Mike Townson

Florida Sunshine

2010-10-18T15:11:00.000-07:00

So after graduation, I was given the chance to fly out to Miami, Florida to see a few friends of mine. My parents are so awesome, that they gave me a ticket to go out there and hang out. My first order of business was to hang out with Jillian, which was easy, because she was picking me up from the airport. Then it was a 4 hour drive down to Key West. We stayed at an awesome place called The Truman Hotel.

We went out and tore up the town. Jillian tried to keep up with me, but she forgot I was celebrating being out of school (a goal of mine for my whole life). So, she was hung over when she woke up, but that was nothing a little pool time couldn't fix.

After we left Key West, we drove up to Marathon, which is about 2 hours away from the southern most point. We met up with my old buddy Sean, who is a dolphin trainer at a resort called Hawks Cay. There we got to meet all his co-workers and all his awesome dolphins. They did all sorts of great tricks, like dancing above water, making motorcycle sounds, and a ton of other actions by command. Next was to go out with him and tear up his town. Jillian asked me to remind her that she was not drinking, and I forgot. Needless to say, I bought her drinks and she tried to keep up again. There was a band there that was playing surf music, but they also played some stuff that we could country (2 step) dance to. We tore that dance floor up and really impressed everyone there. Well, we think we did...we were under the influence of my favorite East Coast beer...Yuengling.
Once we got back from the bar, we went back to Sean's place and cooked some food that we picked up from the local fish market earlier in the day. It was awesome, and the friend we met, Mona, was also awesome.

We woke up the next morning and trekked back to Miami. Once in Miami, we went all over. We checked out the beach, the food, the awesome architecture. Awesome trip, I had a great time.

Portfolio and Graduation

2010-09-18T09:54:00.000-07:00

Well the time has finally come. I am a week away from my P.A.C. review, then a week after that is portfolio show. I am really happy with what I have to show, and I am working on last minute tweaks on my shell and print pieces.

My portfolio is going to consist of:
1. Interactive Shell (A kiosk style menu of my work)
2. Looping Reel
3. Print Pieces
4. Display Board

My display should really catch everyone's eye when they walk in the room. I am really looking forward to any feed back I receive at P.A.C. so I can be as unique as possible at the actual portfolio show. At the beginning, my goal was to have best portfolio, but now I am just trying to make it as entertaining and unique as possible so possible employers go back and talk about how cool it was.

My next post will most likely be after my portfolio show. I will upload pictures when I get them!

Open.ac.uk

2010-02-04T21:03:00.001-08:00

In my eLearning class, I was given the assignment to take a short course from any subject I wanted, and to make not of the things I liked and did not like, and to experience a popular online learning website. I must say, it was more familar then I thought it would be.

I worked at FedEx-Kinkos, now known as Fedex Office. While there, I had to take specific courses to become skilled enough (gauged by the online learning site and my superior) to take on certain tasks. These tasks, and the courses I took, would help me get to the next pay scale. The FedEx learning intranet was way ahead of it's time, now that I look back on it, and very much resembled this online learning program. Audio, video, graphics, test, and LOTS of reading, it felt like I was back making copies.

Unlike the FedEx learning program, this one has social interaction and focus groups to be a part of. I did not partake in ths process. What I did see that was similar, was the inabilty to skip too far forward but still see what progress I made and what was left to do. I think this gives the learning hope that it will enevitably be over. I think this could be an overlooked feature, but is very important to the learner.

2010-01-17T16:22:00.000-08:00

What is eLearning?
eLearning is a collective intelligence online that can help students (or anyone for that matter) learn a subject using the knowledge of a group. This knowlage can be in the form of a website, blog, video blog, or wiki (collective journal with post editing ability).

Examples of eLearning?
- Website with an interactive time line about the wealthiest Americans in history.
http://www.nytimes.com/ref/business/20070715_GILDED_GRAPHIC.html

-Data collected about the AIDS epidemic put into a map graph and sideshow.
http://www.sptimes.com/2006/webspecials06/aids-25/index.shtml

-Clear explanations make this animated graph about economic cycles easy to understand.
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/07/02/business/economy/20090705-cycles-graphic.html

-Technology Wiki for a Tech School
http://wiki.monroe.edu/index.php/Main_Page

Below is the link to my Delicious account where I have listed some eLarning sites dedicated to music, music technologies, and music business.

http://delicious.com/mikeplaystheguitar

Meeting Gail Kantor - Interface Ideas

2009-08-13T08:59:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-05T11:23:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-01T10:11:00.000-07:00

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.

