Music: Jamendo.com

I started visiting Jamendo last year, http://www.jamendo.com/. They have a large and growing library of music. Listen online then download what you like for FREE.

Jamendo offers free access and free download of music tracks, published with Creative Commons licences. On Jamendo, the Artists choose to give access to their music for free to the users.

Check out their site for the kinds of music you like. Many artists from around the world have contributed. If you are a musician, you might want to upload your albums here too. Following is a partial list of some of my favorite artists on Jamendo.com.

Favorite Jamendo Artists: Cherrycoke, Daniel Brandell, Eva Maria Luz de Luna, Juanitos, No Really - Rust, Paco Timpo, Sagnik Basu, Tryd, Wilson Noble and BruneoDJ.

Now how cool is that?

Software: Windows XP SP3 April 29

Finally. Microsoft is releasing Service Pack 3 for Windows XP on April 29th.
http://forums.microsoft.com/TechNet/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=3214173&SiteID=17

It is already released to manufacturing. You'll be getting that automatic update soon.

Where goest thou Vista? Not on my PC. So far, Microsoft has not convinced me that Vista is a desirable update. I'm sticking with XP Pro/Home and Linux (www.ubuntu.com) for now. One of these days I'll get around to living with a Mac.

Software optimization is supposed to improve performance.
Now how cool is that?

Music: Sleepy Eyes of Death

This link goes to Sleepy Eyes of Death myspace site - streaming audio of some of their music - cool stuff so go check it out.
http://www.myspace.com/sleepyeyesofdeath

They are a Seattle band and I have a cousin in the band. Cool. I'm enjoying what they are doing. And I want a T-shirt. Anyone know how to get a T-shirt? I like the one that looks like the guys head is exploding, size X-Large or Large.

Now how cool is that?

Video: Hulu.com

I've been using http://www.hulu.com/ since late beta. Loving it!

If you have a high-speed internet connection, love TV or Movies, then you have to join hulu. I've found episodes of current TV series as well as old favorites. They even added full length movies to their library too. And best of all it is free to watch!

My laptop computer has TV out, so I occasionally plug it into the TV to enjoy some distance from the screen. Pick your own show and watch what you want when you want. Works really well.

Now how cool is that?

Culture: Urban Dictionary

Here's a cool site I just found.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/

Language is dynamic, fluid and always changing. The older you get, the more out of touch you can become. Have you heared some new slang and don't know what it means? This is the place to find out what it is and how to use it. Great tool for deciphering text message slang too.

Now how cool is that?

Blog: jerrypournelle.com

Jerry Pournelle is a science fiction writer and technologist. I started reading his books in high school and his articles in Byte magazine. When Byte become a Web site, I continued reading his articles. When Byte folded a few years ago, Jerry focused his energies on his daily web log.

http://www.jerrypournelle.com/ - Jerry posts daily on using technology, ruminations on history and politics, fan email, and lifes aches and pains. He's currently undergoing treatment for a tumor in his head and adopting the Macbook air into his life. Even with all the discomfort he's dealing with, he still manages to post daily.

Jerry does not charge to read his blog, but he does accept donations.

Well worth the time to check out his site - I do every week. Great stuff.

Now how cool is that?

Green: ReadyMade Magazine Digital Format

While browsing tiny homes, I came across this magazine link -
http://www.readymade-digital.com/
Looks like the digital version of a print magazine.

Click on "pages" on the top menu bar and you'll see thumbnails of the magazine pages - a bit easier to navigate the digital version of this publication. Great information on building your own tiny home and more green articles. I'm starting to get the hang of navigating the magazine - you need a large monitor to enjoy reading online.

Now how cool is that?

Green: tinyhouseblog.com

Have you ever wanted your own backyard retreat? Do you have property in need of a small residence? Trying to minimalize your environmental footprint? Maybe you should look into a tiny home.


I'm fascinated by the tiny house concept. http://tinyhouseblog.com/ The Tiny House blog is a great place to start researching how to build or buy your own tiny home. Tiny
homes can be primary or secondary residences. They make great office spaces or guest houses behind your large home. And I want one too.

The picture is from http://www.martinhousetogo.com/ - they manufacture mobile tiny homes. All you need is an electrical outlet and a garden hose.

Now how cool is that?

Music: monome Series

http://www.monome.org/

If you are into cool adaptable, minimalist musical interfaces then check this out - and I want one too.

Three models: two fifty six (16×16), one twenty eight (16×8), and sixty four (8×8).
each is a reconfigurable grid of backlit keypads which connects to a computer. interaction between the keys and lights is determined by the application running on the computer. there is no hard-wired functionality.

The new series evolved from the 40h which began as an interface for music performance and art practice. They also make available a kit version which allows users to create their own 40h-like devices.

Applications
live sample cutters, math simulations, drum machines, generative controllers, tonal maps, games, visualizations. browse here. They make available all sources to encourage community contribution and enthusiasm - Macintosh required.

monome - now how cool is that?