Robin Dewsons Blog

Creating podcasts

robin@fat-belly.com — Sat, 21 Oct 2006 13:56:00 GMT

My first created podcast

Podcasting

robin@fat-belly.com — Fri, 14 Apr 2006 07:55:00 GMT

Well, completed my first ever podcast last night with Tom Parish for DBAZine. I was a bit nervous and apprehensive to start with but Tom is a great guy to get rid of those straight away. It seems he has quite a professional set up with 2 machines, 1 for recording the incoming voice channels and another for "normal" computer work. We tried to get to chat via Skype but I am not convinced my connection is 100% stable as we had drop outs so we moved to using good old fashioned landline. I guess the chat went on for 20 or so minutes so a fair good podcast. Once its published I'll drop something in to the announcements and put it on my AmazonConnect blog as well.

AmazonConnect

robin@fat-belly.com — Thu, 13 Apr 2006 14:26:00 GMT

I was pointed to a feature on Amazon that I wasnt aware of before but has been around for a little while called AmazonConnect. It is where as an author you can set up a profile and some other info about yourself and then link that to your books. From there, when people select your book, there is a link through to this profile. But there is also the ability to write a blog where items are posted for every book that you have had verified as yours, or just for specific books. Once done, customers of Amazon can then pass their own comments and such like. Reviews by readers are always welcome, good and bad, but this interaction that could now take place may encourage more people to comment on the book. Its just another way of connecting with future and current purchasers of the book

Blimey!!!

robin@fat-belly.com — Fri, 24 Mar 2006 12:46:00 GMT

Well its been a while so I thought I would update you. Have been busy on new project and making up to my family what they missed out when working on my projects last year. However today its my birthday, (42!!), so I thought I would update on the last few weeks. Book seems to be selling well which is great news and had a couple of positive emails come to me directly which is really nice. I want to put a bit more on the website but being so busy, a two line change that is required so that sub-menus show over the flash at the top needs doing. Once that is done you will see pages on music and PSP. Still looking for a working photo album module. Maybe time to write one.... I know I am getting a video iPod for my birthday and looking forward to that. I dont tend to listen much on iPods etc as I listen on my notebook while working but for travelling now that I am in to music that wasnt produced in the 80's and new stuff coming out I think its time. With the video part I can also watch on there as well. Maybe need to get noise cancelling headphones as well for the underground/subway. Thats about it I guess for the moment......

65DaysOfStatic - ULU

robin@fat-belly.com — Wed, 08 Mar 2006 09:19:00 GMT

Went to see 65DaysofStatic at ULU (University of London Union) last night with my mate Carl. What an excellent night we had (I beat him at pool, okay, check... he let me win on the black...) and a great gig. It was pretty packed with a good 1,000+ students I would suggest and a couple of old fogeys like myself. They kicked off with Drove Through Ghosts To Get Here and rounded off the set with the current single and awesome tune, Radio Protector. I havent been to many gigs, and this is only my second "small" gig (the first was by The Research, another good gig) and there was a great deal about it that was much better than large gigs. The music wasnt too loud, you could see the band (even while standing at the back), and the crowd were just as "up for it". The style of music is high energy prog rock, but more than "normal" prog rock. As a band live, they certainly give every ounce of energy with some very striking and sometimes political imagery in the background. All instrumental with eletronica mixed in as well. Radio Protector is just awesome!

Professionalism at its peak?

robin@fat-belly.com — Sun, 19 Feb 2006 13:48:00 GMT

I went to my hosting company yesterday to drop off a copy of my books and say hello to put faces to the emails we have had over time. I was introduced to one of the Andrews (sales) and then met Andrew (the owner). A very nice couple of people but what impressed me most was the professional layout of where they are based and also the professional set up host-it has. I was shown around their server room and how it was set up and all the fail safe systems they had in place were certainly impressive. The security of their office and the group of offices within the complex included fingerprint door openings as well as strong gates and fence to deter any intruders. I originally decided to host with them because they were local and were happy to talk to me at the time. The host virtual servers, co-location and dedicated servers including both Linux and Windows. They are always very very helpful (I dont know who is the sadest but I put in a support ticket on Christmas Day and it was sorted within a couple of hours!!), so if you are looking for hosting, I certainly would keep this company in mind!

