27" Quad Core Mac review

ComputerWorld has reviewed Apple's fastest iMac yet, excerpts follow:

"...finally, the the Core i5 and Core i7 27-inch iMacs have arrived - and let me tell you, it was worth the wait."

"With the new 2.66GHz Core i5 iMac and the 2.8GHz Core i7 iMac, Apple has not only blurred the line between consumer and professional systems, it's darn near erased it."

"The 2.66GHz Core i5 iMac offers faster performance at most tasks than the 2.66GHz Quad-Core Mac Pro. The Core i5 iMac also has more memory and more storage space than the 2.66GHz Quad-Core Mac Pro, while being $500 less (plus you get a 27-inch screen with the iMac)."

"Unless you absolutely require additional PCI cards, multiple internal hard drives, or a lot of RAM, the Core i5 iMac makes a strong case for the being the go-to system for most Mac professionals."
------------

Free font - League Gothic

The League of Movable Type reports: [edited]

League Gothic is a revival of an old classic, and one of our favorite typefaces, Alternate Gothic No.1. It was originally designed by Morris Fuller Benton for the American Type Founders Company (ATF) in 1903. The company went bankrupt in 1993. And since the original typeface was created before 1923, the typeface is in the public domain.

We decided to make our own version, and contribute it to the Open Source Type Movement. It’s free, not only in price, but in freedom.
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Broomfield-London 22-11-09

Jump Around - House of Pain
New Mistake - Jellyfish
Carbon Monoxide - Cake
Speak Slow - Tegan and Sara
Martha - Tom Waits
Something To Hold On To - Vigilantes Of Love
Standing In The Shadows Of Love - The Four Tops
One Of Us - Martyn Joseph
God - Joy Zipper
Moment In The Sun - Clem Snide
Locomotion (live) - Carole King
Sad Arse Strippa - Lady Sovereign
Truly Something Fine - Nanci Griffith
Promise - Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
So In Love With You - Helen Love
Sunshine Of Your Love - Eric Clapton
Never, Never Gonna give you up - Barry White
Kill Your Television - Ned's Atomic Dustbin
Anyone Can Make A Mistake - The Wedding Present
The Phoenix (Original Version) - Judee Sill
Under Ice - Kate Bush
Long Legs - The Magic Numbers
Barstool Blues - Maria McKee
Santiago - Loreena McKennitt
Face - Pooka
Seconds - U2
The Madonna Trilogy - The Meat Purveyors
Cry Love - John Hiatt
Bare Bones - Adam Snyder
Don't Know Much (Featuring Aaron Neville) - Linda Ronstadt & Aaron Neville
Black Is Black - La Belle Epoque
Sad Songs And Waltzes - Cake
Ashes To Ashes - David Bowie
I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself - The White Stripes
On The Bus Mall - The Decemberists
Turn It On - Ladytron
Engine Joe - Slobberbone
------------

Skatebikes

Nakoi reports: [edited]

The SQRL (pr. 'squirrel) is a stylish action vehicle that enables you to move around by pedalling like a regular bicycle. However the steering is done by moving your upper body towards the desired direction.
------------

Cannondale Dutchess

BikeBiz reports: [edited]

The Cannondale Dutchess is a result of the final year graduation project of Wytze van Mansum, from the Delft University of Technology.


"Designed for women keen to express their style amongst the fast paced and ever changing urban vibe, the Dutchess brings modern lines to the environmentally conscious whilst at the same time offering longevity and low maintenance," said a company statement.

The rear mudguard acts as a structural part of the frame, supporting the carrier with a load of up to 50kg. The arch connects the bicycle from the handlebars to the tail-light.


The hub brakes are self-adjusting to compensate brake pad wear and since the brake lines are integrated into the frame, they can act as wheel locks by folding the levers into the handlebars. Adjustable handlebars allow for different riding positions and can be folded together for easy storage or used for locking the bicycle securely to a fixed object.


The total weight would be kept under 14kg through the integration of parts and functions. Gearing and transmission are fully enclosed, allowing the bicycle to be ridden in normal clothing.

Although fully rideable, the project is currently only a prototype.

- - - - -

Pictures via Carlton Reid
------------

Quicksand - free font

Font Squirrel is hosting this Web 2.0-friendly 'soft-sans' in 3 weights (and faux italics) plus a quirky 'dashed' version.
------------

LogMeIn Free

LogMeIn reports: [edited]

LogMeIn Free gives you remote control of your PC or Mac from any other computer with an internet connection.

Install LogMeIn on the computer you want to access, log into your account from another computer and click the computer you want to control. You'll see its desktop and be able to use all the applications on your remote computer as if you were sitting in front of it.

- - - - -

Brett's 2p'orth: I've been using it for a while, and it works as advertised. I've also bought the iPhone App, which works just fine. If you want file transfer, remote sound, printing etc, LogMeIn Pro² is available for a free 30 day trial.
------------

Only in America...

Wired reports: [edited]

A California company has combined a Corvette with a luxury speedboat and thrown in some jet ski to create the WaterCar Python.

For around $170,000, you can pick up a Python rolling chassis and install a General Motors LS series engine of your choosing — from a used LS1 to the same mind-bendingly powerful LS9 found in the Corvette ZR1. Choose that level of insanity and WaterCar estimates the engine and transaxle installation should run an additional $30 to $50K.

