Heres the main interface to my final design.
Thursday 27 November 2008 Design Futures - Conclusion
I have to admit this project has defiantly opened my mind. If you had mentioned the terms 'Wikinomics' or 'Prosumers' to me six weeks ago I would probably have replied, 'No I don’t have a Tesco Value card'.
I have heard the theory that the next wars with be fought silently in virtual worlds where the general public are unaffected until the final outcome has been reached.This now seems much less sci-fi when I contemplate the fact that up until the time I started this project I was totally oblivious to a worldwide revolution happening all around me in both the 'real' and 'online' world.
A whole new wave of thinking and decision-making is flooding the gates of mainstream bureaucracy and established co corporations can no longer afford to dismiss it as amateur idealism.
'Were going Web 2, like it or not.'
It’s a revolution from the bottom up with the implementation of true democracy. People are quite literally on mass 'taking the power back'.
No doubt there are downsides. Purists of past doctrines will argue that this is all leading to mindless chaos with absolutely no direction.
Everybody does has a choice to make – embrace the future, create and discover, help shape the future world that we all live in or, bury your head in the sand and moan about how you used to once buy music from an established high street corporation who could dictate what and when you should listen too - 'oh, the good old days!'
But its not just a music industry revolution, this affects every branch of our society and has already seeped its thinking into “conventional” bureaucracy – example - 'Marketocary' and more importantly the seed has been set for a policy of open source government which for me would summons the end of the revolution and the start of a new era.
No longer would politicians fall into government because they are 'a part' of a political party. Elected representatives would be individually selected by their personal merits alone, leading to a government body consisting of the very best pool of talent available.
'Teamwork succeeds private effort'.
Although partially conducted in a virtual world, this revolution is very real and if an industry refuses to compile it will inevitably fail.
The music industry is at the front line of this revolution and most adapt if it’s current embodiments are to have a future role.
As Bod Dylan would say 'The Times They Are A-Changin'
Open source is far from the seedy undercurrent, which was once related to it by the established hierarchies. FightAids@home is one example of how mass collaboration through the Community Grid system is working on making the world more efficient.
This is a move towards a world where it is harder to hide but it's also a move towards a better educated world where propaganda and dictatorship is much more difficult.
I for one am ready to embrace. The choice is yours.
I have heard the theory that the next wars with be fought silently in virtual worlds where the general public are unaffected until the final outcome has been reached.This now seems much less sci-fi when I contemplate the fact that up until the time I started this project I was totally oblivious to a worldwide revolution happening all around me in both the 'real' and 'online' world.
A whole new wave of thinking and decision-making is flooding the gates of mainstream bureaucracy and established co corporations can no longer afford to dismiss it as amateur idealism.
'Were going Web 2, like it or not.'
It’s a revolution from the bottom up with the implementation of true democracy. People are quite literally on mass 'taking the power back'.
No doubt there are downsides. Purists of past doctrines will argue that this is all leading to mindless chaos with absolutely no direction.
Everybody does has a choice to make – embrace the future, create and discover, help shape the future world that we all live in or, bury your head in the sand and moan about how you used to once buy music from an established high street corporation who could dictate what and when you should listen too - 'oh, the good old days!'
But its not just a music industry revolution, this affects every branch of our society and has already seeped its thinking into “conventional” bureaucracy – example - 'Marketocary' and more importantly the seed has been set for a policy of open source government which for me would summons the end of the revolution and the start of a new era.
No longer would politicians fall into government because they are 'a part' of a political party. Elected representatives would be individually selected by their personal merits alone, leading to a government body consisting of the very best pool of talent available.
'Teamwork succeeds private effort'.
Although partially conducted in a virtual world, this revolution is very real and if an industry refuses to compile it will inevitably fail.
The music industry is at the front line of this revolution and most adapt if it’s current embodiments are to have a future role.
As Bod Dylan would say 'The Times They Are A-Changin'
Open source is far from the seedy undercurrent, which was once related to it by the established hierarchies. FightAids@home is one example of how mass collaboration through the Community Grid system is working on making the world more efficient.
