Posted via email from taylor’s posterous | Comment »
Posted via email from taylor’s posterous | Comment »
There is a lot of talk about #tsTO (twitter space Toronto) post #hohoto. I love that there could be free or inexpensive semi-permanent spaces allocated for small project teams interested in idea/development. It is just what this city needs to nurture true innovation, and true team collaboration. Some may argue that this can happen with Social Media tools and Web 2.0 Snake oil but I respectably disagree. #hohoto happened because a group of people met to form nucleus and define general rules for the game, the idea was always open but at anytime there was a team managing it and that’s why it happened. Yes public feedback was a valuable part, so was their participation, but the real work and decision making was done by a small team of motivated people. That’s what we’re talking about here - war rooms, command centers, git’er dun space.
I love the idea of the 70’s ‘home brew computer club’ people finding any space from basements to garages to simply build, socialize and innovate. I think the fact people met in these places using them as club houses is much more productive than any office space or co-work arrangement - in the beginning. Obviously as ideas grow, resources are needed but that’s when discussion on funding, investments in property or work space should happen.
I’m interested in removing the barriers for people starting ideas which is why I’m offering 2 spaces in my new atelier @ 523 Parliament. The 1st space (Heaven) is pretty nice, main floor great lighting etc. available for a 3-4 months until we reno it. The second (Hell) a clean heated basement ready for cheeto finger, mountain dew, code monkey action. That’s it nothing more. You’ll be able to leech my wifi and power all that is asked is that you respect the space and when you can afford it a case of beer would be nice.
* Should add that since it’s my space I’m looking for creatives, coders, designers, #projects not marketing, Pr, social media “experts”, blogger moms/dads etc. Sorry. But not really. Feel free to add to the conversation #tsTO on Twitter or comment below.
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Exited I was asked to get in on this: It’s the oldest Soul crew in Toronto (maybe Canada) and Dj’ing with Mick Taylor is always a blast because he loves his northern soul and it’s infectious - especially if he gets the mic. Tiger Bar as a venue is small and perfect for people dancing early, and don’t be surprised to see some talc on the floor (it helps you spin).
Curious? I think this Duffy video pretty much sums up the vibe:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KE2orthS3TQ
Flickr photo courtesy of: suscamp & harbordhamfats
I was very lucky to have the opportunity to both present and speak with so many interesting people at the first Sustainability Camp 2008 in Toronto http://suscamp.wikidot.com/present-suscamp
My session was called “Hacking the Fair Trade business model. An introduction to the FTJ Co. Family Supply Chain” and it was intended to be one which introduced other businesses to our ‘for profit/ non profit’ business model including real world examples from our start-up organization. This was my 1st time presenting my ideas/org at an ‘Unconference’ and I could not have asked for a better room, it was full of excellent questions and people - I even earned a glowing blog post from Mark Federman.
I was recently told there was an opportunity to have the video of my talk posted for anyone to see on YouTube. I declined that and I want to explain why I declined it. I was there to talk about the idea of a “family supply chain.” It was not meant to be an infomercial for my company. Nor was it meant to be a public broadcast of my personal views on the jewellery industry.
Of course this is how I saw the event those who attended may have other views which is why I would like community to comment. Personally I think so much talk on my business undermines spirit of an event which I would very much like to see evolve. So should the video go up? Or can we rely on blog posts like Mark’s and from people in attendance for commentary/reviews? Please feel free to add your comments to this post.
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New to modding devices? Wanna Jail Break your iPhone? Here are some thoughts:
This evening I was pretty exited because of a friend’s twitter post on the availability of a solution to (finally) jail break my 3G iPhone. Sadly that announcement spun me into a downward geek spiral which sucked-up most of my evening. Bleary eyed, seduced by an orgy of firmware tweeks, video applications and interactive lock screens I lost myself to the forbidden side of modern device ownership.
When I came to my senses and the frenzy of exploration wore off, I realized that although the potential of a Jail Broken (3G) iPhone is great, it just isn’t for everyone. If you like to get dirty go ahead and break the seal it’s a painless process and to recover it’s pretty easy. If however you use your iPhone as one of your primary communication tools I’m not sure the process or applications available are worth the risk (yet).
Many of the indie applications on Cydia and Installer are for previous firmware editions (Original iPhone operating system) and they quickly crash the phone or don’t run at all. As a result you’re going to waste time sifting through applications, testing and uninstalling. The potential and temptation of a Jail Broken iPhone lies in it’s ability to do things like tether a 3G’s Internet signal to a laptop, freeing VoiP applications like Fring to use 3G, stream video using applications like Qik, copy & paste, run background applications (non Apple), GEO location, and cosmetic tweeks that allow background, icon and lock screen changes.