Once installed, the Python will make short work of your trip to the boat launch with an average 0-60 time of 4.5 seconds. Once you get to the yacht club, stun your high society friends by driving the Python straight into the water, pressing one button to retract the wheels and another to start the jet. You’ll be gliding on a bright blue highway in seconds. Far from a glorified Amphicar, this baby can do 60 mph on the water.
------------

London-Lincoln-London 15-11-09

London to Lincoln
My Way Or The Highway - Limp Bizkit
Prince of the rodeo - Turbonegro
Blue Savannah - Erasure
Digital Love - Daft Punk
Seven Days and One Week - BBE
Spanish Stroll - Mink DeVille
Annie, Let's Not Wait - Guillemots
River Deep, Mountain High - Tina Turner
Can't Get You To Shut Up (DJ DUBZ Mix) - The Black Eyed Peas vs Kylie Minogue
You Get What You Give - New Radicals
When the Sun Goes Down - Arctic Monkeys
DJ DJ - Transplants
Open Your Eyes - United State Of Electronica
Chinatown - Thin Lizzy
Hideaway - Delays
Jackie Jackson - Franz Ferdinand
The Coast Is Always Changing - Maximo Park
Sukie In The Graveyard - Belle & Sebastian
A Pessimist Is Never Disappointed - TheAudience
My Guy - Tracey Ullman
I Want Your Love - Transvision Vamp
What is Confusion? - Haddaway v. Genesis
The Great Escape - We Are Scientists
Hold Me In the River - Brakes
Hang Me Up to Dry - Cold War Kids
Little Girl - The Banned
Time Out From The World - Goldfrapp
Razor Blade - The Strokes
No More Mr. Nice Guy - The Who
This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both Of Us (Remix) - Sparks
Axel F (radio edit) - Crazy Frog
Ca Plane Pour Moi - Stella
Saturday Night - Bay City Rollers
God Bless the American Housewife - SHeDAISY
Roll On Down The Highway - Bachman Turner Overdrive
Cotton Eye Joe (remix) - Rednex
Love on a Farmboy's Wages - XTC
Sympathy - Goo Goo Dolls
Heaven - Basshunter
Pacific 707 (single) - 808 State
Street Corner Serenade - Wet Willie
Red Light Spells Danger - Billy Ocean
Hand Held in Black and White - Dollar
The Money Song (Hard-Fi vs. Red Hot Chili Peppers vs. Flying Lizards vs. Abba vs. Jay-Z) - team9
Good Enough - Dodgy
Golden Green - Wonder Stuff
Woman - Wolfmother
Speed - Bran Van 3000
Stop! - Erasure
I Like To Move It - Ali G
She's So Beautiful - Cliff Richard
A Little Respect - Björn Again

Lincoln to London
Only Dreaming - Yazbek
Atlantic City - Bruce Springsteen
Hurricane - Mindy Smith
Trampin' - Patti Smith
The Bible's Right - Sister O. M. Terrell
First-Time Mother's Joy (Flying) - Mercury Rev
Not Me - This Mortal Coil
Take It Up - World Party
Love's A Prima Donna. - Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel
Femme Fatale - The Velvet Underground
Crepuscule With Nellie - Thelonious Monk
Venus - The Chris Stamey Experience
Up - The Kleptones
Shattered - Linda Ronstadt
Cages - Baxter Dury
Suzieju - Lambchop
Experiment IV - Kate Bush
Aikea-Guinea - Cocteau Twins
The Outdoor Type - The Lemonheads
Build A Levee - Natalie Merchant
Female Of The Species - Space
I Don't Know Why You Keep Me On - Nick Lowe
Street Life - Randy Crawford
Alzheimers - Joy Zipper
Evil - Ladytron
Empire - Dar Williams
You Belong With Me - Tonio K
Absolute Beginners - The Jam
Hopeless Is As Hopeless Does - Vigilantes of Love
Meltdown - Ash
The Groom's Still Waiting At The Altar - Bob Dylan
Love train - O'Jays
Add It Up - Violent Femmes
Free Little Bird - Lisa Loeb and Elizabeth Mitchell
How Can You Refuse Him Now - Holly Williams
You're The Why - Ian Dury & The Blockheads
Didn't It Rain - Golden Gate Quartet
Crocketts Theme - Jan Hammer
Carry Me Home - Polly Paulusma
Everything Is Everything - Phoenix
There's a Kind of Hush (All Over the World) - The Carpenters
So Complicated - Van Morrison
9 to 5 - Lady Sovereign feat Ordinary Boys
------------

London-Lincoln-London 04-11-09

London to Lincoln
Who's Making Love - Johnnie Taylor
Change In The Weather - Steve Forbert
Later Monday - Jon Brion
Wintertime Blues - John Hiatt
I Love You Honey - John Lee Hooker
Calling all the heroes - It Bites
It Was Jesus - Johnny Cash
Red Clay Halo - Gillian Welch
More Than Useless - Relient K
Now Those Days Are Gone - Bucks Fizz
Ain't No Cure For Love - Aaron Neville
When It Don't Come Easy - Patty Griffin
New York Soul - Ray Barretto
If I Had Words - Scott Fitzgerald & Yvonne Keeley
Song to the Siren - This Mortal Coil
Walking On Sunshine - Rocker's Revenge
Silver Transparent - Bill Mallonee
Bridge Over Troubled Water - Claude Denjean
Here Comes The Rain Again - Eurythmics
Generation Landslide - Alice Cooper
Brian Wilson (a cappella) - Barenaked Ladies
If Not For You (alt) - Bob Dylan
There Goes Mavis - Richard Shindell
Come To Jesus - Mindy Smith
Jolene - Cake
Moody Blue - Elvis Presley
Personal Jesus - Depeche Mode
Reflecting Light - Sam Phillips
Check It Out - After The Fire
Talkin' To Myself Again - Shelby Lynne
Have A Good Time - Paul Simon
Linger - Jonatha Brooke
Stretch Out And Wait - The Smiths
Give It Away - Deepest Blue
Life's A Miracle - Prefab Sprout
White Shadows - Coldplay
Ashes - Embrace
I Will Follow - U2
Hey, Brother - Rip Slyme
Love Minus Zero/No Limit - Eliza Gilkyson
Proverbial Pants - Soulwax
Breath - Kathryn Williams
Say It Ain't So - Weezer
slight night shiver - m83

