tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45940468482517128982023-11-16T16:25:42.045+00:00@timdiffordcompositions for the young and oldAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04098899594058962797noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4594046848251712898.post-34818722821794128152014-03-28T10:36:00.000+00:002014-03-28T10:41:56.751+00:00When Fleetwood Mac invented Disco<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0BFh_XYntW_NMrbY1phtFLNC_IIWL9ZV2b7UqzoAjfSHu_Y4D9dtOGRgOPt2LObXBNkCXwRVdqFY4xM_Jp9YGD1udpeRRJ_R1FDPfue4qTCvRt2o-GNar5iSIIQhWlgyP2JKeWe28BGwa/s1600/weston_2104152b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0BFh_XYntW_NMrbY1phtFLNC_IIWL9ZV2b7UqzoAjfSHu_Y4D9dtOGRgOPt2LObXBNkCXwRVdqFY4xM_Jp9YGD1udpeRRJ_R1FDPfue4qTCvRt2o-GNar5iSIIQhWlgyP2JKeWe28BGwa/s1600/weston_2104152b.jpg" height="200" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Transition era Fleetwood Mac (Getty)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There's a <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2014/03/27/showbiz/music/christine-mcvie-fleetwood-mac/" target="_blank">lot in the news</a> about Fleetwood Mac at the moment as they announce their first tour to include Christine McVie in the lineup for twenty years. I saw them last year without her and thought they were amazing, so the prospect of seeing the band with her back in the fold is very exciting.<br />
<br />
<b>However, this post isn't about that Fleetwood Mac. </b><br />
<br />
Neither is it about the 1960s blues-driven Fleetwood Mac. This post is about the transitional-period of Fleetwood Mac that feature Bobs Weston and Welch.<br />
<br />
This is a Mac era that I have rarely explored. I'm very familiar with their activities following the arrival of Lindsay Buckingham and Stevie Nicks, as I am of their earliest blues-roots when fronted by Peter Green, but the interim period between 1970 and 1974 has always remained a mystery to me.<br />
<br />
Speaking of which, their 1973 album taken from this period, Mystery To Me, features a track called Keep On Going which, until the other day I had never heard.<br />
<br />
I discovered it via a <a href="http://22tracks.com/#!ldn/deepdisco" target="_blank">Deep Disco</a> playlist on the amazing 22tracks service out of Amsterdam. <br />
<br />
Yes, you heard right. Fleetwood Mac, Disco. 1973.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/N7s2DPVGBbs" width="459"></iframe>
It's nothing less than a revelation. It's proper, looping, strings-driven disco with Christine McVie as Diva-in-Chief. Yes, yes, I keep being lectured by Daft Punk about Mr Moroder. Yes, yes, Nile Rodgers I know what you did... but this is Fleetwood Mac defining disco back in 1973!! Not Northern Soul. Not R&B. Disco!<br />
<br />
The rest of the album, it turns out captures a band in turmoil (as ever) reaching back quite capably, on several tracks, into their blues heritage and, quite remarkably, sending out flashes of the melody and lyricism which would define their classic era from 1975 and beyond.<br />
<br />
It's an album I'd never heard before and one which I couldn't find to stream on Spotify, so tracked down a CD copy and it's opened up an entire era of the Mac to me which I can't wait to explore further.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04098899594058962797noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4594046848251712898.post-9169858059139699752013-10-01T14:41:00.001+01:002013-10-01T14:41:47.132+01:00Possible Book Club Books<b>Here's a list of books I've read this year any of which I'd be happy to discuss at the #la1bc Twitter book club:</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Ian McEwan - Sweet Tooth</li>
<li>Wool Trilogy - Hugh Howey</li>
<li>The Crimson Petal and The White - Michael Faber</li>
<li>Rivers of London - Ben Aaronivitch</li>
<li>The Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed Out of a Window and Disappeared - Jonas Jonasson</li>
<li>The String Diaries - Stephen Lloyd Jones</li>
<li>The Book Thief - Markus Zusack</li>
<li>Labyrinth - Kate Moss</li>
<li>The Ocean at the End of the Lane - Neil Gaiman</li>
<li>Inferno - Dan Brown</li>
<li>Ready Player One - Ernest Cline</li>
<li>Fatherland - Robert Harris</li>
<li>The End of Mr Y - Scarlett Thomas</li>
<li>The :Lifeboat - Charlotte Rogan</li>
<li>Bedit Disco Queen - Tracey Thorn</li>
<li>Mr Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookshop</li>
<li>Great North Road - Peter Hamilton</li>
<li>Going to See In A Sieve - Danny Baker</li>
<li>Peaches for Monsieur le Cure - Joanne Harris</li>
<li>The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry - Rachel Joyce</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<b>And here's the list of those I've got ready to start which I'd also be happy discussing (as it will help me choose what to read next):</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Black Chalk - Christopher J Yates</li>
<li>Proxima - Stephen Baxter</li>
<li>A Monster Calls - Patrick Ness</li>
<li>The Never List - Koethi Zan</li>
<li>Oryx and Crake - Margaret Atwood</li>
<li>The Year of the Flood - Margaret Atwood</li>
<li>MaddAddam - Margaret Atwwod</li>
<li>Terms of Enlistment - Marko Kloos</li>
<li>Wolfhound Century - Peter Higgins</li>
<li>You - Austin Grossman</li>
<li>Robocaplypse - Daniel H Wilson</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04098899594058962797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4594046848251712898.post-15109348698079742862013-05-14T14:47:00.001+01:002013-05-14T14:50:33.353+01:00Social Innovation: Rugby League Refs take to Twitter<div class="WordSection1" style="page: WordSection1;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Most of you won't follow Rugby League. If you follow a team sport it is more likely to be football or cricket and, if it is rugby, it is more likely to be Rugby Union.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">That's ok. Whilst Rugby League is huge in Australia, the fascination with it in the UK tends to cluster along the M62 corridor between Widnes and Hull where most of the top-flight Superleague sides ply their trade, accompanied by a single team from London and, even more obscurely, for those who don’t know the game's history, a team based in Perpignan in the south of France.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">You might imagine, therefore, that the support for a game played across only a relatively specific geography might be somewhat lacklustre. Although, you might not be surprised to find that the fans are vocal, active and come together to form a family which unites fans of the sport from all clubs in a way which is scarcely replicated in other sporting arenas. Tickets for the sport's flagship events, the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley and the Grand Final at Old Trafford are snapped up by fans months in advance and well ahead of any certainty as to which teams might actually be competing. Rugby League fans simply love watching Rugby League and yes, they're happiest watching their own team, especially watching their own team win, but they are also passionate about the sport as a whole, often going to watch their own side play and then supplementing this by watching as many other games as are televised each weekend from February to October.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<o:p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit45SWDPgwuZJWHinQ_UwvOWXBVQWZtRa6Zq_y3-SE1hEZOrw4265V8HMjymvDchsewRAEEWXSPRFND2zC5mTbCVJU0ZqpC-IpH9RUQLK8tl53MVFy0u1hj5xAcevMFrDdwsKkHMO3tzvy/s640/blogger-image--1385994180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit45SWDPgwuZJWHinQ_UwvOWXBVQWZtRa6Zq_y3-SE1hEZOrw4265V8HMjymvDchsewRAEEWXSPRFND2zC5mTbCVJU0ZqpC-IpH9RUQLK8tl53MVFy0u1hj5xAcevMFrDdwsKkHMO3tzvy/s320/blogger-image--1385994180.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Another unique aspect to the game is that of the role played by the referees and other match officials. Drawn from a relatively small pool, Superleague referees are all known by name to the fans and attract their own "support" and criticism based on their reputation, or where they reside (particularly where it is uncomfortably close to the opposing team!). In football (the association variety), only a few high profile referees tend to be known by name to fans. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Innovations in the Rugby League have seen the use of two referees per game (at least in its televised form in the UK - in Australia, they even have two refs on the pitch!). Recent Challenge Cup coverage on the BBC (as opposed to Sky which picks up all Superleague broadcasting) even allowed viewers not only to see what the video ref was scrutinising as he mulled over his decisions, but they could even hear his comments as he went through the thought-process leading up to his decision.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">However, one of the newest and most significant of the recent innovations implemented by the Rugby Football League is Ask The Ref.