The History of Typography ... a video by Ben Barrett-Forrest

The History of Typography - Animated Short from Ben Barrett-Forrest on Vimeo.

Just watched this video after finding it whilst catching up on The Fox Is Black (I am so behind) and totally loved it ... it is so well done and utterly fascinating. Ben Barrett-Forrest has created something beautiful here that deserves your attention.

Tx

The Harkive Project

"It is my belief that no two people have ever listened to music in precisely the same way, and I think this is particularly, increasingly true today. Some of us may use technology or services common to many others, or we may listen to music on the same type of journeys, or in similar spaces, and for similar reasons, but each of us nevertheless creates our own, unique patchwork from what is available to us. The Harkive Project wants to find out how and why you listen to music in the way that you do, and how the devices, technologies, formats, services and time available to you are combined to create your personal listening experience. 

On 9th July 2013 I will be gathering stories from music fans across the globe in order to create a unique snapshot of the many listening cultures, habits and practices that exist on that day. I want to repeat this process every year and map how these change over time. My hope is that the results of my analysis into the responses to various instances of Harkive develop into a useful, informative and interesting resource for anyone interested in Popular Music. In order for this to happen, I need your help: I’d like you to tell me your story."

harkive.org/about/

I find the idea of documenting all the music I listen to on the 9th July (tomorrow) for the Harkive project a compelling idea ... and I intend on getting involved. You should too.

Go here >> harkive.org << to find out more.

Tx

Loving... DODOnotes from DODOcase

I really like this idea ... DODOnotes from DODOcase ... a notebook specifically designed for the iPhone.



According to their blurb ... the DODOnotes is

...completely made in the USA using traditional craft techniques, the interior of DODOnotes features 30 tear-out pages of Mohawk's Superfine paper — known for its smooth texture, consistency and uniformity. The classic book-like exterior features DODOcase's quality bookcloth with a unique die-cut tray to nest the iPhone. A colorful elastic strap holds the device in place and when the phone is out it can be used to store other loose items such as business cards, cash, and a pen or stylus.

I really like the idea of carrying a notebook with your iPhone. I know you can use the iPhone to take your notes ... but there is nothing as easy or satisfying as scribbling a quick note.

As discussed before, I carry a Filofax Flex Slim with a Muji Passport notebook ... along with my iPhones. I use the notebook for collecting all my thoughts ... before processing them on my iPhone. The DODOnotes is a nice alternative to carrying this wallet.

Tx

http://www.dodocase.com/products/dodonotes-for-iphone-5

Evernote just got more awesome ... with improved emailing features

Evernote just got more awesome!

They have introduced some features that vastly improve your experience when emailing articles to it.

First off ... you can add a 'to do' reminder:

Indicate a note is a reminder by adding ! in the subject line. Add !tomorrow to set a notification for tomorrow, !dayofweek (i.e. !tuesday) to be notified on that day, or pick a specific date using the format !YYYY/MM/DD.

Secondly ... you can add the article to a specific notebook:

Add @notebook name to the end of the subject line.

Thirdly... you can add tags:

Add #tag name at the end of the subject line. This feature works with existing tags in your account.

Please Note: You do need to follow this order: subject, reminder, notebook name, tags.

Lastly ... you can add text to the note:

To add some text to an existing note, put a " +" at the end of your subject line and we'll place the body of the email into the most recent note with that title.

These enhancements have made my Evernote experience better ... and it is a delight to see true improvements implemented in a tool I love.

Good job Evernote!

Tx

UPDATE - My journey with the Filofax Flex Slim

I recently posted about my new journey with the Filofax Flex Slim wallet / notebook. After a working-week's worth of use my observations are two-fold:

1) Carrying it everywhere (as it's intended) means that I am more likely to 'collect' incoming information and actions. In this regard, it is working.

2) I replaced the Flex notebook with a Muji Passport-style cahier. The pockets at either side of the wallet will hold a pocket cahier-style notebook. The Muji ones are slightly smaller than Moleskine ones ... both fit and both work. I have a couple of Muji cahiers that I'll use - they are cheap at 95p each ... and they fold flat. The inability to fold flat was the main issue why I replaced the Flex notebook - I couldn't open it flat without breaking the spine.

