Take your caps off Telecom
Chelfyn kicked off our first week back at TMet Towers after the summer break, by appearing on the Jim Mora's show on Radio New Zealand. He was railing against the dire state of New Zealand's current 'broadband' access.
Telecom have brought out a new range of plans which they are tyring to sell as an improvement on their service. Unfortunately the current caps on international traffic mean that one can hit a monthly limit in a matter of hours. As Chelfyn says, it's like buying a super new TV, which works for a few hours before becoming a radio. To get more pictures will cost you $20 an hour for the rest of the month which is a complete and utter rip-off.
We use Slingshot as our ISP. They don't cap our international traffic but the speeds still aren't up to international broadband standards. If the NZ government is serious about creating a knowledge & innovation economy, then they need to get serious about providing a world class telecoms infrastructure. We are being held back from competing on a global scale while Telecom milks as much profit as they can before Voice over-IP hits. As more Kiwis start to use their net connections to make voice calls for free, Telecom may regret their luddite attitude.
It's frustrating the way that they are dragging their heels, as right now we are only able to broadcast live radio from our studios. WIth a bit more bandwidth we could be broadcasting live tv and creating content for the current crop of indie media like VideoBomb.com & Current TV which have some excellent clips and videos. My current favourite is the one on Cat Herding..
February 22, 2006
February 10, 2006
Basecamp - web based collaboration
I'm recently come across Basecamp a web based tool that's great for managing creative projects across remote studios. Basecamp will run on any machine with a browser and internet access, and you can set up unlimited users for each project. I'm used to managing internationally based project teams, and after wrestling with one to many MS Project plans I'm finding Basecamp a joy to use in its simplicity.
Within each Basecamp Project you can upload files, set tasks, and milestones, as well as allow clients access to view and comment on project progress. It's already proving useful for planning TV projects through Mohawk Media. I'm also finding it invaluable for the handing over TMet Recordings to our new label manager. It's totally transparent and allows for the fact that in real life projects can get messy. As the Basecamp manifesto states:
"Real-world projects don't run like an organized, Gantt-charted project plan. Real projects are chaotic: Missed deadlines, miscommunication, scope creep, new initiatives, new people in, old people out. This is why information needs to be centralized and archived. No more he-said she-said. No more forwarding 500 emails to a person who gets involved in the middle of a project. No more losing knowledge when someone leaves a project. With Basecamp it's all there. All centralized, archived, accessible, date stamped, and labeled for clear accountability."
You can download a free demo at from: http://www.basecamphq.com/
If you click on this link then we'll get a referral: http://basecamphq.com/?referrer=mohawkmedia
Within each Basecamp Project you can upload files, set tasks, and milestones, as well as allow clients access to view and comment on project progress. It's already proving useful for planning TV projects through Mohawk Media. I'm also finding it invaluable for the handing over TMet Recordings to our new label manager. It's totally transparent and allows for the fact that in real life projects can get messy. As the Basecamp manifesto states:
"Real-world projects don't run like an organized, Gantt-charted project plan. Real projects are chaotic: Missed deadlines, miscommunication, scope creep, new initiatives, new people in, old people out. This is why information needs to be centralized and archived. No more he-said she-said. No more forwarding 500 emails to a person who gets involved in the middle of a project. No more losing knowledge when someone leaves a project. With Basecamp it's all there. All centralized, archived, accessible, date stamped, and labeled for clear accountability."
You can download a free demo at from: http://www.basecamphq.com/
If you click on this link then we'll get a referral: http://basecamphq.com/?referrer=mohawkmedia
HAGRID of Rotorua
When we first arrived here from the UK with sterling, the dollar was low and we lucked out on the exchange rate. We literally had more money than sense and bought a few personalised numberplates. You can make up your own combos in New Zealand as long as no-one else has got there first. My bro Tim is the proud owner of THE DJ and we've got a couple of good ones from The Hobbit for when we can afford a housetruck and electric runaround combo.
I decided to put HPOTTR, HEDWIG & HAGRID up for sale and my favourtie HAGRID is now going to good home in Rotorua. I've been having a lovely email conversation all week with his new friend, whose brother Bob apparently looks just like Hagrid. HAGRID will be used for work and taking bikes to the track, and I can't think of a more fitting use for him. He wouldn't be comfortable on anything flash and I can visit him for coffee if I'm Rotorua. That's what I love about New Zealand - it's like one big happy family. Best of all HAGRID has a girlfriend called RUTHI who he will be snuggled up to every night in the garage. I'm so happy for him.
When we first arrived here from the UK with sterling, the dollar was low and we lucked out on the exchange rate. We literally had more money than sense and bought a few personalised numberplates. You can make up your own combos in New Zealand as long as no-one else has got there first. My bro Tim is the proud owner of THE DJ and we've got a couple of good ones from The Hobbit for when we can afford a housetruck and electric runaround combo.