Moving Forward & International Relations

2009-07-27T18:43:00.000-07:00

Another great meeting with Alan over iChat. We talked about where the company is going, and who they are teaming up with. I was assured by the things that he told me, that this company means real business and is going to make tsunami sized waves in the near future.

I shared with him some of the first reactions to interface of the lobby, and some of the ways it worked. Some of my ideas were ones they had thought of already & were working on, while others were new to him and I was happy to bring them up. I also shared some more marketing ideas, along with some more viral ways of getting the word out about eJamming and JamCast.

A great side note that I am excited to share, if I can get the software working without a hitch over at Michael's (my lead singer) studio, then both Michael and I will play live with eJamming's Japanese project manager Yoshitaka Kagami. Yoshi will be playing bass, and Michael and I will be accompanying with guitar and vocals. This demonstration is for a potential strategic alliance partner in Japan who's interested in co-marketing eJamming AUDiiO and wants to experience how the process works.

Below is my list that I gave to Alan that I mentioned earlier:

Install
Installed the software on my MBP at school and set up an account. Setting up the account was easy, and of course the application install was simple.

Lobby
Once in the lobby, I found it some what simple to navigate, and it was not overwhelming. Some thought on things I would change:

-Setting up preferences is a little slow, and also the navigation around the settings area could be improved. I would change where the “edit” buttons are, and also increase the speed in which it loads each page. There is no loading bar to let you know if the website is working. For instance, I thought I might have broken the upload music and picture section until it popped up that it had finished. Also think that maybe the text is too small for my screen resolution.
-Chat room tabs should have “X’s” on the tabs themselves so you can close out private chats. It took me a sec to find out how to close it out. (Look to Firefox as an example)
-To listen to the music I uploaded, it opened up the browser to have me login again. I didn’t, and I doubt others would too.
-Other languages on the site adds too much clutter. I would make it where the guest user chooses a language at the beginning, and the log in requires a one time check on preference of language.
-Movable, expandable widow panels and chat window. Maybe even a pop out feature so that you can set your chat window to the far side of your screen.
-Colored chat screen so you know what you said, and you know what your friends said, and you know what guest or non-friends said.

We're ready for launch...kinda.

2009-07-23T08:47:00.000-07:00

Installed the "eJamming AUDiiO 2.0" software and since I am at school, I am only using the chat feature. I am trying to meet with the powers that be at AiD on installing and setting up an eJamming station in our recording studio, so that I can test the software. I thought maybe the set-up they have at school is different then the one at my lead singers house...but it isn't. They have digi003's with macpros and Michael has a digi003 with a MBP. So, if it is too much of an uphill battle, I might just be hanging out at Michael's house A LOT more often.

Making notes on changes I think will refine the user experience. I will post it on the blog as soon as I get it approved by eJamming. As I wrote earlier, I signed a NDA with them, and have a meeting set up with Alan to go over the "Do's and Don't" on what I can and cannot say.

Video Chat with Alan

2009-07-21T05:40:00.000-07:00

I chatted with Alan last night via iChat, which is really the way to do business. There is something lost with conversations over the phone. For instance, when you are really immersed and excited about a subject and your interrupting each other with ideas, you can cut out the down time of "no you can go, no YOU can go", banter.

Anyway, Alan and I talked about some of his technology he was using and where the company is going with the Jam Cast software and how it will soon snowball with the amount of activity & users once bands realize they can make a living while playing the music they love to an online audience. We spoke about getting me set up with the ejamming software and taking notes while installing and first time use. This way I can help add some input from a users point of view. He is also interested in me helping with the interface and making it easy to use for all band members.

With that subject in mind, we spoke about how bands usually have one or two members that are computer/recording savvy. This means, in order for the product to work, all the members should be able to use the product without trouble. I hope to bring some insight to that subject to help the product be more efficient.

Hopefully I can test the product in a home, school, and recording studio environment, to really test all the bugs out on different levels of hardware. I will be installing it on a MacBookPro with a firewire audio interface. My lead singer has a protools system using a Digi003 mixer interface. I am not sure how the school is running the studio now-a-days but I will report back with that later.

eJamming.com Opportunities

2009-07-18T07:43:00.000-07:00

I spoke with Alan Glueckman, one of the owners of eJamming.com since class on Thursday. He was impressed with my band and out self-motivated marketing progress and ability. He was also intrigued by my capstone project idea, as it lines up with his up & coming website release. They pretty much have the same ideas I have, but I am sure some of my ideas are a little different.