We'll see how things progress but my initial impressions ... even after having to change the notebook ... has been very positive.

Tx

My new Filofax Flex Slim and the need to collect as part of GTD

I recently picked up this notebook / wallet combo from Filofax (Flex Slim) from my local T.K.Maxx … it cost me £2 and has replaced my previous wallet. I have it working in partnership with my iPhone5 case … which is one of the wallet types and holds a couple of cards too.

Why swap an ordinary wallet for this notebook / wallet thingamabob? Well … this is where it gets interesting … its all to do with David Allen's Getting Things Done or, more specifically, Leo Babauta's Zen-To-Done update … I need an 'in box'.

I carry a number of notebooks around with me. I have a diary / planner with space for my To Do list … and I have two notebooks for various different notes.

I'm pretty good at keeping lists and work between my diary and a couple of specific apps on my iPhone / iPad / MacBook Pro (namely 'Things' and 'Clear' … with the iOS 'Reminders' app employed at times).

I'm also pretty good at taking notes … and regularly practice taking 'Sketchnotes' at church or when I'm reading a non-fiction book.

Where I fall down is in collecting all my ideas to get them out of my head.

Those familiar with GTD or ZTD will know the following stages:

1) Collect
2) Process
3) Plan
4) Do
5) Review

I noticed recently, as I read 'Zen-To-Done', that I tend to go straight to processing … and don't take the time to collect. I am always processing - taking the ideas and putting them somewhere - and not spending the time collecting. This has become a distraction to me.

Instead of taking time out to process once or more per day … I was continually processing. As such, I wasn't reaping the benefit of an empty head.

In addition, I wasn't taking the time to review … because I was always reviewing … processing and reviewing … and not seeing the benefits of taking specific time to undertake these tasks. As such, the system became the master.

I needed something to collect all my ideas … all the thoughts that run through my head … as well as the things asked of me. But carrying a notebook never really worked … because it was something over and above my wallet. This is where the genius of Filofax's 'Flex' system comes to the fore … it *is* my wallet as well as being a notebook.

Now I carry it about with me wherever I go … and I use the notebook to capture my ideas without processing them. I just dump down the thought and move on … or keep on with what I am working on.

I then take time to process and review … and, in doing this, benefit from a 'change of mental scenery' - I move from one task to another … rather than trying to do a tasking whilst continually working on my lists.

It is early days … I've only had it for 4 days … but already I can perceive a benefit. I works nicely with my diary / to do lists and the apps on my phone … especially when I am at work. It has reduced the need for me to be on my phone which, in turn, has two further benefits:

1) I'm not on my phone and therefore cannot be perceived to be 'on my phone' - folks see smart phones as productivity thieves … and, lets face it, they are probably right (curse you, Facebook with your appealing notifications!!!). If you are not on your phone, you cannot be distracted by it. 

2) It saves my iPhone's battery … which ensures I have it when I need it.

Multitasking is a myth. All that happens is you switch quickly from one task to another. For us to focus and focus with any depth, we need to remove all non-essential distractions … this includes getting all those random ideas that always seem to pop into your head when you want to get deep out of your head … and out of your head quickly. Using a phone as a collection tool takes longer than good ol' fashioned pen and paper … and you run the risk of getting distracted by all the shiny alerts while you are on there.

I think I've found a tool to help me … and for £2 … I'm pretty chuffed about it. We'll see how I get on in the coming months.

Tx

Filofax Flex Slim

Where less actually more ...

My friend, Simon Douglas, tweeted a link to this site (screen grab above) ... which features a press release for a 'Micropub' in his local area.

Whilst I am tea-total the concept behind the 'Micropub' really got me thinking. They have, in many ways, turn their constraints into unique selling points.

It reminded me of this article on PSFK.com :: http://www.psfk.com/2012/04/donut-shop-closes-early.html :: about a donut shop in Chicago that opens at 8:30 AM Tuesdays through Fridays and 9:30 AM on Saturdays and then closes after their last donut is sold ... usually 1 or 2 hours later.

Now ... I am not one to frequent pubs too often but I do go to coffeeshops regularly. I mainly go for two things - coffee and conversation - usually with friends from work or with my family.