Lincoln to London
Hurt Feelings - Flight of the Conchords
Underdog - Kasabian
We Will Rock You - Queen
What A Day For A Daydream - Lovin' Spoonful
One vision - Queen
Tubthumping - Chumbawamba
I Am A Paleontologist - They Might Be Giants
The Walls Are Coming Down - Fanfarlo
Song Away - Hockey
Don't Stop Me Now - Queen
Pirate Girls Nine - They Might Be Giants
Beg Your Pardon - Kon Kan
Islands - The XX
Fill in the Blanks #1 - Sorry I Haven't a Clue
Poetry Of The Deed - Frank Turner
Undercover Of The Night - The Rolling Stones
Clint Eastwood - Gorillaz
Don't Be Stupid (You Know I Love You) - Shania Twain
Time To Pretend - MGMT
Can I Play With Madness - Iron Maiden
Cheat On Me - The Cribs
I Ain't Mad At Cha - Tupac (2pac)
Have I The Right - Dave Clark Five
Alcohol - CSS
Let's Go Surfing - The Drums
Adultery - Little Comets
Run to The Hills - Iron Maiden
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Theme - They Might Be Giants
Walking On Sunshine - Ghoti Hook
Reelin' & Rockin' - Chuck Berry
Spin the Black Circle - Pearl Jam
Somebody to Love - Queen & George Michael
Radio Gaga - Queen
I Found Love - Lone Justice
Hey Jealousy - Gin Blossoms
Wheels - Foo Fighters
Rock Island Line - Little Richard With Fishbone
I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You - Black Kids
Seven - They Might Be Giants
Dirty Harry (Single Edit) - Gorillaz
11th Dimension - Julian Casablancas
Beautiful Love - Julian Cope
Nerve - lamont humphrey
Why Does The Sun Really Shine? - They Might Be Giants
Papillon - Editors
All The Kings Men - Wild Beasts
Def Con One - Pop Will Eat Itself
American Girl - Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Making Your Mind Up - Bucks Fizz
The Greatness and Perfection of Love - Julian Cope
Think I Need It Too - Echo & The Bunnymen
------------

iPhone's ascendancy continues

Register Hardware reports: [edited]

Cupertino's multi-pronged strategy to put an iPhone into the pocket of every smartphoner, mobile gamer, and on-the-go web surfer is working.

According to the market researchers at Strategy Analytics, the iPhone vaulted Apple past Nokia to become the number one handset vendor in the world when measured by profits. In the third quarter of 2009 Apple's phone-based profits totaled $1.6bn, while Nokia pulled in $1.1bn.

And Apple isn't content with dominating handset-profitability metrics. It also has its eye on pocket gaming.

Nintendo president Satoru Iwata recently told a company gathering that "If we can't make clear why customers pay a lot of money to play games on Nintendo hardware and Nintendo software and differentiate ourselves from games on the mobile phone or iPhone, then our future is dark".
------------

Ricoh GXR

Digital Photography Review reports: [edited]

The GXR system uses interchangeable lens/sensor units - every lens comes in a sealed unit complete with sensor, shutter, aperture, processing engine (there's also one in the camera body) and the motors necessary to focus the lens (and drive the zoom mechanism if present). You are, essentially, buying a new camera every time you buy the lens: the GXR body is little more than a shell containing the screen, card slot, controls and flash.



This radical rethink of the 'interchangeable lens' has some important consequences:

- Different lens units can have different sensor sizes and technologies

- By using a smaller sensor the GXR system can offer very small zooms

- Lens units can be designed for specialist applications (e.g. video optimised)

The GXR launches with two very different optional lens modules. Although the body is very thin, how pocketable the camera is depends entirely on the lens module mounted: the S10 zoom unit maintains the low profile when not in use (it collapses when powered down) but the A12 prime is a fairly large unit.


- - - - -

Brett's 2p'orth: I have no idea whether this is a triumph or a turkey. What I do know is that the pre-production sample images are impressive, and that I am looking forward to visiting my local Jessops for a 'hands-on' when it is released in the UK.
------------

One connection to rule them all

blogs.intel.com reports: [edited]

A new technology was announced at Intel Developer Forum which provides initial data rates of 10 Gigabits and potential scalability to 100 Gigabits and beyond; something copper won’t be able to achieve.

Light Peak also supports multiple simultaneous protocols which will allow bandwidth aggregation of the various interconnects used in systems today onto a single high speed, thin, flexible, and long cable and small connector. Imagine being able to connect to your camera, display, docking station, or external hard drive through a single, thin connector.

Light Peak is in the developmental stages, but Intel Executive Vice President General Manager, Intel Architecture Group Dadi Perlmutter showed a demonstration of real silicon transmitting storage, LAN data and display (1080p) data across a 30m fiber optic cable.

The end goal is to make Light Peak a complement to existing I/O technologies by enabling them to run together on a single cable and at higher, and more scalable speeds.
------------

Wall of Sound iPod speaker

In what looks more like an Onion prank than an actual piece of hifi, the Swedish audio company Brothers has released the Wall of Sound (WOS) iPod speaker.

Powered by a 125 Watt tube amplifier, this 28 speaker monster measures 94x125x31cm, and weighs over 100kg.

You can order yours from the Brothers website for a mere $4,495.

Thanks to Julie for the link
------------

DraganFly

DraganFly Innovations reports: [edited]

Draganfly Innovations Inc. started as a small mail-order business specializing in radio controlled flying machines. We soon began selling our unique, four-rotor helicopter, the Draganflyer.

The Draganflyer was originally designed to be an easy-to-fly, low-maintenance helicopter which evolved into a camera platform. Draganflyers are extremely sophisticated, high performance, yet easy-to-fly, affordable machines.

The collaboration of ideas from our customers, employees, and associates has resulted in the release of our most exciting and capable aerial photographic platform yet: the Draganflyer X6 Helicopter, the ultimate in ease of flying and usability.
------------

Avatar

Full trailer available here. I may yet forgive Mr Cameron for Titanic.
------------

OCZ Neural Impulse Actuator

OCZ Technology reports: [edited]

OCZ’s Neural Impulse Actuator (nia) marks a new era in gaming. Rather than being a substitute for a mouse, the nia is a pioneering new peripheral to be used in conjunction with your mouse for a more immersive gaming experience.

The nia is compatible with any PC game using keyboard input. Predefined profiles included with the software allow the gamer to develop their own nia—memory to launch the desired behaviour of their character without lifting a finger.