I decided to put HPOTTR, HEDWIG & HAGRID up for sale and my favourtie HAGRID is now going to good home in Rotorua. I've been having a lovely email conversation all week with his new friend, whose brother Bob apparently looks just like Hagrid. HAGRID will be used for work and taking bikes to the track, and I can't think of a more fitting use for him. He wouldn't be comfortable on anything flash and I can visit him for coffee if I'm Rotorua. That's what I love about New Zealand - it's like one big happy family. Best of all HAGRID has a girlfriend called RUTHI who he will be snuggled up to every night in the garage. I'm so happy for him.
February 09, 2006
Growing Flutterbys
A miracle of nature is taking place at our studios. It all started with a tiny seed. Bought from our local Westie grow shop Easygrow and no, it's not what you think. It was for a Giant Swan plant, the favourite food of Monarch butterflies. That seed turned into a plant which was munched by a fat caterpillar, which is slowly turning into a butterfly in my studio. It's been an amazing saga of truimph and defeat. One of our caterpillars made it, the other didn't. He made a juicy feast for a preying mantis, watched with morbid fascination by Chelfyn. So the survivor was brought inside for protection, which is what the experts advise to give your butterfly the best start in life.
The monarch caterpillar is an adventurous fellow, and quite speedy when he wants to be. After his relocation indoors we found ours motoring up the wall at quite a fair clip. They look like they've been drizzled in white and yellow icing, and they have a voracious appetite. The poor swan plants have been stripped of their leaves but after a giant poo and literally overnight our boy reached pupa-ty.
Being a small child inside I've been checking on him regularly. He was still a fat caterpillar at a quarter to three, hanging under a leaf like a letter J. At nine in the morning I thought he'd gone off exploring again. Until I spotted the bright green pupa hanging where our fat little fellow had been. You can see the veins where his/her wings will be, and there is an iridescent 'zip' where he'll emerge as a gorgeous monarch butterfly in a couple of weeks. And all from growing a plant from a tiny seed!
If you want to grow your own Monarch Butterflies then read this excellent guide from The Otago Museum. Lucky Westies like me can vist the West Lynn Garden and Butterfly House which is open from 10 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. every day of the year: http://www.westlynngarden.org.nz/
A miracle of nature is taking place at our studios. It all started with a tiny seed. Bought from our local Westie grow shop Easygrow and no, it's not what you think. It was for a Giant Swan plant, the favourite food of Monarch butterflies. That seed turned into a plant which was munched by a fat caterpillar, which is slowly turning into a butterfly in my studio. It's been an amazing saga of truimph and defeat. One of our caterpillars made it, the other didn't. He made a juicy feast for a preying mantis, watched with morbid fascination by Chelfyn. So the survivor was brought inside for protection, which is what the experts advise to give your butterfly the best start in life.
The monarch caterpillar is an adventurous fellow, and quite speedy when he wants to be. After his relocation indoors we found ours motoring up the wall at quite a fair clip. They look like they've been drizzled in white and yellow icing, and they have a voracious appetite. The poor swan plants have been stripped of their leaves but after a giant poo and literally overnight our boy reached pupa-ty.
Being a small child inside I've been checking on him regularly. He was still a fat caterpillar at a quarter to three, hanging under a leaf like a letter J. At nine in the morning I thought he'd gone off exploring again. Until I spotted the bright green pupa hanging where our fat little fellow had been. You can see the veins where his/her wings will be, and there is an iridescent 'zip' where he'll emerge as a gorgeous monarch butterfly in a couple of weeks. And all from growing a plant from a tiny seed!
If you want to grow your own Monarch Butterflies then read this excellent guide from The Otago Museum. Lucky Westies like me can vist the West Lynn Garden and Butterfly House which is open from 10 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. every day of the year: http://www.westlynngarden.org.nz/
February 07, 2006
Jack Yan - The Persuader
Wellington based branding and sustainable business expert Jack Yan, has started a new blog expounding his views on Branding, Globalization, and the cartoons which have provoked Muslim outrage. After blogging for a mere 12 days he has already been referenced by the UK's Guardian and Germany's Der Spiegel.
Read why at Jack Yan - The Persuader. You can also listen to my MP3 interview with Jack Yan on Branding & Ethics from last year "I see it as a way to fight terrorism"
Read why at Jack Yan - The Persuader. You can also listen to my MP3 interview with Jack Yan on Branding & Ethics from last year "I see it as a way to fight terrorism"
February 02, 2006
Clarity Psy Dance Party Aftermath
Though I love clubbing, it's like having a shower with your coat on. I'd much rather be at an outdoor party instead, bouncing around under the stars or grooving in sunshine. Even though we only had two weeks to pull things together for Saturday's Clarity beach party, the feedback has made all the stress and hassle worth it. The NZ Ravers who came were an awesome bunch of young party people.
I arrived at the Clarity site late on Saturday afternoon after a scorching hot day, to find the two zones up and running smoothly. I was very popular when I pulled some fresh coffee, but was rewarded with help on the Mensa Tent Test. I've only seen Dodgy Sam's 6-man dome erect on one previous ocasion, but after a few false starts we had it pitched on the beach before dark.
