Want to get some great deals on used synthesizers?

Unfortunately, you have to go back to 1989.

Zagoba points out that ‘89 was the best year ever to buy synths:

Look at these graphs from my favorite book ‘the a-z of analog synths’ by Peter Forrest [I have more than one favorite book, ok?]. They show values as defined by him of each synth ever made, ever. It struck me that I definitely started buying keyboards at the right time – every graph in the book has a very pronounced nadir around 1989. THOSE WERE THE DAYS!

[Trust me - every graph in the book looks like this....]

The graph, right, shows the pricing of the classic Moog Modular 3C, plotted over time.

Zagoba has a several more of these graphs on his site. And, yes, they all bottom out around 1989.

A federal judge ruled this week that Vitaminwater will not, as its labels promise, keep you "healthy as a horse." Nor will it bring about a "healthy state of physical or mental being". Instead, Vitaminwater is really just a sugary snack food; non-carbonated fruit coke disguised as a sports drink. Because it's composed mostly of sugar and not vitamin-laden water, judge John Gleeson held that Vitaminwater's absurd marketing claims were likely to mislead consumers.

Coke tried to explain away claims like "vitamins + water = all you need" as "only puffery." The judge disagreed.

By including the suggestion that the product will “keep you healthy” or “help bring about a healthy state of physical and mental being” alongside such statements, the quoted language implies that the nutrient content of vitaminwater may help consumers maintain healthy dietary practices. I conclude, therefore, in light of the language and context in which they are used, that the statements on the “defense” and “B- Relaxed” labels constitute implied nutrient content claims which use the word “healthy.” Such claims are in violation of violation of FDA regulations because . . . vitaminwater achieves its nutritional content solely through fortification that violates FDA policy.

The ruling rejected Coca Cola's motion to dismiss a class action suit brought by the scrappy do-gooders at the Center for Science in the Interest. The case should now be clear for trial, although it could settle if Coke is willing to change Vitaminwater's name to something less misleading. Cake in a Can, perhaps?

Lawsuit Over Deceptive Vitaminwater Claims to Proceed [CSPI] (Press Release)
Order on Motion to Dismiss [U.S. District Court] (pdf)

Paintings by Yago Hortal.

facadeprinter.org - three stones from Facadeprinter on Vimeo.

facadeprinter.org - 5°Asalto Zaragoza from Facadeprinter on Vimeo.

The Facadeprinter is a simple, software controlled robot. It consits of a two axis turn table and an airpressure printhead. The printer shoots the artwork from a distanced position dot by dot onto the chosen area. Using this method, inaccessible and also uneven surfaces can be printed on. Buildings can be displayed without costly scaffolding.

The Facadeprinter is a large scale communication tool. Print-aesthetics and method are distinguishly different from conventional print- and advertising techniques. Artworks are applied directly onto walls, like the drawings of a 'magic pen'. At present, the maximum print distance is 12 meters, the maximum print height is around 8 meters. The shooting frequency is up to 5 dots per second.

The printer is equipped with an industrial PC which is running the specially programmed printing software. The machine is operated by touchscreen. Artworks can be loaded from USB-devices in the file format SVG. With an integrated camera photos of the printing area can be taken and overlayered with a printing preview. This way position and scaling can be adjusted optimally on site. The distance to the wall is measured by infrared-meter and entered manually. The printing software calculates the driving coordinates regarding both the perspective and the ballistic distortion.

A paintball system was converted into a printhead to shoot the colour balls onto the wall. The two axis turn table places the paintball marker by steppermotors and gears. Before printing an integrated laser displays a bounding box of the artwork to verify the precise position on the wall. In case of malfunction or danger printing can be paused anytime.

A balltower conveys the gelatine encapsulated colour balls to the marker. Here they are accelerated to a speed of 200km/h and finally burst on contact with the wall, leaving their coloured contents. A colour dot of 5 to 10 cm diameter occurs on the wall. The busted gelatine shell falls down to the ground where it can be removed, or left to decompose naturally by the rain without residue. The colour qualities differ from each other gravely considering UV stability or dripping characteristics. So colours can be chosen which bleach out within a few hours or remains visible for several months.

