Arriving Somewhere

Del.icio.us is a social bookmarking manager that is available on the web. I use it in the place of the bookmarks or favorites folder you find in browsers. Since I work and play at many different computers with several different browsers, Del.icio.us allows me to keep my bookmarks all in one place as they are accessible by the web. That is my main reason for using it.

When you post a bookmark to Del.icio.us you can give it a description and assign tags to it. These tags aren’t quite the same as categories since they are not hierarchical, rather you can assign multiple tags to an entry and use the tags to browse your collection. While the tags are handy, I use the search function more than anything. You have to be logged in to search, but it makes for a great way to locate your entries as your collection grows.

What make Del.icio.us unique is the “social” part of it’s bookmarking. It keeps track of the tags users have assigned, and allows one to browse and search the links that all users have collected. You can also subscribe to RSS feeds for just about anything on the site, including tags, people’s link collections or combinations of both.

If you’d like to see my Del.icio.us account, go here:
http://del.icio.us/jonsmith
You’ll probably notice how messy it appears at first. That’s because links are listed in reverse chronological order of when they were posted. The key is in the tags. However, I do have eclectic interests, and my account reflects that. Try looking at a particular tag, say http://del.icio.us/jonsmith/opensource.

The reason I bring all of this up is that I recently noticed the ability to group tags into headings which make for easier browsing. Especially if you, like me, have a ton of tags.

Last night we went to the famous and historic jazz supper club, Blues Alley. We were there to see our friends’ fusion band M Theory. What a great evening. I don’t have much experience with jazz clubs, but this was everything you could have wanted. A hole in a wall down an alley, one had to wonder how many of the teeming masses walking around Georgetown know that this place exists. I felt like I had stepped out of Washington and onto a movie set when I walked in. The only thing missing was cigarette smoke, and it wasn’t missed.

M Theory played two sets and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. These guys are great musicians, but completely unpretentious. It was obvious that they were having a good time. I highly recommend catching them sometime soon, as all but one member recently graduated from the University of Maryland with Master’s Degrees in jazz and who knows what the future holds for them. Also be sure to check out Blues Alley. It’s a bit pricey, but worth the experience.

technorati tag: jazz, georgetown

Now that E3 has passed we’ve been shown a bit of the new video game consoles to be released in the next year. Cnet.com provides an intro to each of the systems. While sparse on details (like price?) its enough for many gamers to begin forming opinions… including this one.

• Microsoft Xbox 360
• Nintendo Revolution
• Sony PlayStation 3

I’m no hardcore gamer, but I have played games my entire life and I still enjoy immersing myself into alternate worlds that need less and less imagination as graphics and gameplay get better and better. I am also of the opinion that anything a console (Nintendo, PlayStation, etc.) can do, a computer (PC, Mac, etc.) can do BETTER. So, when I want to be blown away (or scared silly) by realistic graphics and sound I always turn to my computer first.

With that out of the way, here’s my two cents on each of the consoles:

Xbox 360 – The decision to unveil the Xbox 360 during an MTV special will be enough for some people to purchase this console. The hardware certainly sounds powerful (for a console), and I like the idea that it is trying to become an all-in-one media center by connecting to your home network to stream audio and pictures or playing DVD movies… however, there is still plenty of work to be done to get those capabilities up to par. The biggest drawback is likely to be price. Although we don’t yet know how much it will cost, it is certain to be expensive and accessories will add even more. I’ll pass.

Nintendo Revolution – First the obvious. The name is lame, even more so since it’s technical specs are not any more impressive than the other consoles. However, there is something the Revolution will have that the others don’t…. legacy. Not only will it be backward compatible with games from the Nintendo Gamecube, but through a wireless internet connection you will be able to download and play ANY game from Nintendo’s entire historical catalog – even games from the original NES! This is a retro-gamer’s dream come true. Nintendo will also have another traditional edge on the other systems: price. Nintendo’s commitment to being solely a gaming platform, and at a reasonable price will make this system the most likely to end up in my living room.

