cnn 2.0 redesign vs news delivery

Although, this blog is in agreement that g0000oogle will eventually own the world or at least we'll all be working for them in the very near future. One of the obvious kingships is in the physical act of inter site search. The new cnn is clearly monetized by googlesearch bar which will make some dough. What is very interesting to see, and no surprise, is that Blogs are now more obviously part of the news from their perspective. Does it give their outlet more credibility? A little more than foxnews.com for sure. However, Tthese are their blogs and not some wild wild web news slingers, so the delivery mechanism is hopefully open for public to comment on at least. Other cool features include, predominance of rss feeds up in header and bottom of page for delivery, more editorialized as articles are tagged by hot topics, and their most recent stories are tagged with just time. The Date is left-off. The Media elements have their own sections specifically targeted toward Entertainment consumption – see their TV module. Has local weather module like the one that is on netvibes.com default setting.


If it wasn’t obvious before… this is where the web is now.

Urban mt bikes for dads

While in my 5 fifth week of fatherhood while I watch my friend's emails go by about their latest mountain bike rides; I’ve been looking for some way to get around even for an hour, around town or in the park, I’m considering getting a "urban/hybrid" bike I can eventually put a baby seat on.

Cannondale Road warrior 500 series

Trek 7.3 FX Disc Cross Hyrbrid

Gary Fisher Chronus

HELP!

Zoe Yael and dad on the maple syrup

The algorythm that killed jeeves

The Goooooogle revolution is underway. The giant form field is on the attack and the potential competative advertising space with their purchase of Double Click they are eating the internet away for base user. Can Ask.com be our search engine saviours? They seem to be taunting the big one. At this rate we are all doomed and we will all probably end -up working for them in some for or another. Who can save us? Topix.net? What are our othersearch engine alternatives?

WFMU pranksters and 2007 drive by fund drivers

I love WFMU for their independence. Once a year they hold out their tin cups so they don't have to take any advertising from the MAN so they can play, prank, sing, scrape, blast and rock the airwaves with their no-format radio. Otherwise known as Free-form radio WFMU has takes great pride in allowing a bunch of wayward DJs do their thing. A recent glorious prank Ken Friedman and Andy Breckman played on the NYTs, is an example of their sense of all things around them. They are the cavemen of airwaves. They are not smut peddlers and really care about the state of things in these times of greed and corporate warfare and believe just about all ilk should get their chance to spin(except for the man) what they are passionate about. WFMU belongs to the people. So get your wallets out now. You have one week left to donate a little lunch money, blood money, beer money, or whatever you can afford.

About a week ago, here's what Boston actually thought.

Evidence that Boston is re-taded and that the Cartoon Network Chief Jim Samples might not have had to resign over a Marketing Blunder. NYC didn't even blink. We know advertising when we see it.

Steve Jobs is doing his best Howard Dean

Can music be 100% DRM-free?
I can personally attest to this stat and i knew they were tracking my GBs.

Today’s most popular iPod holds 1000 songs, and research tells us that the average iPod is nearly full. This means that only 22 out of 1000 songs, or under 3% of the music on the average iPod, is purchased from the iTunes store and protected with a DRM. The remaining 97% of the music is unprotected and playable on any player that can play the open formats. It’s hard to believe that just 3% of the music on the average iPod is enough to lock users into buying only iPods in the future. And since 97% of the music on the average iPod was not purchased from the iTunes store, iPod users are clearly not locked into the iTunes store to acquire their music
Now go subscribe to new DJ Spork & Review Stalker podcast.

Top 20 things from 2006 [updated]

It is the time of the year to make a list. There are various types of lists. Music, Christmas, Books, movies etc. My top 20 mixes all things from 2006.

• 20. The Hold Steady - Boys and Girls in America - CD - I downloaded this one but seeing them live a few weeks ago sealed the deal for me. These guys rock and they sure can drink.


• 19. Playing live with Avisohara one more time down in Wilminton NC, during wefest, this past May was a nice treat. In fact it was the last time I plugged an electric instrument and cranked it up. It reminded of everything I love and hate about playing in a band. Hopefully I can do this again soon in some capacity in 2007.


• 18. The Replacements - 'Message to the boys' - single - first new song in 16 years can't be beat by anybody. For old dorks - captain's dead has bunch of older mats songs post on his mp3 blog from a comp call Boink!


• 17. Youtube - for free distro vids like The Replacements doing "bastards of young" on SNL above.