This is a move towards a world where it is harder to hide but it's also a move towards a better educated world where propaganda and dictatorship is much more difficult.
I for one am ready to embrace. The choice is yours.
Monday 17 November 2008 Dissertation - Initial Ideas
Dissertation - Initial Ideas
Music Ownership
Music Collaboration
Attaching a virtual audio sample to a poster.
Digital Footprint
Virtual/ Real life Morals / Ethics.
Music Ownership
The first topic that sprang to mind was music ownership. This is an issue which I am presently dealing with in the Design Futures Brief so I’m not 100% sure I want to delve deeping into this subject. If I did “Prosumters” which is discussed in Wikinomics, the CopyLeft movement and The Cult of The Amateur – Novel are three areas in this subject which interest me.
Music Production & Collaboration
In this topic the
Abelton Live (Music Production Software) – software which is used. Copyleft, copyright
Copyleft
Copyright
Nine Inch Nails – dissension to release free material, working Abelton Track files etc..
Sticking Shadows
Attaching a virtual audio sample to a poster. Just a topic which I discoved again throught the present projkect Digital Design.
Digital Footprint
Virtual/ Real life Morals / Ethics.
Music Ownership
Music Collaboration
Attaching a virtual audio sample to a poster.
Digital Footprint
Virtual/ Real life Morals / Ethics.
Music Ownership
The first topic that sprang to mind was music ownership. This is an issue which I am presently dealing with in the Design Futures Brief so I’m not 100% sure I want to delve deeping into this subject. If I did “Prosumters” which is discussed in Wikinomics, the CopyLeft movement and The Cult of The Amateur – Novel are three areas in this subject which interest me.
Music Production & Collaboration
In this topic the
Abelton Live (Music Production Software) – software which is used. Copyleft, copyright
Copyleft
Copyright
Nine Inch Nails – dissension to release free material, working Abelton Track files etc..
Sticking Shadows
Attaching a virtual audio sample to a poster. Just a topic which I discoved again throught the present projkect Digital Design.
Digital Footprint
Virtual/ Real life Morals / Ethics.
Wednesday 12 November 2008 Updated Concept _ Post iPhone Trama Concept
Post iPhone Trauma Concept¬_ Updated Concept
Background Facts
Any venue or business which broadcasts music must pay for their use of copyright music by way of an annual blanket licence fee.
In the UK this body is called Broadcast Music Incorporated.
BMI holds a database of all registered music in the UK and it also partners with 12 other worldwide bodies including USA, Canada, Germany and France.
BMI collects license fees on behalf of its songwriters, composers and music publishers and distributes them as royalties to those members whose works have been performed..
MuzikPort- Concept
MuzikPort would be installed in association with BMI at participating music venues as part of its licensing fee.
Through acoustic technology, music data would be fed back to a touch screen hub or hubs. Here users could download recently played music. The hub would also include links to a BMI networking website where information on the artist and venue would be available.
Background Facts
Any venue or business which broadcasts music must pay for their use of copyright music by way of an annual blanket licence fee.
In the UK this body is called Broadcast Music Incorporated.
BMI holds a database of all registered music in the UK and it also partners with 12 other worldwide bodies including USA, Canada, Germany and France.
BMI collects license fees on behalf of its songwriters, composers and music publishers and distributes them as royalties to those members whose works have been performed..
MuzikPort- Concept
MuzikPort would be installed in association with BMI at participating music venues as part of its licensing fee.
Through acoustic technology, music data would be fed back to a touch screen hub or hubs. Here users could download recently played music. The hub would also include links to a BMI networking website where information on the artist and venue would be available.
Decision Time
Decision Time
After a couple of sleepless nights, I decided the most viable associate for my concept to be associated with would be B.M.I.
Reasons
• BMI is already in direct contact with music venues : night clubs, discos, hotels, bars, restaurants and other venues; digital jukeboxes; and live concerts
• BMI and associations like it are under serious pressure from groups such as Copyleft and Common Licence groups. Even brands like Coca Cola are co operating with the Peer to Peer illegal downloading community. BMI needs to evolve.
