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How can Microsoft stop us hating them?

Microsoft: Change the world or go home

So what do you think of Microsoft, eh? No, really. I want to know.

I have to admit I’m not exactly a fan. I’ll explain why momentarily. But Microsoft is changing, or at least wants to change, and I’m finding it hard to shed old impressions.

The Blue Monster cartoon is part of this changing Microsoft. Its creator, Hugh MacLeod, intended it as a conversation-starter — what he calls a social object. Steve Clayton from Microsoft UK says they use it to help Microsoft start talking about its own process of re-birth.

I’m cynical when software companies claim grand goals like “changing the world”. That over-the-top rhetoric was central to the first dot-com bubble. Usually, the bigger the rhetoric the crappier the product. Still, I’m willing to listen.

Another sign of a changing Microsoft is my friend Nick Hodge, who sold me my first Mac back in 1985. Nick now works for the Blue Monster as an “enthusiast evangelist”, and represents how Microsoft is embracing blogging and a new culture of openness — and actually having conversations with people instead of talking at them.

But can Microsoft really change and, more importantly, convince us to believe them?

Continue reading “How can Microsoft stop us hating them?”

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Thailand’s worst fruit carving

Photograph of a mandarin skin cut into a spiral, with several watermelon seeds

One of Thailand’s traditional handicrafts is fruit carving. Indeed, it’s impossible to go to any Thai community event without seeing a plethora of intricately-shaped melons and carrots to delight the eye.

In this photograph, ’Pong demonstrates that he’s the worst fruit carver that Thailand has ever seen.

I dunno, maybe his creativity was stifled by the fact that it was early in the morning. And I suppose there’s only so much you can do with a hotel butter knife.

Nonetheless, I do recommend you check out his post about Thai alternative music.

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Not the cheapest

A client just told me, “You’re not the cheapest, but I like the way you work and I know I’ll always get a good result.” Chuffed. And yes, “cheapest” usually doesn’t mean “best”. “Cutting corners” or “skimping” is not the same as “value for money”.

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Rooftop song at Gallery 26

Photograph of singer on the roof of Gallery 26, with Sydney Harbour Bridge in the background

Jeffrey Hamilton was right. If the newly-opened Gallery 26 is just a flash in the pan, it’s a very bright flash. Last night’s opening party was a wonderful event. My head hurts.

Yes, that’s a woman with a guitar singing on the gallery’s roof, the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the background. A little later there was fire-twirling too — though the pimple-cam can’t do it justice. There was also a violin-guitar duo playing Beatles covers, and bellydancers from Ghawazi Caravan.

Steve McLaren, the artist behind the gallery, knows how to throw a party.

I particularly liked Steve’s mixed-media pieces I looked into the fire but I couldn’t run and Slash and burn and the people it replaces, which are currently on display in the “featured artists” room upstairs.

Another highlight — apart from Jeffrey’s stunning-as-usual stained glass — was Isabella Mackay‘s What You Already Know (pictured). Her complex combination prints, using collagraph and aluminium etching on Magnani paper, have a rich texture that doesn’t receive justice from this tiny image.

What You Already Know by Isabella Mackay

My only criticism is that the photography isn’t as strong as the rest of the work. The strongest were Paul Vanzella‘s large-scale prints on canvas. Bold and graphic with a painterly feel. The rest, though, didn’t tell me anything new. Competent, certainly, but not outstanding. However I do set high standards for photography (apart from my own, of course).

As one patron said, at the very worst you can say that a piece is “good”, and most of it is much better.

The range of works on display is huge — too many for me to run through now. If you’re in Sydney, I encourage you to explore.

Gallery 26 is open 10am to 6pm, 7 days a week at 26 Alfred Street, Milsons Point.

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Unreliable Bangkok 2: Street

Photograph of street art in Siam Central district, Bangkok

I read somewhere that when it comes to culture shock, little things have the most impact. So on my second day in Bangkok it still smells different, people speak Thai not English, but I take that in my stride.

In our emerging global culture, though, there’s also much that’s familiar. In this photo, for example, the style of street art is much like home — and I’ll publish a nice selection later this week. The office worker in her neat grey dress could be from any major city, anywhere.

So what are those little differences which matter most?

Continue reading “Unreliable Bangkok 2: Street”

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Never make commitments

Why is it that every time I say I’ll do something “every day”, something comes up to screw my plans? Yesterday afternoon I ended up sleeping instead of writing. But I think my sleep patterns have finally returned to normal, and the daily Thailand postings will continue.