• 16. My Mt bike - a black Cannondale jackel - I think I road about 20 times this year and it has gotten me into healthier habits. I can't say i've been riding as much as i would like too, in particular around the holidays but I sure am going to keep trying. Once this one is beat to the ground I'm going to invest in a lefty.


• 15. Chavez - live warsaw. My review stalker live review says most of it of what I wanted to say


• 14. The Flaming Lips - At War With The Mystics - The "Yeah, Yeah, Yeah song says it all. it's go politics, funny video and a unpolotico message - Eventhough Chan screwed up the lyrics on this video of war pigs at sxsw-- it's still cool.


• 13. The Pixies


• 12. rbally.net - Jennings for posting some great live bootlegs this past year. He certainly has allowed me to re-discover a whole bunch of artists or live performances that would have just been part of dream and then forgotten. Thanks to my Pal Walter for hiping to this site.


• 11. I am fuel you are friends - Heather's fuelfriends mp3 blog also had similar effects. I am her devoted fan. I hope there is no retribution and mp3 blog culture is able to evolve.


• 10. mog.com - Lots of waste, excellent bloggers and a rekindled knowledge that there are other die-hard music fans out there like me. we are not alone in our addiction.


• 09. Tapes N' Tapes - The Loon - This album was a complete surprise and a great find for me this year. I can't wait till their follow-up. I hope they don't get to discruntled with their gear loss, having had band crap stolen out of my van years ago sucks dogs balls


• 08.


• 07. tbd


• 06. tbd


• 05. tbd


• 04. tbd


• 03. My dog


• 02. My Family


• 01. My pregnant wife

Net Neutrality Democracy action needed: Lets not loose control

YOU MUST WATCH THIS VIDEO AND LEARN WHAT NET NEUTRALITY IS. Verizon, AT&T, and your local cable(comcast, timewarner etc) providers are planning on taking control of the very pipes you currently take for granted. Today you have the freedom to belong to any blogger, mogger, myspace community you want to be a part of. Today you can create, share and view any content you to want to partake in. Tomorrow, when fiber optics get placed in the home, this will not be the case. The FCC(GOVERNMENT) is planning on stealing or allowing the above business groups to take this freedom from you by controling the new gateways which operate like the existing internet gateways that were created by the open source community. This is as important an issue as our environment and the current level polital playing field. Everything you enjoy about the internet is at risk. This is freedom is going to be stolen forever just as the radio airwaves were taken away from the people.
TAKE ACTION

• Sign-up at Itsournet.org
• savetheinternet.com
• spread the word: you tube | Take action

Attack of the PMS monster

Normally, I stray away from questionable un-pc material for the analog living blog, but come-on folks, this is just too funny. Plus since my wife is preggers there is a new variation of this occurence. The beast within is real - and beautiful. Thanks.

Zen and the Art of Mountain Biking

Quite simply put as I look around the business interactive space there are a few cross fades that have unified asymmetry or cross-over to the real world. In this case Zen and the art of Mountain biking metaphors can enable measures of success in the business world with the clear challenges that are in woods. There are large and small rocks, inclines, slow accents, steep descents, slippery paths and fallen trees,etc, that can be tied back to some work place situation. Assuming there is no level playing field where egos and vertical success ladders are mainly based on confidence. A good rider must learn what the terrain is all about first. This does not happen casually or overnight. So in essence the focus you need is all about you and the trail ahead. There are simple things to keep in mind:

• When you see a hard and difficult obstacle pedal fast, as speed or time is the only measure of success. This is a basic law of inertia that perceived slow moving objects will tumble. Believe me it is much easier to over a large bunch of tree trunks fast.


• Plan your route of attack on the trail on a winding and steep accent. Make your gears loose and easy and peddle your ass off. This action will impact a faster and safer arrival on the next plateau.
• On a steep and treacherous accent take a systematic approach. Make a growl. Plot where you are going to dig in so a visible path can be attained.
• When you see another biker or pedestrian on the path. Tell them to watch out on one side or the other. Be clear and communicate "Biker, on your right!" Directing your path will give way to next set of obstacles and you will at the same time get respect.
• Learn to enjoy the scenery and steep descents, put your ass back in the seat so you don't do an end-over and break when you need to. This is the ultimate biker high. There well be additional jumps and rocks in the way but you have inertia on your side so no need to exert too much if you don't need too. Just watch the ground and beware of conflict.
• Know the mountain. Know that beginnings are usually very muddy but as you rise to the top, things get easier, as this is where the sun finds it easier to reach the mountain. Enjoy the sun and take a break.
• Know your equipment. If only 20 gears of 21 work, learn to use what you need and oil those strengths and put them in front. If your legs are short, know that you can probably navigate a windy path better than somebody's long legs. Address and embrace your weak traits and figure out how to turn them around and use them to your advantage.
• Hydrate and make sure you don't over heat. Wear layers if under 45 degrees, and peel them back as your body acclimates. This will allow you to be calm and collected and you won't get so fatigued where you will loose your cool and allow you to make the best responses to conflict or issues.
• Don't litter as it is very annoying to find garbage on the trail. Try and give back to other fellow mt bikers. Take 10 minutes out of your ride to fix a jump or path so they don't have to. This is a benefit of collaboration and example of an action that makes the experience more enjoyable for all.
• Ride with better riders if you can. Find a mentor. Talk with other riders. Tell them how you feel or ask them questions. Share experiences. You can't learn in a vaccum. This will help validate and build your confidence.