As Starbucks have stopped celebrating all their various blends and other providers (aka Tinderbox and Beanscene) only offer one blend of filter ... I go mainly for the conversation these days ... but I can relate to the Micropub's assertion that they are about 'just good ale and conversation'. I get this. I get the need for space(s) set aside for conversation. In fact, I think it is vital.

I do find this 'Micropub' a strangely compelling proposition considering how it  would seek to completely limit my choice ... UNLESS ... I am there for 'good ale and conversation' and 'good ale and conversation' only.

It's like the food and drink equivalent of a Kindle or an iPod Classic ... it does one thing and it does this one thing really well. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles ... no TV or music or hot food ... and focusses on ale and cider predominately.

For a small group of people, this would be heaven on earth ... a peaceful oasis from the noise of everyday life. For others, however, this would be seriously dull.

But that's the point ... they are working to please their niche ... working to appeal to and attract the small minority of folks for whom a pint and a blether in a peaceful atmosphere is ALL they are after. They don't care if you think it is dull ... they don't care because it's not your thing. All they care about is pleasing their niche.

I like that.

I like their boldness.

I like niches.

I am a niche.

I personally think we need more niche products. I think we need more things that do less ... things that don't do too much but focus on doing what they do really, really well.

I wonder what other things would benefit from this kind of 'less is more' approach? Instead of trying to be all things to all men ... maybe we should focus on the niche and serve a smaller group more attentively?

Not to exclude anyone, though. Just a thing that says 'this is what I am ... take it or leave it' ... that then lets the consumer make the choice.

I think this would be refreshing ... and would be real choice.

After all that's said and done, however ... I do think the 'Micropub' would be better with music ... preferably music from weareallghosts and other ambient netlabels ... but then that's just me.

Tx

Oblique Strategies ... now online

"Oblique Strategies (subtitled Over One Hundred Worthwhile Dilemmas) is a deck of 7 by 9 centimetres (2.8 in × 3.5 in) printed cards in a black container box, created by Brian Eno and Peter Schmidt and first published in 1975. Each card offers an aphorism intended to help artists (particularly musicians) break creative blocks by encouraging lateral thinking."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oblique_Strategies

Oblique Strategies is now online. Instead of picking a card ... you open the page >> http://www.joshharrison.net/oblique-strategies/

I have added a few that I received at random today. I love the concept and will need to pick up a physical pack of the cards at some point. However, until I do that, I'll refer to this website.

Tx

Benjamin Dauer's Save The Pollinators

I love it when gifted folks use their gifts to help bring about change. One such change-maker is Benjamin Dauer ... whose project "Save the Pollinators" has captured my attention.

Dauer is an exceptional ambient musician whose music is a particular favourite of mine. His 2013 release on Twice Removed entitled "The Pace of Which" is simply stunning and will no do be well represented in my end-of-year poll.

With "Save the Pollinators" Dauer has taken his musical talent ... his art ... and sought to use it to highlight the plight of the humble bumble bee and the brown bat.

In the following audioclip, Dauer explains his idea and asks for help:



He wants your help. If you can ... take time to visit his site - http://savethepollinators.org/ - and record a wee message.

His goal is explained on the site:

My goal is to compose an original sound score to accompany your submissions. This collection could stand as a force emphasizing the global impact that these creatures have on our lives. So I would love to hear from you! Please consider contributing your voice, field recordings of bats or bees, interviews with bee keepers or bat experts - the creative possibilities are endless!

Please take the time to lend your voice or your musical talent to this project.

Tx

Utterly fascinated by Coffitivity

I listen to music all the time at work. I carry three iPhones (don't ask) and 2 iPod Classics with me most days to ensure I have *the* right soundtrack at any given moment. Whilst my preference is for longform Ambient music and mixes ... I have been known to listen to Death Metal and the sounds of frogs to aid concentration and give me a wee *something* to keep me motivated.

With this in mind, I approach Coffitivity with utter fascination ... coffeehouse sounds that interplay with your music to make you *feel* you are in an actual cafe.

According to Coffitivity ... the mix of calm and commotion in an environment like a coffee house is proven to be just what you need to get those creative juices flowing.

