Something Happened - it was an ebook 2010

Sunday paper so far, the news is about last year. As reported by
Robert Crum, Gail Rebuck has stated that Random House found an 800%
increase in year-on-year e-book sales.  It was a "tipping point" in
digital publishing. Crum accepts this as a possibility, given the
stats for USA, 200% up on 2009. $1000m is a viable system.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/jan/02/robert-mccrum-digital-books-downm...

However much of this is downmarket for Crum. The New York Times finds
that romantic fiction is a major growth area and it is suggested that
"the e-reader is the electronic equivalent of the brown paper
wrapper":

Strangely there is no mention of academic journals, an area where
digital publishing has been strong for some time. Often protected for
digital rights the journals are only read by academics, but literary
criticism might cross over. Apparently not so far to the Sunday
papers.

I welcome the idea that there has been a definitive event. Most of the
writing about digital content assumes there is some point in the
future we might have to think about later. This applies to most
implications from digital technology. At the ESRC meeting about
Changing Forms of Organisation in 2007 Will Hutton seemed to suggest
that styles of leadership had to change because of developments in the
knowledge economy. However others seemed to think it was too early to
tell.

http://www.inter-logics.net/CFO/default.aspx

The ebook idea has been around for ages. I thought about it as part of
a Timequake as in the Kurt Vonnegut novel about a decade that is
repeated. Not sure of the dates on this. According to the Wikipedia,
the Timequake was between 1991 and 2001. There is also a "clambake", a
celebration of Kilgore Trout. It seemed a long way off then but I
think this also happened in 2010.

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

More on Timequake when I find the paper again, it is somewhere in the
house. Meanwhile this blog clearly has to move around in time and
space. What happened in 2010 is not that clear yet. London publishers
look forward to the Book Fair but may just need to reflect on what has
already happened in New York and other places.

Craig Charles and the rights on tree photos ; Jaime Leigh and BBC Radio Devon

A bit late I have sent in a Xmas tree photo to Craig Charles who has been working solidly through the holiday. When away from Exeter and Phonic, Radio 2 can be ok. When stuck on the M6 for example. But I only got round to sorting on the photo when I got back.

What I wonder about is the rights aspect once these photos are loaded onto the Radio 2 website. Presumably the BBC have some rights but there is nothing stated about this. Can i use other photos from the site in my own mashup for next year? Jaime Leigh recorded some seasonal music for BBC Radio Devon and I was going to suggest to people at Phonic that they played some as well. Another thing i never got round to but I may investigate for another time. If the BBC want us to send in photos they can use, why not offer BBC recordings for other programmes?

BBC Radio Devon do excellent sound recordings, a big help when casual video has not got the sound quite right. For example, Jaime Leigh has a gig this evening, new year's eve at The Dartmoor Halfway Inn, Newton Abbot starting at 9PM.

http://dartmoor-halfway-inn.co.uk/

What if Radio Devon got the sound and left a selection online for a week or so? various bits of camera could be edited later. Assuming Jaime was asked first obviously.

2011 could be the time that things like this are sorted out. Not sure how it works but the technology is possible. 

The 'book' concept is changing

John Naughton has noted that the concept of a "book" is changing.

 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/dec/19/ipad-publishing-kindle-books-apple

 

The iPad has the media attention for the use of video and animation. Print journalists seem to think that paid content models can continue in this sort of way.

 

Meanwhile Adobe makes more sense. I am still trying to work out what Acrobat X offers. Not sure who likes the content page as animation, the idea of a portfolio. But embedded video could work well when the file size issues are resolved. My test so far is over the limit for Adobe to store online and only has three pages.

 

Closing down now, but more next year as at BETT and Learning Tech. Olympia would work better with both shows at the same time. Total Olympia as a tech show for all ages.  

Wheelie Wild Show plays my Aretha request

This morning Chris Norton found a space to play my request - This Christmas by Aretha Franklin. Main reason is that she recently had an operation so thoughts are with her.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=163962408316

Another reason is that the CD has not been released in the UK. YouTube blocked on this one by WMG. Thing is, if they have the rights to block it, do they have the rights to release it? A lot of people would buy it if it was in the shops.

Snow at Exeter Castle, another Flickr illusion

Thinking about Cold Comfort at Spacex I remembered an earlier Photoshop occasion when I borrowed some ice from Boston.

At he time there was an Ice Rink but the image rights were held by the Express and Echo. After a few phone calls I never found someone to say yes but then again there was no definite no. Just the passing of time so it seemed easier to use Creative Commons and somewhere else.