• In feedback from venue licence owner’s I found out a greater degree of trust when cooperating with an established organisation like BMI.
• Database of suitable venues is already available.
• A concept like this would once again connect music with the real life physical atmosphere of a music venue. The connection between the music venue and music fan is restored.
I hoping by getting BMI onboard with this concept they will also consider introducing new licences with will include an alternative or middle ground to Common Licences.
• Every released track would be available - not just selected iTunes tracks.
• BMI thought Fast Track is also partners with similar associations in (United States), GEMA (Germany), SACEM (France), SGAE (Spain), SIAE (Italy), AKM (Austria), ASCAP (United States), BUMA-STEMRA (Netherlands), MCPS-PRS Alliance (United Kingdom), SABAM (Belgium), SOCAN (Canada), and SUISA (Switzerland).
After a couple of sleepless nights, I decided the most viable associate for my concept to be associated with would be B.M.I.
Reasons
• BMI is already in direct contact with music venues : night clubs, discos, hotels, bars, restaurants and other venues; digital jukeboxes; and live concerts
• BMI and associations like it are under serious pressure from groups such as Copyleft and Common Licence groups. Even brands like Coca Cola are co operating with the Peer to Peer illegal downloading community. BMI needs to evolve.
• In feedback from venue licence owner’s I found out a greater degree of trust when cooperating with an established organisation like BMI.
• Database of suitable venues is already available.
• A concept like this would once again connect music with the real life physical atmosphere of a music venue. The connection between the music venue and music fan is restored.
I hoping by getting BMI onboard with this concept they will also consider introducing new licences with will include an alternative or middle ground to Common Licences.
• Every released track would be available - not just selected iTunes tracks.
• BMI thought Fast Track is also partners with similar associations in (United States), GEMA (Germany), SACEM (France), SGAE (Spain), SIAE (Italy), AKM (Austria), ASCAP (United States), BUMA-STEMRA (Netherlands), MCPS-PRS Alliance (United Kingdom), SABAM (Belgium), SOCAN (Canada), and SUISA (Switzerland).
Uniqueness -Brainstorming!!!!!
Uniqueness – Brainstorming!!!!!
• As Mukikport would be run in association with BMI. Every released track would be available - not just selected iTunes tracks.
• Concept could be run in association with MySpace – Advantages here would include a much larger music database which included unreleased and unlicensed tracks.
• Service is free.
• No Subscription.
• Don’t need an iPhone or any mobile phone application.
• If run with BMI, it would enhance the image of BMI and improve it’s service to its registered artists. In the light of resent Copy left and Common Licence alternatives, BMI needs to evolve. “Were going to Web 2.0. Like it or not” – The Cult of the Amateur – Andrew keen
• Concept would include a touch screen display. Users would have visual information to relate to background music.
• Concept could be run in association with LastFM.com. This would target an alternative maybe more loyal audience.
• Users could find out on a map where and when an artists music is been played.
•Artists could find out where and when their music is been played. This would help to find out where best to promote their music.
•Users can leave feedback on the music labels site. This could lead to the future direction of the music label.
Post Class Discussion
On Monday we had a class discussion in which we presented a brief outline of where we all are in our projects.
During the discussion I discovered through a classmate that part of the technology involved in my concept is already available through prescription iPhone app.
This definitely set me back a little and I now had to take this on board and incorporate this into an updated concept.
During the discussion I discovered through a classmate that part of the technology involved in my concept is already available through prescription iPhone app.
This definitely set me back a little and I now had to take this on board and incorporate this into an updated concept.
Friday 7 November 2008 Updated Audioport Concept
New Concept – AudioPorting - Updated Concept
• Just added what technology is going to be used.
• Added some more advantages for the venues involved.
• Improved the terminology.
• Described what the main hub would resemble.
