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Designing the Obvious

As recommended by Seth Godin, Designing the Obvious is a new book from Robert Hoekman, Jr. focussing on seven guiding principles of web-based software. Judging from the free sample chapter on Robert’s website it’s probably a worthwhile purchase.

But, we’re now in the age of instant gratification: so waiting until December 2006 for a hardcopy of the book (if you’re in the UK), or ‘1-3 weeks’ (if you’re in the US) doesn’t really cut it. For all the wonderful new technology that Amazon are coming up with, PDF publishing seems to have been ignored. If The Pragmatic Programmers can do it – and they do it fabulously well – why not Amazon? Or indeed, why not Robert?

[Update: 9 November 2006] I got my copy from Amazon yesterday, complete with its blissfully minimal cover.

2 Comments | Permalink | General Musings
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Aurora featuring Lizzy Pattinson: Summer Son (F & W Remix)

It’s okay – I’ve now recovered sufficiently from listening to a trance version of a Sting track. Eww.. that was horrible. So here’s a Texas cover instead.

Amazon UK
iTunes UK

No Comments | Permalink | Tracks of the Day | Music of 2006
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Sound Hints

If you find that iTunes doesn’t sound quite as good as Windows Media Player, don’t go faffing about with third party plugins that alter the sound. Buy some decent speakers instead.

If you’re sending e-mails to people touting for business:

  • use an up to date e-mail address;
  • spell check your e-mail;
  • don’t send a Powerpoint presentation;
  • make sure that the HTML link to your website is correct;
  • don’t rely on 0870 telephone numbers.
No Comments | Permalink | General Musings
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Spooky: No Return (Spooky’s Main Club Mix)

Spooky were at the forefront of the British progressive house movement in the early 90’s. Last I heard from them (via their 1996 album Found Sound) they were rather taken by the noises of clattering household goods. However, it seems that recently, they’ve re-discovered their roots.

No Return is a relaxed drive through the Land of Progressive as it is today, with vocals from Julie Daske.

iTunes UK
Spooky Website

No Comments | Permalink | Tracks of the Day | Music of 2006
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The penny drops

The BBC reports that the UK film minister, Shaun Woodward, has told industry executives that new technology is the key to stopping people watching illegal copies of movies. He included in his remarks the possibility of providing a movie download at the same time that it is released in the cinema.

This would be an obvious way of feeding demand, but it might anger cinema owners who really need you to buy their popcorn. There’s also talk of charging a premium to those who want to download shortly after a film is released. However, these moves alone won’t hinder piracy: piracy has never been about satisfying the demand for seeing a film (except prior to its release) and the price issue obviously sways people who might not otherwise watch a film, to seek out a pirate copy.

iTunes movies solves the latter issue by charging less for a (DVD) movie prior to its official release, when pre-ordering. Furthermore, music is frequently sold and made downloadable on iTunes before it is physically available, thereby solving the first issue.

This inevitably means a number of things for the future of movie consumption:

  • The on-line selling model for movies needs to be similar to that currently used by the iTunes store.
  • Such movies need to have a one-view-only price comparable to a visit to the cinema.
  • A movie should be available for permanent purchase and one-view-only purchase at the same time as its cinema release.
  • Movies should be sold in at least two formats: with and without extra features, with appropriate price adjustments.

The FACT (Federation Against Copyright Theft) chairman thinks that simultaneous releases are “probably not technically possible” at present. Perhaps the best way to resolve security and logistics issues with preparing a film for release is for a film to be released worldwide at the same time (or same day), and securely streamed directly to cinemas.

No Comments | Permalink | General Musings
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Still Cheaper

Seth Godin writes about the concept of cheap, or rather cheaper. In particular, he states “Cheaper is the last refuge of the person who’s not a very good marketer”. It’s also somewhat opposite to being remarkable. And being remarkable is where it’s at, right now.