Nowadays with Exeter as a centre for social media it might be the case that any news organisation would welcome sundry photos of any iconic image.

What to think? Links please. comment welcome.

Creative Commons photo edit for Animated Exeter 2011

I have found a still that could be used for Animated Exeter website 2011. i will do another talk around will's wonderful world of digital music Video. 

The original is on flickr wth Creative Commons licence.

zilog at demoscene presentation

pic by Enrique 'Ithaqua' Tromp

DATR, UPC, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
# 2 november 2005

may change later.

#coldcomfort at #Spacex, photo mix in real space and online

Spacex features a snow themed sequence of sets till Dec 18th. They are not claiming image rights on the photos you take for yourself using their backdrop and costumes. I have also included the yurt, the snow projection, and the flask of hot chocolate.

The idea is to create gifts over the next week using the resources available. Has the spirit of DIY taken over in Exeter? I have also tried out some photoshop uses of the backdrop. It works ok but I think others could do better. So far Stripey has turned up to add some musicChris Norton has reported live for Phonic FM. And Stephen Bateman and Scott Gould from #likeminds have dropped by to advise on social media. The Spacex Facebook site is at Facebook / spacexgallery . Actually I made this up but Stripey is at Fuel on North Street this Saturday so might make it as far as Spacex. Chris Norton may mention Cold Comfort during the Wheely Wild show on Thursday morning. Sometime ago JD discussed the use of social media to expand the reach of galleries. Not sure how this will work out but worth following.

BETT / InfoLab 21 Next destination for imagined walk

It turns out that Lancaster University Network Services (LUNS) will have a stand at BETT in January. They are based at InfoLab 21 so things are fitting together a bit in reality or something like it. This blog is still intended to use the photos of Lancaster campus as a set to link in other events in time and place. But sometimes the overlap is more credible.

Stand P26 is on the balcony in the larger hall on the wall at the end nearest the railway station. It is at the end going towards the other hall. 

Products include Moodle so there may be information on other open source stands. This is a bit unclear at the moment.

BETT claims to be the largest educational technology show in the world. It is also the most comprehensive UK technology show of any kind. Most computer shows are now very niche. This will be a rare chance to compare e-books, laptops, netbooks etc from Sony, Samsung. etc. Adobe will present the full range of software.

Not many phones though and no Apple. So apps may have to be remembered from another event.  

 

Revised walk starts at Online / Learning Zone

Thinking about Online Information it seems to me that the Apps World aspect has changed things. The apps may not have been part of the main show but most people in Olympia were aware of the apps aspect. The average age of the people there was probably lower than most of Online but not just student types. So the background of BETT must assume that mobile devices are available, at least outside of school hours.

So the direction of the walk can change, not just because of the sequence of the shows, The technology is now reaching consumer electronics and challenging the education.   

Experimentation and social media / video

Thinking about "experimentation" as a phase between buzz and maturity. The details of the Online keynote are not out yet but probably something will turn up. Experimentality is sort of closed as research topic at Lancaster but I am still getting interested. There could be more about business and organisations in relation to experiment.

http://www.lancs.ac.uk/experimentality/tracker

the blog is still being updated but chronology is not obvious.

Web video may be still at the buzz phase, experiments imply some developed theory as to what is being tested. I have several clips from Online yesterday including a copy of European Council video. the sound is not good, too much background but the lighting could be fixed.

Tomorrow I will be at the CQI for a meeting looking at case studies for MoSO, a model of sustainable organisation.

http://www.thecqi.org/Community/Special-Interest-Groups-SIGs/Deming-SIG/The-Sustainable-Organisation/How-to-use-MoSO/

I am trying to think about the structures for video. There will be a proper video this time. Previously I tried to record the launch event but there are issues with lighting and sound. 

http://www.youtube.com/mosocqi1

Maybe for Youtube etc this is less of a problem. The audience have various ideas about acceptable production values. An event has multiple camera angles / edit versions. search results start somewhere and then various routes are on offer.

The MoSO process starts with an existing situation. Television in general has a changing model. My situation is currently casual but there will be a model around social media including video. Experimental phase coming up. 

Flickr from Online Information and Apps World

apps world had more buzz to it and could have filled the space at the back of #online10

The central IT department is not the only option.

The Keynote

http://www.theconferencecircuit.com/2010/11/30/analytics-are-the-next-advance-in-social-media-the-opening-keynote/

 previously

http://www.dachisgroup.com/2010/08/six-social-business-trends-to-watch/

can't find the diagram about "buzz, experimentation, adoption, and maturity" but it sounds interesting.