Putting up someone else's tent is always a laugh, as Justin Sane also found after entertaining the whole car park. Camp Justin sounded like it was a fun place to be, with Mr Sane imbibing a bottle of absinthe with Matboy Slim. Who then attemped to spade (pull, court) a bevy of young lovelies in a most amiable way.
Mattboy Slim does Blue Steel
Unfortunately absinthe does not makes the heart grow fonder especially the amount the boys had put away. I hear they got snapped changing into their party pants, so lets hope fervently that those particular pictures don't make their way onto the internet ladies.
Justin Sane does - a friend
The Mohawk Media Girls: Miz Vix & Mistress D
We are very lucky to have gained another VJ on the Mohawk Media crew, the lovely Phunky Dave who long term members of the Kiwi dance scene will recognise. He's an amazing guy and has been a fantastic friend over the years. He once drove from Auckland to south of Taupo to pick us up when our car broke down on the way to the last Gathering.
Mohawk on the big screen
Phunky Dave was in charge of visuals behind the Twisted stage with & Chelfyn on the main zone screens. It's great to hear all the amazing feedback on the visuals, as Chelfyn has worked hard to make our shows special.
PsyChelfyn in action (and PVC)
Standout DJ sets for me were Gargoyle & PsyChelfyn on the main stage, with Xtensa & Al (on Didge) & Da Norm in the Twisted second zone.
The Twisted Zone
Xtensa have been supporting some big names in the UK psy-scene and along with Dale & Lamada are a welcome addition to the Twisted & TMet Tribes of New Zealand. It was awesome to see my good mate Stace up from the Tron as well as Catflap and the Tauranga posse. It was great to get out of the city for the night and party with a gorgeous bunch of people. Bring on more Psy Dance parties I say!
Stacey - old enough to know better.
Young enough to not care.
Read the NZ Rave Aftermath to hear what other party people have said about Clarity.
Clarity Photo Galleries
Twisted Gallery. Pics: Gargoyle & Messcat / NZ Rave Gallery 1 (Pics: Vijay & Fuzzyduck) / NZ Rave Gallery 2 (Pics: Mr_Flick)& some top pics from Stacey Stewart.
Though I love clubbing, it's like having a shower with your coat on. I'd much rather be at an outdoor party instead, bouncing around under the stars or grooving in sunshine. Even though we only had two weeks to pull things together for Saturday's Clarity beach party, the feedback has made all the stress and hassle worth it. The NZ Ravers who came were an awesome bunch of young party people.
I arrived at the Clarity site late on Saturday afternoon after a scorching hot day, to find the two zones up and running smoothly. I was very popular when I pulled some fresh coffee, but was rewarded with help on the Mensa Tent Test. I've only seen Dodgy Sam's 6-man dome erect on one previous ocasion, but after a few false starts we had it pitched on the beach before dark.
Putting up someone else's tent is always a laugh, as Justin Sane also found after entertaining the whole car park. Camp Justin sounded like it was a fun place to be, with Mr Sane imbibing a bottle of absinthe with Matboy Slim. Who then attemped to spade (pull, court) a bevy of young lovelies in a most amiable way.
Mattboy Slim does Blue Steel
Unfortunately absinthe does not makes the heart grow fonder especially the amount the boys had put away. I hear they got snapped changing into their party pants, so lets hope fervently that those particular pictures don't make their way onto the internet ladies.
Justin Sane does - a friend
The Mohawk Media Girls: Miz Vix & Mistress D
We are very lucky to have gained another VJ on the Mohawk Media crew, the lovely Phunky Dave who long term members of the Kiwi dance scene will recognise. He's an amazing guy and has been a fantastic friend over the years. He once drove from Auckland to south of Taupo to pick us up when our car broke down on the way to the last Gathering.
Mohawk on the big screen
Phunky Dave was in charge of visuals behind the Twisted stage with & Chelfyn on the main zone screens. It's great to hear all the amazing feedback on the visuals, as Chelfyn has worked hard to make our shows special.
PsyChelfyn in action (and PVC)
Standout DJ sets for me were Gargoyle & PsyChelfyn on the main stage, with Xtensa & Al (on Didge) & Da Norm in the Twisted second zone.
The Twisted Zone
Xtensa have been supporting some big names in the UK psy-scene and along with Dale & Lamada are a welcome addition to the Twisted & TMet Tribes of New Zealand. It was awesome to see my good mate Stace up from the Tron as well as Catflap and the Tauranga posse. It was great to get out of the city for the night and party with a gorgeous bunch of people. Bring on more Psy Dance parties I say!
Stacey - old enough to know better.
Young enough to not care.
Read the NZ Rave Aftermath to hear what other party people have said about Clarity.
Clarity Photo Galleries
Twisted Gallery. Pics: Gargoyle & Messcat / NZ Rave Gallery 1 (Pics: Vijay & Fuzzyduck) / NZ Rave Gallery 2 (Pics: Mr_Flick)& some top pics from Stacey Stewart.
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