Either way, Alan expressed that he thinks I might be an asset to his testing and building of his new project and extended an invitation to work as a virtual intern for the company and test his product and site. He also showed interest in using my band as a sound board and testing team for his product.

Prof. Batchelder is looking into whether or not we can install and run the software in the roecording studio, so that I can test the technology and maybe build a site around it for capstone. More to come, but I feel my progress has good strength.

Portfolio Capstone Ideas

2009-07-16T09:13:00.000-07:00

Collabusician.com

A website where musicians can record a song with other musicians live, over the internet, in real time. Collaborate with people all over the world and edit your song together as a group.

Enter in contest to prove your online groups talent and win prizes and online record deals.

Log in to see a massive sound bank of samples, and songs open for use to the public. Critique members work and give them pointers on better techniques.

Mobile Componet:

On the fly recording through mobile apps and uploading to the website.

eJamming:

http://www.ejamming.com/

http://www.wired.com/entertainment/music/commentary/listeningpost/2007/04/listeningpost_0430

http://news.harmony-central.com/Product-news/eJamming-AUDiiO-2-0-Software-Connects-Musicians-Online-To-Play-And-Record-Together-Live-In-Real-Time

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2008_Dec_2/ai_n31045283/

http://www.manta.com/coms2/dnbcompany_jlyjlw

http://www.beststuff.com/fromthewire/ejamming-goes-live-on-the-mac.html

Other Sites:

http://emusician.com/videos/tutorials/world_workstation_wc05v/

http://eastvillageperfumedcannibals.ning.com/

http://musicnomad.com/Support_Your_Music/Musicians_Wanted_Available

http://createdigitalmusic.com/2009/06/03/record-it-live-to-the-internet-indaba-reveals-javafx-powered-online-recording-studio/

http://www.listio.com/reviews/2009/02/indaba-collaborative-music-application/

http://www.discmakers.com/community/resources/pse/2009/onlinerec.asp

Prague, Czech Republic

2008-07-06T11:51:00.000-07:00

Our trip from Munich to Prague was not without some adventure! After boarding the train in Munich, we traveled to a small town where we disembarked to board a bus...again our luggage proved to be inconvenient, to say the least! We boarded another train in a rather dilapidated train station on the Czech boarder called Dolomice and traveled with open windows in the heat, with exhaust from the engine permeating the car. We did get some pics of views along the way.

Our hotel in Prague made up for the train! I especially like the bathroom!

We took a tour of the city. Here we are with Dana, our guide...our own Sandra Brown! We're standing where scenes from Mission Impossible were shot.

Shots from the Charles Bridge. It is over 600 years old!

Old Town Square

The Astronomical Clock's face not only tells the current time, but relates the movement of the planets around the earth and the sun and moon through the signs of the zodiac.

The guard stands before Prague Castle.

The castle is the home of the president of the Czech Republic. Most of it is open to the public.

St. Vitus's Cathedral is on the castle grounds. It was begun by Prince Wenceslas (later to become the patron saint of Prague). It is absolutely magnificent! The windows in one of the chapels appear to be stained glass, but is actually painted.

Wenceslas Chapel

Munich Germany

2008-06-24T05:01:00.000-07:00

We arrived in Munich about 3:30 PM. We traveled by surface train from the airport to our hotel. We really looked like a bunch of tourists as we tried to find the right one, get on, and find something to do with our luggage. After checking in, we found our way to the restaurant in the Hilton to get a meal.

Our first full day in Munich found us in the Marienplatz, home of the famous Hofbräuhaus (the most famous pub in the world...so the book says!) We sat outside of another beer garden and watched a horse drawn beer wagon arrive as an umpah band played. The horses were all decked out with ribbons and bells and the driver and his helper were dressed in traditional leiderhose. Of course, we didn't have the camera.

We were back in the Marienplatz for dinner at the Hofbräuhaus. Our first truly German meal was outstanding and the beer was pretty good too! Of course, the Townsons can't do things without some kind on interesting occurance...Dad was taking pictures of people in traditional dress outside, when he tripped over a bike, fell and banged his head, bruised his shoulder and racked up his ankle a bit. There we were sitting at an outdoor beergarden, trying to stem the blood. He was fine, but had a good scab on his forehead for a few days!