• Not limited the idea to be linked with iTunes
• Added some lastfm.com links
Updated Concept
What about the possibility of a devise installed at participating music venues which could read and store (through acoustic fingerprinting) audio track information (its ID3 metadata) and when requested pass that information on through Bluetooth to a mobile devise.
The devise would not send the complete audio file just the ID3 metadata info. Acoustic censers would be placed where music could be easily identified and feed back to a main hub/ or kiosk (this would resemble a mobile credit top up machine or old school jukebox. Once the mobile Bluetooth user downloaded the track info, the user would be asked or directed to a database website e.g. site similar to iTunes or MySpace. Once logged into their account the user could download the complete audio track plus optional additional information on the selected artist and the particular music venue.
For example
• Selected Artist’s Previous Work
• Where the Artist is next touring/ performing.
• Similar artists*
• If the selected music falls under an electronic music genre, info on what DJ’s might be likely to play this track. This would then lead to info on that list of DJs or radio show.
*lastfm.com is a good example of how a similar artist option.
e.g.
http://www.last.fm/music/Mick+Harris
http://www.last.fm/music/DJ+Vapour
http://www.last.fm/music/The+Teknoist
Information would also be available on the venue where the music data was first downloaded from.
For example
• Future venue Events / Listings
• Background info on the venue.
• Just added what technology is going to be used.
• Added some more advantages for the venues involved.
• Improved the terminology.
• Described what the main hub would resemble.
• Not limited the idea to be linked with iTunes
• Added some lastfm.com links
Updated Concept
What about the possibility of a devise installed at participating music venues which could read and store (through acoustic fingerprinting) audio track information (its ID3 metadata) and when requested pass that information on through Bluetooth to a mobile devise.
The devise would not send the complete audio file just the ID3 metadata info. Acoustic censers would be placed where music could be easily identified and feed back to a main hub/ or kiosk (this would resemble a mobile credit top up machine or old school jukebox. Once the mobile Bluetooth user downloaded the track info, the user would be asked or directed to a database website e.g. site similar to iTunes or MySpace. Once logged into their account the user could download the complete audio track plus optional additional information on the selected artist and the particular music venue.
For example
• Selected Artist’s Previous Work
• Where the Artist is next touring/ performing.
• Similar artists*
• If the selected music falls under an electronic music genre, info on what DJ’s might be likely to play this track. This would then lead to info on that list of DJs or radio show.
*lastfm.com is a good example of how a similar artist option.
e.g.
http://www.last.fm/music/Mick+Harris
http://www.last.fm/music/DJ+Vapour
http://www.last.fm/music/The+Teknoist
Information would also be available on the venue where the music data was first downloaded from.
For example
• Future venue Events / Listings
• Background info on the venue.
Blogging!!
Today I realised that I have a lot to learn about blogging.
Or maybe it’s that Blogging has to evolve!!!
One suggestion would be is to incorporate a way in which all updates are recorded and automatically placed at the top of the blog, as well as automatically saving a version of the old draft for reference!
Please correct me if I’m wrong.
Or maybe it’s that Blogging has to evolve!!!
One suggestion would be is to incorporate a way in which all updates are recorded and automatically placed at the top of the blog, as well as automatically saving a version of the old draft for reference!
Please correct me if I’m wrong.
Thursday 6 November 2008 Audioporting Concept - Positives (As I see it!) -Update
Audioporting Concept/Devise Positives Update
Today I delved a little into the broader socio effects of the concept on the music industry and socity as a whole.
• Making music more accessible will generate more revenue for the music artists.*
• Device will gather important import data which could be used by Music Licensing Bodies to calculate a more accurate system of collecting and distributing royalties to its members –songwriters, composers and music publishers.
• Music venues will be better informed to their customer’s musical preference and target market.
• In this system, venue customers could decide what the future listings and music policy of the participating venue are, thought feedback from users to the venue.
• Less well know artists could publicise their music faster and therefore create a broader fan base.
• Users could interact with their favourite artists easier e.g. find the artists MySpace.