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The officials have recently banded together under a single Twitter name: @RFLReferees and announced to fans that any (polite) questions sent their way via Twitter... in fact any tweets containing the hashtag #asktheref... will be reviewed by them as a group and several of them selected and retweeted from the @RFLReferees account with an accompanying answer and the initials of the referee who's written the response.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">After the weekend's games, the referees (amongst many other things) review these tweets and the responses are shared on Twitter on a <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://0" x-apple-data-detectors-result="0" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors="true">Tuesday afternoon</a>. For Superleague afficionados, they make fascinating reading. For the onlooker, perhaps not so much. But I'd urge those with an interest in social media to take a look, if only to consider the implications of this innovation, admire the spirit of the RFL in implementing this approach and imagine what the impact would be on other sports if direct contact with match officials was enabled in a similar way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Take a look.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04098899594058962797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4594046848251712898.post-61706052817190934272013-05-13T16:24:00.001+01:002013-05-13T16:29:13.274+01:00I bought what?<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>I love my Kindle and find that I read many more books now than I used to do in dead-tree days. </b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_PXe9PGz84jhmDjn84VFlnxvFhcLhM95v5Tz8Ez9irGlie0YM0QVU5tgDu7ZFJWGW9B17KdHVVqkKyzkbfclg9XFBx6FjvHKwEdBNLSLPN_R4BKILKUEcZtOVfQ2aoJ2crtOaNfV0wmN1/s1600/photo.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_PXe9PGz84jhmDjn84VFlnxvFhcLhM95v5Tz8Ez9irGlie0YM0QVU5tgDu7ZFJWGW9B17KdHVVqkKyzkbfclg9XFBx6FjvHKwEdBNLSLPN_R4BKILKUEcZtOVfQ2aoJ2crtOaNfV0wmN1/s320/photo.PNG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I also find that I buy more books. I do tend to get around to reading them, but I am definitely more impulsive than previously. Some of this is to with the occasional promotional offers and price reductions. Some of this is also to do with the ease of purchasing books via the Kindle store. I can over hear a conversation about a book and quickly Google the title; I can click on the link in an article or review or, as I did this morning, I can cast my eye across the train carriage and nosily wonder about the book being read by a fellow traveller and more-or-less immediately start reading it myself. Of course, and somewhat ironically given the social components now built into the Kindle-reading experience, the passenger across from me needs to be reading a physical book if I'm to have any clue about what he or she is reading at all! (I'm sure some kind of smart-cover technology will fix this soon enough, although who'll then joyfully admit to enjoying 50 Shades of Beige whilst on public transport?)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Anyway, that's not the point I'm making here. Well, obviously it is, but only as an aside, if you will. No, the point I'm making is that I accrue as-yet-unread books in my Kindle library at a rate of knots, sometimes so enthusiastically that I forget I've made the purchase. So, after finishing a book, when I consult the library on my Kindle I'm often pleasantly surprised to find things in my possession but just as often perplexed when I can't remember what a particular book is about or what prompted me to buy it in the first place. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Now this is where things are a bit broken.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
What I'd like to do very quickly, on my device and within my Kindle library-listing itself, is click through to the book description also used in the main Amazon bookstore, and possibly the reviews. You know, just to remind me why I was stimulated to make the purchase in the first place. But of course I can't. On a traditional Kindle device, all I get is the title and author. At least on a Kindle Fire, or by using a Kindle app on an iOS or Android device I get to see the cover, which may go some way to jogging my memory, but it's not as good as having quick access to a review, for which I need to fire up a browser and trek across (<i>first-world-problem alert</i>) to the Amazon Kindle store, search for the book, find the description and reignite my memory, before closing the browser and reopening the Kindle or Kindle app and starting to read.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I fairness to Amazon, this did used to be a little easier on iOS devices when access to the store was available from within the app and before Apple implemented one of their famously counter-intuitive waves of control-freakery and banned this little boon to customer experience, but even then the descriptions didn't really accompany the title in the library listing.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Anyway, there we have it... </b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>In summary: Can we have a precis of a book's description accompanying it in individual Kindle libraries across apps and devices please? Thanks.</b></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04098899594058962797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4594046848251712898.post-61813880083085341322013-04-18T08:24:00.001+01:002013-04-18T08:24:10.710+01:00Try to listen to this end to end<iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F82976948"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04098899594058962797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4594046848251712898.post-40860593930886745442013-03-29T09:37:00.000+00:002013-03-29T09:37:21.539+00:00A Design for Reading<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ELZRNxxtJcU/UVVgDuZcuxI/AAAAAAAAB00/bIkrNCttpss/s1600/13+-+1" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ELZRNxxtJcU/UVVgDuZcuxI/AAAAAAAAB00/bIkrNCttpss/s320/13+-+1" width="240" /></a></div>
<b>The great thing about Kindles and other tablet devices is that you don't need to lug around more than one book... you carry your whole library with you. This might not sound like a big deal if you just read one book at at time, but if you're anything like me you've got a few books on the go at the same time.</b><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I have some little rules around this. For example, I can't read two novels at the same time, but the minute I finish one I'm immediately on the lookout for what to read next, so I always have some fiction in progress. I'm reading <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Lifeboat-ebook/dp/B0068PI3L4/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1364548973&sr=1-1" target="_blank">The Lifeboat by Charlotte Rogan</a> at the moment.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Whichever novel I'm reading, it is usually accompanied by a biography or autobiography... currently in the midst of <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/David-Mitchell-Back-Story-ebook/dp/B007YVM1KU/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1364549102&sr=1-1" target="_blank">David Mitchell's Back Story</a>... it's pleasant and clever but disappointingly slight.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In addition, I'll often have a business or self-help kind of book on the go. This week I tore through <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Clarity-Better-Performance-Results-ebook/dp/B00BPWQ5TW/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1364549126&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Clarity by Jamie Smart</a> and I highly recommend it if you ever feel somewhat overloaded, or stressed, or simply can't think straight. He brings home some simple, universal truths which literally make you think... in the right way.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'll also have either a travel or a history book in progress either to widen my horizons or to offer some perspective on current events. <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Underground-Overground-Passengers-History-ebook/dp/B007XUG9EG/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1364549198&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Andrew Martin's Underground Overground</a> is currently ticking both boxes for me.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Then I'll often be reading a graphic novel or series of comics. The non-fictional aspect seems to clash with my difficulty in focusing on two novels at once, but somehow, I seem to be able to manage comics alongside novels. I'm currently enjoying <a href="http://www.comixology.com/Saga/comics-series/7587" target="_blank">Saga by Brian K Vaughan and Fiona Staples</a> via the <b>ComiXology</b> app and really recommend it.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Lastly, I'm often in <b>Flipboard</b>, <b>Pocket</b> and any number of social apps catching up on news, etc.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This approach might sound overcomplicated but it seems to work for me.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
