|
 |
Wednesday, May 08, 2002 |
"Most video games tend to get the pulse racing, but researchers in Dublin, Irish Republic, are working on developing games to help calm people.
Gary McDarby and his MindGames team at MediaLab Europe are looking at using gaming technology to aid people suffering from depression or trauma.
In their latest project, called Brainchild, you try to unlock a door simply through your brain waves.
"You are playing a video game but hopefully over time you would learn what is it that helps you relax," explained Dr McDarby....
One of games is a two-player dragon racing game called Relax To Win.
The idea is simple. Two electrodes are attached to a player's fingers and as the person relaxes, their dragon moves faster.
The game uses galvanic skin response technology which works measuring the ability of the skin to conduct electricity. This changes as a person relaxes or tenses up and forms the basis for lie detector tests." [BBC News Sci/Tech, via Slashdot]
11:41:25 PM Permanent link here
|
|
"The song may sound familiar at first, thanks to the unmistakable guitar riff from Nirvana's classic "Smells Like Teen Spirit."
But, suddenly, the recording changes course when, instead of the gravelly voice of Kurt Cobain, the smooth R&B harmonies of a Destiny's Child hit appear on top of the grunge music. As the recording moves on, it is clear that the song is neither fish nor fowl; it is a crossbreed that neither band ever intended, or even dreamed of.
It is something that is completely different, often illegal and, thanks to the Internet, becoming explosively popular.
Songs like this one, which combine different hits without adding any original music, may represent the first significant new musical genre to be lifted out of the underground, developed and then spread, mostly via the Web. The songs, called mash-ups or bootlegs, typically match the rhythm, melody and underlying spirit of the instrumentals of one song with the a cappella vocals of another. And the more odd the pairing the better....
The music — there are hundreds of such recordings — is particularly popular in Europe, where D.J.'s play mash-ups at parties. But through the Internet it is spreading not only there but also in the United States. There are so many bootlegs using Eminem and Missy Elliott songs (Missy mixed with the 80's group the Cure, Eminem with the fey pop of the Smiths, and Missy with the heavy metal group Metallica, for starters) that some practitioners refer to making a bootleg as "doing a Missy" on a song....
The mark of a good bootleg, fans say, is that it doesn't sound at all like one song superimposed on top of another, but a new song in itself. Among the most popular bootleg artists are Freelance Hellraiser (responsible for the Aguilera mix), Osymyso (who combines more than 100 songs in one mash-up), Kurtis Rush and Richard X. The more popular acts create their music through sampling their own records and then spread the mash-ups through white-label (i.e. anonymous) singles or playing them on the radio. But the music can also be accessed on file-sharing sites like Kazaa and Audiogalaxy." [NY Times: Technology]
I love mash-ups, which means the record companies will probably try to squash them out of existence. The first one I ever heard was crossed Eminem with Enya. I was immediately hooked. If you want to hear some examples, check out Boom Selection, one of the sites noted in this article.
11:23:39 PM Permanent link here
|
|
"Judges in Collin County Texas have pooled their resources to buy a domain (texasjudge.com) where they can maintain Web pages for their individual courtrooms. [via Law.com] By the links on Judge Curt Henderson's site, it looks like eleven of them have taken the plunge. Henderson's Web site, www.texasjudge.com/henderson, provides docket information in civil matters and allows lawyers to get settings in certain kinds of cases and set motions for summary judgment. [Law.com] via [Denise].
Man, I would love it if some state court judges here in New Orleans would do something like this. Actually, I have been plotting to instigate this. I have in mind a judge at the Orleans Parish Civil Court that I plan to try to introduce to Radio/weblogs. She was receptive when I explained the idea to her briefly last Saturday. It would be so easy for a judge (or her staff) to post day-to-day information about scheduling or issuance of orders (like Rory does on his site). Or let's say the judge posts something about a new rule change, or let's say she posts a list of personal preferences for motions, or whatever...
Clearly, there is useful information that trial judges could put out on a weblog that attorneys would crave. And while a normal website is okay, it really needs to be a weblog. And it needs to be XML or RSS. Why?