The next day we went to the Deutsches Museum which was full of planes, boats, mechanical devises, technology, chemistry, and everything that makes Germany great. It was allot to take in, so we picked and chose out favorite items of interest. One of the coolest exhibits was the one on music. It had a Theroman (radio frequency devise that plays a tone off your own electro magnetic frequency). Think the theme music to Star Trek.

On Saturday, we went to the English Garden. We had pretty much gotten the surface and underground trains down pat. We had to walk forever to get to the garden (one of the biggest beergardens in Munich). We sat and had a beer and listened to the band along with a multitude of Germans.

Sunday Mom and Dad went to Dachau and I went to layout in the sun out by the river by another beer garden.

The Dachau Memorial was established so that no one would forget what took place there during WWII. It was a sobering trip, but well worth our time. As we walked through the exhibits, Garry remarked that all this was still taking place after he was born. The gate that the prisoners were taken through said, "Work Sets You Free". For most of them, this never happened. The sculpture was done by a former prisoner and represents the horrors that occurred. The ovens pretty much say it all!!

The next day, we went to the BMW museum but it was closed so we instead walked across the bridge to the huge dealership where mom picked out the model of BMW convertible she is getting when we return to the states...if Dad can talk her into it that is.

Dad also found a toy, but it's more likely something I will end up getting.

The weather has been beautiful the whole time, without a gray cloud in the sky. When we walked out of the dealership, Mom heard thunder and swore it was going to rain. Not until we returned to the hotel did we get pelted with hail, luckily we were under an umbrella outside of the hotel to watch the brief storm.

England & Flight to Germany

2008-06-21T01:30:00.000-07:00

Hey All, We have had fun in England, but now it's time to head to Munich. Home of the Beer Gardens, BMW's, and Beautiful Weather! Below are some pictures of our last days in England and our travel over to Germany. No pictures of the Munich airport though, they have tough security.

Little roads, big trucks. The drivers know what they are doing over in England.

About to eat some food at a local pub in Gallgate

Awesome pub, awesome food!

Our tiny room in London, it was ok though. The beer was cold in the bar and the people were really nice. It was the week of Ascot...so the people were dressed in their best. The women wore hats of all sizes and shapes, and the men wore morning coats. Google that.

We got to share this bathroom...it....was awesome.

Breakfast done right in the Heathrow airport. Notice the big beer.

Mom, before they hassled her on the size of her carry on luggage. They were strict in London, but we acted like dumb Americans and got away with it.

Hey hey, it's early.

Writing out plans on what we are going to do when we get into Munich.

Inside London/Heathrow Airport.

Mom and I eating burgers in the airport...they were not all that good.

Where My Father Is From

2008-06-18T01:30:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos of my fathers house in Halton. Other pictures of from surrounding areas around Lancaster including Morecombe. Check out this panoramic picture of the sea at low tide. You can walk out on to it and take pictures of the coast as if your standing in the water during high tide. This is where we spread my grandmothers ashes.

Standing next to a really short door across from Lancaster Castle. Who knows how old this building is, obviously people where shorter then.

This is the Garan house. My family built this home, the number 17 has always been a lucky number for the Townson's, and my dad found it interesting that the house number has become 17. It was always just referred to by it's name, the Garan Home which stands for Garry and Andrea, my father and aunts names.

My father and aunts road. They were one of two houses on it.

My Aunt Andrea's school.

Canal Boats

For all the pictures we have taken, Click Here. Pictures will be uploaded throughout the trip.

Getting in, Cool Car

2008-06-15T08:22:00.000-07:00

Hey Yall,

Here are some pictures of us getting in, and the rental car we got while in England:

Here is a picture of Mom and Dad sitting the North Carolina airport waiting to board our flight to England. This is pre-sitting in one place for 8 hours.

Below are picture of the plane, the rental A6 we got, an oddly worded sign, and the wackiness of driving on the opposite side of the road. More to come!

Trip to Europe

2008-06-15T08:06:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone,

Just arrived in Blackpool, England. The internet cost 10$ a day here...in a Hilton...interesting. Anyway, the weather is a beautiful, the flight was very long...very, very long. It was well worth it though.

I will post some pictures as soon as I can connect my camera and download them to my machine. Dad pulled through with an awesome Audi A6 with an awesome, lifesaving navigation device. This thing took us 4 hours out of London with out any problems and brought us directly to our desitnation. Quite impressive if you ask me.

Check back over the next 2 weeks for updates!