What works for you?</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04098899594058962797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4594046848251712898.post-36423594800402690362013-03-16T13:40:00.001+00:002013-03-16T13:41:59.593+00:00Thurstonland Tea Towel Photographs<div style="margin: 0; overflow: hidden; padding: 0; width: 500px;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/timdifford/8562331686/in/set-72157633009602114/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="Upper Fold"><img alt="Upper Fold" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8523/8562331686_86a9e5f17e_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/timdifford/8562331374/in/set-72157633009602114/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="Upper Fold"><img alt="Upper Fold" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8233/8562331374_ea7005ae05_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/timdifford/8561226241/in/set-72157633009602114/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="Old Co-op"><img alt="Old Co-op" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8371/8561226241_07f0b2cec0_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/timdifford/8562325960/in/set-72157633009602114/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="Old Chapel"><img alt="Old Chapel" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8391/8562325960_a108383250_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/timdifford/8562324188/in/set-72157633009602114/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="Old Chapel"><img alt="Old Chapel" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8521/8562324188_f669923828_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/timdifford/8561218551/in/set-72157633009602114/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 0 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="Rose & Crown"><img alt="Rose & Crown" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8100/8561218551_306f573914_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/timdifford/8561215147/in/set-72157633009602114/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="Rose & Crown"><img alt="Rose & Crown" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8366/8561215147_1e6c752d75_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/timdifford/8562316130/in/set-72157633009602114/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="Pub Sign - Rose & Crown"><img alt="Pub Sign - Rose & Crown" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8236/8562316130_0acf5f1268_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/timdifford/8562315464/in/set-72157633009602114/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="Low Fold"><img alt="Low Fold" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8388/8562315464_50774c79e1_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/timdifford/8561211009/in/set-72157633009602114/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="The Village"><img alt="The Village" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8372/8561211009_65a52d085e_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/timdifford/8561210789/in/set-72157633009602114/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="Old Vicarage"><img alt="Old Vicarage" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8093/8561210789_0064ba8d02_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/timdifford/8562311314/in/set-72157633009602114/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 0 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="The Green"><img alt="The Green" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8243/8562311314_8dccde85f4_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/timdifford/8561201545/in/set-72157633009602114/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="Cricket Pavilion"><img alt="Cricket Pavilion" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8109/8561201545_a7f0558d54_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/timdifford/8561199679/in/set-72157633009602114/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="St Thomas Church"><img alt="St Thomas Church" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8094/8561199679_e4a4476f5e_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/timdifford/8561198521/in/set-72157633009602114/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="St Thomas Church"><img alt="St Thomas Church" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8104/8561198521_61abe1a290_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/timdifford/8561194725/in/set-72157633009602114/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="Thurstonland First School"><img alt="Thurstonland First School" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8378/8561194725_29299186d0_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/timdifford/8562293102/in/set-72157633009602114/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="St Thomas Church"><img alt="St Thomas Church" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8386/8562293102_f710bf2923_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/timdifford/8562289730/in/set-72157633009602114/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 0 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="The Village"><img alt="The Village" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8229/8562289730_70f23ee9a2_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/timdifford/8561183749/in/set-72157633009602114/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="War Memorial"><img alt="War Memorial" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8507/8561183749_48a91a18e5_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/timdifford/8561180931/in/set-72157633009602114/" style="display: block; float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;" title="East View"><img alt="East View" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8251/8561180931_f5ec6aa7dc_s.jpg" style="border: none; height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></a><br />
<div style="float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;">
<img src="http://l.yimg.com/g/images/gallery-empty-icon.gif" style="height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></div>
<div style="float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;">
<img src="http://l.yimg.com/g/images/gallery-empty-icon.gif" style="height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></div>
<div style="float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px;">
<img src="http://l.yimg.com/g/images/gallery-empty-icon.gif" style="height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></div>
<div style="float: left; height: 75px; padding: 0 0 10px 0; width: 75px;">
<img src="http://l.yimg.com/g/images/gallery-empty-icon.gif" style="height: 75px; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px;" /></div>
<br clear="all" /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 0px;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/timdifford/sets/72157633009602114/">Thurstonland Tea Towel Photographs</a>, a set on Flickr.</div>
Some photographs taken around the village today. Don't know if they'll make the cut for the proposed village tea towel.<br /><br />Panasonic Lumix GF3; 14-42 lensAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04098899594058962797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4594046848251712898.post-23779397746065608432013-01-17T15:48:00.000+00:002013-01-17T15:48:00.143+00:00I like my tools simple and good looking...Today I <a href="https://twitter.com/euan/status/291806085973671936">learned</a> that Omnifocus is going free... at least until the new version is released. I also learned on taking a look at it, that it looks like a real time-sink. I know that I'd spend more time curating my todo lists than actually doing the tasks.<br />
<br />
The best task management tool I've found in recent years is <a href="http://www.realmacsoftware.com/clear/" target="_blank">Clear</a>. I like my tools simple and good-looking...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<script async="async" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="300" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/51690799" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="400"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04098899594058962797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4594046848251712898.post-69362744037993578832013-01-05T10:30:00.000+00:002013-01-05T10:30:01.129+00:00Is Kindle really a browsing service for real books?