• As users could find out what venues play what music, where and where, fans of lesser well known music genres could get to know each other more easily .i.e. human’s need to group as individuals -"The Roar of Collaborative Culture". This in turn will inevitably lead to other hybrid music genres – “When information is brushed against information…”
*e.g. Radiohead's decision to let its fans decide how much to pay for its album In Rainbows in October 2007 was both a PR and commercial success.
Today I delved a little into the broader socio effects of the concept on the music industry and socity as a whole.
• Making music more accessible will generate more revenue for the music artists.*
• Device will gather important import data which could be used by Music Licensing Bodies to calculate a more accurate system of collecting and distributing royalties to its members –songwriters, composers and music publishers.
• Music venues will be better informed to their customer’s musical preference and target market.
• In this system, venue customers could decide what the future listings and music policy of the participating venue are, thought feedback from users to the venue.
• Less well know artists could publicise their music faster and therefore create a broader fan base.
• Users could interact with their favourite artists easier e.g. find the artists MySpace.
• As users could find out what venues play what music, where and where, fans of lesser well known music genres could get to know each other more easily .i.e. human’s need to group as individuals -"The Roar of Collaborative Culture". This in turn will inevitably lead to other hybrid music genres – “When information is brushed against information…”
*e.g. Radiohead's decision to let its fans decide how much to pay for its album In Rainbows in October 2007 was both a PR and commercial success.
Wednesday 5 November 2008 Bluetooth - The Unifier
Bluetooth is a wireless protocol utilizing short-range communications technology facilitating data transmission over short distances from fixed and mobile devices, creating wireless personal area networks (PANs). The intent behind the development of Bluetooth was the creation of a single digital wireless protocol, capable of connecting multiple devices and overcoming problems arising from synchronization of these devices e.g. MAC to PC, Zen to Mac.
Bluetooth is now an iatrical part of all most laptop and mobile phone technology.
An ethos of unity throughout different technology is something which seems to be a big part of the origins* and evolution of Bluetooth. This is a characteristic which in the current Web 2 and Wikinomics environment leads me to think this technology has a healthy future.
* Bluetooth was named after a tenth-century king, Harald Bluetooth, King of Denmark and Norway. He was known for his unification of previously warring tribes from Denmark (including now Swedish Scania, where the Bluetooth technology was invented), and Norway.
Maybe it would be good to continue this ethos and unify music producers with their target audience and via versa.
Bluetooth is now an iatrical part of all most laptop and mobile phone technology.
An ethos of unity throughout different technology is something which seems to be a big part of the origins* and evolution of Bluetooth. This is a characteristic which in the current Web 2 and Wikinomics environment leads me to think this technology has a healthy future.
* Bluetooth was named after a tenth-century king, Harald Bluetooth, King of Denmark and Norway. He was known for his unification of previously warring tribes from Denmark (including now Swedish Scania, where the Bluetooth technology was invented), and Norway.
Maybe it would be good to continue this ethos and unify music producers with their target audience and via versa.
Audio Track Data -ID3
Originating in 1996 as a child creation of the audio file format MP3, ID3 is a data file containing basic audio track information such as the artist name, song title and year of release. In its original format it occupies just 128 bytes but this file size can be increased as ID3 is updated.
Other commonly used audio formats including MAC .aiff and Windows .wav and .asf now also support ID3 though an updated version – ID3v2.
Other commonly used audio formats including MAC .aiff and Windows .wav and .asf now also support ID3 though an updated version – ID3v2.
New Concept - AudioPorting
Through DRM and watermarking research I came to the conclusion that music ownership is an issue more relevant to Music Law rather than a Design Futures Project.
So I have decided to rethink my concept.
Through the project discussion I have had with my lecturers and class mates I began to see less relevance on a physical receiver box and started to investigate more along the lines of wireless technology e.g. Bluetooth and Cloud Computing - which I explained in previous posts.
And by combining this technology with ID3 metadata and acoustic fingerprinting I devised a new concept.
What about the possibility of a devise installed at participating music venues which could read and store audio track information (metadata) and when requested pass that information on through Bluetooth to a mobile devise.