The headband uses carbon nanofiber-based sensors to provide the highest possible dynamic range for the recording of bioelectrical signals that are amplified and digitized and further de-convoluted into computer commands.
------------

Oasis of the Seas

Southern Daily Echo reports: [edited]

It looked as if a large chunk of Hampshire, complete with trees, apartments, and a street lined with shops and bars, had broken off and floated out into the middle of the Solent.

But this was no monster piece of flotsam and jetsam but one of the biggest man-made objects to move across the face of the planet, the vast new cruise ship, Oasis of the Seas.

At 220,000 tons, and able to accommodate 6,300 passengers and 2,000 crew, Oasis of the Seas breaks all records. She is divided up into seven separate 'neighbourhoods' including one called Central Park which is open to the sky and features trees, grass lawns and flower-beds.

Other passenger attractions include an ice rink, a cocktail bar that rises up and down the decks, a water theme park, a full-size fairground carousel, and a shopping area with bars, restaurants and cafes.

Wii sales plummet

Digital Spy reports: [edited]

Nintendo president Satoru Iwata has announced that sales of the Wii console have fallen significantly over the past six months.

Sales of the system suffered a 40% drop over the time period, with 5.75 million units sold worldwide in September 2009, compared to 10 million the previous year. Iwata attributed this to a lack of significant software releases.

"Wii has stalled," he told a press conference. "We were unable to continually release strong software, and [we have] let the nice mood cool. We were unable to show a new game to become 'the next thing'. In the game market, once you've lost the momentum, it takes time to recover."
------------

Bean

MacWorld reports: [edited]

Our quest for the ultimate writing tool continues with Bean a stripped down and superfast word processor.

It lacks a full word processor’s more advanced features, but Bean handles all the same files as TextEdit in an interface that’s easy to understand and looks great. It’ll even export PDFs.

Bean’s selection tools are a revelation, with options for choosing by font style, ruler and even colour, making it easy to handle large documents. With features such as live word count, autosave and page layout mode you won’t feel deprived.

We’ve found ourselves using Google Docs a lot lately. Bean gives you the same simplicity, power and lack of clutter at the same price: nothing.
------------

Motorola Droid

Wired reports: [edited]

The Droid is Motorola's second attempt at an Android phone but the first one they've actually gotten right. More importantly, it's one of the first phones that can legitimately stand head-to-head with the iPhone - and come out ahead in some significant respects.

Physically the Droid is not much to look at because of its boxy, angular frame. Its hefty 170g weight doesn't make it especially pocket-friendly either. The touchscreen display is a shade bigger than the iPhone 3GS, but it has much higher resolution, with 854 x 440 pixels compared to the iPhone's 480 x 320. The virtual keyboard is fantastically responsive with very little input error.

The slide-out physical keyboard is one of the few disappointments of the Droid. The small, flat buttons make it difficult to crank out text.

The Droid runs Android 2.0 as its OS. It feels more refined than the first version of Android on T-Mobile's G1 and it's certainly better than the muddled interface on Motorola's Cliq.

The Droid's 5-megapixel camera produces photos that aren't too noisy and it does well even in low light, thanks to the built-in LED flash.

The most exciting feature of the phone, though, is the Google maps app - with built-in turn-by-turn, voice-guided navigation. With text-to-speech features, the maps are layered with traffic data and a satellite view. But here's the best part. It's free! You don't have to pay a $10 per month subscription or purchase a TomTom app

The browser is excellent and displays web pages quickly (though Flash websites are still out of bounds). You can toggle through multiple windows and scan them in an easy list view. You double-tap the screen to zoom in and out - which works, but we miss the 'pinch to zoom' gesture found on the Palm Pre and iPhone. There's no native multi-touch support in the Droid.

If it were 2 ounces lighter and had a better keyboard (or no keyboard at all), it would be hands-down the best smartphone on the market today. As it is, it's a solid contender in a market that has too long been dominated by just one top-quality handset.

- - - - -

For a more extensive review, and lots of images, visit Engadget
------------

London-Lincoln-London 01-11-09

London to Lincoln
Something Good Can Work - Two Door Cinema Club
Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger - Daft Punk
Gonna Make You A Star - David Essex
Little Arithmetics - Deus
I Turn My Camera On - Spoon
The most beautiful girl in the world - Charlie Rich
Brother Louie - Hot Chocolate
Bum Bum - Mabel
Can't Take My Eyes Off You - Andy Williams
Wild Wild Life - Talking Heads
Hush - Kula Shaker
Chasm - Demetri Martin
Cars (remix) - Gary Numan
A-Punk - Vampire Weekend
If You Belonged To Me - Traveling Wilburys
California Love - 2Pac (feat. Dr. Dre)
Somebody's watching me - Rockwell
Musical/Burlap Sack - Demetri Martin
Wannabe - Spice Girls
Thank You Cards - Demetri Martin
I Can't Wait - Nu Shooz
Keep on Jumpin' (feat. Martha Wash & Jocelyn Brown) - Todd Terry
Glad All Over - Dave Clark Five
Spin the Black Circle - Pearl Jam
My White Bicycle - Nazareth
Cotton Balls/Cinammon Buns - Demetri Martin
Let's Dance To Joy Division - The Wombats
Beach, Message in a Bottle - Demetri Martin
Everybody Needs Somebody To Love - The Blues Brothers
Love's A Game - The Magic Numbers
Twenty Four Hour Garage People - Half Man Half Biscuit
Open Your Heart - Human League
Bingo Bango - Basement Jaxx
Nag Nag Nag - Art Brut
Superstar - Jamelia
Touchy! - a-ha
Something Better Change - Stranglers
Where's the Pleasure? (Radio Edit) - Protocol
Run With the Wolves - The Prodigy
Love Like Semtex - Infadels
Two Left Feet - Richard Thompson
Pressure Us - Sunscreem
I Want That Man - Deborah Harry
Dreaming - Blondie
Sk8r Boy - Avril Lavigne
My Sharona - Polysics
Hey Jealousy - Gin Blossoms

