LP record processing

CJ's method:-

Use Mac powerbook laptop or other Mac
Use iMic (Griffin) line-to-usb input converter
Use decent turntable, play record and capture as .wav file on Mac using free "final vinyl" software from griffin site.
Use "max" software (google it) to convert .wav to .mp4 file.
One Vinyl LP occupies 40MB as .mp4
Play .mp4 on iPod or Mac directly.

Windows users, play using realplayer
Download freebie realplayer (NOT full version)
Go to realplayer site, click on 5th tab along saying "realplayer" and choose "basic version" for download.
About 17 LP records fit on one CD as .mp4

Music evolution

I asked JHBD how many playable pieces of piano music lasting 30 minutes he thought could exist, mathematically speaking. He replied "more than a million factorial". So if music evolves by random mutation and natural selection, what is the probability of finding a new appealing piece which will enter the canon of "classics" and last indefinitely in the public domain? It seems that most music which is written is doomed to extinction, and the remainder provides a pool of "life" from which further mutations may be made.

Jordan life

camel plus
Originally uploaded by rabinal.

CRV has observed that nearly everyone in meetings in Jordan, smokes. In the UK we have forgotten what this was like. Ted Jefferies's first modification of any new car he bought, was to add a spring clip to the dashboard to hold his (lit) pipe while driving. He would then detach the pipe from its clip at regular intervals, and suck on it to keep it alight. He also had a deft way of lighting it, clamped between his teeth, single handedly using his lighter. We became used to the smell of smoke and nicotine and tar in the car, mixed with exhaust fumes, oil, and petrol.

Braidwood organ

braidwood-organ
Originally uploaded by rabinal.

This organ is in the Anglican Church in Braidwood, NSW. My experience of taking this photo is very memorable; the intrusive diptera all stayed outside the door of the church, giving me blessed relief.

For a nice blog (in French) of exotic organs and organ cases please see

didber.club-blog.fr

author Didier de Rennes - France

Huitzilopochtli

In the education game there are two statements that are often made.

"They don't know about this, because they haven't taken the course on it yet"

"They had this material in year X, so they certainly know about it"

Both these statements are often wrong.

It appears that the network manager here, CJ, has never needed formal instruction but is now very useful. How did this happen?

Sandbanks, Poole

Jefferies and Galton family history at this site dates from the first half of the 20th century. This is a spit of sand at the mouth of Poole Harbour, on which are built many des. res.

This (seaward) side of Sandbanks is known in family parlance as the "rough side", and the harbour side is contrariwise the "smooth side". The elder Jefferies used to search for cockles, which lived on the interface between sand and squidgy mud in the harbour, by using their bare feet.

victor

victor
Originally uploaded by rabinal.

Iconic remark