Off to bookcamp on Saturday to discuss the future of the book.
Looking forward to hearing how physical delivery mechanisms affects perceived value, patterns of consumption and structure of content.
My weakness is collecting hardback fiction. I'm seduced by physical objects whose properties influence how and when I read.
If books are luxury objects then e-publication will make books more accessible but less valuable than before. Interested to hear if other attendees think this will threaten the production and marketing of traditional formats such as the novel.
Tuesday, 13 January 2009
Saturday, 3 January 2009
2009 Dakar
It may be the wrong continent but the most exciting (mainly) road race in the world left Buenos Aries today. Will I be there in 2010? The omens are good - I passed my bike test, my partner is on board (she bought Charley Boorman's encouraging account of Dakar 2006) and my favourite South American/road trip movie 'Bring me the Head of Alfredo Garcia' was re-released in cinemas.
See you in Senegal, or the Broom Wagon.
See you in Senegal, or the Broom Wagon.
Monday, 15 December 2008
What’s in an mZine?
Publishers have been engaged in a commercial arms race since Caxton first hawked chivalric romances to the nobility of C15 England. Our recent past is more obscure. Who was the first online publisher is a debatable question. My favourite candidate is the magnificently named ezine ‘The Cult of the Dead Cow’ popular in the hacker community of the ‘80’s.
The publisher of ‘Recuyell of the Historyes of Troye’ would find modern online publications remarkably similar to their print forbears. Video and hyperlink aside the home page serves the same function as a magazine cover – promoting brand and articles within.
Sadly the print metaphor does not extend to mobile. MZines are developed for browsing but they lack the space to display content. The ease with which titles could be launched on DOCOMO’s i-mode platform further delayed the emergence of a truly native format.
Apple’s iPhone allows users to download apps which separate presentation and content layers creating a much richer mobile experience. Through products such as Stanza iPhone has become the world’s most popular eBook reader. However iPhone comprise a small fraction of the total mobile audience, insufficient in numbers to attract modern publishers.
I believe Google’s mobile search has enabled publishers to develop the first authentic mZines which exploit the capabilities of mobile devices. mZines will resemble pamphlets, small collections of related articles, which are found through searching the phones deck. Publishers who optimize their content for mobile search will see increased visitor traffic and a greater return for advertisers.
Where might this lead?
Web 3.0 is also the best model for mobile devices. Ultimately publishers will develop mZine channels, Apps for non Apple devices, which will allow users to browse content by theme. Individual titles will comprise commissioned content which is personalized by location or interest.
The publisher of ‘Recuyell of the Historyes of Troye’ would find modern online publications remarkably similar to their print forbears. Video and hyperlink aside the home page serves the same function as a magazine cover – promoting brand and articles within.
Sadly the print metaphor does not extend to mobile. MZines are developed for browsing but they lack the space to display content. The ease with which titles could be launched on DOCOMO’s i-mode platform further delayed the emergence of a truly native format.
Apple’s iPhone allows users to download apps which separate presentation and content layers creating a much richer mobile experience. Through products such as Stanza iPhone has become the world’s most popular eBook reader. However iPhone comprise a small fraction of the total mobile audience, insufficient in numbers to attract modern publishers.
I believe Google’s mobile search has enabled publishers to develop the first authentic mZines which exploit the capabilities of mobile devices. mZines will resemble pamphlets, small collections of related articles, which are found through searching the phones deck. Publishers who optimize their content for mobile search will see increased visitor traffic and a greater return for advertisers.
Where might this lead?
Web 3.0 is also the best model for mobile devices. Ultimately publishers will develop mZine channels, Apps for non Apple devices, which will allow users to browse content by theme. Individual titles will comprise commissioned content which is personalized by location or interest.
Friday, 28 November 2008
Tweet 'your dead'
'In the wake of the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, news of which spread by Twitter...'
An unnecessary article on Social Media Influence goes onto argue Twitter is a form of journalism.
An unnecessary article on Social Media Influence goes onto argue Twitter is a form of journalism.
Thursday, 27 November 2008
Government mashups
Recovering from two weeks in court my eye was caught by this map on D.C. Pedestrian, Recent crimes in DC. The narratives are poetic in their brevity.
C-1 REPORTS THAT HE MET S-1 ON THE STREET AND AGREED TO MEET AT THE LISTED LOCATION. WHILE AT THE LOCATION C-1 WAS APPROACHED BY S-2 AND S-3. S-2 SAID THIS IS MY HOUSE, YOU''RE GOING TO GIVE ME SOMETHING.
Other topics on the site really lack impact in comparison:
- See how much money you save
- See how much pollution you avoid
- Check out the health benefits
There's more on http://mashable.com/2008/11/13/government-mashups/
Tuesday, 4 November 2008
Books ditched
The City Academy is to abandon text books in favour of E-books in an attempt 'to eliminate costly tomes.'
I despair.
-- Post From My iPhone
I despair.
-- Post From My iPhone
Pattern recognition
G1 excitement tempered at Cimex this week. Highly numerate owners keep getting locked out of their devices. Suggest Google replace visual lock with a geek friendly equation.
-- Post From My iPhone
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