Lincoln to London
It Ain't Easy - David Bowie
Ay Que Rico - Eddie Palmieri
Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is A Season) - The Byrds
State Trooper - Steve Wynn
Heartbreaker (Live) - Pat Benatar, Sheryl Crow, Dixie Chicks, Emmylou Harris etc.
Strange Love - Darlene Love
If You Go Away - Dusty Springfield
Six White Horses - The Greencards
What Was It You Wanted - Bob Dylan
Messages From The Stars - Rah Band
Daylight Robbery - Morcheeba
Disappear - Madness
Sometimes - Abigail Washburn
Genius - Kings Of Leon
One Small Day - Ultravox
Surprise, Surprise - The Everyothers
The Electric Version - The New Pornographers
Forever For Her (Is Over For Me) - The White Stripes
Timeless Melody - The La's
Bass Culture - Linton Kwesi Johnson
The Way It Really Is - Lisa Loeb
Light & Magic (Live) - Ladytron
God's Got A Crown - Arizona Dranes
Wonderful Life - Black
Call My Name - Allison Moorer
For Your Babies - Simply Red
Ride - Nick Drake
Rilleh! - Marvin Gaye & Oma Page
Sophie - Jake Thackray
Lavina - Josh Rouse
Teardrops - Shakin' Stevens
True Confessions - Tonio K
Zuton Fever - The Zutons
David's Last Summer - Pulp
There Goes The Neighborhood - Sheryl Crow
Perfect Day (BBC version) - Lou Reed + nearly everyone else
Look at You Girl - Chris LeDoux
No One Else - Weezer
Paths Of Victory - Cat Power
A Small Victory - Faith No More
One - Simple Plan
Nerve - lamont humphrey
Walking On Sunshine - Ghoti Hook
------------

London-Lincoln-London 31-10-09

London to Lincoln
Band Of Gold - Freda Payne
Don't Be Sad - Whiskeytown
Private Eyes - Daryl Hall & John Oates
Miss World - Hole
Dime - Cake
Cherry Lips (Go Baby Go!) - Garbage
My Favourite Girl - King Creosote
Wonderful Land - The Ukulele Orchestra Of Great Britain
California Girls - David Lee Roth
I'm Drinking Again - Ry Cooder
135 - Two Cow Garage
M!ssundaztood - P!nk (Pink)
One Hundred Punks - Generation X
Prettiest Train - Fred Neil
Swansea - Joanna Newsom
What Goes On - The Beatles
For So Long - Cast
Go On Then - Gunilla Thorn
Payback - Lisa Loeb
The Things That I Used To Do - G. Love & Special Sauce
Wedding Song No. 3 - Papa M
Romulus - Sufjan Stevens
She's Not There - The Zombies
Honest Mans Blues - The Broken Family Band
Sea And The Rhythm - Iron & Wine
Futurama Theme (techno mix) - Danny Elfman
Asleep In The Back - Brent Palmer
Nashville Cats - Lovin' Spoonful
Twenty Four Hour Garage People - Half Man Half Biscuit
Smoke In Her Eyes - Ty England
If Not For You - George Harrison
Dancing In The Rain - The Rubettes
Rest Awhile - They Might Be Giants (TMBG)
Northbound 35 - Jeffrey Foucault
Stupid Girl - Garrison Starr
Life In A Day - I Am Kloot
Pacific Street - Hem
Two Left Feet - Richard Thompson
Happy Hippy - Ian Dury & The Blockheads
Failures - Joy Division
Richard Cory - version 1 - Them
It'll Be Easier In The Morning - Hothouse Flowers
Grass - XTC
Your Southern Can Is Mine - The White Stripes
It's Looking Good - The Rutles
Alternative To Love - Brendan Benson
Serenade - Emiliana Torrini

Lincoln to London
You Shook Me All Night Long - AC/DC
Earrings/Sneezes - Demetri Martin
I Cut Like A Buffalo - The Dead Weather
Squirrel/Can - Demetri Martin
Checkers - Demetri Martin
Automatic Lover - Jay-Jay Johanson
It's Hard To Be Humble - Mac Davis
Batteries - Demetri Martin
Dictionary - Demetri Martin
Mary's Place - Bruce Springsteen
Pirates - Demetri Martin
Sharks - Demetri Martin
Wild Young Hearts (Edit) - Noisettes
Laydeez - Demetri Martin
Ex-girlfriend/Movie - Demetri Martin
Watch for Children - Demetri Martin
Oranges and Carrots - Demetri Martin
The Sweetest Thing - Camera Obscura
Mowgli's Road - Marina And The Diamonds
Naming the Animals - Demetri Martin
Blood Sugar - Pendulum
Tell That Girl To Shut Up - Transvision Vamp
Futon World - Demetri Martin
Peeing In/Into the Pool - Demetri Martin
Readers & Writers - Idlewild
Some More Jokes - Demetri Martin
Gigolo - The Crash
Cactus/Chair - Demetri Martin
Raindrops - Basement Jaxx
Digital Cameras - Demetri Martin
Higher Than the Stars - The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
Song Away - Hockey
Sports Trophies - Demetri Martin
Lisztomania (Radio Edit) - Phoenix
Sort Of - Demetri Martin
Girls Aint Nothing But Trouble - Fresh Prince (Will Smith)
Can You Give It - The Maccabees
Islands - The XX
The Captain - Biffy Clyro
Drunk Back-seat Drivers - Demitri Martin
Sweet Disposition - The Temper Trap
Other Jokes - Demetri Martin
Ponchos - Demetri Martin
Danger Zone - Kenny Loggins
Finger Puppets - Demetri Martin
Apologise/Sorry - Demetri Martin
Thanks/Thanks A Million - Demetri Martin
Video Games Hospital - Demetri Martin
Fire at a Trick Birthday Candle Factory - Demetri Martin
Adultery - Little Comets
Let's Go Surfing - The Drums
Cereal - Demetri Martin
You and Me Song - Wannadies
Pinata - Demitri Martin
Bathroom Graffiti - Demetri Martin
Untouched - The Veronicas
I Love Kids - Demetri Martin
Fortnight - Demetri Martin
Cowboy - Kid Rock
Clothing Store - Demetri Martin
Heart Attack - Demetri Martin
Beach, Metal Detectors - Demetri Martin
Benny Hill [TV Theme] - Benny Hill
Crafts/Glitter - Demetri Martin
Street Performer in a Cul-de-Sac - Demetri Martin
Wheels - Foo Fighters
Statues - Demetri Martin
Wrong Number - Demetri Martin
That Golden Rule - Biffy Clyro
Nostalgia - Demetri Martin
Think I Need It Too - Echo & The Bunnymen
Ransom Note Paper Clip - Demetri Martin
Dance Wiv Me (feat. Calvin Harris & Chrome) - Dizzee Rascal
Washing Machine - Demetri Martin
Cheese Emporium - Monty Python
Swimming - Demetri Martin
Bears and Worms - Demetri Martin
Graffiti - Demetri Martin
Are You Ticklish - Demetri Martin
I Want You To - Weezer
Waking Up - Demetri Martin
Vests - Demetri Martin
cash-point - Rhod Gilbert, Edinburgh Fringe 2006
Underdog - Kasabian
My Turn - Basement Jaxx (feat Lightspeed Champion)
To Kingdom Come - Passion Pit
December 1963 (Oh What A Night) - Frankie Valli And The Four Seasons
Spare Change - Demetri Martin
You Can Be Wrong About Boys - Mally Page
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The Drums: Let's Go Surfing

