The code to set up an announcement list for chilloutmixes.com is basically done. All I have to do it test it and copy and paste some default messages into it. That should be done and active tonight. If I have the time, I should be able to finish the 3rd cURL demo and write up the first tutorial. Hopefully I’ll post tonight with all the good news. Of course the source for everything will be made available.
Ok, so I’ve had a lot of other things to play with (Including a Sidekick 3 and a PS3) which has this tendency to take away my time. I’m also working on getting chilloutmixes.com set up better for announcing new mixes. All of this is taking up my time. The curl demos are done being created, but I haven’t had the time to set up the tutorial to solve them. Um… I’m getting to it. Sorry.
Also, I just got Cardamar’s latest CD. I need to write a review on that as well. There was a new mix released by Marco Torrance in the past couple weeks also, so be sure to check out chillout mixes if you haven’t recently.
That’s all i can say for now.
Ok, I haven’t forgotten about the cURL tutorial or updating the site. I just happen to be quite busy right now. This weekend I hope to have some time to finish up the cURL stuff (I am working on it, it’s just not done) and hopefully get back to my project. This is somewhat of a reminder to myself as well, so hopefully it works! I also promise to make all of the source code available of both the problems and solutions.
Random cool thing I found: tntnet. I had heard about C++ server pages before, but tntnet is the project that really makes them shine. They claim that it can serve c++ dynamic pages fast than traditional web servers (probably apache) can serve static pages because the c++ pages get compiled. Awesome for speed. The syntax looks pretty nice to for making the views (and you get the c++ goodness for all of the processing).
Ok. I finally am coming to have some free time and have already started making things for the public.
I noticed that there aren’t many (if any) good cURL tutorials that show you some of the power of cURL like manipulating cookies and such. Such a tutorial could be used for good (such as unit testing your work) or evil (trying to program a bot to do something that requires a login). After I get my contrived examples created and can demonstrate them, I’ll write up the tutorial that looks at cURL in more detail. This is supposed to both show users how to use cURL better as well as for site administrators to get an idea what could cause vulnerabilities. I will also discuss ways to create login systems to defeat cURL.
To be posted soon…
I love streaming radio (along with many types of music). As such, I am a strong supporter of the Save Internet Radio movement. I encourage you to also take the time and talk to your senators/representatives if you are in the US or spread the word and try to help in other ways if you are not (there are ways posted on this blog post. The internet radio world thanks you for your support.
I feel bad. I haven’t been able to get any new cds recently to review and really haven’t had the time to do much work on my dev project. All I can ask is you bear with me for a couple more weeks. Cardamar is taking preorders for his next cd, Where the Skies End, up until April 30. On the release page (linked in the last sentence), you can hear a 6 track preview to whet your appitite.
In other music related news, iTunes is going to start distributing its music without DRM. This will only be for EMI stuff, but that’s definitely awesome. Per track it’s USD 0.30 more, but the same for full albums1. Also, Beat Port now sells wav’s (uncompressed pure quality) versions of music (for a premium) also. Very cool advancement. In both cases, the original versions are also available.
I need to get more time and music… working on both. Til later
Ok so i haven’t posted in almost 20 days. That’s not exactly what I would call being attentive of my blog. Um… sorry? This isn’t exactly a fix. I haven’t gottent any new chillout and my other activities I want to keep hidden for now. Yes, I have been doing something that I will eventually post here. If you’re really curious, my development site is located at dev.quad341.com and does have information about what is going on. Hopefully by mid-April I will have a working example of this project and announce it to the world. I welcome actual inquery and the repository allows for anonymous checkouts. In the mean time, I need more music. Suggestions?
Well, I was trying to get PreFormance (I think that’s what the one blogging extension is called) set up through my Firefox installation under Linux, but that wasn’t working for a thus unsolved reason. I guess I’ll continue to use the web interface for the time being. Also, there’s a fairly severe security hold in WordPress version 2.1.1. Make sure you update to 2.1.2 as soon as you can. I have other matters that need more immediate attention, but I plan to post more about music soon.
Before I go into the music itself, I want to get a little annoying technicality out of the way. Michael Diamond makes new age music which is not chillout. Well, not exactly chillout at least. To be honest, new age seems to be the American equivalent to European chillout. It tends to be less electronic also, but otherwise very close.
Atlantis Rising is a new age cd that follows the idea of new age is similar to chillout. This actually could be related to ambient at times as well. It does have quite a few synths in the music, but it is all flowing. At times it even seems to give off an organic feel. Throughout the CD though, it is very rich sounding. I wouldn’t call it as rich as someone such as S. Zeilenga, but it has good depth on every track. There is variety also. Not everything is very ambient nor is it all organic. Little bits of both will appear in every track though. Each leaves a distinct feeling in its wake, but all are very well done. One of the main downsides to the CD is its length. It lasts a mere 52 minutes and leaves you desiring more. I can’t say that the ends of the CD are poorly done though. The lead in and lead out tracks are particularly good at their jobs. It really can get you in the mood for what the rest of the CD is about to present. The end track, “The Hero’s Journey,” is a stronger and less delicate track that the introduction, but there is an organic element that ties the tracks together regardless. I would say the cd is pretty good overall. Most chillout lovers would be pleased.
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