I have tried it ... and I did think it helped. It certainly reminded me of the times I have worked from Starbucks or Beanscene. It was a pleasant and welcome reminder. Give it a go for yourself ... its free and plays from the off so you don't even need to start it up.

Tx

http://coffitivity.com/

Loving ... the 1p Album Club

Rather than talk about music today I'd rather talk about a rather fab blog with a rather fab idea for getting people to talk about music ... the 1p Album Club.

As the name suggests this is a club that is formed around the premise of highlighting criminally undervalued albums that languish for sale on Amazon for 1p. The idea behind it is that you partner up with someone and buy an album for them ... you say why you bought it and your partner talks about what they have received from you.

It is a fab idea that I am delighted to be part of. I anxiously await my first CD from my twitter friendly Richie.

I am excited for a couple of reasons:

1) I hope I don't have it already, and
2) I hope I like what I hear (i.e. no modern hip-hop or black metal etc)

We’ll see what happens. Once I receive my first album, I can start looking for one for Richie. It is a great way to build up a friendship and to document the process as we do.

I would highly recommend the 1p Album Club blog ... it makes for a good read ... I tend to reminisce about albums featured that I have or had. In an age where music is easily accessed either through legal or illegal means, it's nice to get back to the physicality of a CD, thoughtful consideration and the greater appreciation of yesteryear. The anticipation alone is worth it ... I love the idea that I don't know what Richie wants me to hear but I will find out soon enough.

I also love the idea that anyone can join the club. All you need is a partner to buy CDs for ... the willingness to be open to new music ... and a love of writing. See the blog for more.

Will keep you posted.

Tx

http://1palbum.tumblr.com/

Waiting

I am now 145k in the @mailbox queue … really worried the app won’t live up to this hype. I guess I’ll know next weekend.
— thomas mathie (@headphonaught) February 10, 2013

As at 22:27hrs I’m 149k in the @mailbox queue.
— thomas mathie (@headphonaught) February 9, 2013

Still waiting @tribecacafe … Ichi Ban is looking very tempting right now.
— thomas mathie (@headphonaught) February 9, 2013

I am now 157k in the @mailbox queue.
— thomas mathie (@headphonaught) February 9, 2013

Waiting to eat in @tribecacafe. Not many places I wait to eat in.
— thomas mathie (@headphonaught) February 9, 2013

Waiting for a table at TriBeCa …
— thomas mathie (@headphonaught) February 9, 2013

My @mailbox status as at 0842hrs this morning … 161k to go.
— thomas mathie (@headphonaught) February 9, 2013

As you can see from my tweets above - displayed in reverse-chronological order - yesterday involved waiting.



When I heard about the Mailbox app ... I was intrigued. I liked the company's other app - Orchestra - and was eager to see how their approach would transfer over to email. I signed up and got my download information ... and then waited.

I then noticed ... on Thursday, I think ... that the app was in the Appstore. I downloaded it and was instantly faced with the realisation their deployment was unusual ... and that I was going to have to wait to get my hands on Mailbox.

As you can see by my tweets above, I'll probably get access to Mailbox NEXT weekend.



For lunch, Olly and I took the we'ans to TriBeCa ... a fab wee American-style cafe on Dumbarton Road in Glasgow. It is a fab place but way too small and a victim of it's own success at peak times like lunch on a Saturday.

We waited in the cold Glaswegian air for 30 minutes for a table-for-four. We could have eaten yummy Japanese food over at Ichi Ban or gorged ourselves at an Indian buffet in the place a couple of shops down from TriBeCa but no ... we wanted to eat there.

And it was worth the wait. The atmosphere in the cafe is wonderful - warm and bustling - and their bacon and egg bagels are first class. I'd recommend their 5-egg omelettes too. Had one of those previously and they looked divine on the plates of the other patrons.

These examples of waiting made me think. We don't really wait anymore these days. Well, we wait for trains, parcels from Amazon, and for shows to come on the telly ... but, for the most part, this is the day and age of instant.

We want an app now. We want our food now.

Regardless for the reasons given for the wait ... we see it as a delay ... as an inconvenience ... as a problem.