<br />
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
I heard a discussion on Radio 4 this week about the relative merits of ebooks vs physical books. The upshot of the debate seemed to be that, despite publishers' initial wariness, people were beginning to impulse-buy more books than ever before, due to the always available ebook-stores. Certainly, people seem to be buying much more than they read and, as there are no bulging shelves to show for it, it's very easy to do. </div>
<div class="p2" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
However, the radio conversation went on to suggest that people are purchasing ebooks to decide whether they like a book and, if after they have read it they have enjoyed it, they then trek out to the local bookshop and buy a physical copy... in effect, buying the same book twice. I'm sorry but I just don't believe that.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04098899594058962797noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4594046848251712898.post-21391254305709781872013-01-04T14:57:00.000+00:002013-01-04T14:57:37.320+00:00I like books and I like music... but which is best?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>T</b><b>h</b><b style="text-align: justify;">ere's only one way to find out...</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b style="text-align: justify;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFJdhu533JfUXhrcyxaOHZJRPRpj-BbkAB702NFTJ-FNH0Q8UugdUm60HKqoTAQ9xrzqIZcZ96_EHFM7E-1-dFIwMPzP64cKukn0zgeUdrSBztVRvdSEGlL_SNLYFvlPx16u9E2AHqZv1/s1600/audiobook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFJdhu533JfUXhrcyxaOHZJRPRpj-BbkAB702NFTJ-FNH0Q8UugdUm60HKqoTAQ9xrzqIZcZ96_EHFM7E-1-dFIwMPzP64cKukn0zgeUdrSBztVRvdSEGlL_SNLYFvlPx16u9E2AHqZv1/s1600/audiobook.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b style="text-align: justify;"><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You <a href="http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/48981/spotify-suspends-music-download-service" target="_blank">might have seen</a> that <a href="http://www.spotify.com/uk/" target="_blank">Spotify</a> has withdrawn the facility for UK users to purchase and download tracks, in favour of concentrating on its primary offering of streaming music. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My guess is that it was because no-one was bothering to buy and download when they could stream. Premium subscribers can also save playlists locally to iOS or Android devices as part of their deal. What's more, those iOS users with an Apple TV can also stream their Spotify tunes through their sound systems at home too... so why buy?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>Setting paid-download options alongside streaming options within the Spotify app has never made much sense to me, so it's not really a surprise to see it disappearing</b></blockquote>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Since picking up a Spotify Premium account when they first became available I've rarely bought anything from iTunes or other download stores. I listen to hundreds of tracks new and old every month so, for me, Spotify represents great value for money. Setting paid-download options alongside streaming options within the Spotify app has never made much sense to me, so it's not really a surprise to see it disappearing.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In discussing this on Twitter earlier, I entered a conversation where it was implied that streaming was an effective model for the distribution of audio-books too. With the assumption that the user can store local playlists in the same way as Spotify, I'd agree. However, for me the subscription model for audio-books is a much more thorny problem. With Spotify Premium I might listen to hundreds of tracks over a month, plus many albums in part or in full... with the equivalent cost of purchasing individual tracks averaging 99p each and albums between £7.99 and £9.99 Spotify Premium is well worth my £10 per month subscription.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
With the streaming of audio-books, however, the subscription value is less clear-cut. An audio-book might cost £10 or more, but given that they are often hours long, I'm unlikely to get through more than one a month. What's more, with music and actually reading books competing for my time and attention, there's a good chance it might take me even longer to get through it. Suddenly a £10 per month subscription doesn't look that attractive. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I suppose that some of the problem is down to the fact that audio-books have a very specific demographic... including, for example, people with regular lengthy commutes, whereas music fans are more widespread. You can listen to a track in three minutes and then move onto doing something else, you can treat it like radio and let it roll on in the background all day, or you select a specific album and dedicate an hours attention to it... either way, it fits in more people's busy lifestyles than an audio-book streaming service might. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>If they had a model where for, say £2.99 per month, I could stream a maximum of one or two books per month, that might be more interesting.</b></blockquote>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Case in point for me is the fact that I undertook <a href="http://bardowl.com/" target="_blank">Bardowl</a>'s 14-day trial last year and started listening to a great book. However, after a couple of reasonably efficient listening sessions (whilst watching local cricket I seem to remember) I then went to the app to find that my free subscription had expired before I'd reached the end of the book. Instead, of opting for the subscription, I simply bought the book for my Kindle instead, in the knowledge that I would never realistically listen to enough audio books to warrant the monthly subscription fee. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I should add, that this is a shame really because I love the concept and I love the Bardowl app, but it comes down to the subscription model not meeting my needs really. If they had a model where for, say £2.99 per month, I could stream a maximum of one or two books per month, that might be more interesting.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bjmccray/3998421559/" target="_blank">bjmccray</a></span></i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04098899594058962797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4594046848251712898.post-45699188489800457562013-01-03T18:02:00.000+00:002013-01-03T18:02:31.680+00:00Email vs Social Media in the Enterprise<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7K7PcxPk_75NjyWRmERVRhBCnrCnz6fWpOBV7SKmyIDxHLaVbGqHFN1s3c-0y9givp6B_RMn-86zBmC-dcu0llUrmOrt-lZ5jnXuFQfOcboYeilL5t8Si_VjZkJ6UAsky6seWqb8idYXR/s1600/salmon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7K7PcxPk_75NjyWRmERVRhBCnrCnz6fWpOBV7SKmyIDxHLaVbGqHFN1s3c-0y9givp6B_RMn-86zBmC-dcu0llUrmOrt-lZ5jnXuFQfOcboYeilL5t8Si_VjZkJ6UAsky6seWqb8idYXR/s1600/salmon.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>This post is actually a comment I have just left on Euan Semple's <a href="http://euan-semple.squarespace.com/theobvious/2013/1/3/making-the-leap" target="_blank">blog</a>:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>When email hit the corporate workplace I'd had it at home for years but I was unusual. For most people, the use of email at work was quite often their first run-in with it. The thing with introducing social media into the workplace is that... on the upside, many are very familiar with it in a non-work environment, but this is also the downside. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>I've run a number of projects recently introducing social platforms into the work environment and one of the major hurdles is convincing people to use it and overcome their out-of-work social media prejuduces (whether they be pro or anti). </i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>If employees are pro-social media outside work, the relative constraints and differing etiquette required within the organisation can be so off-putting they resist making the leap. Those who've taken against social media outside of work for whatever reason are even harder to convince... "social media is just not my thing". In the early '90s did employees say... 'oh... email is just not my thing'? Probably not, because it was new to them and it was being mandated as a business process by their employer. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>I'd be quite happy with employers taking a firmer line on mandating the use of social media, but they might need to think about removing the comfort blankets of email and other enterprise platforms in some instances in order to force the issue. </i></div>
<br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/33279856@N03/6242967630/" target="_blank">jimapics</a></span></i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04098899594058962797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4594046848251712898.post-12609144969821401732013-01-01T21:33:00.000+00:002013-01-01T21:33:08.094+00:00All Basses CoveredThis landed in my Soundcloud queue... worth a good listen:
<iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F73062052" width="100%"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04098899594058962797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4594046848251712898.post-18899829789552995222012-12-29T19:58:00.000+00:002012-12-29T20:00:12.003+00:00The Early Adopter's Fear of the Newbie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaCvobrUGampsBPZ6fynouMd8px_8YJsS5r-k0Fxl7yDNiBsyOpJST9mrsf5TMr9UJI8oJG0wjo0f9rrjrNRRmOCw5nkyYohpV299fSjHVk0d7XxKEW84IXGTBqkKBpF26bxkLEnL63y9y/s1600/iphone+kindle+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaCvobrUGampsBPZ6fynouMd8px_8YJsS5r-k0Fxl7yDNiBsyOpJST9mrsf5TMr9UJI8oJG0wjo0f9rrjrNRRmOCw5nkyYohpV299fSjHVk0d7XxKEW84IXGTBqkKBpF26bxkLEnL63y9y/s320/iphone+kindle+small.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>I always take my Three MiFi to the match to use in conjunction with my iPhone. </b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Why? </b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Well when there isn't a game on, the signal for voice and data from my provider (Vodafone) is pretty reasonable at the <a href="http://www.johnsmithsstadium.com/" target="_blank">ground</a>, but on match-days, especially at half-time time when you want to check the half-time scores or go on Twitter to complain about the standard of refereeing, it all dries up. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's understandable I suppose as 17000 people in the same cell reach for their phones at the same second, but I've always had better luck with Three.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I assumed when I got this <a href="http://store.three.co.uk/Mobile_Broadband/MiFi?ID=DGB54" target="_blank">Three MiFi</a> about eighteen months ago (it's my second, the first didn't have <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Speed_Packet_Access" target="_blank">HSPA</a>) that Three were investing in their network in a much more effective way than Vodafone were, because I could always get great mobile data speeds even at the busiest times on match-day afternoons.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Not any more though. I suppose the recent growth in the Three network in terms of its competitiveness has meant that in catching up with O2, Vodafone and EE it's also begun to succumb to some of their problems. Now, even with my trusty MiFi, it takes an age for Twitter to reload, or for the Sky football scores app to refresh. Luckily I can still use my <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=200487860" target="_blank">Kindle app</a> (although it might take a while for it to recall which page I'm on if I've been reading on another device). The Kindle app is also handy for those particularly dull periods of play.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>So what have we learned? </b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Well, in tech, early adopters get a lot of stick. Indeed, it may be they case that they are prepared to accept buggy software or basic apps just to be at the forefront of something new or different, but what they get in return is the chance to play in a fairly empty playground, with easy access to the swings and the slides, before all the other slightly slower-witted kids arrive and start hogging the best attractions. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Our early adopters, put up with this for a while, then they start moaning about the playground, which has owners who suddenly start putting up intrusive notices and signs that weren't there before (<b>'Keep off the Grass', 'No Ball Games', 'Sponsored Tweet'</b>, etc) and they also start moaning at the new arrivals because they're spoiling the place.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But what the early-adopters are really doing is looking for the next playground, with the faster slides, the wilder swings, the crazier roundabouts... and the smaller queues! Who can blame them?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So, what's to be done about the early adopter looking to gain access to faster mobile data than the crowd? Where is there to go when all the networks are becoming much of a muchness? Not sure that even 4G will solve this one.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04098899594058962797noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4594046848251712898.post-50550848861654454062012-10-09T12:23:00.000+01:002012-10-09T12:23:04.418+01:00Thoughts on App.Net<div style="text-align: justify;">
I was one of the launch investors of <a href="http://app.net/">App.Net</a> which you may have read about. (Don't get excited - only $50 - I'm no angel). Once it launched, that became the onboarding fee for new joiners and, it's doing so well it has already brought that down to $36. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
If you're a developer and want access the the API, that'll set you back £100 per year, and many have already taken the plunge and begun to create their own desktop and mobile apps for the platform.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In the main right now, app.net and the apps which have sprung up around it are more like Twitter than they are different from it. That's not a problem as it's always easier to start from an existing paradigm and already some more adventurous and diverse apps are beginning to emerge. Also, whilst the experience is Twitter-like to a degree, there are some important and fundamental differences. In terms of the actual conversation, each post is restricted to 256 characters. This may not sound a big deal, over and above Twitter's 140 character limit, but it's surprising how liberating it can be and how much more precise you can be in expressing an idea or a comment with that broader palette.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Best of all though, given the paid-for nature of the service, there are no ads or promoted posts. In fact, there are very few brands in there at all just now. Similarly, there aren't too many newsfeeds just yet. In fact it's just real people being, in the main, positive and friendly and having conversations. Even friends who already know each other from Twitter and other platforms are developing their relationships in a way which hasn't been possible elsewhere to date.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Here's CEO Dalton Caldwell explaining the rationale behind the network:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="300" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/48111032?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0&color=ffffff" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="400"></iframe>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The conversation can get a little technical... naturally there are many app developers talking about developing apps. However, there is so much more going on and given the relatively low numbers of people currently using the service, engagement levels are high and of great quality. Sure it can get a little sniffy about other networks or about people cross-posting from elsewhere, but by and large it's fairly well self-policed. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The membership fee is, without doubt, a barrier to entry for many people. This could well be a good thing. Those people paying to join app.net, whether they are a developer or not, are investing more than their joining fee. They are investing in the people across the network by actively participating in a way that rewards themselves and the other members directly, without generating unwarranted spin-off 'benefits' for third-parties, advertisers etc beyond the network.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04098899594058962797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4594046848251712898.post-5905933612449506842012-09-26T15:14:00.000+01:002012-09-26T15:14:00.755+01:00Unhalfblogging<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7CBJfx5fjDgjH-HVjJoS24mJmB-7c6vUGuJ2bSN-_S5OXvt9jOG9aBkge95wqGPfvGeUFjhWkNpTnUOlO70WJwXRxv649rFKDCDnklEX59Cdf_wsZ96ZFtUUoIyklTeb27uupHWVZeXaW/s1600/3634843977_ee995d912d.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7CBJfx5fjDgjH-HVjJoS24mJmB-7c6vUGuJ2bSN-_S5OXvt9jOG9aBkge95wqGPfvGeUFjhWkNpTnUOlO70WJwXRxv649rFKDCDnklEX59Cdf_wsZ96ZFtUUoIyklTeb27uupHWVZeXaW/s320/3634843977_ee995d912d.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I've used <a href="http://www.iawriter.com/" target="_blank">IA Writer</a> quite a bit on the iPad and am starting to use it on the Mac to see how it goes. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You can run it in a small window amongst the relative clutter of your desktop, which seems a bit daft. The app makes much more sense in glorious full screen, removing all of those distractions and allowing for greater concentration. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Focus Mode looks even more splendid on the Mac, as what you've written slowly fades from view, enabling clear focus on the very sentence… the very word you're writing. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Now… what to write about.</b> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Well I'd like to get a batch of blogposts racked up. I used to be pretty prolific, both on my own blog and especially when writing for <a href="http://thenextweb.com/" target="_blank">The Next Web</a>. These days, I tend to share content in faster, shorter bursts via a range of social platforms new and old. Certainly Twitter and, to a lesser degree Facebook, but also spaces like new kid on the block, paid-for service <a href="http://app.net/">app.net</a> or ADN as the kids call it. