Stilgherrian » ipod

The Geekery of Linux on an iPod

Stilgherrian — Thu, 01 May 2008 13:09:30 +0000

I’ve finally found a use for that iPod Photo 60GB that’s been languishing in my desk drawer. I’m going to use it as a field recorder for my podcasts.

The resale value of an iPod that’s bigger than a postage stamp but doesn’t play video is, presumably, three-fifths of bugger all. However it can record sound.

Apple deliberately crippled the iPod’s recording functions to mere 8-bit quality — OK for recording dictation and the like, but not good enough for snarfing surreptitious bootlegs of a Silverchair concert. But running Linux on the iPod unleashes its full 16-bit glory.

After a couple hours’ work I now understand the process of Linuxing a ’Pod. But to get it to work, my MacPod (that is, an iPod formatted for Mac file systems) has to be turned into a WinPod (one using Microsoft’s file systems). I won’t bother explaining why, but it’s yet another example of that old phenomenon…

In general, Macs can read Windows file systems, but Windows machines can’t read Mac file systems. Sigh. I’ll finish it on the weekend.

5 Random Semi-Related Posts

To podcast or not to podcast? Podcast!

Stilgherrian — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 06:03:29 +0000

You’d think that with more than a decade’s experience in radio I’d have started podcasting ages ago.

Three years ago I bought an iPod so I could listen to podcasts. It’s languished in a drawer ever since because, to tell the truth, I don’t like blocking out the world and living within a music bubble. Life does not need a soundtrack, but it does need more people paying attention to the reality around them.

I’d also resisted podcasting because as a (former) broadcast professional there was creeping perfectionism. I wanted any podcast o’mine to be really good, lest I be judged by my former peers. But no more.

This Internet thing looks like it’s actually going to catch on. The time has come to start using my production and presentation skills. So, a podcast… How and what, exactly?

Here’s my thinking so far. I’d like your comments.

Content: general talk show, I reckon. While I could focus on some special-interest topic, the bulk of my work with ABC Radio was in general daily talk programs. I’m thinking I’ll cover the same material as my blog.
Frequency and duration: weekly, with 15- or 30-minute program. In so many aspects of life, regularity is the key to success. Internet media needn’t follow a strict broadcast-style timetable, but you still need a reasonably predictable schedule so people incorporate your program into their lifestyle.
Format: I’m not sure. Certainly audio-only is easier to get going initially, but I reckon that it’s worth doing a video podcast for three reasons:

If I use Ustream or Justin.tv or whatever to allow a “live audience” to chat back as I record the show, then it’s trivial to add moving pictures.
Video allows me to show images or even short movies of what I’m talking about.
Many people expect video, and if nothing else it helps promote my image as a brand. People remember faces — even non-glamorous ones like mine.

Style: personal, somewhat sarcastic. Have a listen to The Bugle and you’ll get a feel for what I mean.
Schedule: TBA. I need to find a regular slot in my week for program preparation (pre-production), recording and post-production. Those slots can probably move around a bit, since in the Internet age we all live 24/7. However it does strike me that the Snarky Platypus and I generate so many script ideas after our gym sessions that we could well build the schedule around that.
Title: TBA. Does it need a title? Maybe “Stilgherrian Live” will do, eh?
Starting date: soon, very soon. I don’t want to build my production environment on my battered old PowerBook G4 because it’s being replaced with a shiny new Macbook Pro in a week or two and I don’t want to re-do that work. Or is that being perfectionist again?

Anyway, they’re my thoughts so far. What do you reckon? Are there any topics or styles of material you’d like me to cover? Anyone you’d like me to interview?

Meanwhile, what use is a 60GB 3rd-generation iPod that can’t play video?

5 Random Semi-Related Posts

A Tale of Two Cults

Stilgherrian — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 18:45:01 +0000

They must put something in the water at places like Google and Apple.

I mean, isolating everyone at a “campus” even to the point where they only eat with each other is one of the classic cult-creation techniques. And both have a personality cult thing going with Steve Jobs and Larry Page and Sergey Brin

But check this Google software engineer gushing over the chance to do menial work in the kitchen:

How often do you get to cook fine cuisine for 800 people — especially while learning from some of the finest chefs in the business? Our Google chefs offer a limited number of culinary internships, and I was lucky enough to win one. So one fine Thursday morning I got to spend 4 hours in the Google kitchens working with, and learning from, our amazing culinary engineers.

Like so many software people, Dave MacLachlan seems amazed that other professionals actually have systems too, and know what they’re doing.

