spoonford

Toys, toys, work and more toys

I have spent the last month and half buying toys. I have researched, got quotes for (many many quotes just to make sure) ordered and even recieved numerous exciting toys. Unfournatley for me most of these toys pass straight from me to eager academic personages (s'up Dubber?)So far we have ordered MP3 players including, iPod 4ogb, iPod Shuffle, Creative Zen, Archos Gmini400, Creative MuVo and iRiver IFP-790. On top of this I have taken on the role as all-year-round-giver-of-presents-and-santa-stand-in by getting laptops and computers in for various people. My next challenge will be to make wireless networking work for a couple of people at home.

The work has been quite hard, you wouldn't believe how complicated it is to buy things at an educational insitution! It has been fun and I am currently evaluating one of the toys (more on that later). It's exciting to be involved with something important and gives me work an intersting slant. I hope to stay involved with the project (blog can be found here New Music Strategies) for as long as possible. I have been meaning for some time to start some research of my own, hopefully in the form of an MPhil, and all this talk about music and music technology is tempting away from my native area of TV & Video. Having said that I've been drafted in to help with the purchasing on another project which involes us building a brand new state-of-the-art TV Studio. To quote our head of department "exciting times!".

At some point I will write up my experience of the Archos Gmini 400. So far the most I can say is "I want my iPod back!". It seems to be pot luck as to whether the device will sort albums by track number or alphabet. This has wound me up no end. It has affected my consumption in that I will only listen to albums that "work". I'm tempted to change my listening habits (whole albums on the bus at the moment) and start making up playlists. I may even go down the dreaded shuffle route. I'm not sure I trust my music collection enough to enjoy a radomised selection. Perhaps I should remove all the duff albums? Some of it is about what mood I'm in, but I'm not sure I'm ever in the mood for Megadeath.

I'm really keen to do some video work at home. I do a lot of tutorial work with my third year students and it would be usfull for me to have access to editing facilities at home so that I can experiment with techniques. I also feel I need to learn as many software packages as I can.

If I had the money I would probably set myself up with an Apple and Final Cut Pro. On a technicains salary I think that may be a bit of a dream. Anyone want to donate a Mac to a worthy cause? A PC laptop would also be nice! :)

posted by spoons @ 10:55 AM