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Actually the kids don't call it that because they aren't on app.net. That's because it costs $50 a year and they don't want to/can't afford to pay... aside from which they've never heard of it. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I tell you where they used to be… Facebook. They were there when they couldn't get their heads around Twitter. Now, for whatever reason, they're all over Twitter but also flooding 70s-style photo-sharing service Instagram, which is more or less a social network in its own right. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But blogs isn't really where anyone seems to be any more… at least not in my immediate crowd. If they are blogging, I'm not reading, so something's broken. Which is a shame, because it's nice to read a good blogpost from time to time. It's often even more fun to read and get involved in the comments underneath blog-posts, but other than on mainstream news sites, all that chatter has moved to Twitter… publish a blogpost and tweet a link to it, and people engage with you in Twitter rather than underneath your blogpost. The engagement is welcome wherever it takes place I suppose, but it can be a bit scattered and unfocused, even with the best tagging strategy in the world. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So, for what it's worth, I'm going to blog again. More for the discipline than anything else. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Unblocking the block.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Yes I know... I've blogged about blogging... the ultimate cliche.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i>pic: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sepblog/3634843977/" target="_blank">Search Engine People Blog</a></i></b></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04098899594058962797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4594046848251712898.post-34035272897195261692012-09-23T17:42:00.000+01:002012-09-23T17:42:00.620+01:00They Don't Know What They're Doing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8pwpDAqsi1pqZpaVB0Z1lPH2btxEW74JrFx5XHmcgwUv7WXeoPMbrrGMDAqb36HIS0AZ1sW-Fvida-Hda0liti46TvnZTyIg0i6JTchNu-nXuAziGG2lLRbVmIcz7HQ-ImxFiIXYd9l3p/s1600/06_archimedes_35438535_620x433.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8pwpDAqsi1pqZpaVB0Z1lPH2btxEW74JrFx5XHmcgwUv7WXeoPMbrrGMDAqb36HIS0AZ1sW-Fvida-Hda0liti46TvnZTyIg0i6JTchNu-nXuAziGG2lLRbVmIcz7HQ-ImxFiIXYd9l3p/s320/06_archimedes_35438535_620x433.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>I've got a new iPhone 5. </b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>I really like it of course, but I feel quite a bit differently about it than I did about buying the very first iPhone. It is, of course, a completely different animal now than it was then... but so is Apple... and so am I.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Since, the iPhone arrived, the world has changed. We now live in the future (<a href="http://www.warrenellis.com/?p=14314" target="_blank">read this brilliant speech if you don't believe me</a>). The things that we take for granted, we would have given our right arms for just a few years ago. As Apple kick-started the smart-phone world, it has managed to keep a more than slender but increasingly aggressive lead. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
For the first time, in the run up to the iPhone 5 launch I consciously considered acquiring an Android phone for the first time as my main phone (I used an HTC Wildfire S a couple of years ago as a test phone for a project... it was lousy). However, whilst I like the look of, and the reports coming back about the latest Samsung models, it is the use of the Google Nexus tablet running Jellybean that has turned me round to the possibility that Android might actually be capable of running a decent smartphone... but then I was standing at the bar the other night musing about this possibility to a friend and a stranger standing alongside us felt compelled to chip in that her experience with Samsung was the worst ever and that I should avoid this prospect like the plague!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So I'm sticking with the iPhone for another couple of years... I tend to keep a model for two years and skip the 'S's in between... but the company's arrogance and domination of its suppliers and partners is beginning to get dull. The 'Lightning' connector is nice, but not only have users got to buy extra cables/chargers for the office (because lets not forget iPhones struggle to make it through the day without a charge even now, five years after launch, and this model is no better), if they've invested in a fancy speaker/hifi which allows you to mount an iPhone on it they've either got to ditch it or fork out for an ugly adaptor. Same goes if the they've bought an additional powerpack like a Mophie Juice gizmo.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Also, Apple's paranoia which lead to Antennagate when they launched the iPhone 4 a couple of years ago (i.e. not letting enough of the things out of their sight to allow for decent User Acceptance Testing) tips over into simpler things such as the complete lack of available cases and accessories on Day One. I actually managed to buy a really cheap case on iPhone 5 launch day from a market stall and, whilst it'll do for now, it's far from ideal. I like to use the cases that have a belt-clip but there are none available yet. Unsurprisingly, to me anyway, my phone - in its case- fell out of my pocket when getting out of the car earlier. It afforded little protection and I managed to chip the black aluminium rim a little bit (something that would have gone unnoticed on the 4/4S). Frustrating. All these people walking around with expensive iPhone 5s tucked into spare socks and the like to stop them getting damaged.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I have to say that even thinking about walking away from Apple would have been unthinkable when the iPhone 4 came out, as I was shackled to my iTunes library, but my move to Spotify Premium about eighteen months ago means that I rarely trouble my pretty extensive iTunes library on any device. This, more than anything else for a music fan, makes it easier to contemplate walking away from Apple at some point. Let's see how they continue to wind us up over the next two years... a lot can happen.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I haven't even mentioned the new Apple maps, but you know, they'll get that right soon enough... I used the turn-by-turn directions this morning and they worked really well. And anyway, if Apple has crept up my little axis of evil chart, then Google and their superior mapping product are also there or there abouts these days.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And don't get me on Twitter's ongoing lurch towards unpopularity... mainly because I need to think of another post to write.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04098899594058962797noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4594046848251712898.post-84371005998486346102012-01-26T17:29:00.000+00:002012-01-26T17:32:58.580+00:00The next big thing? It's already here!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7033/6764649043_56a8a9b547_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7033/6764649043_56a8a9b547_m.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This week I took the chance to read <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sidestep-Twist-create-products-services/dp/9814351105/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1327569093&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Sidestep and Twist</a>, the new book on innovation by <a href="http://innovatorinside.com/" target="_blank">James Gardner</a>. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
James is General Manager at <a href="http://www.spigit.com/" target="_blank">Spigit </a>- the California-based crowd innovation company. I'm thrilled to be working alongside Spigit in delivering idea management and innovation programmes to the clients I work with around Europe and so was pretty keen to get into this book for the latest perspective on why innovation within organisations can be so tough.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This, his latest business book, is based on a pretty controversial premise. Counter-intuitively, he suggests that having the best idea, being the first to market, holding the biggest R&D budget or having world-class leadership provide no guarantees when it comes to delivering highly successful and innovative products and services. Instead, Gardner argues that, knowingly or not, the world's innovation success stories have been built on companies' ability to adopt <b>'Sidestep and Twist'</b> strategies by taking products and services that are already successful across into new markets - <b>the Sidestep</b> - and by adding remarkable new features which ensure that the products get better and better the more they are used - <b>the Twist</b>.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Gardner steadily develops this idea, neatly illustrating the concepts of the Sidestep, the Twist and even the Double Twist with examples drawn from history (Alexander Graham Bell and John Ambrose Fleming) as well as from more recent times, including some great vignettes featuring Google, Facebook, Twitter, Apple and Microsoft amongst others.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