The chefs even get to choose where their produce comes from…

I didn’t realize that the chefs at Google all have their own private knife set…

For some reason, I was expecting Kelly to have an exact recipe, but she did pretty much everything off the top of her head, with a quick taste here and there to verify that things were going as planned.

Wow, just like every other commercial kitchen on the planet. Perhaps the “culinary internship” was valuable after all.

Back in February, another Google guy wrote about their day trip to Apple. And Apple’s cult status was in full effect. Nothing about what they learned from Apple colleagues, just merchandise and cult stuff.

[We] spent the first part of our visit at Apple’s legendary Company Store, where we admired all the new Macs and iPods, and wandered through the selection of Apple-logoed clothing, pens, notebooks, and other chotchkas. Strong willpower kept us from buying too much stuff.

After the store visit, our Google gang entered the main Apple building at 1 Infinite Loop and walked to Caffé Macs. We chose our food from among the sushi, burritos, soups, and other fare that was somewhat Google-like, paused to pay for our lunches (which was not Google-like at all), then took our seats.

A few minutes later, as we were enjoying our lunch and chatting with Apple friends, we noticed a slight disturbance in the room, as if all the air had rushed to a single place, over by the salad bar. As you have probably guessed, it was Apple CEO Steve Jobs, grabbing some lunch with Jonathan Ive, Apple’s industrial design guru. As the two moved across the room, there was no great commotion — after all, this probably happens just about every day at Apple — but our Google group and many other folks stopped eating long enough to follow the two rock stars around the room for awhile.

I know someone who was so eager to buy the latest iPod that he was wanting to sell his body to get the extra cash.

Guys, Apple and Google are just big companies with products and services, and they have employees. Sure, they might have better working conditions and slick PR, but that’s all, OK?

5 Random Semi-Related Posts

iPod-powered Vibrator

Stilgherrian — Thu, 24 Aug 2006 05:10:02 +0000

The promotional copy tells you everything you need to know:

The OhMiBod vibrator is a whole new way to enjoy your iPod® or any other music player. Everyone loves music. Everyone loves sex. OhMiBod combines music and pleasure to create the ultimate acsexsory™ to your iPod.

What’s especially impressive is their use of iTunes playlists:

OMB users can instantly (and anonymously) become part of a fun, hip community called CLUB VIBE, where other OMB aficionados write about their experience, trade tips, share their favorite playlists, and more. Log into iTunes and search “OhMiBod” under the iMix section and see what music is turning other people on and purchase those songs quickly and easily! Regardless of the musical genre you are sure to find new amazing music here. If you don’t see something that tickles your fancy, upload your own iMix and share with others what works for you!

Oddly enough, the fine print says this product isn’t endorsed by Apple…

5 Random Semi-Related Posts

If Microsoft made iPods

Stilgherrian — Thu, 09 Mar 2006 19:36:43 +0000

Can you imagine Microsoft making something as sexy as Apple’s iPod?

I didn’t think so.

And neither does the creator of this parody video showing what Apple’s sleek, minimalist iPod packaging might look like if it were redesigned by Microsoft. And the version I’ve shown in the thumbnail image (right) is just the start — watch the video and you’ll see what I mean.

Humour aside, this is a beautiful illustration of how two very different companies approach the task of packaging — one with class, the other with all the grace and style of a drunken hippopotamus.

As this SeattlePI blog posting puts it, if your packaging has to explain what’s inside, you’ve probably already lost the battle for the heart the buyer.

Apple’s packaging is confident, cool and sexy. They know you know what an iPod is, and they know they’re cool. They just have to say “this is an iPod” — and add a few words to tell you exactly which model is inside the box.

Even the experience of opening the box continues the theme: The first thing you see is a reminder that Apple’s products are “designed in California” — yes, reinforce those memes of freedom, innovation and possibility.

Microsoft’s packaging — as parodied in the video — reflects a complete lack of confidence in the product and a fear of prosecution.

Worried that you might think they’re not up to the job, they list every feature they can squeeze in. Worried that you might sue them, they add legal disclaimers and explanations. Worried that you might not take their word for it, they garnish the box with so many third-party brands and symbols it looks like a medal-encrusted Soviet general.

The difference seems clear.

Apple makes products people want to buy, and they just say “Here’s the product”. Microsoft makes products that people need to be convinced to buy.

Isn’t that doing things backwards?

Go on, tell me I’m wrong. Name one sexy product that’s come from Microsoft.