From: owner-alloy-digest@smoe.org (alloy-digest) To: alloy-digest@smoe.org Subject: alloy-digest V6 #109 Reply-To: alloy@smoe.org Sender: owner-alloy-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-alloy-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk X-To-Unsubscribe: Send mail to "alloy-digest-request@smoe.org" X-To-Unsubscribe: with "unsubscribe" as the body. alloy-digest Tuesday, May 1 2001 Volume 06 : Number 109 Today's Subjects: ----------------- Re: Alloy: Jon Drukman's Invader Zim episode! [Robin Thurlow ] Re: Blast from the past! Alloy: I like this biography thing . . ["Blagg &] Alloy: archaeological preservation science in peril! (OT, but possibly of interest to list) [Robin Thurlow ] Re: Alloy: I like this biography thing ["Erik Habbinga" Subject: Re: Alloy: Jon Drukman's Invader Zim episode! Jon Drukman wrote: > also thanks to this i am going to do a pitch for another show currently in > development at nick (although it might end up on cartoon network). if the > producer likes my demo, i could be the regular series composer. very > excited, this is what i have been dreaming of doing for ages now... Jon, best of luck in this. I look forward to hearing good news & am keeping my fingers crossed :) xxxxx Robin ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2001 11:16:48 -0400 From: Robin Thurlow Subject: Alloy: Beatnik news item Congratulations yet again go out to everyone @ Beatnik! xxxx Robin Beatnik(R) Audio Technology Debuts on Compaq iPAQ Pocket PC in Japan Beatnik Launches Audio Player for Pocket PC Market SAN MATEO, Calif., April 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Beatnik, Inc., a leading provider of enhanced audio solutions and content for the digital devices, games and the Web, today announced the bundling of the Beatnik Player(TM) with the Japanese version of the Compaq iPAQ(TM) Pocket PC from Compaq Computer Corporation. Under the terms of the agreement, the Beatnik Player for Pocket PC will be shipped with the Japanese version of the Compaq iPAQ Pocket PC beginning in April. "Compaq is pleased to include Beatnik's technology in the Japanese version of the iPAQ Pocket PC," said Shigeru Yuasa, Manager of Internet Products & Services, Access Business Group, Compaq Computer K.K. "The Beatnik Player is optimized to fully utilize the CPU of the iPAQ Pocket PC and is another new and exciting application for our customers." "The Compaq iPAQ Pocket PC is a hot item among young professionals on the move who are driving the explosive growth of the portable device market. With the implementation of the Beatnik Player for PocketPC, the Compaq iPAQ Pocket PC is transformed into a personal creative music studio," said founder and chief Beatnik, Thomas Dolby Robertson. "There are millions of talented composers and desktop musicians in Japan, and armed with an iPAQ Pocket PC plus the latest Beatnik technology, they will be able to easily select and download from a library of music that is available today." "Industry leading handheld computers such as the Compaq iPAQ Pocket PC provide consumers with robust applications and multimedia capabilities via the power of the Intel StrongARM* SA-1110 processor," said Mark Casey, director of marketing for Intel's Handheld Computing Division. "With the implementation of the Beatnik Player for Pocket PC, optimized for the Intel StrongARM* SA-1110 processor and the Intel Integrated Performance Primitives, Compaq iPAQ Pocket PC users are now armed with high quality audio capabilities for a truly compelling and interactive experience." "The Beatnik Player for Pocket PC is a perfect example of the compelling entertainment applications that are available on the Pocket PC platform," said Lenn Pryor, lead product manager of the Mobility Group at Microsoft Corporation. "Applications such as this one demonstrate the power of the Pocket PC and show that the device is much more than a simple Personal Information Manager." The Beatnik Player for Pocket PC is a music playback application using the Beatnik Audio Engine(TM) (BAE). The Beatnik Player supports Rich Music Format (RMF(R)) files -- Beatnik's own proprietary music file format that enables the interactive playback of music -- as well as a variety of popular audio formats such as MIDI, WAV, AU, AIF, and MP3. iPAQ Pocket PC users will be able to control various instruments and sounds using the touch screen interface of the Beatnik application to customize their own mixes. The Compaq iPAQ Pocket PC is equipped with Intel's StrongARM SA-1110 microprocessor using the Intel(R) Integrated Performance Primitives (IPP) software library. The BAE is one of the first audio engines optimized for Intel's StrongARM microprocessor and enables users to experience CD-quality audio and music using the Compaq iPAQ Pocket PC. About Beatnik, Inc. Beatnik offers scalable, high-quality audio solutions for digital devices, games and the Web through a combination of technology, content and services. Beatnik's solution includes a line of platform applications, production music, sound content and the Mixman software product line. Beatnik develops, markets and sells its sonification technology to a community of creative professionals, technology licensees and consumers. Incorporated in 1996, Beatnik was founded by musician and composer Thomas Dolby Robertson. Mixman Technologies, Inc. was acquired by Beatnik in December 1999. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2001 19:16:44 +0100 From: "Blagg & Norling" Subject: Re: Blast from the past! Alloy: I like this biography thing . . Hi all at Alloy (new and old and young and old) I missed a few weeks of messages due to the setting up of a new PC, so I'm not completely sure what I'm doing, but I'll try to keep this brief and to the format followed by others: I'm Trevor Blagg 31 living in Bulkington which is a village in Warwickshire England. Having been brought up in Birmingham, I first discovered Thomas' music when an older brother of a friend bought back the "Windpower" single from a holiday in France when I was about 12 years old. From that moment on I bought everything TMDR related that I could get my hands on. Saw Thomas play only once during the Flat Earth Tour 1984 at the now defunked Birmingham Odeon. Was a member of the 'paper based' Flat Earth Society for a number of years until correspondence dried up around 1989. I was therefore delighted to join Alloy all those years later when I bought my first PC. This list means so much to me now....I can't actually remember how I came across it though? Landmarks...hmm very difficult? Perhaps Coventry Cathedral which was about the only part of Coventry that partially survived the Blitz.....Then again Villa Park will always be special to me! Nearest Famous Neighbour: William Shakespeare perhaps..He's looking a bit ragged nowadays though! If I were to meet Thomas, I'd probably ask him if he ever listens to his own work (for enjoyment purposes). Also does he realise how many of us on Alloy would bankrupt ourselves just to see him play live again? I would certainly tell him this...... ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2001 15:25:36 -0400 From: Robin Thurlow Subject: Alloy: archaeological preservation science in peril! (OT, but possibly of interest to list) I thought in terms of Thomas' references to travel, history, and varous cultures in his music, as well as his connection with the archaeological world, this brief item might be of interest to many of us here. We're not archaeologists but I'm hoping our voices might make a difference... please have a look at the following, and if it's a topic of interest to you, then please take a moment to drop Elizabeth Stone a line about your feelings. Hopefully our words may help. Thanks everyone, xxxxx Robin T Date: 27 Apr 2001 From: Helena Jaeschke Subject: SCMRE **** Moderator's comments: Please respond directly to Elizabeth Stone At last someone has come up with a sensible way of handling email petitions. If you would like to join this protest against the Smithsonian cuts, please read the enclosed letter (below) and send your name, dept and university or company to ecstone@rcn.com, not to me. From: Elizabeth Stone Subject: Proposed Smithsonian closings Date: 26 Apr 2001 Hi, I'm managing a letter to be sent to try to stop the Smithsonian from closing their center for object conservation and materials science. I enclose the text below. If you are willing to have your names added as signatures, could you email me back with your name, title, department and university all on different lines, so that I can cut and paste them into the letter. Also if you have a broader email circulation list for other archaeologists, could you send it out to them to see if they want to be added. The more names we can get the better. The board of the Smithsonian meets on May 6th, the letter is addressed to Renquist, who is the chairman of the board, with copies to the Secretary, the other members of the board and the congressmen and senators in the oversight committees. If you have already written to them either regarding this, or to the proposed closing of the conservation biology part of the zoo, that does not matter, since this is a letter signed by a broader constituency. Here is the text: The undersigned archaeologists strongly urge a reconsideration of the decision by Smithsonian Secretary Lawrence Small to close the Smithsonian Center for Materials Research and Education (SCMRE). SCMRE performs a critical role in the two central missions of the Smithsonian: 1. to enable the holding of "artifacts and scientific specimens in trust for 'the increase and diffusion of knowledge'", and 2. To serve as "a center for research dedicated to public education, national service, and scholarship in the arts, sciences, and history." The collections of the Smithsonian attract large numbers of visitors every year who expect to increase their knowledge of the arts, science and history through their interaction with the exhibits. The long term care of these collections must, then, be a top priority in meeting the Smithsonian's responsibility for the stewardship of the nation's treasures. At its inception SCMRE (then known as the Conservation Analytical Laboratory--CAL) served as the only conservation laboratory for most of the Institution. With the development of individual museum based conservation programs, SCMRE's mandate was changed to focus its efforts in collection care on developing new techniques of conservation, examining larger questions of the long term viability of materials in museum environments, and building a high impact training program in conservation and conservation science. The work has been of