About this time last year we decided not to be cheaper than our competitors, because cheaper wasn’t getting us the work we wanted, nor was it building our customer base. The opposite was true: customers who recognised the value in what we provided to them, and realised that we’re absolutely committed to help build their organisation through a long-term relationship were the ones who spent more with us. They’re also the ones who recommend us to others, because, as Seth writes “cheaper doesn’t spread the word”.

So what’s the result of not being cheaper? For us, it’s less work. But, it’s the work we want. It’s the work that enables us to build long-term relationships with customers. It’s the work that enables us to be remarkable. If you want a one page website, we’re not the guys to call, but if you want something that is innovative, world class, or solves a problem that others deemed ‘impossible’, drop us a line.

No Comments | Permalink | It's Our Business
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The Cardigans: My Favourite Game

For those people who had no idea what I was writing about in the first paragraph of my Long Gone Before Daylight review:

Do watch it to the end, will you?

No Comments | Permalink | Music
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The Cardigans: Super Extra Gravity

Number 2 of 2005 — The Cardigans: Super Extra Gravity

the_cardigans_super_extra_gravity.jpg

I’ve wracked my brains, and wrecked ‘em, for a couple of weeks trying to decide how to review Super Extra Gravity. I had this not so bright idea of comparing it to their previous album, and masterpiece Long Gone Before Daylight. Because Super Extra Gravity is a few steps on from that album, experimental in different ways, less focussed, but with more balls and more drums. But that makes for a very short review. Indeed, since you’ve just read my comparison, that’s the review done.

So what about the lyrics? Long Gone.. was a collection of autobiographies, perhaps from one person, sequenced as a countrified musical. Don’t doubt me on this point. It was exactly that, okay? This time around, the stories look outwards as well as within a relationship. There’s a lot of dancing featured in the stories, including the literally waltzy Overload, providing a great big metaphor for the stupid listeners amongst us.

Some stories are subtle: the incredibly sad, multifaceted Don’t Blame Your Daughter (Diamonds) [video], others less so, such as the marvellous I Need Some Fine Wine And You, You Need To Be Nicer [video] (and that comma is so important). The latter comes on like some deranged wedding song, but at least shows that Nina hasn’t given up alcohol. I’m sure she’d never spend less than £3.99 on a bottle. And there’s a lot of wine on this album. Nina still writes the most fulfilling, expressive lyrics, condensing ideas into just a few sentences “I’m gonna take you to the wilderness / I’m gonna show you things you might have missed / I’m gonna kiss the parts that you have lost / It’s gonna cost you, but you might hurt less” (Drip Drop Teardrop)

Musically, Tore Johannsson returns as producer after his banishment from the Long Gone sessions, and there’s more fun as a result. Drums are bigger – booming out from the early bars of Losing A Friend and the guitars get to express themselves in all sorts of new ways. Check out the buzz in Give Me Your Eyes and the imaginative instrumentation on Holy Love.

But, if there was any doubt as to the relationship with Long Gone.., it’s clarified with And Then You Kissed Me II. Borrowing much of the phrasing and some lyrics from And Then You Kissed Me, the album concludes defiantly, warning that “love is a powerful force”. Compare this to the loneliness expressed in Long Gone’s 03.45: No Sleep and you’ll see that this is probably the end of this phase of The Cardigans’ development.

Unlike the bonus tracks on Long Gone.., the two bonus tracks here are essential: Give Me Your Eyes is a fun reflective song with a break that’s breathtaking. Slow is the second and last bonus track – full of depressing imagery, perhaps a counterpoint, prequel or sequel to And Then You Kissed Me II.

When I wrote about Godspell last October, I reckoned that The Cardigans were the best band on the planet. Despite the obvious influences, there’s a meticulous detail to arrangements and songwriting resulting in every note, every measure being a rewarding experience. An essential album for every music lover.

[Amazon UK] (just ignore the ignorant Amazon review)
[iTunes UK]

No Comments | Permalink | Music of 2005
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