Definitely right about the move to mobile, even if apps world was a bit hard to find.

If at #Online10, Highwire Stand 330 apps demo 3.30

Also a few drinks if you get there in time.

I am back in Exeter but my impression from yesterday is that Highwire are among the most mobile aware of the publishers towards the front of the hall.

appsworld is in Olympia 2 

appsworld takes mindshare from Online Information

At Olympia today. The Online Information space is not full. There is no IMS show but XML and Library specific software survive.

 

There is an appsworld next door in Olympia 2. It is possible to connect but not obvious. The badge works but there is a barrier on the stairs. I found a lift going down but none coming back.

 

Highwire one of several publishers ofering mobile options. So should the apps connection be a bit more obvious?

 

Come and have a look. Two more days.

 

Online Information had been heading mobile for ages.but sometimes there is disruption.

 

www.apps-world.net

High Street / Central City consumer electronics

When you catch a bus to the city it may be like this

could be Exeter where I live or most places. Video / interviews could be anywhere, the questions are much the same.

Walk arrives at Learning Zone / Online Information

The Learning Zone is one side of Alexanderplatz, opposite the library and bookshop. Online Information has always been about online but recently the publishers involved have put less emphasis on hard copy. How will libraries and bookshops adapt as this continues? there is a display of the Sony Reader in Waterstones but it is not often in the window as is the case for Waterstones in central Lancaster.

Online Information is this week so could offer clues on how this walk will continue.

Blogs display in posted order so go back four for the start of the walk.

Walk through the Hub / Learning Technologies

The Hub is in the Management School. Learning Technologies is not until the end of January but the Twitter feed is active already. There is also a related Skills event that could be more familiar for people who study HR. 

Business Schools can be concerned with critique so the technology vision and claims for organisations might be modified. 

Walk continues through Grizedale / MoSO meeting

MoSO , a model of sustainable organisation, is a project of the Deming SIG at the Chartered Quality Institute. There is a meeting on Thursday to discuss UK case studies. The approach could be a way to interpret technology as it relates to organisations.

Grizedale bar is on the route past the George Fox Building.

Walk starts with BETT / InfoLab 21

I am rethinking the walk on Lancaster campus. Time and place are getting even more tangled. The Winterlude has started because the online presence of actual events extends time. The InfoLab is an architecture for technology visions and BETT is now the only UK tech show with any depth of range. It will cover all netbooks etc and phones will be in the background. So the walk starts here or in the new year. 

Acrobat X opens scope for more chat show formats

I realised earlier today that there probably are people who like the Portfolio presentation so I should not give up on it too soon. They may not like the actual PDF once they get there. I think design is divided around a page / book reference, and visual animation. I like animation as such but most of my expectation for PDF is about flat text. Still, there are options to discuss and Acrobat X offers a lot of choice.

 

As there are more copies of Acrobat X around some issues will come up again. I have done another outline of a sort of script for a walk on Lancaster campus. I think the Web requires acceptance of quality systems and a wider take on learning. Technology is open to critique but my current guess is that there is enough support for elearning for it to be viable on some scale. If not now then probably sometime next year after BETT and Learning Technologies. Things vary with time and place but the Bailrigg campus is till a set for linking.

 

InfoLab21 to Learning Zone

 

This doc exists as a Google Doc, on Buzzword and on Scribd. When Acrobat Reader X is released there will be a PDF version enabled for comments. Or add a comment to this blog. In theory any route should work. Tidy version around Feb 2011. 

 

Acrobat X opens scope for more chat show formats

I realised earlier today that there probably are people who like the Portfolio presentation so I should not give up on it too soon. They may not like the actual PDF once they get there. I think design is divided around a page / book reference, and visual animation. I like animation as such but most of my expectation for PDF is about flat text. Still, there are options to discuss and Acrobat X offers a lot of choice.

 

As there are more copies of Acrobat X around some issues will come up again. I have done another outline of a sort of script for a walk on Lancaster campus. I think the Web requires acceptance of quality systems and a wider take on learning. Technology is open to critique but my current guess is that there is enough support for elearning for it to be viable on some scale. If not now then probably sometime next year after BETT and Learning Technologies. Things vary with time and place but the Bailrigg campus is till a set for linking.

 

InfoLab21 to Learning Zone

 

This doc exists as a Google Doc, on Buzzword and on Scribd. When Acrobat Reader X is released there will be a PDF version enabled for comments. Or add a comment to this blog. In theory any route should work. Tidy version around Feb 2011.