The Internet - Access for All?

Ok, now here is a challenge. Picnic, the big (I think too big) event now being organised each year in Amsterdam, also has partner events which run alongside the week of cross-media celebrations. At 1400 on the 26th September there is now a choice. Come to a partner event organised by HIVOS about the increasing censorship on the Net. I'll be moderating a panel of specialists who really know who to point the finger at. It is FREE! Or, you can pay 950 Euro to go and take part in the opening of Picnic itself. I wonder if money talks in this case and who will come out and p(l)ay. Sign up if you're coming.

Adobe Ventures Into HD

I see that Adobe Systems has released a new beta version of its Flash media player that displays HD video programming.

It is claimed that Flash media players reside on 98 percent of all desktop personal computers and millions of portable devices, so Adobe says the new player extends HDTV capability to the rapidly expanding universe of online video that includes popular social networking sites such as YouTube and MySpace. That assumes the flash isn't blocked by the company firewall.

Adobe’s new player supports the H.264 compression format — the same video standard used in HD DVD and Blue-ray optical video players. Audio supports the HE-ACC standard, and the player supports hardware accelerated, multicore enhanced full-screen video playback.

The public beta version of the update to Adobe Flash Player 9 software, code-named Moviestar, which includes H.264 and HE-AAC functionality, is available as a free download from Adobe Labs at labs.adobe.com. The final release is expected to be available via update in the fall.

DMOZ- Not a hope in hell

I see there are still some "human web index projects" around which claim they are going to become more accurate than machine indexes because they have editorial standards set by net-citizens. but, searching under the media categories that interest me I think the humans lose out by a long way. It is worse than useless. How will they ever keep up? Submitting a URL is something for the real nerds among us. Must appeal to redundant librarians. Being an editor in Wikipedia makes sense. But being an editor in DMOZ makes no sense at all....unless you have nothing else to do with your life. And that must mean you're in a pretty sorry state of affairs. Like some librarians I used to know....

Love the slogans

My Dad and I share an interest in slogans...and silly fridge magnets.

Fishing skips a generation

Never had the patience for fishing. But my father and son both love it. Must be genetic.

A family celebration....

In Norwich, UK for a couple of days for my parent's Golden Wedding Anniversary. My kids are with me to celebrate what has been a great 50 years - for them and for us. Congrats here on the world-wide web!

And the girls....

Hurricams

Followed up on Lou Josephs advice and found several sites in Cancun with webcams showing the status of the hurricane sweeping through the region. This site is one of the best. Fingers crossed for them. People forget we're coming out of the quiet period for hurricanes. I fear we have not seen the last of the big ones for this season. Still amazed that the TV networks seem to think the only way to make their reports authentic is to have the presenter actually standing out in the wind screaming that it's "windy". Thank goodness the scientists stay indoors.

Yes, there is a pan pipe conspiracy

I think its the same group of Ecuadorian pan pipe players that tours the whole of Europe, popping up to add a touch of the Andes to places that often don't appreciate it. These guys had DVDs, CDs and even MP3-CD's ready for a couple of Euros.

Mobile Phony

And some of this as well

Mountains in the North and East, plains in the South. Great views if you're willing to hire a car.

A bit of this for a few days...

Now this touches the spot....Alcudia Beach on the eastern side of Mallorca. Highly recommended. Great sandy beaches....

Goodbye Holland

It is strange to be leaving on the only day, so far, when there has been anything like clear skies.

Sch.....you know who

I travel through Schiphol airport a lot and notice there are times when the place seems to be awash with its own hype. Sometimes the airport is leaning over backwards to accommodate its 70% foreign passenger list. Other times it is more provincial than any East European airport. You can see it in the spelling on signs. Sometimes it is obviously done by a native speaker. Othertimes it looks like a Babelfish is at work. What the hell is a fash wash for 16 Euro?

When I pointed it out to the sales assistant, instead of saying thank you, she tried to cover the other signs. "It is not permitted to take photos in the Duty Free Shops", she says. Says who? Come on, the prices are not THAT competitive. Please put up signs says mobile phones and cameras forbidden in the shops. It will make you guys the laughing stock of Europe.

Outa Here...and heading there

Need I say more? No, this broadcast is suspended for a few days.

Still here

Time has just rushed by. Been experimenting with a couple of new blogs for clients, as well as giving advice on a number of upcoming big events. Trying to tie up loose ends in order to escape for some R&R.

Slogan Stupidity

I think it is crazy that everything has to have a slogan as well as a logo. I am not sure why toilet paper in the Netherlands needs to have a catchy phrase. Do they really expect me to remember the brand because of this? And does thick refer to the toilet paper or the person who sold it to me? I dunno..