Held hostage by Apple

My five-year-old Apple PowerBook G4 has been an absolutely wonderful computer throughout my college career (I got it the second week of my freshman year!), but the poor thing is running out of hard drive space, in desperate need of a memory upgrade, and has a shot battery. It's certainly time for an upgrade, but I'm aggravated by Apple's intentional omittance of several features that I would want in my next computer.

'High-Definition' is the biggest buzz word in technology as of late. Blu-Ray players which cost $999 last year are now selling for $200 at Best Buy and Wal-Mart, and it's quite impossible to buy anything but a new HDTV. To complement the high-def home entertainment experience, computer manufacturers are including Blu-Ray drives and HDMI-out ports (HD audio and video in one simple cable) into their desktops and notebooks. This is absolutely awesome! It eliminates the need for an expensive home theater system; all you have to do is connect your notebook to your flat-screen TV with HDMI, and you're set!

But Apple, usually at the forefront of creative innovation, has incorporated neither Blu-Ray nor HDMI into any of its computers. Their excuse is that 'the licensing cost for Blu-Ray is too high,' even though Sony, Dell, HP and others have had the technology for over a year now. What Apple won't say is that the exclusion is really meant to hold the consumer hostage.

Instead of using Blu-Ray, Apple wants you to rent movies in High Definition over its own iTunes online store and connect it to an Apple monitor (which uses its own type of connection), or buy a separate AppleTV for $299 (which would then connect to your TV with HDMI). Both of these options are inferior to me, as iTunes movie selection is limited and you can't [currently] buy HD movies (you can only rent them). Apple also thinks that optical media such as CDs, DVDs and Blu-Ray discs are passé, and downloads are the way of the future. While I agree to an extent (I can't remember the last time I bought an actual CD), they're not giving the consumer any choice. And as far as movies go, there's currently much more selection out there beyond iTunes (hello, Netflix?!).

I love Mac software (Keynote, Pages, iMovie, Garageband, etc.) too much to abandon Apple and am willing to pay more for their products because of higher build quality. But, it's frustrating to feel like I'm held hostage to everything being Apple-branded.

A melancholy end to a great time

Today I had my last class of graduate school, said goodbye to my roommate who moved out, and realized that I will soon move out of a place where I've essentially spent a quarter of my life (this is my 6th year in Bloomington). I cannot believe how quickly these semesters in Arts Administration have flown by, but feel so fortunate to have been surrounded by such supportive, smart and talented friends...it feels like we've all known each other forever. We've shared so much together while discovering and developing our individual goals, and although it's sad to depart, its wonderful to see the exciting places we're ending up (Sundance, Houston Grand Opera, Kennedy Center, and the Indianapolis Museum of Art, to name just a few).

Thanks, Arts Administration, for making the past year-and-a-half the most memorable time of my life...I'll miss you dearly.

Live Image Magnification...seriously?

Do projection screens with close-up shots of the orchestra really enhance the live concert experience?

Last night I heard the Philadelphia Orchestra perform a great concert that included the beautiful Prelude and "Liebestod" from Wagner's Tristan and Isolde, as well as Schoenberg's lush orchestration of Brahms' Piano Quartet No. 1 (GORGEOUS!!!). It was a wonderful evening of music, but the concert was supplemented with something I've never experienced in a live indoor classical event - two large screens that flanked the stage with magnified footage of the performance (I took the above picture during intermission, and you can see one of the screens over the stage).

Dubbed 'Live Image Magnification,' the projections provide the audience with the same video footage that would be shown in a live PBS airing, with close-ups on soloists and different sections of the orchestra in appropriate times of the performance. While I thought it was cool at first, the novelty soon wore off. I couldn't help but think, isn't the whole point of seeing a live performance to experience something more than what you would see on television? I found the screens to be more of a distraction than an enhancement, and I didn't observed only a handful of people in the audience watching them at any given time.

In my Public Policy class, we've discussed the economics concept of 'option value' in terms of the arts. For example, many individuals are in favor of supporting the arts because they know they have the option to partake in them at some point and time, even if they are not currently participating. Does option value similarly play into Philly's 'Live Image Magnification?' Would patrons prefer to purchase tickets to such concerts because they can choose to look up at the screens if they like? How does this experience compare to a 'traditional' concert setting for them? Are there differences in perceptions between experienced and casual concertgoers?