PlayStation 3 – Technically this is probably the most impressive system, just edging the Xbox out in every category. The PS3 will also be backward compatible with previous PS games and they have probably the most impressive (modern) catalog of the three systems. If you I were to spend the big bucks for a high end console, this would probably be it.

In order to truly enjoy the power of the Xbox 360 and PS3 you will need an HDTV and Surround Sound system. If you already have these things, great. As a casual gamer who doesn’t want to sell the car to afford some video games this is not an option for me. The Nintendo Revolution is much more my style. With great games and a great back catalog at a good price, count me in.

technorati tag: Xbox, Nintendo, Playstation, video games

Every once in a while a film is released that one should take special efforts for. I believe Star Wars III: Revenge of the Sith is one such movie. This movie, like the previous two, was filmed using digital technology instead of celluloid film – probably because 70% of what will be on screen was digitally created. My understanding is that such films look magnificent in theaters with digital projectors so I did some hunting. It appears that only one theater in Maryland (and none in DC) is showing Star Wars with digital projection. Crown Mall XI in Annapolis is where I’ll be watching Jedi die and Anakin become Darth Vader. If you’d like to see what theaters in your area use digital projection, go to DLP’s Star Wars page.

technorati tag: Star Wars

Via Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

“I think we are seeing with Mr. Putin the final gasp of the Soviet era. The Soviet system is dead and the Soviet Union has disintegrated, but the Soviet elite still dominates Moscow, politically, and through Moscow, it dominates Russia. But that elite is increasingly fading from the scene. It is also increasingly self-isolated…. I expect that over the next several years, we’ll see far-reaching changes in Russia. Especially when the younger, more genuinely post-Soviet elite begins to push to the top.” — Zbigniew Brzezinski, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter’s national security adviser, in a 7 May telephone interview with RFE/RL’s Romania-Moldova Service.

While it is true that the Soviet elite still dominates, I don’t feel quite so optimistic about the future. Putin is certainly doing everything he can to consolidate power under his authoritarian leadership.

Porcupine Tree played the 9:30 Club Friday night, and I’m still glowing!

This was the third time I’ve seen them, and it was amazing. The guys were totally on fire, had lots of energy and appeared to be having a great time. You would never have know that they had arrived from the U.K. the day before.

I had an extra ticket for the show so I waited by the ticket window to give it away. After a bit another guy who had a ticket to get rid of joined me. We were able to give them away to the first pair who approached the window. It was great to see the shock on their faces!

I was impressed by the turnout. While the show wasn’t sold out, it was the largest crowd I had seen at a PT concert. And the crowd was great. Many seemed to know the music from the last two ablums.

Highlight of the show: Hatesong (from Lightbulb Sun).
Gavin was absolutely amazing on drums. He tore it up! But the magic was the first extended guitar solo by Steven. Wow. It was (dare I say it) of Jimi Hendrix quality. Incredible. I hope somebody makes a live recording somewhere ’cause I have got to hear that again. It totally made the price of that second ticket worth it. *sigh*

Of course, not everything went perfect. There were some technical problems…. The sound was pretty muddy in the middle of the set and there was an awful squeal-feedback sound a few times. But the best was what happened to Colin during the first encore (Shesmovedon). He suddenly kneeled while playing, with the bass propped on his knee. Then he sat back and finally lay on his back playing the bass kind of like an upright. He kicked his legs a few times before a roadie ran on stage to help. It was probably something with the strap but Colin was laughing the whole time and when he finally stood up the crowd gave him a big ovation. I think its great that these guys can be serious rockers, but still have a sense of humor about themselves.

In all, an awesome night.

technorati tag: prog

Newsweek said yesterday that a recent report it published about the desecration of the Koran at the U.S. detention center in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, may have been inaccurate.
The acknowledgment came after several days of violent protests and riots in Afghanistan during which government buildings and offices of aid organizations were ransacked and set on fire. Several people were killed and scores injured in the unrest that erupted in several provinces across the country. The report also sparked protests in Pakistan, Indonesia, and the Gaza Strip.
…
The weekly said in its 23 May edition that the original source of the report — which it referred to as “a knowledgeable U.S. government source” — has since said he is uncertain where he initially read about the mishandling of the Koran.

