Hey guys, I forgot to post this on Monday, but better late than never. Jason Alba has a promotion on his site JibberJobber.com where you can get an upgrade to a lifetime Premium membership this week only. Please take some time to visit JibberJobber.com and take advantage of the great offer.
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Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
See The Bourne Ultimatum trailer
I try not to judge movies that are based on books because I know how difficult the transition is, and I also know a movie is for a different audience. That said I'm a huge Bourne Identity fan. I'm excited to see a trailer for the 3rd and final installment of the series, The Bourne Ultimatum. Can't wait for August 3rd, 2007.
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Microsoft now hiring English Majors
Looking at this little ad on MSN Messenger, I think Microsoft needs to consider hiring someone who knows English grammer.
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Monday, April 2, 2007
Long Live DRM Free Media
I want it. I want DRM Free Media. Why? Probably not for the reason you may think. Its not because I want there to be wide spread pirating; that already happens. I want it because it will push media companies out of the plastic age and into the mobile age.
Here's the deal. Few people buy CDa anymore. The reduction in CD sales isn't all pirating. It also has to do with the fact you can buy just about any type of media, be it music or video, digitally and put it on your mobile media device. I mean come on, Verizon and Cingular have basically adopted a marketing plan that says "buy our cellular phone media device, download content from us, and you'll never be without it." Digital media, on the go, anywhere, anytime. You may not like that, but it's reality.
I'm not going to write something that says "if media companies stopped selling their products on disc, the world would be a better place." because it won't be. Why doesn't anyone care about VHS piracy? Because no one watches VHS anymore? Yet companies still produce movies on VHS. Why aren't major record labels trying to keep independents from distributing electronic versions of their albums DRM free instead of on disc?
There has to be a better way; and that way is to increase the actual value of music beyond the song. Here is a thought; HP practically gives away their color laser printers, but charges 3 times the printer cost for toner replacements. They know if you buy a printer, you will need to replace the toner, more often than the printer. How can labels, artists and fans take advantage of that business model? Here's another thought; maybe the song itself has become a commodity. Actors who are smart take a smaller upfront payment for making a moving in exchange for sales of licensed items. If they want more, provide more. I'm not saying this is the answer, but thinking in terms of beyond the song are what I think will push the media industry to the next evolution.
[updated: great article from Engadget here.]
read more...
Here's the deal. Few people buy CDa anymore. The reduction in CD sales isn't all pirating. It also has to do with the fact you can buy just about any type of media, be it music or video, digitally and put it on your mobile media device. I mean come on, Verizon and Cingular have basically adopted a marketing plan that says "buy our cellular phone media device, download content from us, and you'll never be without it." Digital media, on the go, anywhere, anytime. You may not like that, but it's reality.
I'm not going to write something that says "if media companies stopped selling their products on disc, the world would be a better place." because it won't be. Why doesn't anyone care about VHS piracy? Because no one watches VHS anymore? Yet companies still produce movies on VHS. Why aren't major record labels trying to keep independents from distributing electronic versions of their albums DRM free instead of on disc?
There has to be a better way; and that way is to increase the actual value of music beyond the song. Here is a thought; HP practically gives away their color laser printers, but charges 3 times the printer cost for toner replacements. They know if you buy a printer, you will need to replace the toner, more often than the printer. How can labels, artists and fans take advantage of that business model? Here's another thought; maybe the song itself has become a commodity. Actors who are smart take a smaller upfront payment for making a moving in exchange for sales of licensed items. If they want more, provide more. I'm not saying this is the answer, but thinking in terms of beyond the song are what I think will push the media industry to the next evolution.
[updated: great article from Engadget here.]
Sunday, April 1, 2007
Album Art Used To Rock
I was at a dance competition yesterday and they guy providing music played some classic rock (Molly Hatchet, Journey, Foghat and so on) while we were waiting for things to begin. I decided that when I got home I was going to break out my classic rock CD's and find some good music to listen too. As I was looking at the disk I was surprised at how cool the album art used to be.
I remember back in high school trying to imitate some cool albums. I mean the album art was almost as important as the music in the sleeve. There was creativity. It told a story. It wasn't all about the bling, or some random photo session. It was art. And most of the time the musicians created the art themselves. Remember, these were Albums, so the size was very different from a CD. That could be some of the reason bands have abandoned the practice. As an example, I bought the Styx album Paradise Theater. I was so excited, it was a great album and after I had ripped the wrapper off, carefully slipped the black disk out of the sleeve, I was surprised to find a laser etched image of the album over right on the record. It was so cool I almost didn't want to the play it.
I read a great post today from Mark Cuban on the future of music. I have to agree. We have to move beyond selling music on discs. It doesn't mean anything today. Buyers and fans want more. More than you can stick on a CD. I love sets where there is a music disc plus a disk with say music videos, pictures, concert footage. Give me a reason to buy the whole compilation or I will continue to buy one offs from iTunes.
Here are a couple examples of album art I just love. Please comment with your favorite album art and maybe a link to the image. Share it.
read more...
I remember back in high school trying to imitate some cool albums. I mean the album art was almost as important as the music in the sleeve. There was creativity. It told a story. It wasn't all about the bling, or some random photo session. It was art. And most of the time the musicians created the art themselves. Remember, these were Albums, so the size was very different from a CD. That could be some of the reason bands have abandoned the practice. As an example, I bought the Styx album Paradise Theater. I was so excited, it was a great album and after I had ripped the wrapper off, carefully slipped the black disk out of the sleeve, I was surprised to find a laser etched image of the album over right on the record. It was so cool I almost didn't want to the play it.
I read a great post today from Mark Cuban on the future of music. I have to agree. We have to move beyond selling music on discs. It doesn't mean anything today. Buyers and fans want more. More than you can stick on a CD. I love sets where there is a music disc plus a disk with say music videos, pictures, concert footage. Give me a reason to buy the whole compilation or I will continue to buy one offs from iTunes.
Here are a couple examples of album art I just love. Please comment with your favorite album art and maybe a link to the image. Share it.
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