Meeting Gail Kantor - Interface Ideas

I met Gail Kantor for the first time over an iChat 3-way with Alan Glueckman a couple days ago. The meeting was really interesting for me, because I got to really express for the first time my thoughts on how I think eJamming and JamCast should look/work. Gail seemed really interested in the things I had to say, much like Alan has always been. She asked me a question that I have been asked many times before, but felt like I really needed to explain a certain way. Her question was "If you could choose any one thing that you see yourself on the path of achieving, what is it." To me, that question is like, if you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be? I would never want to listen to one song for the rest of my life, as I would never want to be involved in just one major task for the course of my career.

The answer to the question was, no matter what is ahead of me, I want to be successful in making that project successful. I want to know I built something and made it better. If it's my band Blue Condition, or if it eJamming, or my current job at Yellow7, I want to make sure I do the best I can at making it more lucrative. I enjoy networking, working in groups, brain storming, problem solving, and taking action. I didn't want her to think I was answer her question in the way I would answer a job interview question. I just said what I have always said and know what to be true.

Another part of the conversation was talking about a possible new interface for both the eJamming.com website and the interface for the application. A collaboration of ideas were thrown out and some of them I think could make a huge difference in the way eJamming is used and the ability to get around quicker. Right now, the problem is finding information about a user quickly, then being able to categorize them in a fashion that makes sense to the user. Some of my ideas were to enlarge the chat area and users list, then incorporate symbols next to the user names that have where they are from (country flag) and main instrument of choice. Also should have some symbols showing whether or not the user has both open ports, a combination, or none.

Some other points that I brought up was the fact that creative types want to organize they're workspace so that it makes sense to them. What if the interface had a movable interface? What if the users were floating around like orbs next to you (the nucleus), and you could grab and group them the way you see fit? How about a drag and drop method for everything within the program?

I am going to formulate some comp ideas and show in a graphical sense some of the ideas and post them next.

East Meets West

This was the name of the session Michael and I were a part of on Tuesday night. The experience was something I will remember for ever. As the technology and word grows about this process, and every one is doing it, I will be able to look back at my first online jam/recording experience with someone from another country.

I have been keeping in close contact with Alan and his technical support contact Mark. Michael and I worked out the latency bugs on our side by changing our buffer settings and making sure our internet connection was as strong as could be.

The experience was a lot of fun, as we found our selves goofing around with others in the lobby while waiting to jam with Yoshi. It resembled the same feeling Michael and I felt jamming together with each other for the first time. Learning each other styles and strengths. This opportunity means allot to me and helps me realize that I am becoming part of a movement in the internet and music as a whole.

I urge all who have any interest in eJamming to go to the website www.ejamming.com and sign up for the trial. Get your hands dirty with and see if you get the bug like we have.

Rehearsal

Yoshi, Michael, and myself will speak for the first time tonight over eJamming.com. We are rehearsing for the demo on the 4th. I must say I am a little nervous. After jamming a little with Michael and some random musicians I met on eJamming over the past few days, I have learned there is a slight learning curve, as there is with all new applications, and hope am well versed enough in the mix settings to play well.

Michael and I also had problems with our pro-tools settings one day, then the other, without making any changes we can remember, everything worked! I am hoping this will not change and that we don't have technical difficulties or hiccups before the demonstration.

My next blog entry will probably be post performance, so I will explain in great detail the experience.