 3 comments

in Europe, Music, Society, Technology, Trends, Web

A disturbing but far from surprising trend reported by Reuters: Children in Europe are aware of the risks of illegal downloading, but often rationalize their act by saying that everyone — including their parents — is doing it, according to a major European Commission survey. Other excuses included: the download is for personal and private [...]

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I watched quite a bit of the Live Earth concert at Wembley Stadium yesterday. What a great line-up of singers and music for a spectacular event! Not only in London but also in eight other cities around the world. For me, the absolute highlight of the London gig was Madonna, the closing act of the [...]

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How to receive podcasts on your iPhone

Published on July 3, 2007 · 6:22 pm UK · 4 comments

in Innovation, Music, Podcasting, Software, Web

No sooner has the iPhone hit the streets across the United States than a smart podcaster has developed a way to iPhone-ify your blog or website so that, if you’re a podcaster, iPhone users can get your podcast on their iPhone. Chris Penn of the Financial Aid Podcast is the man! Chris has developed the [...]

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Random Sunday

Published on July 1, 2007 · 12:35 pm UK · 11 comments

in Experiences, Music, Social Networks, Society, Technology, Web

So I’m still persevering with my zen experiment, even though I know that I’m definitely not an early-morning person. That’s one reason why the idea of the B-Society appeals to me. Still, today has been quite productive so far as I take care of many things I’ve not paid much attention to in recent weeks. Updated [...]

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