Thumb Strum Strum

robin@fat-belly.com — Tue, 07 Feb 2006 13:37:00 GMT

Ellen and Cameron, the two "challenges" on my banner on the left, are learning the guitar. It had come the time for Cameron to move on from a 3/4 size guitar to a full size one so we trooped off to Milton Keynes to have a look. I did consider an accoustic electric guitar, in otherwords an accoustic guitar that had the ability to have an amp output, just to give him a bit of "noise". Well that proved a bit too expensive but we plumped for this creamed coloured guitar that had a really nice sound. Ever since then he has been thumb strum strum to David Bowies Space Oddity (and from this has called his guitar as he gives names to everything, Oddy). (For example he has over 100 cuddly toys and each has their own name! but thats another story....). So I thought perhaps that he and Ellen could perhaps do some duet work as Ellen is the sole owner of the 3.4 guitar. I tried to think of a good, but simple song, a few chords using chords Ellen knew. STUPIDLY.... Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney...... I remember why I hate that song.... boy is it in inane. Anyway, he and Ellen are happy so thats what matters. I just grin and bear it.... But I will try and get a photo of them both thumb strum strumming away and upload it this week

Monsters of Rock Festival - 2006

robin@fat-belly.com — Fri, 20 Jan 2006 08:04:00 GMT

I havent been to many rock concerts in my life but by far the best was Deep Purple, Knebworth, 198something, just after The Purple reformed with the original line up.... (yes Gillan and Blackmore did occupy the same stage once again). Well Monsters of Rock, June 3rd is starting up again after a few years absence. This time in stead of being at Donnington its just down the road in Milton Keynes! I know, its now a case of rockers with long thinning hair than a full head of hair, and still the same denim jackets they wore in 1970, and possibly never washed in that time either... thats the jackets rather than the people.... mind you......

But The Purple and Alice Cooper are headlining so far, but it would be good to see The Purple one more time... wonder if Rush will also be there... now that WOULD be cool!

I hate wireless keyboards and mice... wel some

robin@fat-belly.com — Wed, 18 Jan 2006 11:13:00 GMT

For a while I had a Logitech wireless keyboard and mouse. It was brilliant. Lasted for many years, thumped in furstration, the mouse thrown in temper and still came back, forgiving, and working like a new one. However, after about 7 years, the left mouse wasnt clicking 100%. So, it was looking grubby etc so felt it was time to buy a new one. Well, wht ca I say. My new (major manufacturer) keyboard and mouse must be getting interference from somewhere as keys are missed, the mouse clicks dont, or when they do its a "sticky click" and I have to click elsewhere to get back. I like these curvey keyboard types. Being a fat bar steward it lets my arms curve round my belly nicely and get a good hand and wrist position. However I think I am going to have to take it back and either get a different wireless set or go back to "fixed wing". The downside to this is that well, its just so much more limiting, especially if you get a short cable. Its just a bit of a mare so need to get the old thinking cap on....

My Sony Vaio

robin@fat-belly.com — Sat, 14 Jan 2006 21:38:00 GMT

I have a Sony Vaio PCG-GRT916V. Its a brilliant little notebook, if not a tad little heavy as well as a heavy power pack. However, the screen size at 15.1 inches is perfect and the picture quality is second to none. Its been with me for nearly two years and it is just the best computer I have ever owned. But I am fearing after 24 months of day in and day out usage, in and out of my computer bag, slammed about on the train, tea dropped inside it, dropped from 5 feet up and surviving the display is not as reliable. When I open the lid the screen flickers and yesterday I couldnt get any display at all. Think its time I got it checked up, or do that and now that my current book writing is over, get myself a new lighter, smaller model. Its hard to decide....