If it's an XML document or an RSS feed, then I can subscribe to it and have it show up in my News Aggregator. And then I can re-route that post to a category that I upstream into my lawfirm's internal web server. This is so obviously useful (except that those of you who don't use Radio have no idea what I'm talking about). And at $40 bucks a pop (per year) it eliminates the need for RFP's and the whole bureaucratic mess that would normally stifle a good idea like this." [Ernie the Attorney]
I'm posting this mainly for the folks that listen to me rant on and on about blogs, XML, and RSS at the various presentations I've been giving. I talk about how all of this can impact libraries, but here's a real world proposal from an entirely different field - law. You can also easily shift this model into the medical field, as well. There's so much potential here, it's astounding. Just keep letting your mind stew on these ideas until the timer goes off and the ingredients have formed a tasty meal.
11:14:19 PM Permanent link here
|
|
 "Sony's latest prototype, the PCG-U1, is a wonderful and exotic piece of technology. The 'U1' is the smallest and lightest model of the entire 'Vaio' series. Indeed, it has long been Sony's conception to shrink a full-featured laptop into an always-carry device; they have succeeded with the Vaio U1. The entire package, including a Crusoe 867 MHz processor, 6.4" (XGA) TFT-LCD, 20gb HDD, 384mb RAM (max), weighs merely 1.8 pounds, and boasts an incredible footprint of only 7.3" x 5.5"." [Dynamism.com, via Slashdot]
I'm not convinced this is the greatest thing since sliced bread, although it certainly does look cool. If an OQO can have higher specs and cost less than $2000, why can't this one?
11:07:27 PM Permanent link here
|
|
I should note, too, that the other presentations at the hands-on tech meeting today were also quite good. Teri gave one called "Need a Hand?: Handhelds in Libraries," similar to the show she will put on at the SLS Tech Summit tomorrow. The really cool part for me was that she used Lori's Handspring Visor and Margi Presenter-to-Go to project the presentation! I want-desire-covet-lust after one of these, so folks at SLS can consider this a budget request! Teri says they are beta testing Margi for Palms, and I so badly want to help them with this arduous task!
Bruce Brigell, Alex Todd, Anna Yackle also gave a presentation about their virtual reference service called "Answers Unlimited," and it was the first chance I've had to see the LSSI software in action. On the one hand, I'm impressed with the way you can track an online conversation and respond to questions, but on the other hand, they're obviously adapting a commercial product to a library environment and it shows. All in all though, it's a wonderful service that more libraries should start providing. Hopefully we'll see a statewide effort take hold in Illinois by next year, as well as standards for interoperability between vendors.
10:19:38 PM Permanent link here
|
|
Tonight I had the good fortune to have dinner with Lori Bell, Tom Peters, and Teri Embrey at Crawdaddy Bayou. I'd link Tom's name to a site, but he hasn't started a blog yet (hint, hint). It's amazing the things you can learn about people whilst dining on Cajun food. For example, who knew that Lori spent a year traveling with a circus, that Tom has an Yma Sumak obssession, and that Teri has past histories she wouldn't even tell us about!
Anyway, today's hands-on workshop went quite well, and I think I've got some new blogging converts. Lots of lightbulbs turning on, and lots of enthusiasm. For any of today's participants reading this, welcome to the shifted world! :-)
10:05:27 PM Permanent link here
|
|
 "Estari Inc., a leader in providing digital document management solution software, will bring to market the patented dual-screen laptop in the fourth quarter of 2002. Estari’s 2-VU™ product line will include an eBook, handheld, laptop and portable desktop models.
The laptop version will have two, full-sized 15” diagonal screens and a Microsoft Windows XP Operating System®, giving Estari’s 2-VU™ all the features of a laptop, paired with a reading experience that is superior to that of a PC or a dedicated electronic reader. The 2-VU™ comes loaded with DocAble Organizer Professional™, a digital document management software package that will organize and manage information in virtually any file format – whether the information is located on a single PC, network servers, the web or any removable media....