The devise would not send the complete audio file just the ID3 metadata info. Once the mobile Bluetooth user downloaded the track info, the user would be asked or directed to a database website e.g. site similar to iTunes or MySpace. Once logged into their account the user could download the complete audio track and well as receiving optional additional information on the selected artist.
For example
• Selected Artist’s Previous Work
• Where the Artist is next touring/ performing.
• Similar artists*
• If it’s the selected music falls under a electronic music genre, info on what DJ’s might be likely to play this track. This would then lead to info on that list of DJs.
*lastfm.com is a good example of how a similar artist option.
e.g.
http://www.last.fm/music/Mick+Harris
http://www.last.fm/music/DJ+Vapour
http://www.last.fm/music/The+Teknoist
Information would also be available on the venue where the music data was first downloaded from.
For example
• Future venue Events / Listings
• Background info on the venue.
So I have decided to rethink my concept.
Through the project discussion I have had with my lecturers and class mates I began to see less relevance on a physical receiver box and started to investigate more along the lines of wireless technology e.g. Bluetooth and Cloud Computing - which I explained in previous posts.
And by combining this technology with ID3 metadata and acoustic fingerprinting I devised a new concept.
What about the possibility of a devise installed at participating music venues which could read and store audio track information (metadata) and when requested pass that information on through Bluetooth to a mobile devise.
The devise would not send the complete audio file just the ID3 metadata info. Once the mobile Bluetooth user downloaded the track info, the user would be asked or directed to a database website e.g. site similar to iTunes or MySpace. Once logged into their account the user could download the complete audio track and well as receiving optional additional information on the selected artist.
For example
• Selected Artist’s Previous Work
• Where the Artist is next touring/ performing.
• Similar artists*
• If it’s the selected music falls under a electronic music genre, info on what DJ’s might be likely to play this track. This would then lead to info on that list of DJs.
*lastfm.com is a good example of how a similar artist option.
e.g.
http://www.last.fm/music/Mick+Harris
http://www.last.fm/music/DJ+Vapour
http://www.last.fm/music/The+Teknoist
Information would also be available on the venue where the music data was first downloaded from.
For example
• Future venue Events / Listings
• Background info on the venue.
DRM - "Ladies &Gentlemen, Alternative Research, Please!!"
After researching DRM I can’t help comparing the issues raised by DRM bodies with the issues involved in the “War on Drugs”.
I think it’s a matter of self choice which will be changed through choice and education and not forced through restriction.
If people want to copy music then they will find a way. Maybe the music industry should take a step back and take on board some of the oppositions expressed by Anti- DRM associates.
“Wikinomics” refers to a technique used by Cory Doctorow, author of Boing Boing (sort of blog) which has 750,000 readers; he is also a successful science fiction novelist.
Doctorow gives his online fans the opportunity to download for free online versions of his latest novels.
“By giving fans free e-books, Doctorow enlists his devoted readers as unpaid evangelists for his work” Wikinomics - Don Tapscott & Antony Williams
Doctorow himself sites the fact that he trusts his fans with free online material as a main reason of his profound success.
I think the music industry should take their heads out of the sand of restrictions and start to consider some alternative methods of copyright before they get left in the past.
I think it’s a matter of self choice which will be changed through choice and education and not forced through restriction.
If people want to copy music then they will find a way. Maybe the music industry should take a step back and take on board some of the oppositions expressed by Anti- DRM associates.
“Wikinomics” refers to a technique used by Cory Doctorow, author of Boing Boing (sort of blog) which has 750,000 readers; he is also a successful science fiction novelist.
Doctorow gives his online fans the opportunity to download for free online versions of his latest novels.
“By giving fans free e-books, Doctorow enlists his devoted readers as unpaid evangelists for his work” Wikinomics - Don Tapscott & Antony Williams
Doctorow himself sites the fact that he trusts his fans with free online material as a main reason of his profound success.
I think the music industry should take their heads out of the sand of restrictions and start to consider some alternative methods of copyright before they get left in the past.
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