Out of the hundreds of applications available I’ve picked a few free ones (and one trial ap) which may be worth risking your sanity for:
a. Qik Streaming video app for your iPhone. A slick application worthy of being on iTunes and one worth Jail Breaking for.
b. iPhone Modem “iPhoneModem is an application for the iPhone that aims at making it really easy to use the iPhone’s Internet connection on your computer.”
c. Intelliscreen Make your iPhone’s lock screen usefull by adding weather, calendar, mail, sms etc. *Pay app after 10days.
d. Insomnia “Insomnia is an iPhone native application
that, when enabled, will prevent the iPhone from sleeping, thus overriding its default behaviour. This allows background applications to continue to run and WiFi to work long after the screen has been switched off. (The iPhone’s default behaviour is to sleep 30 seconds after the screen has gone off, when not docked and charging that is). *Developers notes.
e. Winterboard Skin your phone, backgrounds, icons, sounds etc. Think MySpace without the Glitter font. *A blog post from iphoneincanada.ca about lag issues with winterboard.
I think the most important things to consider before jail breaking your iphone is: how much time can you lose (installing/restoring/maintaining) it’s not like Apple’s app store, what’s your technical ability to recover? And last never forget “What would Elvis do?” (I honestly have no idea but it made for a cool header image.)
Comments? Suggestions? @ryantaylor on twitter [www.twitter.com/ryantaylor]
*Update: Suggested blog posts/comment threads & resources*
Last night I decided to got back to an old love who in the past provided me with great joy even, dare I say, euphoria. But over the years due to late nights and long hours we drifted apart creating a bit of a hole in my life. So with the help of my soon to be wife we designed and created a strap on device, which I took this morning in search of my old love! And what joy when we were once more united ~ alas, I could only last 31 Minutes and 35 seconds. In my defence I did get a bit dirty going cross country. To give me target for next time I included in my time the cool down walk.
So how did the iBra a.k.a the ‘over the shoulder iPhone holder’ + the RunnerKeeper.com app fare? BRILLIANTLY! The above screen shot (FTW!) shows the device had no problem transmitting from the neoprene pouch. For the 1st time in my cross country running life I have a proper visual log of my off-road exploration which is just the coolest thing. *Note to the developer: Being able to geotag the google map ‘on the run’ and share results would be decent upgrades well worthy of $.
The iBra’s simple 2 strap holster style across the chest was amazing to run with. Placing ear phones under the shoulder strap then behind the head eliminated any whipping action and at no time did it tug on the ear buds. Access to the device was easy while running and there was zero bounce or movement. There was however a tiny flaw in the design.
The ear phone jack is a hole under the seam, but in fact it needs to be a slit so the phone can be removed without pulling the cable through. I was futzing about with it while I was on the move, can see this totally frustrating someone if they wanted to skip a track, take a call, etc.
It’s good to be back with an old love with the help of my current one. I was told by a boxer years ago; “number one thing to remember when training always make sure your shoes are tied tight”. Seems a simple bit of advice but what he meant was your mind conspires against you when you push yourself. It looks for any reason to stop, give up etc. By limiting preventable distractions like shoe laces could be the difference between a great run and a trot around the block or injury. The idea behind the DIY iBra was to physically make something to generate excitement about running again while limiting the distractions I experienced in the past when running with an iPod i.e. Bulk, access, ear bud whippage, etc.
I hope this helps some one else out there lace them up again.
Comments? Suggestions? Want one? @ryantaylor on twitter [www.twitter.com/ryantaylor]
My lovely girlfriend decided to indulge me this evening and teach me how to pattern draft an idea I had for an iPhone holder that wasn’t an arm band. Arm bands (for me) are just horrible for any distance running, and don’t work well under a coat because you have no access to the device. Anyone who runs/bikes around Canada in February can tell you electronics don’t like to be exposed. Arm bands worn on the outside of coats would expose the device needlessly to the elements, and inside the coat you have no access. Sooo I breast mounted it ;)
Introducing the iBra (tm) ;p I have no idea how prototype 1.0 will work but tomorrow morning we’ll find out when I hit the pavement. But for less than $5 in Neoprene, some stretchy elastic and a sewing machine this was cheaper than anything I could buy and having it custom fit to my ever growing man boobage it’s certainly comfortable. I used to run 10k every other day I’m hoping the iPhone, the tunes on it, and applications like www.runkeeper.com get me back into it on a regular basis. It is important then to have that device placed on the body where it provides the least amount of distraction, the investment is protected, ear phones don’t interfere with arm/head motion, access is simple, and lets face it you should be focused on your running not on flashing your device to everyone you pass.
The screen faces away from the body earphone jack is top left and the Velcro is sewn lower to avoid scratching for those people who haven’t invested in a www.bestskinsever.com product. Neoprene is stretchy and removing from the pouch is simple *yet to be tested at speed.
I was lectured about the sewing quality (see photo 3) but the point here was to just get an idea designed and produced in an hour.
I think it was a success and fun evening project I’m looking forward to a follow-up post with improvements and results.
Comments? Suggestions? Want one? @ryantaylor on twitter [www.twitter.com/ryantaylor]