rcrdlbl.com are offering The Drums' catchy, '50s-flavoured synthpop 'Let's Go Surfing' (along with a batch of remixes) for free download.
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China celebrates 60 years of communist rule

The Big Picture reports: [edited]

China formally kicked off its mass celebrations of 60 years of communist rule with a 60-gun salute that rang out across Beijing's historic Tiananmen Square.

Hundreds of thousands of participants marched past Tiananmen Square in costume or uniform, with floats and dancers mingling with soldiers and military hardware. Collected here are photographs of the once-in-a-decade National Day parade in Beijing, and of others commemorating the anniversary elsewhere. (39 photos total)
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Terminator moves one step closer

Wired reports: [edited]

Boston Dynamics is building the “Petman” prototype for the U.S. Army, to test out protective clothing.

“Petman will balance itself and move freely; walking, crawling and doing a variety of suit-stressing calisthenics during exposure to chemical warfare agents,” the company promises. “Petman will also simulate human physiology within the protective suit by controlling temperature, humidity and sweating when necessary, all to provide realistic test conditions.”

Like Boston Dynamics’ BigDog robo-mule, Petman stays upright, even when it’s shoved. And the thing walks heel-to-toe at 3.2 miles per hour, just like a flesh-and-blood person.
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Freerange Stock Images

Freerange Stock...

"was formed with the goal to provide quality stock photos for commercial and non-commercial use. For free. We feel that free stock photos can be good photos."

"Freerange is an advertising revenue supported photographic community - photographers get paid when users click on the ads that appear next to their submissions."
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LIFE archived and online

LIFE Magazine began in 1936, chronicling history using the medium of photography.

Google Books has now made every copy from its first issue to 1972 available online in browseable & searchable format. And the images are free to share, print and post for personal use.

Warning: browsing this stuff can absorb HOURS of your time!

via resourceshelf.com
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Archos 9 Netbook PC Tablet

Register Hardware reports: [edited]

First seen late last month, the Windows 7-based device is available to buy now in the UK for £450. The PC tablet can be bought from PC resellers and direct from Archos, although the manufacturer hasn’t yet updated its website to include the model.

The Archos 9 has an 8.9in, 1024 x 600 touchscreen and is powered by Intel’s 1.2GHz Atom Z515 processor. It has 1GB of DDR 2 memory, a 60GB HDD and access to 25GB of online storage.

The Archos 9 supports 802.11b/g Wi-Fi connections – but not 3G – and data can be transferred over Bluetooth 2.1 or USB 2.0.
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Dam Busters

First shown in 1955, Dam Busters is the story of Barnes Wallis' 'bouncing bomb', its development, the politics surrounding it and the Lancaster crews whose job it was to drop it onto the German hydro-electric dams.

It must be over 30 years since I last saw this film, and I was struck by just how fresh it has remained. Yes, the special effects are laughable. Yes, they picked an unfortunate name for the black labrador. And yes, there is little attention given to the German casualties that resulted from the breaching of the dams.

But for all this, it manages to portray a very human side to the war, the frustrations suffered by Wallis as he struggles to make his invention work, and get funding approved by the authorities. The ingenuity and bravery of the air crews. And the efforts of the hard-working 'ordinary people' who fed and watered them.

I rented it in Blu-ray format, but the (monochrome) image-quality is average, and the picture sits in the middle of a large black surrounding border. Despite this, it is a very watchable film, the music is as stirring as I remembered, and some of the scenes had me doing the 'I've got something in my eye' routine.
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New Macintosh gear

Apple have announced a bucketload of new stuff, including:

- Faster iMacs, including a monster 27" version

- Redesigned faster MacBook

- Faster Mac mini

- New 'no-moving-parts', multi-touch Magic Mouse

for more information, visit Apple.com
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Sand painting awesomeness

Kseniya Simonova won 'Ukraine's Got Talent 2009'. Using a light box, music and sand painting, she movingly interprets Germany's World War II invasion and occupation of the Ukraine.

via Kottke
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Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

Zak, Brook and Coel played this from start to finish over the weekend. I watched, and can say that it is the next step towards the convergence of videogames and movies. The characters are well drawn, and the physics of the character's body-movements is at a Pixar level of sophistication. The backgrounds are jaw-droppingly beautiful. And the story/dialogue/acting is clever and engaging.

If you've got a PS3 and enjoy platforming adventure games, this should be on your list of 'ones to try'.