Mt Bike Ride #25 Chimney Rock NJ

So i've started to get my sealegs back, after catching a bad cold and finally getting with clipless program and my lungs back in some sort of shape. The parking lot was jammed packed today at Chimney Rock with half leaf watchers and bikers. I went out solo and did a 2hr loop. Bob and the gang were out too but doing repairs and fixing the trails, re-routing some pretty muddy areas and building bridges. It was a little muddy in the lower levels and I think I counted three new bridges on the west side of the pond and road them. They did great work! I did my small shar by the damn where a very large tree fell on the fence, so I ramped it up so I could get over it and moved along. I'm looking forward to a ride at Round Valley next Saturday with the fellas.

Sierra Leone’s Refugee @ SOB's Tuesday

There is an amazing element in people that give them the power to overcome even the worst of odds. Sierra Leone’s Refugee all Stars are a literal grass roots movement that have gotten some attention. Even if it is for a moment. Their music is made for a dire need to communicate their situation in a country dismanteled by war. The are fighting for rights to just exist.

Download Living like a refugee - free mp3 from ANTI
Last year Konomo #1 another African group made it into Emusic's number 1 spot and I hope they get more attention in that space. SLRA are a little less 'experimental' from the few tracks I've heard so far. The over-all sense is one of hope and power to the people thing. Which brings me to my point for today Denizons. Get out and freakin vote! I'm not saying we compare to the situation in Africa but a on larger sense our right are getting chipped away. Lets take back the power of the people with NJ Election day registration. According to the ACLU Six states have higher voter turn-out than all others because they practice Election Day Registration (EDR). I did not know Voter registration protection card(pdf) existed. It's 2006 not 1965! Very scary and we can only wonder what is going on with voter anti-fraud technology.

The NJ senate vote matters so do the right thing

Did you ever wonder if your voice would have any impact on a outcome? The Senate race and campaign smears are in full force and I can't keep-up with all the info, however I just hope that the undecided will do the right thing. The video clips at perfectly wrong are pretty funny, Tom Kean Jr come's off as very weak when his only weapon is denial but lets look at the big picture. Even though there is a very cold Winter supposedly upon us and gas prices are going down magically before our very eyes. The price of gas is linked to George Bush and even so is not seen as a good thing. The oil 'haggle' is on accross the nation and prividers are locking you in to ensure they don't loose their shirts up to November. I see it like this. I buy for 2.50 today, $2.oo up to Nov 7th and then in December everything goes over 3 dollars again till the next election. If I'm lucky my 2.75 cap will proof effective. So who controls the prices of oil? I'm no fool, I'll take whatever "discount" is being given but what is the real price? Democracy?

In Jersey, Robert Menendez has a good chance to win the Senate race. He has strong positions on Iraq, Energy, Education and he has even put the Environment on as one of his bullet points and actually accomplished some good. I saw a picture of Kean cribbing off of Menendez. So, why wouldn't the working class and the suv driving soccer moms see the clear good that can come from an obvious cheater. I think the people are tired of the Bush agenda but are afraid of the tax word being used and Tom Kean Jr exploits the people who it really does not affect most. Lets be honest here, the only thing that would really make people jump out of their seat to vote is if our property taxes actually went down and not up every year! But we need to elect somebody who knows how to make things happen. What are the good old house party boys offering other than the status quo which is run by fear? I also find it hilarious that one of Kean's bullet points is ethics? I'm also baffled by his point of view on immigration:: "

In the wake of 9/11, Tom Kean believes that illegal migration is a significant national security concern."

What so you keep hard working Mexican's out? I don't think any smart terrorist is going to use the front door and going to swim the rio grande. Let maybe focus on better profiling techniques, not random searches and stop with the big wall of barbed wire. What, are we Russia? - Rant over.