RFE/RL: ‘Newsweek’ Apologizes For Errors In Koran-Desecration Report

I’ve never taken Newsweek seriously, but it is sad how eager news companies are to report anything sensational no matter how flimsy the support or evidence may be. I’m disgusted.

technorati tag: Newsweek

I have big news!

I’ve been accepted into the School of Library and Information Science at The Catholic University of America. I will begin classes this summer, and plan to graduate with a master’s degree in May, 2007. I am very excited and can’t wait to begin.

I am one of those people who would be a professional student if they could…. and I’ve found a career which will bring me pretty close. Yay!

technorati tag: CUA, library science

I’m sure most have heard of the little scare we had in Washington yesterday. A Cessna wandered into restricted airspace over the Capitol, prompting an evacuation of the Capitol, White House and Supreme Court. Military aircraft were scrambled to intercept the intruder who was unresponsive to attempts at radio contact. I witnessed some of the action.

I had just stepped out for lunch when I heard a helicopter overhead. It was a black hawk helicopter with police markings flying low overhead. Then I saw two F-16 jet fighters making tight maneuvers, circling and turning. I had no idea what was going on, but it was an impressive display of flying. I thought perhaps there was some kind of demonstration. Then I saw the lead jet wag his wings and drop flares. That struck me as odd, but after watching for another minute I turned to head indoors. After all, I was missing lunch.

I suppose these are the things that happen when you live/work in D.C.

Porcupine Tree is an experimental rock band from Great Britain. Their music melds elements of psychedelic rock, electronica and neo-progressive rock with vocals influenced by The Beach Boys. Originally a solo project for Steve Wilson (vocals, guitar) success on the indie scene led to the development of a full band. Led by Wilson, the band also includes Richard Barbiera (keyboards), Colin Edwins (bass guitar) and Gavin Harrison (drums).

In Absentia is their first release on Lava/Atlantic after years with independent labels Delerium and Snapper. At the same this album is both their most cohesive and accessible to date. While featuring some of their heaviest songs it also has beautiful and intricate sections as well. Influences subtly heard in this album include Pink Floyd in the lighter psychedelic songs and Radiohead.

The opening of the first track is a blazing industrial rock section full of energy that grabs the listener and informs the long-time fan that Porcupine Tree will continue to move forward and expand their sound by introducing new elements to it. The lyrics of “Blackest Eyes” act as an introduction to the album giving you a sense of what is to come. After the first track, the album moves into the psychedelic with “Trains” and even drops most of the percussion for “Lips of Ashes”.

“Sound of Muzak” bluntly portrays how Porcupine Tree–and most progressive rock fans–views popular music. Lyrics include, “The music of the future will not entertain / It’s only meant to repress and neutralize your brain” and “The music of rebellion makes you wanna rage / But it’s made by millionaires who are nearly twice your age.” Even on their first major label release they aren’t afraid to lay it out there.

With “Gravity Eyelids” the music turns dark with an ambient intro reminiscent of Nine Inch Nails. The instrumental section is solid industrial rock with electronic sound effects swirling throughout. A highlight is “.3″ which is mostly an instrumental track. Combining a driving bass line and live string section arranged by Dave Gregory, it makes for a truly transcendent moment on the album.

The gentle and depressing “Heartattack In A Layby” is very close to some of Porcupine Tree’s older works in feel being lushly orchestrated with layered vocals running counter to each other. The song most likely to become a single is “Strip the Soul.” It is the most straight forward song on the album and combines elements of Tool and Nine Inch Nails while remaining distinctively Porcupine Tree.

With In Absentia Porcupine Tree has found a brilliant medium between accessibility and progressive music. Subtly layered, intricately written, at times heavily distorted and others simply beautiful this album comes with the highest of recommendations from this reviewer. I can’t wait for the tour.

For audio sample and more info check out the official website www.porcupinetree.com.