For more information, visit ign.com's full review.
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London-Lincoln-London 18-10-09

London to Lincoln
Ain't Gonna Bump No More (With No Big Fat Woman) - Joe Tex
Who's Johnny - El DeBarge
welsh-sheep - Rhod Gilbert, Edinburgh Fringe 2006
The Walls Are Coming Down - Fanfarlo
Walking On A Dream - Empire Of The Sun
pregnant russian skydiver - It's Been A Bad Week, 29-1-05
stone age joke - Tommy Cooper
Suspicious Character - The Blood Arm
Little Lion Man - Mumford & Sons
It's In His Kiss - Linda Lewis
Fruit Baskets - Demitri Martin
Pancakes - Demitri Martin
Rock n Roll Psychosis - The Jim Jones Revue
Children of the Sandstorm - Robert Miles
Lollypops - Demitri Martin
Employee of the Month - Demitri Martin
White Wedding - Billy Idol
Stella - Ida Maria
Sink or Swim - Bad Lieutenant
Meet Me On the Equinox - Death Cab for Cutie
This Must Be It - Röyksopp
French Taunter - Holy Grail - parts 1&2 - Monty Python
Electricity - Apoptygma Berzerk
welsh-potato - Rhod Gilbert, Edinburgh Fringe 2006
Restaurant - Emo Philips
Downtown - Mrs Miller
Back of The Van - Ladyhawke
Bring It Back - McAlmont & Butler
I'm Not Alone / Smells Like Teen Spirit (Mighty Mike Mashup) - Calvin Harris vs. Nirvana
Don't You Want Me - Human League
I Gotta Feeling - Black Eyed Peas
Mulder And Scully - Catatonia
The Fear (clean version) - Lily Allen
Just Like Paradise - David Lee Roth
Sedated Girlfriend - Avril Lavigne/Ramones (Arty Fufkin)
Happy Days - Pratt & McClain with Brother Love
first-dry-dream - Rhod Gilbert, Edinburgh Fringe 2006
Mythical Creatures - Demitri Martin
Toop Toop - Cassius
Every Beat of my heart - Railway Children
Never Leave You (Single Version) - Tinchy Stryder & Amelle
I Bet You Look Good On the Dancefloor - Arctic Monkeys
Black & Blue - Miike Snow
Barbados - Typically Tropical
Australian Table Wine - Monty Python
The Reeling (Calvin Harris Remix) - Passion Pit
3 Little Words (single) - FrankMusik
Professional Football - Demitri Martin
bum-look-big - Rhod Gilbert, Edinburgh Fringe 2006
Dust On The Ground - Bombay Bicycle Club
Heart - Pet Shop Boys
my other car's a... - Rhod Gilbert, Edinburgh Fringe 2006
Papillon - Editors
You Might Think - The Cars
Ralph Mellish - Monty Python
The Fixer - Pearl Jam
Take Me Back to Your House (feat. martina sorbara) - Basement Jaxx

Lincoln to London
Let There Be Rock - Drive-By Truckers
Baby Got Back (I Like Big Butts) - Sir Mix-a-Lot
Love And Affection (Remix) - Joan Armatrading
Seventeen (Soulwax Mix) - Ladytron
Walking With A Ghost - Tegan and Sara
All I Really Want - Alanis Morissette
It's You - Michelle Branch
It's No Good (Speedy J Mix) - Depeche Mode
White Ladder - David Gray
The Other Side Of This Life [Unreleased Take] - Fred Neil
Leaving on a Jet Plane - Chantal Kreviazuk
The Air Near My Fingers - The White Stripes
Something Vague - Bright Eyes
My Will - dc Talk
Big Sky Country - Chris Whitley
Lost at Seaflower Cove - Laura Veirs
I'm Leavin' Now - Johnny Cash
I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself - Dionne Warwick
December 1963 (Oh What A Night) - Frankie Valli And The Four Seasons
Mystic Eyes - Them
A To B - The Futureheads
White Boys Brown Girl (andrew innes remix) - Kill City
I Tried To Rock You But You Only Roll - Leona Naess
Scooby Doo - Mystery Mix
Slug - Passengers (U2)
Victim To The Tomb - The Greencards
Burning Down The House - The Cardigans & Tom Jones
Ring Them Bells - Bob Dylan
Everyone Thinks He Looks Daft - The Wedding Present
Your Secret's Save With Me - Dan Colehour
Let's Twist Again - Chubby Checker
Some Of Them Are Old - Brian Eno
Any guy - Melanie
London - The Smiths
Last Time We Spoke - Eels
Swollen Summer - The Bravery
Don't Come Running - hal
The Long Goodbye - Paul Brady
Chick-A-Boom - Van Morrison
Meditation - Baptism - Michael Card
How I Wanted To - Richard Thompson
Barbed Wire Love - Stiff Little Fingers
(I Don't Know Why I Love You) But I Do - Clarence 'Frogman' Henry
Pain In My Heart (Alt. Take) - Otis Redding
Suicide Life - Eels
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London-Lincoln-London 17-10-09

London to Lincoln
Can Blue Men Sing the Whites? - The Bonzo Dog Band
I Had Something - Lucy Kaplansky
Golden Brown - Stranglers
I Do (Feat. Sonny of P.O.D.) - Anastacia
Coming Back To You - Martin Gore
Speed Of Sound - Coldplay
My Back Pages - Bob Dylan
Starfish - Horse
Happy End - Tahiti 80
Speedway - Counting Crows
Soaring - Sydney Forest
Never There - Cake
Positively 4th street - Simply Red
Mi Tierra - Guitarra De Pasión
16 Days - Whiskeytown
New England - Kirsty MacColl
Joy Will Find A Way - Bruce Cockburn
Addictive Love - BeBe & CeCe Winans
Right Here, Right Now - Luka Bloom
Bear With Me - Malcolm Middleton
Times Gettin' Tougher Than Tough - Them
Dear Exception - Charlie Peacock
I Must Be In Love - The Rutles
Okie Dokie Stomp - Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown
Leaning Against The Wall (Evil Tordivel Upbeat Remake) - Kings Of Convenience
Brother Louie - Hot Chocolate
Sea Of Heartbreak - Johnny Cash
Big Sur - The Thrills
3 small words - Josie and the Pussycats
See Another Side - Juliet Turner
Fool To Cry - Scubba feat. Moana
Rat Patrol - They Might Be Giants (TMBG)
What I Am - Edie Brickell & New Bohemians
More Than Words - Extreme
Exile - Yngwie Malmsteen
This Land Is Your Land - Pete Seeger with Sweet Honey in the Rock, Doc Watson & The Little Red School House Chorus
Take Me Away - Lifehouse
Dress - PJ Harvey
Meanwhile, Rick James... - Cake
My Last Tango - Nerina Pallot