Unlike electronic tablets, the 2-VU™ allows users to view two full-page files or documents simultaneously. Users can page through two books at once, or take handwritten notes in a notebook on one screen while paging through a book on the other screen.
The 2-VU™, which is based on technology licensed from the former Everybook EB Journal, is patented in the United States, Canada and Australia." [TwoMobile, via Daypop Top 40]
This is interesting because the Dualscreen 2-VU could become the basis for my idea about circulating local history ebooks/devices within a community (although it doesn't look like it does audio). It's 802.11b and Bluetooth compatible, and it has a USB port for connecting a keyboard. Both screens are touchscreens, it has a DVD drive, and a 20GB hard drive for plenty of storage. According to Estari's web site, the Wall Street Journal has this to say about it: "As the unit can hold a massive 1,000 books on each removable PC-card, you’re in for a lot of reading." More positive media reviews here.
I'd love to get my hands on one of these and test it for myself, but I can't find any pricing or availability info. At the TUG meeting today, Tom was joking that we should start an "ebook device ranch" similar to the Cadillac Ranch in Texas. Only time will tell if the Dualscreen 2-VU will join its ancestors, buried in the sand.
4:48:54 PM Permanent link here
|
|
"Eldred v. Ashcroft was argued on Monday, May 6, 2002. The case was real. The judges who heard it were real. But the court was moot.
It was the final round of competition for the Morris Tyler Moot Court of Appeals at Yale.
On behalf of the petitioner, Eric Eldred, stood Travis LeBlanc '02 and Chimene Keitner '02. The counsel for the respondents, representing Attorney General John Ashcroft in this hypothetical forum, were Adam Hickey '02 and Kimberly Zelnick '03.
These four were finalists in a process that began early in the term. They had passed through two previous rounds by briefing and making oral arguments on other cases. They then had to research Eldred v. Ashcroft for the final round and write extensive briefs outlining their arguments. Read the brief for Eldred and brief for Ashcroft [PDF].
The oral presentation would be the last step....
Following the final rebuttal, the judges withdrew to consider criteria such as use of authorities, articulation of the argument, deference to the judges, and tone of voice. When they returned to the bench, they declared the contest to be "extremely close" and that "everybody did an excellent job." Nevertheless a choice had to be made, and the judges declared that the team that had most persuasively argued their case in the brief and the oral presentation was Travis LeBlanc and Chimene Keitner. The prize for best oral argument went to Chimene Keitner....
The only question remaining is how the Supreme Court will handle what the Morris Tyler Court has already mooted." [LawMeme]
You can even watch videos of the proceedings!
12:57:35 PM Permanent link here
|
|
I'm doing another demo about blogging. Hopefully I'll get some converts!
11:48:32 AM Permanent link here
|
|
"What's really Happening in Europe? Has everyone shifted violently to the right. Why was Pim Fortuyn killed? My thoughts and analysis: The Big Lie" [Adam Curry]
I don't normally link to political pieces, but this one by Adam has other interesting elements mixed in about journalism, online reporting in real-time, and correcting wrong information. It's a must read for anyone interested in online news, both professional and amateur.
8:22:56 AM Permanent link here
|
|
"Using the new application, Google said it can translate a requested HTML document into a format optimized for i-mode users, making the new service the first search engine enabling access to more than 1.3 billion Web pages from i-mode wireless phones. Google already offers an application that converts HTML Web pages into WML, the markup language supported by most mobile phone microbrowsers....
You can see it in action at http://www.google.com/imode." [WebmasterWorld]
Google keeps shifting into new parts of its users' worlds. Library catalogs and databases need to start doing the same.
8:18:54 AM Permanent link here
|
|
"Jenny's poll reminded me that RSS truncation shouldn't be an either/or choice. So I'm experimenting with some extra tags in my RSS feed.