For me, the book comes into its own in the closing chapters, where Gardner draws on his own successes (and failures) in trying to make innovations stick in large organisations - here some of his observations ring very true!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>How to make Innovations stick</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The models he creates which describe Innovators at one end of the spectrum in an organisation and Laggards at the other, reinforce the need to invest in strong stakeholder management with all interested parties in order to be certain that even the most attractive 'no-brainer' ideas don't stall prematurely. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In any organisation, the group of Innovators only represents 2.5% of the whole... and these are the ONLY people who will try anything genuinely new. Along with Early Adoptors, this figure grows to 13.5% which is a more influential share of the market of potential users, but getting them on board needs the active support of the Innovators... and the problem is... how to find them. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Even if you do rally the Innovators and Early Adopters, there are still the Laggards to contend with, as well as the people in the middle. The Laggards represent an influential 16% of decision makers and are a lost cause in so much as they are <i>"so completely risk averse that they'll always prefer what's working today, no matter how good the arguments for change"</i>. What's worse is that this group don't sit quietly when a major strategic change is proposed - they noisily and forcefully make their objections heard!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
These managers aren't being malicious - in fact they are demonstrating the very attributes which make them ideal for running businesses that are doing well on the back of traditional, steady income streams.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The trick is building a larger noisier group which supports a Sidestep & Twist strategy than the group led by the Laggards in order to get the innovation proposition adopted... Why? because the <i>"the loudest group of voices always seems to win".</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Gardner's book is invaluable resource for anyone trying to lead innovation programmes in organisations large and small. Anyone puzzled as to why the most obvious 'no-brainer' ideas are not welcomed with open arms and introduced will find solace in <b>Sidestep & Twist</b>... along with a raft of new ideas, tools and techniques.</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04098899594058962797noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4594046848251712898.post-20749037848896564652012-01-03T12:36:00.001+00:002012-01-03T15:22:04.007+00:00Not The Result I Was Looking For..<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0sEsr1OqO2WOpNRWsziGCUg4lQ3F-reylSm_Oe-W7zJfmVm1HJdXRONqoMXH9AW-WqbuooOwpJyppPV8wW4YddGY7ThjJno5JrYZ1Dzpr8ij15xuUrPL68OO9wgSjNkVRhdiPms73LR5/s1600/angry-mob-1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0sEsr1OqO2WOpNRWsziGCUg4lQ3F-reylSm_Oe-W7zJfmVm1HJdXRONqoMXH9AW-WqbuooOwpJyppPV8wW4YddGY7ThjJno5JrYZ1Dzpr8ij15xuUrPL68OO9wgSjNkVRhdiPms73LR5/s400/angry-mob-1.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I remember going to watch Blackpool FC home games in the 1970s with my Dad and whilst in the main the atmosphere was fine, I do remember some uncomfortable occasions in the late '70s and early '80s when the tension building up between opposing fans looked ready to tip over into violence... and on some occasions it did. Through the 1980s, this kind of violence became a staple and other than occasional trips with friends to Maine Road, Old Trafford or Elland Road, I stayed away from football.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Following some well-known disasters and with the advent of the Premier League and better stadia, football in the UK seemed to get its act together and become a place where families could return to enjoy the game and the atmosphere together.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I've been taking my son along to watch Huddersfield Town as a season-ticket holder for the past few seasons. It's been an enjoyable period, although not without its frustrations as Huddersfield have tried to escape League One, coming close on several occasions. As a spectacle though, it's been a fun day out and we have got to know the people sitting around us. We all enjoy the game and the fun bits and pieces which the club puts on at half time. During this period though, we haven't been to see Town play away from home.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On my son's Christmas list this year was a request to go and see an away game. I took advantage of the Christmas and New Year fixture list to book tickets to see Town play Notts County on January 2nd, along with travel tickets organised through the club, with the coach leaving from and returning to the Galpharm Stadium.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Before the journey I was a little apprehensive about the coach trip, thinking it may be a little rowdy for my ten-year-old son, but I was relieved to see a note on the travel tickets saying 'no alcohol on board' and, when we boarded I was pleasantly surprised to see the wide age-range of the travelling support. The coach was comfortable and safe; the journey warm and pleasant.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
When we reached Meadow Lane and disembarked we were greeted by friendly stewards and welcomed into the stadium. Even though it was only 1:45pm, ahead of a 3pm kick-off, we grabbed a pie and headed to our seats, again assisted by very friendly stewards. We enjoyed watching the ground begin to fill and both teams warm up. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Many of the Town supporters seemed to stay in the bars and only come up to their seats in the few minutes ahead of kick-off. Nevertheless, everything was fine and we were impressed how many Town fans had made the journey, more or less filling the Jimmy Sirrel Stand where we had been allocated seats.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The teams came out and Town were warmly welcomed and as the whistle blew, the final stragglers from the bar claimed their seats and the game kicked off... as did the language, the venom and the bile.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It was like someone had flicked a switched and suddenly we were surrounded by a hail of abuse. It stemmed largely from men between around 18 and 30, but it wasn't exclusively men and there were some older people joining in too. The language was appalling, but I should say that, even though many can't, I can cope with some language if it's used with wit and humour, but this wasn't. It just kept coming, aimed, not only at the opposing team and the officials but also at many of the Town players!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'd have been uncomfortable on my own and was even more uncomfortable in the company of my son. We'd been looking forward to singing and cheering the team along, but we couldn't participate in this. We watched the (frustrating) game and quietly looked forward to the coach home.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The swearing was unbelievable but so was the aggression and the frothing-at-the-mouth fury which accompanied it, there was even some completely bizarre and perplexing anti-semitism and homophobia. Quite breathtaking, and something we never see or hear at home games. It was massively disappointing. I thought, obviously naively, that we'd got rid of this from the English game... clearly not.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The stewards did nothing, not that I really expected them to. Neither did I raise my voice to those shouting around me for fear of immediate reprisals.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We won't be going to see Town play away again and I have to say it's put a different complexion on the prospect of regular home games.</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04098899594058962797noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4594046848251712898.post-52895418848918453782011-12-11T12:16:00.000+00:002011-12-11T12:16:01.039+00:00Albums of 2011: Number 1 - The Felice Brothers - Celebration, FloridaOK, here it is... thanks for your indulgence... This is my Number One album for 2011:<br />
<br />
<b>1. The Felice Brothers - <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/0bdPvodHhZyDNA8IWILUhr" target="_blank">Celebration, Florida</a></b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGzcQKhT25z3ZHn9IjkklekOGA7V7IPY0qnFhsl295y5Ap_EBrE8waU3S9kkvJHM7ThbGIw6ZPAQPav-MWjc8236GttxYxXAVMCwQ2eC-ojLGQN4UKLO69tUvOp8WdseZfxNG6c-4NAzED/s1600/felice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGzcQKhT25z3ZHn9IjkklekOGA7V7IPY0qnFhsl295y5Ap_EBrE8waU3S9kkvJHM7ThbGIw6ZPAQPav-MWjc8236GttxYxXAVMCwQ2eC-ojLGQN4UKLO69tUvOp8WdseZfxNG6c-4NAzED/s1600/felice.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I discovered this at the back end of the year and again I'm late to the party with The Felice Brothers. This album pulls together some great concepts, funky brass, bewildering syncopation and brilliant tunes. I haven't found a box to put them in but I think their name let's them down as they sound like they've got Jools Holland's Later stamped all over them - they haven't. It's a really great album.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/DzD1O7zZryM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