But is it?

I love what Nando's do. They give you a pager and let you get on with your day. 20-30 minutes is only a drag if you've got nothing else to do. With the pager, you can go and browse the shops nearby ... using the time more productively than simply waiting (albeit reading a book instead would be even more productive).

If the Mailbox app was designed to alert me when it was ready then I'd be fine with that ... I'd let it be and get on with my life ... but instead it demands my attention - I have to dip in regularly to see how the numbers have improved - and that's where the annoyance comes. Every time I look at the app I am reminded that I do NOT have it yet. It's effect is counter-productive. Instead of keeping me informed it riles me up ... like the messages I receive when on-hold to a call centre. Afterall, if my call was THAT precious to them, they'd employ more folk to respond sooner.

Mailbox talk about their willingness to scale their operation correctly. I get this and appreciate scalability this is a priority for my friends but that seems weak, somehow. I realise Google did the same with Gmail ... but they are not Google. If they wanted to scale it correctly then (a) they wouldn't have generated so much 'press' and (b) they'd charge for it ... that money being used to buy sufficient servers.

Personally, I think they are angling to be swallowed up by Google. They will demonstrate a product that Google will find irresistible ... Google will snap them up and incorporate the features into Gmail. I guess we'll see.

At the end of the day, I hope their approach to release doesn't backfire on them. That the hype DOES live up to the wait. I really do hope so. That's why I haven't deleted the app like others have ... I can wait.

Maybe that's the point? To teach us to wait. The internet has created an instantaneous culture where access is as important, if not more so, than ownership. It has exacerbated the culture of 'fast' ... that of fast food ... and taken it to the next level.

Waiting creates the sense of anticipation ... the sense of longing ... but with this anticipation and longing comes the fear that whatever it is we are waiting for will not live up to our expectations. The food in TriBeCa could have sucked yesterday. I didn't ... it was lovely ... but it COULD have and if it had we'd have been disappointed ... more so than if we'd just walked in off the street.

Waiting intensifies the disappointment. I hope Mailbox doesn't disappoint.

That said ... are we disappointed less in this instantaneous culture? I don't think so. I think we write things off quicker ... delete the app and not even bother to write a bad review ... we just move on. Is this a good thing? Possibly.

I guess the answer to this whole thing is to be mindful about what we consume ... to seek trusted recommendations and be prepared to wait for that special something that is truly worth waiting for.

Like the bagels with bacon and eggs in TriBeCa.

Tx

Loving... "The Stephanies" by Lexi & Kevin Hendricks ... and their ability to make it happen

Kevin Hendricks is someone I would love to grab a coffee with. He gets the interwebs and his latest project ... which I am a bit late on (apologies) ... is a real inspiration to me.

"The Stephanies" is a book written together by Kevin with his 6 year old daughter Lexi ... with illustrations from Lexi.

It is ... in their own words ...

... a short, goofy little story about two girls who are both named Stephanie. Sharing a name causes all kinds of problems and the two girls continually square off: 

“My name is Stephanie!” 

“No, my name is Stephanie!” 

“Grr…” both girls grumbled. 

It’s great fun. If you’re into children’s books, think more Robert Munsch than Margaret Wise Brown.

I love it ... albeit I am not their target market.

I love it because it is an awesome artefact ... a reminder of a time when a father and a daughter worked together and made something happen. Their experience has 'edges' ... it has substance ... it's more than memories and photographs ... it has physical form. I find that inspiring.

I love it because it is really good. I love kids books and have a few in my collection at home. The best thing about kids books is they can and are a great canvas for cutting edge illustration and storytelling. I'm not suggesting Lexi is a cutting edge artist ... yet ... but children's books are far more accommodating and accepting of a wide variety of expression ... and, to be honest, what better than a child illustrating a child's book ... there is a real 'on the level' thing here that I find delightful.

I love it because they made it happen. Kevin is a knowledgable chap and he knew what services to use to make this dream come true.

First off ... he used Kickstarter to crowdfund the process. I think they doubled their request ... and really got into the spirit of Kickstarter with some awesome incentives. I really would have liked a batch of those home-made cookies!

