Home Sharing

From the "where the eff were you when I was in college?" files, iTunes newest update 9.0 brought us something called Home Sharing. With Home Sharing, up to 5 computers on the same network can share their iTunes music libraries with one another. This means all you need to do is click and drag someone else's music into your own library and it's now on your drive ready to be copied to an iPod or just listened to at your leisure.

There are some hitches, of course. Something called "copyright law?" doesn't want you sharing music with other people who aren't you, so you need to "authorize" iTunes with the same user name and password on each device to be able to share freely. But with some creativity and trust this can be just a small hurdle.

Warning: Zombies

Seems the new fad in pranks this year is to change the messages on LED traffic signs. The country has curiously seen a spike in the occurrences of this prank ever since i-hack published the instructions on how to do it. Apparently it's very easy (I'm looking at you, friends with no jobs). So far there's been quite a few warnings of impending attacks from the undead, or even raptors. I for one look forward to the day these hacks become far less ironic, blatant curse-riddled attacks on specific people.

Songbird

One theme that will find a way to manifest itself at all costs on this site is opensource technology. Opensource computer programs can often ensure that the consumer is getting (often for free) a product that is tailored to their needs and not the needs of the program developer. Anyone can see the code and alter the code and create add-ons for programs when necessary, and with so many eyes on the code it can be molded in such a way that the programs' consumers will rarely be hurt in any way by the product.

Take for example Songbird, an opensource media player. When you update Songbird you get a better version of an already solid program. When you update its main competitor, iTunes, you get something like Genius which is really just out to promote the iTunes store so that you'll BUY MORE MUSIC. Plus, with Songbird you get integrated programs that tell you when your favorite artists are coming to town, shows you flickr streams associate with those bands, and even youtube integration which automatically pulls up relative youtube clips. It even comes with its own web browser that automatically pulls and organizes any songs from that might be available on various music websites and blogs and allows you to download those songs when applicable. Plus there's a lot of other optional add-ons I haven't even tried yet and handles an iPod as efficiently as iTunes itself.The whole thing is basically a one stop music experience and there's no reason not to use it (it imports your iTunes library automatically).

And oh yea, it's FREE.

Songbird

Real Life Superheroes

Rolling Stone recently did an article about the spike in real people prancing around town in tights and supposedly aiding the police in thwarting real criminal activity. They consider themselves Superheroes, but I see it as more of a Community Service with masks. The story mostly follows Master Legend, from Florida (pictured left). It's at once the saddest and most inspiring story I've read in a long while. Read the story in its entirety here.

.pdf (in all its magazine-like glory): The Story of Master Legend

Johnny Cupcakes

Today we learn about Johnny Cupcakes, an indie clothing company which started as a joke from the trunk of a dented 89 Toyota Camry. As an appreciator of all things unique, business, and diy, I especially love Johnny Cupcakes which combines the three. Their story, which I recommend reading, tells of a company that could have distributed wholesale to chains but instead chose to stay limited, exclusive, and ultimately unheard, effectively embracing the idea that some people don't like having what everyone has. It's an interesting business model, which I look forward to hearing more about. I hope it succeeds because it proves that not all successful business owners are looking to "go public." Johnny Cupcakes now employs his entire family and a lot of friends and is a multi million dollar venture. I envy this company for so many reasons.

Website: Johnny Cupcakes

Also, their packages (even for just a t-shirt) are really cool. Check out some pictures from my flickr stream that I took of a Christmas gift I received, here, here, here,here, and here. Note how the t-shirt's tag looks like an oven mitt.

For those of us in the Philadelphia area, although we can't go to the storefronts in Boston or LA which sell their merchandise from what looks like a traditional bakery, you can pick up some JC merchandise online or at:

DEEP SLEEP
54 N Third St
Philadelphia, PA