Take Web 2.0 anywhere now...thanks iPad...

I thought with the Apple iPad (garbage name) being all over the net, it seems like a good thing to talk about. Our class is primarily about Web 2.0 and I think the iPad can take things to the next level, being as Web 2.0 is all about interactivity and really immersing yourself in the virtual world of pipes and streams off light (and I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that the data is carried to and fro by idiot savant dwarves who are so scarred and deformed that they prefer to work in the internet's pipes as opposed to on the surface with the normals. I think I read this on a blog though so I can only believe about 95% of that), the iPad could possibly take that tactile usability of the virtual world a step further (with the proper 3rd party support of course).

I'd first like to take a semi-aside and talk about what got me thinking about how the iPad could potentially bring that level of immersiveness that might actually get one excited. Think about this funky but sweet DJ and music controller called the Jazzmutant Lemur which retails for about $2000 USD+. You can totally use multitouch control to manipulate music and DJ/Production software.


Now let's look at this app on the iPod touch by a music software company called Novation (I thouroughly enjoy all their stuff). It's called the Automap for the iPhone/iPod Touch (. It's basically $3 app that lets you control DJ software and production software with your fingers, and I have to say it works perfectly:


Now imagine if Novation updates and adds more functionality to have it work better on the iPad that has a significantly bigger screen at a price WAY cheaper than the Lemur. It will actually be insane. It will add a layer of usability at a price point that can't be touched. Sure it's not the same as the Lemur, but you get a lot of other different functions with an iPad and the price is just right (approx $500 - $600).

Now let's translate this over to everything else: Amazon/Kindle, Facebook, pokersites, video sites, gameing, and who knows what else. If companies provide apps that work and make things people use even easier, there's going to be a lot of tech literally at our finger tips. This can be a huge positive, but also a huge negative. Think of the people "taking notes" in class, but are actually hyper stalking at a few flicks of their fingers on Facebook. Either way it will be exciting to see how it pans out. I know a lot of people are ripping on the iPad, and I would normally think they weren't talking 100% out of their ass, but there's this thing called the iPhone and this other thing called the App Store, so yah...wait and see...

The government has your back...when it comes to web browsers

It looks like recently Germany and now France have warned their own citizen's against using Internet Explorer in all it's iterations. I'm not really an IE user and I tend to go with Firefox, just cause it seems to leave less of a footprint, but I thought it was a bit odd that two governments would put out this warning when it's the vulnerabilities with IE6 not IE 7 or 8 that brought the security issue to the forefront (see story here.

It's obviously the Government's job to look out for its citizens, but there have been lots of security issues with the internet (really?) and why single out one exploit on an older version of a Microsoft web browser? Granted, some researchers think it's possible newer versions IE could be susceptible as well (researchers, or tech news journalists?), but still it seems poor form to set an example of internet security by outright saying "Don't use this product until it's patched" to millions. Security is a risk of the internet and I can think of lots issues in the past and lots of stupid risks people take daily (porn sites, Facebook, animal costume fetish sites) that could use more of a public service announcement than this.

Perhaps this is the governments of France and Germany's way of putting the pressure on Microsoft for putting a high priority on an IE6 exploit getting patched. Maybe these governments find it to be cheaper to have MS patch things as opposed to upgrading to IE8 or maybe they are worried about the security of their current systems of offices and government employees? Is this Microsoft's responsibility? I think releasing improved browsers is enough of a fix. If it is MS's responsibility, does that make what these governments are doing a good or negative thing?

SOUNDCLOUD - share your music without all the other bs...

Hey this is my first post and being that it's supposed to be about technology and internet stuff I thought I'd share my thoughts on Soundcloud (www.soundcloud.com). Basically it's amazing. It's a site where you upload your music and the main emphasis is on giant waveforms.

I don't have Facebook due to preference and there's also Myspace music, but those sites I find are overcrowded with people basically giving long bios and overexaggerating (is that a word?) their actual talent (I know many "producers" who think they are greatest gift to humanity when in reality I know they don't know what they're doing). The problem as well is these sites encourage this. As a somewhat successful producer (I've had some big name DJs play out my tracks and have a few releases), I know label owners and other producer/DJs could care less about a bio and really want to let your music speak for yourself (and it should). I always hated promoting myself to friends and label owners because you have to use these fluffy sites and as an unknown you're lumped in with all these people, good and bad.

Now with Soundcloud the focus is almost 100% on music and while I was reluctant at first to use it, now I can see it taking over. Everything about it is what I think the independent musician needs. It also helps weed out the wieners from the non-wieners . Even if you fake your musical ability the focus is always on music so sooner or later the fakers get found out.

So yah that's what I thought I'd share...check it out www.soundloud.com also feel free to check out mine here (shameless I know).

:) :) :) >:)