Here's a reminder of my full Top Ten for this year:<br />
<ul>
<li><b>10. James Blake - <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/10ezzZAhOon51wDVhXgB77" target="_blank">James Blake</a></b></li>
<li><b>9. Battles - <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/1O58FiA79FsPVDezRyTlU3" target="_blank">Gloss Drop</a></b></li>
<li><b>8. Aidan Moffat & Bill Wells - <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/3GMuRdRY13Ui3jUE1oWG2f" target="_blank">Everything's Getting Older</a></b></li>
<li><b>7. Patrick Wolf - <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/1N62oiLUF4xRk0cZETrSkn" target="_blank">Lupercalia</a></b></li>
<li><b>6. Delta Maid - <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/6GRhhozJLaOQpzIyx3X4wJ" target="_blank">Outside Looking In</a></b></li>
<li><b>5. Yes - <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/6GRhhozJLaOQpzIyx3X4wJ" target="_blank">Fly From Here</a></b></li>
<li><b>4. Zombi - <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/6GRhhozJLaOQpzIyx3X4wJ" target="_blank">Escape Velocity</a></b></li>
<li><b>3. Zomby - <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/75YwOt5ddaUbX8j4pn9QqX" target="_blank">Dedication</a></b></li>
<li><b>2. Glen Campbell - <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/32Lxzyy3bSXeQnBJgL1I22" target="_blank">Ghost On The Canvas</a></b></li>
<li><b>1. The Felice Brothers - <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/0bdPvodHhZyDNA8IWILUhr" target="_blank">Celebration, Florida</a></b></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b>... and here's a <a href="http://open.spotify.com/user/timdifford/playlist/59Ep3rrHHnYJ84d9ymsBIX" target="_blank">Spotify Playlist</a> of this year's Top Ten. Enjoy!</b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04098899594058962797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4594046848251712898.post-22759715594621039772011-12-10T12:14:00.000+00:002011-12-10T12:14:00.477+00:00Albums of 2011: Number 2 - Glen Campbell - Ghost On The CanvasThis year's countdown continues...<br />
<br />
<b>2. Glen Campbell - <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/32Lxzyy3bSXeQnBJgL1I22" target="_blank">Ghost On The Canvas</a></b><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNrR4BI2GC8DC35ePf1UJDxO5URpl8HIw7mBT69p-y1aFEAVltpCS_Ujv-nzZEWcOrvpWAzOOnjz7XkXkFAhU55wofZ7bHR_uGuFUShSLCKm_7WbvlthGE47_6unw8K40Mh6ObNg04NaLn/s1600/glen+campbell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNrR4BI2GC8DC35ePf1UJDxO5URpl8HIw7mBT69p-y1aFEAVltpCS_Ujv-nzZEWcOrvpWAzOOnjz7XkXkFAhU55wofZ7bHR_uGuFUShSLCKm_7WbvlthGE47_6unw8K40Mh6ObNg04NaLn/s1600/glen+campbell.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
By the time I realised what an incredible album this is his farewell tour had sold out. It's great stuff from end to end and includes one of my favourite ever Guided By Voices tunes, Hold On Hope.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/l4mylwPMPhM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
This year's big Number One revealed tomorrow... any guesses?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04098899594058962797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4594046848251712898.post-72007055754205346182011-12-09T12:13:00.000+00:002011-12-09T12:13:00.916+00:00Albums of 2011: Number 3 - Zomby - DedicationThis year's countdown continues...<br />
<br />
<b>3. Zomby - <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/75YwOt5ddaUbX8j4pn9QqX" target="_blank">Dedication</a></b><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcxNFLQc3yWuwqhou7K5qOm36BByB_jzJxI0UMfdTC-M3ODQtI4i2hP434P89GZJKUaw5F4vn3WherP94D_Vthf7FH6oMB0dslwwRfn6b818hWxxaVLV12_nr_ESNHL9GGsYbF199nLlaM/s1600/zomby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcxNFLQc3yWuwqhou7K5qOm36BByB_jzJxI0UMfdTC-M3ODQtI4i2hP434P89GZJKUaw5F4vn3WherP94D_Vthf7FH6oMB0dslwwRfn6b818hWxxaVLV12_nr_ESNHL9GGsYbF199nLlaM/s1600/zomby.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
22nd century prog rock<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/lEEI6VwMIek?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
Number 2 tomorrow...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04098899594058962797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4594046848251712898.post-29841914345887844922011-12-08T12:11:00.000+00:002011-12-08T12:11:00.411+00:00Albums of 2011: Number 4 - Zombi - Escape VelocityThis year's countdown continues...<br />
<br />
<b>4. Zombi - <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/6GRhhozJLaOQpzIyx3X4wJ" target="_blank">Escape Velocity</a></b><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfhtRJH7w1ncnIsdktA_-nPq6whsQqQgD24FIpsF3GUhiDfjmGEhfvO7GVaxNaLdLP0ztRWYEZXapK7mhBwMEun3LdhomvgmYEZ1i7sJML47oX0DOEDNsGcyK6b6R-vVWN_ePPDK-vm05r/s1600/zombi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfhtRJH7w1ncnIsdktA_-nPq6whsQqQgD24FIpsF3GUhiDfjmGEhfvO7GVaxNaLdLP0ztRWYEZXapK7mhBwMEun3LdhomvgmYEZ1i7sJML47oX0DOEDNsGcyK6b6R-vVWN_ePPDK-vm05r/s1600/zombi.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
21st century prog rock.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://3.gvt0.com/vi/-T_dZhO9mCc/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-T_dZhO9mCc&fs=1&source=uds" />
<param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" />
<embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-T_dZhO9mCc&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div>
<br />
Number 3 tomorrow...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04098899594058962797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4594046848251712898.post-77377533354750175672011-12-07T12:09:00.000+00:002011-12-07T12:09:00.629+00:00Albums of 2011: Number 5 - Yes - Fly From HereThis year's countdown continues...<br />
<br />
<b>5. Yes - <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/6GRhhozJLaOQpzIyx3X4wJ" target="_blank">Fly From Here</a></b><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8lN_65JtF2Ca8CTF37f9C_ZMpc-AW7kOef_l9tncok0q0OCQQgG3yqY7soyi92Jx5R0JWnaVHS_R6O9F_pNSWu9XELs9YdJj8yroVAoGgtKriC_cuNqNMDgK53FrOd3qYveMvS5236dMD/s1600/yes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8lN_65JtF2Ca8CTF37f9C_ZMpc-AW7kOef_l9tncok0q0OCQQgG3yqY7soyi92Jx5R0JWnaVHS_R6O9F_pNSWu9XELs9YdJj8yroVAoGgtKriC_cuNqNMDgK53FrOd3qYveMvS5236dMD/s1600/yes.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
20th century prog rock.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/3amuMwSiPtg?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
Number 4 tomorrow...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04098899594058962797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4594046848251712898.post-58059700237293353302011-12-06T12:08:00.000+00:002011-12-06T12:08:00.475+00:00Albums of 2011: Number 6 - Delta Maid - Outside Looking InThis year's countdown continues...<br />
<br />
<b>6. Delta Maid - <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/6GRhhozJLaOQpzIyx3X4wJ" target="_blank">Outside Looking In</a></b><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-ucxAMgTZFBeSpjP7X-wU8Nmi3kCBtz1vsxX9VQc3U37OPAG-PV5kFeGAwmhdbDNKWPxAK3x5OrQGMf8-wkjMnQRKsHzCbHwAEjbBpCV-1IZ-dtcCusxtsM1j_p9gMwRaI0Jw_zb2I-P/s1600/delta+maid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-ucxAMgTZFBeSpjP7X-wU8Nmi3kCBtz1vsxX9VQc3U37OPAG-PV5kFeGAwmhdbDNKWPxAK3x5OrQGMf8-wkjMnQRKsHzCbHwAEjbBpCV-1IZ-dtcCusxtsM1j_p9gMwRaI0Jw_zb2I-P/s1600/delta+maid.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
She's as scouse as they come but you'd never know it from this album of cute country and bluegrass. Just great.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/PO-9HqKcKJ8?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
Number 5 tomorrow...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04098899594058962797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4594046848251712898.post-54958540520705832792011-12-05T12:06:00.000+00:002011-12-05T12:06:00.287+00:00Albums of 2011: Number 7 - Patrick Wolf - LupercaliaThis year's countdown continues...<br />
<br />
<b>7. Patrick Wolf - <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/1N62oiLUF4xRk0cZETrSkn" target="_blank">Lupercalia</a></b><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAabOBkyHPrpuvtdwICx70NNHT41A9EfmzJkdLvCTDlKtWuKZs7W_HcaDbSIj300FK2Z0jD8-BPPQT1XBefMlrFdt_-tLnpR8ZmnvQ1fLlAV144aZEfUKSLC3jgGh-RD55EWY2LgXSUQ6n/s1600/patrick+wolf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAabOBkyHPrpuvtdwICx70NNHT41A9EfmzJkdLvCTDlKtWuKZs7W_HcaDbSIj300FK2Z0jD8-BPPQT1XBefMlrFdt_-tLnpR8ZmnvQ1fLlAV144aZEfUKSLC3jgGh-RD55EWY2LgXSUQ6n/s1600/patrick+wolf.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
I'd missed out of PW before this year's album but have enjoyed catching up. Poppy, melodic but heartfelt too. A bit old-fashioned and none the worse for it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://0.gvt0.com/vi/SCoJXqGn_kg/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/SCoJXqGn_kg&fs=1&source=uds" />
<param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" />
<embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/SCoJXqGn_kg&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div>
<br />
Number 6 tomorrow...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04098899594058962797noreply@blogger.com0