I hope these are questions the Orchestra's marketing department considers regarding the impact of 'Live Image Magnification' concerts, rather than just trying to do something new and 'cool' without rationale, justification and feedback from patrons. The Orchestra could be investing in a project where expenses far exceed perceived benefits of the audience as a whole.

P.S. Why not use the screens to project advertisements before the performance and during intermission, boosting ancillary income? Nonprofits need income from as many reliable sources as possible, especially in our current economic climate. Lexus is a huge corporate sponsor of the Philadelphia Orchestra, and I'm sure they'd love to present a few minutes of nice LS460 footage...especially to that clientele.

Blackberry Storm mini review

Today I was curious to check out the new Blackberry Storm at the Verizon store, and I must say I was quite fond of it. My initial impressions match most opinions in the reviews I've read. The screen is bright and beautiful, and the innovative clicking touchscreen mechanism they've put in place feels really solid. Web browsing seemed super fast on Verizon's network. I was surprised that typing was much easier in the vertical position than in landscape, full QWERTY mode (the letters are just too narrow). Ironically, I find this to be the opposite on the iPhone.

In my opinion, the Storm's biggest drawback is that its operating system is not quite as smooth as the iPhone's. For example, scrolling doesn't quite have the finesse that Apple is able to achieve so well. But it's only a minor detail, and the slight sluggishness could easily be fixed in a future software update.

All in all, I think the Storm is a nifty little device. Launching at just $199, it's priced very competitively to give the iPhone a run for its money.

P.S. I love the song in this Storm commercial: "I Believe" by Simian Mobile Disco.

Flip Mino

Last semester, Meg Liffick of the Indianapolis Museum of Art (and now, the Guggenheim!) spoke to our Audience Development class about how to implement new media technologies into nonprofit arts organizations. One of her 'favorite things' (Oprah reference, anybody?) was the Flip Video camera, a mobile phone-sized device that recorded web-quality video that easily uploads to YouTube with a USB connection. But ease-of-use, portability and convenience all came at the expense of video quality. In fact, most digital point-and-shoot cameras have better results in their video modes.

However, Flip Video recently the Flip 'Mino,' the world's smallest and most affordable HIGH DEFINITION camcorder. My favorite technology columnist, David Pogue of the New York Times, gives it a very favorable review. He praises its video quality, color replication, and low-light capturing abilities. What a neat little device! I'm definitely going to purchase one to use at Aspen next year!

www.theflip.com

Art in the eye of a needle

Micro-sculptor Willard Wigan makes artwork the size of a pinhead!

My take on the automotive bailout

Last night on CNN.com I watched some of the "big three" auto execs make their cases for support with Congress. I was not impressed. These domestic industry leaders have been so out of touch with their market for years, and they were visibly struggling to come up a compelling argument for a $25 billion bailout. Yes, the economy is suffering (they constantly use that as the driving--excuse the pun--cause), but their problems started way before our current recession.

American auto manufacturers been making terrible decisions for decades, cutting costs everywhere possible instead of investing in quality production methods. It's sad, because there's been recent improvement on some new American cars (Chevy Malibu, Cadillac CTS, Buick Enclave, Ford Flex to name a few) to actually make them actually competitive with imports. But is it too little too late?

GM Vice-Chairman Bob Lutz recently was on TV talking about the innovative new Chevy Volt, which promises to be America's first plug-in hybrid vehicle. But, he described the car as something that would appeal to "hippie, unattractive women." I'm sorry, but how can a person this out-of-touch with his products, market, and modern-day society run an organization as large as General Motors? Is THIS someone you would want to lead one of the country's largest corporations out of a huge financial crisis? Is THIS where people want to direct their tax dollars?

I vote no on the bailout unless there is major change in the leadership of these organizations. Plus, I recommend appointment of someone like Carlos Ghosn (he completely turned Nissan around in the late 90s) in the government to direct supervision.

Smartphones

I've been encouraging my graduate arts administration friends to consider investing in smartphones as we all finish up school and take brave steps into the 'real world.' Whether it's an iPhone, Palm, Blackberry, or Windows Mobile device, the convenience of the internet in your pocket is something I've found to be infinitely useful.

Buying an iPhone in September of last year was definitely the scariest purchase of my life; I'd never spent that kind of money on myself before. I deliberated for a long time whether or not to splurge, felt incredibly guilty for spending $299 after swiping my card, but soon discovered what an incredible investment it was. Having my calendar, email, facebook, news, weather, Wikipedia, Google Maps and even YouTube on my iPhone keeps everything I want to access throughout the day right at my fingertips. If I'm lost on the road, need to look something up right before an exam, or confirm a group meeting time, I don't have to worry at all.