Kevin then used Amazon's CreateSpace service to create physical copies to add to the Kindle copy he created using tools such as Word and Photoshop.

Which brings me to my final point ... I love it because Kevin and Lexi could make it happen.

Theirs was and is a 100% independent production ... funded by kindness and generosity ... but created using easily available tools. Tools that need a bit of savvy to use but tools that give the opportunity to ordinary folks (not saying Kevin is ordinary ... far from it) with the willingness to learn the ability to do what Kevin and Lexi have done.

I think this is a prime example of how publishing is changing. Self-publishing is accessible to the masses ... or at least ... out of the hands of the gate-keeping Publishing industry. Yes ... Amazon are now the gate-keeper ... as are Apple ... and Barnes and Noble ... but they are enabling folks too ... giving them the tools to create.

Who knew I'd have my own netlabel this time last year? Its that kind of thing. The opportunities have changed and its savvy folks like Kevin with his adorable daughter who are paving the way for others to follow.

Well done Kevin ... Well done Lexi. I look forward to your next project and Lexi ... I really hope you keep on drawing.

Watch them read 'The Stephanies' together below ... and if you can ... please support them by buying a copy.

For more details ... go here.

Tx

Paper Notebooks vs Smartphones

I love it when someone presents an idea in a manner that makes me laugh AND think at the same time ... and this video from Moleskine did both. Yes, it is an advert for their collab with Evernote ... but it is well shot and thoughtful ... and wanted to share it.

For me its definitely both ... but that's me. I'm not ready to ditch my paper just yet.

Thanks Aaron for sharing.

Tx

Love this... the ABRACADABRAPP

I thought this was fascinating when I read about it on PSFK.com ... a modified Moleskine notebook that works as an analog app for the iPhone ... utilising a mirror and a slot for an iPhone.

For more info on the ABRACADABRAPP ... go to their 'Rock the Post' page.

Tx

The rush for new continues to increase, and it is now surpassing our ability to satisfy it.

"... there's an increasing desire, almost a panic, for something new. Yesterday was a million years ago, and tomorrow is already here. The rush for new continues to increase, and it is now surpassing our ability to satisfy it."

Seth Godin :: The decline of fascination and the rise in ennui

Why I still go to Starbucks

"... What he or she wants is a clean, quiet, comfortable, air-conditioned space, to work, meet friends or linger for hours, no questions asked. Such hangouts are scarce in India, and with the urban chaos outside, boy, do we need them. India’s women, desperately short of safe public spaces, want to sit by themselves without being leered at, as they might be in dhabas. India has an estimated 200 million people between 18 and 25. The young, who usually live with extended families in cramped houses, want to chat, date and escape their prying parents. The growing number of entrepreneurs who work from home are looking for venues to network and meet clients. And everyone – absolutely everyone – will be looking for that scarcest of commodities in India: a clean toilet. It’s not about the coffee. It’s about the coffee house."

"Why India's yuppies want Starbucks (it's not about the coffee)" by Kavitha Rao from The Guardian

I read this article recently and it has stuck with me. I love Starbucks ... but my love, like the young Indians mentioned above, is not about the coffee ... or at least not just about the coffee. Its about the coffee house and, in particular, my coffee house.

First off, let me say ... my favourite bean is an aged Sumatran. "Old Brown Java" as some providers refer to it. This is a bean that Starbucks uses regularly ... and it's something that makes me happy.

But it's not used in Pike Place ... their 'signature blend' and the only one they offer nowadays.

I like Pike ... but I don't love it. What I did love was the when they used to brew a variety of blends AND Pike. I used to love seeing what they had on offer and getting spoiled with cafetieres with the latest blend to try.

I don't get this any more ... but I still go to Starbucks. Why?

One reason is because of the coffee house itself ... it's the most convenient place for me to hang out at lunch time or after work. The upper floor at the 'Bucks in Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow; has a really relaxed atmosphere ... even when suits hog seats ... and students think they own the place. I've had some great conversations in there ... and got a lot of stuff done. It's my third place ... or, at least, one of them.

I am a big fan of Beanscene and would go there *everyday* if I could ... I particularly like the one across from the Kelvingrove Museum. It is something special. Ironically, I drink 'London Fogs' when I go there rather than coffee ... but it is still a favoured coffee house for similar reasons.