direct benefit not only to the constellation of arts and science museums of the Smithsonian, but to museums around the country and the world. Surely leadership in the science of object conservation is a natural and expected role for the Smithsonian. In fact, there is no other center for conservation science in the country that fills this need. SCMRE also plays a critical role in bringing scholars in the arts and humanities together with the techniques and approaches of the natural and physical sciences. Materials research conducted at SCMRE applies cutting edge analytical methods, such as neutron activation analysis, electron microscopy and molecular biology to the study of archaeological artifacts, skeletal remains, and other materials. Through this process, the artifacts held by the Smithsonian and at museums and universities worldwide, can be made to tell far richer stories relating to the history of technology, methods of manufacture, the process of trade and exchange, and the evolution of our own species. The training and outreach component of this work, engaging Native Americans and Latinos in the study of their own material cultural heritage, has served as a model for the inclusion of wider constituencies in scientific research. Once again there is no other comparable center in the United States since the range of expertise represented, and the range of techniques developed in the SCMRE is not possible in a university setting where the departmental structure makes such interdisciplinary work very difficult. It seems to us extraordinarily short sighted to cut an internationally respected research center with so broad and critical a role for the maintenance and study of museum materials. The proposed cuts would not only greatly diminish the Smithsonian's ability to maintain and study its own collections, but would leave the Nation without an institution that would ensure that these skills were passed on to the rest of the country. Again, we strongly urge you to reconsider the decision to close the SCMRE. Helena Jaeschke Archaeological Conservator ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2001 18:53:16 -0400 From: Russell Milliner Subject: Alloy: Biography Thing continues! Of all the times I've seen the bio thing, I dont believe I've ever sent one, so here it goes! Name: Russell Keith Milliner Age: 30 Location: Orlando, FL Occupation: Web Administrator for CHEP (www.chep.com) Hobby: Creating websites like: The Unofficial Thomas Dolby http://www.pobox.com/~milliner/tmdr/ Eeyore's Thistley Hideaway http://www.pobox.com/~milliner/eeyore/ Status: Married 5yrs (together 10yrs) to the wonderful Michelle M Milliner! :-) First Dolby: Saw the video for SBMWS and bought the 45 at K-Mart. From there, bought the album and was hooked. Other Dolby: Saw Dolby on the AAMB tour at Janus Landing in St. Petersburg, FL, which I believe was one of the last stops on the tour. After the concert, I had to hang around for the obligatory autograph (which I also have Terry Jacksons signature with Thomas'). When he did finally show up to go to the tour bus, one young lady realized she didn't have anything for him to sign, so she had him sign across her fairly large chest! It was obvious he was quite embarassed about the whole situation. Also saw TMDR at Walt Disney World's Epcot for the Discover Awards where he performed SBMWS throwing a bunch of Beatnik samples. He warned me before the show to not expect much, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I believe he was there more for the probably free trip to Disney for the family. Famous Neighbor: Who knows...I imagine there are several in the Orlando area, but I dont know them personally. Other Musical Tastes: I have widely varying musical tastes, but the type of music I most generally listen to falls into synthy catagories. Ex. Pet Shop Boys, Art of Noise, Cure, Depeche Mode, New Order, Kate Bush, etc Question for Thomas: How was the trip to Disney duing the Discover Awards? l8r Russell Milliner milliner@pobox.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2001 18:03:57 -0600 From: "Erik Habbinga" Subject: Re: Alloy: I like this biography thing Hey, this is "professional lurker" Erik Habbinga. I'm 30, live in Northern Colorado. I don't recall the first time I heard Thomas, but it was definitely around the TGAOW era. My first rock concert was TD on the Flat Earth Tour in Colorado Springs. I also don't recall how long I've been on Alloy, but it's been a long time. I work for Hewlett Packard in Loveland, CO as a software engineer, and spend my free time playing string bass in various groups. I'm on both TMDR tribute CDs, covering "Weightless" and "Cruel". My best Alloy experience was sitting at Beth Meyer's house w/ all of the Colorado folks as we played Stephen Tilson's version of "The Flat Earth" with Stephen. I had learned how to play his arrangement on guitar, but Stephen showed me how to play it correctly! My question for TMDR: Does he need a bass player for his next tour, if Seligman isn't available? :) The latest issue of Keyboard magazine has a short interview with TMDR, with the entire interview online at the Keyboard website. I couldn't find the interview, but here's the link regardless: http://www.keyboardonline.com/ Erik ------------------------------ End of alloy-digest V6 #109 ***************************