Alas, smartphones do become addictions, and I'm the first to admit that I feel completely lost without my phone on me (I was freaking out at a basketball game once because I left it at home). The term 'Crackberry' is definitely applicable. But is it REALLY such a bad thing? Think of the costs (both financial and physical) people waste on cigarettes. Smokers should quit that awful habit and buy a smartphone as a reward for their success. They'd find a new addiction that's at least useful, and probably even end up saving money.

We've all worked so hard the past year and half in our graduate program. Reward yourself for a great accomplishment with an investment that will help keep you organized and connected as you start your career. Smartphones for all!

More cars!

A Ferrari 612 Scaglietti parked next to a Rolls-Royce Phantom outside
the hotel. Yesterday, I saw a Ferrari Enzo!!! This place is an auto
enthusiast's dream!

Nissan GT-R

I'm in heaven at Nissan's showroom in Ginza. The GT-R is coming to the US next year, and is an absolute beauty.

Asakusa

Crazy Japanese toilet!

Sprays your rear after #2 :-)

Cool ceiling!

At O'Hare

Art for art's sake?

From Edmunds.com:

A BMW intended for racing has been transformed into an artistic expression of environmental concern. The artist has replaced the car's outer shell with a skin made of ice.

What an incredible, inspiring experience

Somewhere amidst the camera crew is the Daily Show's Rob Riggle!

Bouncy beachballs!

Yay!!!

Liz, Tim and I :-)

2nd row seats!!!

Obama!

Standing outside Assembly Hall waiting to go in!

Thank you, Christoph Eschenbach!

Maestro Christoph Eschenbach is leaving his position as Music Director of The Philadelphia Orchestra, which he was given in 2003. During his leadership, he has done a phenomenal job of garnering financial support, reaching out to audiences, re-establishing recording contracts and keeping the orchestra at the pinnacle of musical innovation.

Bernard Jacobson, former program annotator for the Philadelphia Orchestra and musicological adviser to Riccardo Muti, wrote this beautiful article on Playbillarts.com celebrating the highlights of his career in Philly:

"...In the future, when the Philadelphia audience looks back over the Eschenbach era, it will surely remember a leader whose dedication to the art of music, and to the service of his public, transcends any hint of the moyen sensuel--an idealist in the high-principled Muti mold. Christoph Eschenbach is a complete musician, and a complete human being. Equally complete has been his dedication to this orchestra and its city."

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"New" Starbucks logo

Starbucks has changed its logo back to the 1971 original on its new house blend (which is quite good, btw).

Why would they do this? Well, the company has suffered recently because of new entries in the market (like McDonalds premium blends), and they're trying to convey the same novelty and innovation as when they first redefined the coffee house 35 years ago.

Success!

Yay, it worked!

Sent from my iPhone

Test blog?

I'm trying to blog directly from my phone. Does this work?

Sent from my iPhone

A fitting room for cars?

A novel marketing concept for new car buyers! Interesting idea, huh? 

From LeftLaneNews.com:

When you go to the store to buy a major clothing investment — say a suit — you always try it on before you buy it to make sure it looks good on you. But when buying a car (which is generally a person's second largest investment), most shoppers — as many as 95 percent — have no idea what they look like behind the wheel of a prospective vehicle. Chevrolet is aiming to change that as it has launched a new "fitting room" to give buyers an idea of what they look like in a car before they actually buy it.

The fitting room trial is taking place in South London, but the experiment could spread to other regions of the world if it proves to be a success. Potential buyers drive the car onto a turntable and then are enclosed by a round wall containing three mirrors. Once in place, buyers can use a hand-held remote to rotate the vehicle 360 degrees. While the idea might seem vain at first, Chevrolet might be onto something. After all, don't we all look at our reflections when we drive past reflective glass-sided buildings?

Worst music videos ever!

Obviously a spoof, but still hilarious:

Office Space...remixed

Anyone who knows me well knows my love of tasteful minimalism in interior design. I just saw this neat picture of Twitter's San Francisco's office, a quasi-industrial loft-esque space currently undergoing transformation. Their concept is not to separate coworkers into individual cubicles, but for everyone to share the same clean, open space together. Looks like a really neat environment! Note the multiple MacBook Airs, in addition to gorgeous new flat-panel iMacs.