Lincoln to London
Does Your Mother Know - ABBA
The Leader of the Laundromat - The Detergents
One Week of Danger - The Virgins
Too good to be forgotten - Amazulu
Solid Gold Easy Action - T.Rex
I Love Rock and Roll - Joan Jett
So Human - Lady Sovereign
Dominos - The Big Pink
An Honest Mistake - The Bravery
I Can't Believe It's Not Butter - Demitri Martin
In For The Kill - La Roux
Valerie - Mark Ronson & Amy Winehouse
Word Association - Monty Python
Are You Embarressed Easily? - Monty Python
Girl You Have No Faith In Medicine - The White Stripes
Girls Lie Too - Terri Clark
Beat of My Heart - Hilary Duff
Mrs Niggerbaiter - Monty Python
Umbrella (The Lindbergh Palace Remix) - Rihanna
Trouble - Shampoo
She Is Beautiful - Andrew W.K.
Cactus - Demitri Martin
You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet - Bachman Turner Overdrive
Flip-flops - Demitri Martin
8-bit Trip - Rymdreglage
Banana - Demitri Martin
Do You Know (I Go Crazy) - Angel City Ft. Lara McAllen
Girlfriend (Radio Edit) - Avril Lavigne
Angry White Boy Polka - Weird Al Yankovic
Crush (1980 Me) - Darren Hayes
Travel Agent - Monty Python
What Do You Do Quiz - Monty Python
Flying Fox Of The Yard [Bonus track] - Monty Python
Pirouette - Stickboy (UK)
Potential Breakup Song - Aly & A.J.
Invaders Must Die - The Prodigy
It's My Life - The Amplifetes
Arrows of Eros (Single Version) - Golden Silvers
Hello, This Is Joannie (The Telephone Answering Machine Song - Paul Evans
Grapes - Demitri Martin
The Diary Of Horace Wimp - Electric Light Orchestra
An Elk Sketch - Monty Python
Daniel - Bat For Lashes
Raised by Wolves - Demitri Martin
I Won't Say (I'm in Love) - Hercules
More Than A Feeling - Boston
Reasons to be cheerful (part 3) - Ian Dury & The Blockheads
Leather - Demitri Martin
Thou shalt always kill - Dan Le Sac vs. Scroobius Pip
Jessie's Girl - Rick Springfield
Evacuate The Dancefloor - Cascada
Americanos - Holly Johnson
Emily Kane - Art Brut
There's No Secrets This Year - Silversun Pickups
The Most Beautiful Girl [In The Room] - Flight Of The Conchords
Camouflage - Demitri Martin
Does Your Heart Go Booooooomm - Helen Love
Swimming - Demitri Martin
Joke Medley - Demitri Martin
Walk Like An Egyptian - Bangles
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Autumn in pictures

The Big Picture reports: [edited]

It's that time of year again, the Earth's northern hemisphere is tipping away from the warmth of the Sun. Days in the north are getting cooler and shorter, leaves are changing, animals migrating and many harvests are underway. Collected here are 32 photographs of scenes from around the northern hemisphere.
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Panasonic Lumix GF1

Digital Photography Review have published an extensive review of Panasonic's Micro Four Thirds 'almost-a-compact' camera. The review is generally favourable but, to my eyes, it still isn't compact enough to be genuinely 'pocketable' and it doesn't have a suitable form factor to be used with larger zoom lenses.

The picture below gives an idea of the different sizes of an LX3 (with lens) and a GF1 and G1 (both sans lens). The increased bulk is significant, especially bearing in mind that the LX3 isn't one of the slimmest compacts available.

Horchata - Vampire Weekend

Vampire Weekend's latest single is available for free download here.

Compfight

Compfight is a search engine for Flickr which allows you to type in a keyword or several keywords after which it will display a thumbnail page of relevant images.

For images with a blue bar at the bottom of an image, hovering your mouse over the image will reveal the dimensions.

You can restrict search results to Creative Common licenses, commercial images and/or original images.
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Dyson Air Multiplier

Dyson's latest invention works by pulling air into the base (using a small fan) then pushing it out through a slot in the ring. Air in the front and the sides is pulled into the stream as well.

Initial reviews say that its main advantage is the lack of an external blade. And with each of the three models costing £200, it is not going to be an impulse buy!
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Toy Story 3

The full trailer is now available from Apple Trailers
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Honda competes for 'ugliest leccy car ever' award

Register Hardware has blogged on Honda's EV-N 'battery electric vehicle'. Details are sketchy, but my guess is that it isn't aimed at the Tesla demographic.

There is one plus though, if you'd been wondering where you were going to store your Honda U3-X unicycle, here's the answer:


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Mitsubishi demonstrate world's biggest telly

dvice.com reports: [edited]

This monster monitor consists of 720 4x4" OLED sections, placed tightly together in a near-seamless configuration to make a 155-inch screen.
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Western Digital add e-ink displays

Register Hardware reports: [edited]

The PC-compatible My Book Elite and Mac-compatible My Book Studio drives have both been kitted out with high-contrast displays. The display information remains visible when the drive is unplugged.

Users can customise the display to show the storage-related information they're concerned about, whether that be the drive’s security status, remaining capacity or number of pictures on the drive.

Studio has Fire Wire 800 and USB 2.0. The Elite is USB 2.0 only.
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