The basic feed continues to send truncated descriptions. It adds a [fullitem] tag that has the complete text of the item. Of course no newsreaders use this yet. But I want to make sure that sending this extra tag won't cause problems. In Radio it seems not to, but I want to see if AmphetaDesk, NewsIsFree, Meerkat, and others are OK with it. If not, please let me know!" [Jon's Radio]
Jon is riding to the rescue again!
8:15:55 AM Permanent link here
|
|
"...The demographic group is emerging as one of the fastest-growing segments of Internet users--and possibly the most extravagant when it comes to how much money they spend while online.
'Many moms consider the Internet one of the great boons brought to modern life,' said Sharman Stein, articles editor of the 750,000-circulation Working Mother magazine, herself an avid Internet user and mother of 11- and 8-year-old boys....
For example, over half of the people who subscribe to Working Mother magazine have spent at least $300 online in the past 12 months, and the average Working Mother subscriber spent $547 online in 2000. By contrast, the average teenager spent only $31 online in 2001, according to consulting firm Teenage Research Unlimited. (Although consumer product companies are desperate to gain traction with status-conscious teens, young consumers are hamstrung by their lack of credit cards--the de facto method of payment for online purchases.)
In addition, 95 percent of Working Mother subscribers have e-mail access. In a recent poll, three out of five subscribers said they purchased books and music online, while 47 percent said they purchased toys and games....
According to Nielsen/Net Ratings, women browse the Web on average two and a half hours less than men per month. The average man with home and work Internet access was on the Web for 10 hours and 23 minutes in May 2001, compared with 8 hours and 56 seconds for women.
Mothers also differ from other groups in the way they use the Internet. Many praise the medium because it allows them to do research or write e-mail in 5- to 10-minute chunks at home or work, giving them flexibility to order books or fire off an e-mail to a boss while a baby is sleeping, the phone is quiet or the pasta is cooking.
'I can use it anytime, on my own schedule,' said Susanna Marshland, a 36-year-old mother of two in Kensington, Calif., and program director of a nonprofit organization in San Francisco. Marshland sends e-mail about 6-year-old Alexander and 4-year-old Kai to a family distribution group, and she plans outings based on science fairs, play groups and other events at the Neighborhood Parents Network.
'I can work my Internet use around my and my children's schedules,' Marshland said. 'Also, if your 2-year-old has a meltdown while you are purchasing a book online, it's decidedly less embarrassing than when the same thing happens in a bookstore.' " [News.com]
Emphasis above is mine.
Besides the fact that this points out yet again the vast potential market for targeted advertising, this study shows yet again why libraries need to start shifting into their users' worlds. Not just for kids who will grow up expecting this, but for their parents who are busy enough to appreciate it. We need to start thinking about how to help mothers like the ones described above in their online endeavors.
12:51:59 AM Permanent link here
|
|
"BBC. Global climate prediction model will soon be available for download (Windows only). Each PC will run a model with different initial conditions. >>>To reward participants, the simulation will be interactive and will let people fly around their programmed planet and watch how weather patterns change.<<<" [John Robb's Radio Weblog]
12:40:21 AM Permanent link here
|
|
"At Foyles, the book-lover's bookshop, I approach the counter with a copy of James Joyce's Ulysses. "I bought this book the other day," I say, "and I want my money back. It's full of typing errors and there's no punctuation."
The assistant is pale and wears glasses. He takes the book and turns, at my bidding, to the 100-page monologue at the end. I explain that it doesn't contain a single full stop or comma. "I think it might be a proof copy," I say.
'Mmm,' he says. 'That doesn't sound good.' He flicks ruminatively through the book and 'mmms' a bit further. I point to the word 'jawbo' on page 330. 'That's not a word,' I say. 'Mmmm,' he says. 'It's rare that publishers make a mistake like that. If it's a proof copy, we will, of course, recall it.' He looks at me kindly. 'I expect it made it rather difficult to read.' " [Guardian Unlimited, via LISNews]
Having worked in a bookstore, I immediately thought of the opposite side of the coin - Monty Python's The Bookshop Sketch.
12:28:57 AM Permanent link here
|
|
© Copyright 2004 Jenny Levine.
|
|
|