Another reason is the staff there are fantastic. Anne, Lesley and Hannah are just so warm and welcoming ... they really light up a bad day with their infectious enthusiasm for what they do.

Lastly ... Starbucks have embraced mobile payments and 'passbook' on the iPhone. Making payment convenient and zero hassle. I like this a lot ... mainly because I hate carrying money on me.

So I guess when I talk about my love of coffee ... I need probably expand that to ... I love coffee houses too and have my particular favourites.

Hopefully this is food for thought for all the coffee connoisseurs out there ... you may have the best coffee blends in world (hopefully one that includes age Sumatran beans) but if your coffee house isn't warm, relaxed and friendly ... and your staff are similarly engaging ... then you'll miss out.

People like me want great coffee ... but they need a place to relax and hang out ... and the difference between need and want is why I still go to Starbucks.

Tx

I'd run out and buy a Livescribe Sky pen except for ...

I'm still nerding out on Evernote at the moment ... and have been hearing good things about the new Livescribe Sky wifi 'smartpen' ... that works with Evernote.

I really like the idea of a pen that captures my notes and can capture audio too ... I really like that idea.

In fact I'd run out and buy a Livescribe Sky pen right now if it wasn't for one key factor ... the paper I have to write on.

Livescribe have their own paper ... it features coding that works with the pen ... start / stop ... that kind of thing. To use this 'smartpen' I need to use their 'smartpaper'.

This is a deal breaker for me.

Why? Moleskines and Post-it Notes ... that's why.

Or I should be less brandy and say ... notebooks and stickynotes.

I currently have 4 notebooks on the go ... 5 if you count my work notebook. None of them have the Livescribe notation. I would have to scrap them if I wanted to use a Sky pen. That seems wasteful to me.

I like my stationery. I like my Moleskine and Rhodia. The Livescribe paper just isn't as good as them.

I also write on Post-it notes. Notes here. Notes there. It would be really cool to record them and have them in Evernote. Really cool indeed ... but I'm not sure Livescribe have their own proprietary version.

If Lifescribe bring out a pen that works (as in records my writing) on 'ordinary' paper then I'll be interested ... until then I'll continue to write/scribble/draw/annotate/underline with my Bic 4-colours ... snap a pic and then upload to Evernote. Slightly cumbersome ... I'll admit ... but it works with what I've got.

The other option would be for Evernote to facilitate a collaboration between Livescribe and Moleskine ... a three way collaboration ... that resulted in a Moleskine notebook that was truly designed for Evernote ... with notes that could be easily scanned on a smartphone or written using a smartpen ... and uploaded.

I guess I can dream ... and yes, these are the things I dream about ... that and an ambient music festival ... but that's for another day.

C'mon Evernote ... get Moleskine and Livescribe talking.

Tx

Tapes On Books

I like this idea... create unofficial mixtapes that reflect the story, characters, locations, props etc in classic stories... like "Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick.

The mix contains tracks from the likes of Kraftwerk, Lambchop, Joy Division, Bob Dylan and Tubeway Army. I haven't heard the mix yet... but really like the idea behind it.

Go here for more :: http://tapesonbooks.wordpress.com/

Tx

Oh and they have a mix for "The Lord of the Rings" too :: Link.

Ideas... Jack Chen - The Slow Web

Timely not real-time. Rhythm not random. Moderation not excess. Knowledge not information. These are a few of the many characteristics of the Slow Web. It’s not so much a checklist as a feeling, one of being at greater ease with the web-enabled products and services in our lives.

Like Slow Food, Slow Web is concerned as much with production as it is with consumption. We as individuals can always set our own guidelines and curb the effect of the Fast Web, but as I hope I’ve illustrated, there are a number of considerations the creators of web-connected products can make to help us along. And maybe the Slow Web isn’t quite a movement yet. Maybe it’s still simmering. But I do think there is something distinctly different about the feeling that some of these products impart on their users, and that feeling manifests from the intent of their makers.../

Jack Chen - The Slow Web

Well worth reading Chen's full article... it gave me food for thought.

Tx