Another year, another forecast of the death of traditional media. “Digital guru” Clay Shirky says: If you pick a magazine at random, it will not interest you. For people who care about quality, it’s easier to find it online. If it’s a highly qualified niche magazine, something aimed at surgeons or firefighters, it’s going online. …
The problem with contextual advertising
Contextual advertising is great. It makes sense that if I am viewing a web page about cars it’s fairly likely I would be interested in advertisements for cars. Sometimes the algorithm gets it wrong, though. Or if not wrong at least a bit inappropriate. Today the Guardian ran an article about Steve Jobs’s unprecedented letter …
A new bus for London
Like most Londoners, I was sorry to see the much loved Routemasters phased out a few years ago in favour of the much hated bendy buses. But all is not lost! In July our Mayor, Boris Johnson, launched a competition to design a new bus for London inspired by the Routemaster and a design by …
A new blog
I’ve decided to start another blog. It’s called f1buzz.net and it’s about Formula One. Clearly I have too much time on my hands. I’ve started it because I’ve been looking for a good F1 blog to fill the long cold void between seasons and haven’t been that impressed with what I’ve found. The teams have …
NASA have some cool pictures
I guess it’s to be expected. The guys at NASA obviously have more opportunity to take cool photos than I do but, boy, they have some really cool pictures in their archives. Check out this picture of the Space Shuttle Endeavour landing at the Kennedy Space Center or this picture of NASA research pilot Bill …
PQII v MGS4
Computer game promotional videos sure have changed in the last twenty years. Compare this promotional video for Police Quest II (with “Improved 3D graphics!”): with the trailer for the latest Metal Gear Solid game:
What’s left behind
When someone dies what do they leave behind? They continue to exist in the hearts and memories of those who knew and loved them but there are also physical reminders. Perhaps a gift that was given or a photograph that was taken. These take on an even greater importance than when they were alive and …
Alan Hazeldine
Our dear friend Alan died yesterday. After more than four years of continually surprising the medical profession he finally lost his battle with cancer. I first met Alan in 2000 after getting in touch through the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. I was looking for a conducting teacher and we arranged to meet at …
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el niño de las pinturas
A couple of weeks ago, on Miguel’s recommendation, we visited Granada. Granada was the last Moorish kingdom to hold out against the Christian monarchs (los Reyes Católicos) and this Moorish heritage permeates the city. Nowhere is it more apparent than in the Alhambra, a massive fortress built on a hill above the city. We stayed …