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My YouTube debut...sort of

Stephanie and I just started a series of webisodes featuring the Buskirk-Chumley Theater staff's hidden talents. Today's video marked my debut on YouTube! Enjoy!

Embedded Video

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Orchestral maneuvers in the boardroom

A great CNN.com article posted on Tuesday about maestro Benjamin Zander lecturing for-profit businesses on 'out-of-the-box' thinking.

The message that has made Zander so sought after in boardrooms across the globe has to do with leadership and empowerment, and is as radical as it is simple.

Innovation, he says, can only flourish when people are set free. For business this means an environment that allows individuals the freedom to think and express themselves without the constraints of hierarchy.

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Barack wins the social networking award

Just a brief observation I made today...Comparing the two democratic presidential candidates on social networking sites, Barack is the obvious victor. Here's a rundown of their stats as of today:

Facebook Fan Pages:
- Barack Obama: 739,854
- Hillary Clinton: 141,911

Twitter:
- Barack Obama: 20,533 followers
- Hillary Clinton: 2,568

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American Idol and an inspiring refrigerator magnet

I always had some preconceived notion that American Idol was trashy or in poor taste...until I got hooked on it this season!

I can't even imagine how hard it must be to sing LIVE in front of millions of people, and I admire those contestants who make it look so easy. Performance anxiety was certainly the greatest battle I fought during my undergraduate music studies, and probably the biggest reason I chose to pursue a different career path. What's odd is that even though I barely have time to play anymore in grad school, I feel as though I've become a much better musician. I notice new subtleties in the music, understand conductors' illegible beat patterns and honestly, have way more fun. It's a weird phenomenon that several ex-music majors I've spoken to have also experienced; after you stop worrying about how you're going to 'make it' in music, you can simply cherish it like you did as a kid, before the auditions, juries and all the stress.

I think the best ones on American Idol (in my opinion, Syesha and the two Davids - David Archuletta and my hero, David Cook!) look so natural because they've kept that 'childlike' love for their art, in a way naive to the real pressures they're faced with. I could not do that as a music major, but picking up the horn nowadays makes me truly love it again.

I went home to Indy this past weekend and noticed a new magnet on the refrigerator door. It read: "Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." I know this sounds super sappy, but I think those are some of the most inspirational words I've ever read! I feel I can really relate to it, especially through my transition to graduate school this past year. I WAS lost, trying to find myself and my place during undergrad. Now I feel like I'm tailoring my studies around my professional aspirations and goals...CREATING myself :-)

P.S. Here's David Cook singing his amazing slow version of 'Billie Jean' last week on Idol!

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Words of wisdom

My somewhat frightening experience yesterday morning at the library taught me one of life's very important lessons. When using Windows and downloading a document from an e-mail to edit, ALWAYS click 'save' and not 'open.' I inadvertently hit 'open,' wrote 2 pages saving periodically and closed the application when I had to leave to work. When it came time to open the document again, it was nowhere to be found...not in my Microsoft Word history, nada!!! I guess since it was in some sort of temporary folder, it disappeared as soon as I quit the application. I had 80% of my paper finished and had to rewrite the whole thing!

This is yet another problem I would never experience on a Mac (no 'temporary downloads,' everything saves to my Downloads folder). So please, everyone take my advice and don't be tempted to hit that open button...splurge on that extra click and hit save to be on the safe side.

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I [heart] Twitter!

I've become a huge fan of Twitter this past week! Learn more about it in this neat video.


Twitter in Plain English from leelefever on Vimeo.

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I've been dreaming...

for an internship in New York City this summer, but I haven't heard anything back from the organizations I've applied to work with. My all-too-brief visit to the big apple over spring break made me realize how much I miss being on the East Coast. I've been trying to think when Yamaha responded last year, and I'm pretty sure they got in touch with me in the beginning of April. As March is coming to a close, I'm starting to get really antsy about the lack of communication.

In the mean time, I'll keep wishin'...and hopin'...and applyin.'

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I'm back blogging!

After a 1 year hiatus, I'm back blogging. I was really inspired by our marketing class this morning and I'm trying to acclimate myself to new social networking opportunities. I've recently joined LinkedIn and have started 'Twittering.' Twitter seems really neat, but very few people I know use it. Twitter, anybody???

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