More here.

Skateboarding on streets or a marketplace may look an effortless and entertaining task, but when it comes to riding, rather controlling the world’s largest skateboard, the fun factor just takes form of a thrilling experience, taking the breath out of the rider. This is exactly what happened when the California Skateparks brought the world’s largest skateboard to the Camp Woodward in Pennsylvania, and took it out for a breathtaking ride with campers. Check out the video, to see the enormous skateboard on a suicidal ride, after the jump.

Via: Gizmodo/Likecool

Th'Inquisitor was one of several readers to point out coverage of Apple's stealth security fix, included along with the recent Snow Leopard 10.6.4 update. Graham Cluley of Sophos first noticed the update to protect Mac computers from a Trojan, and the fact that Apple didn't mention it in the release notes. The malware opens a back door to a Mac that can allow attackers to gain control of the machine and snoop about on it or turn it into a zombie. "You have to wonder," writes Cluley, "whether their keeping quiet about an anti-malware security update like this was for marketing reasons." While he certainly has a point that Apple benefits by its users' belief that the platform is secure, you also have to wonder whether any such publicity from a security company has a marketing subtext, as well.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

I think when i made this site i had an idea of where i wanted my personal style to go. I think this new piece i just finished is a good personal start for myself going in that direction. Sorry for the self promo but Joker told me i had to make sure to put this on the site. So here it is. I dont think i have enough recent work that im proud of for a full artist feature but i will put this out there, as well as introduce myself to the site. Thanks for all the support so far and the contributions from all the artists.

Poesia Transcend 2010

Poesia Flickr Account

Poesia Facebook Page

Poesia Streetfiles Profile

Transcend Facebook Page

Filed under: News, Pictures Tagged: Abstract, Abstract Artist, Abstract Graffiti, abstract street art, geometric, Graffiti, Graffuturism, Graffuturists, Mural, Painting, Poesia, Poesia Transcend, spraypaint, street art, Transcend

“I Took A Roadtrip On The Internet” by Benford Lepley. Manhattan.

Photos by Timothy James Kelly. Mashpee, Massachusetts.

Tonight around 8pm ET, Wooster Collective will stream online a live event featuring artists exchanging ideas on creativity, inspiration, art books, and more. Participating Artists: Chris Stain, Elbow Toe, Pax Paloscia, Ivory Serra, Logan Hicks, Swoon and WK Interact.

Event Hashtag:
#woosterxdrago

Tune In Live Below Or Watch @
http://www.facebook.com/WoosterCollective
http://www.woostercollective.com
http://www.facebook.com/meetnyc

Instructables has a good thing going with their regular "theme" contests. They just finished up with paracord; now they're starting in on coffee cups. Reminds me of the "MacGyver Challenge" that ReadyMade magazine used to run back before their facelift. Shown above is user bertus52x11's simple hack for catching the plaster that would otherwise fall everywhere when you drill into the ceiling.

Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Instructables | Digg this!

The emergence of a jail-themed jungle gym at the Tompkins Houses in Bedford Stuyvesant has the community in an uproar. Black and Brown News, which ran this image earlier this week, did some homework and found that NYCHA was responsible for ordering it earlier this week. “I don’t think they should put that there in a neighborhood where many Blacks and Latinos go to jail," one resident of the public housing complex told BBN. "My son will ask me, Mommy, if I go in there, will I go to jail.” As of yesterday, NYCHA had told BBN it was "looking into" the matter and there had been no response yet from the mayor's office. Pretty mind-boggling and offensive, no?
Jail Playground’ at NYC Public Housing Property [BBN]GMAP
Photo by Monifa Bandele

Musikmesse 2010: Here’s something you probably didn’t expect – a new analog synth from one of the major music manufacturers – the Korg Monotron.

The Korg Monotron is designed to deliver classic analog sound inexpensively, but has a limited control set and consumer-style build quality.

The remains to be seen how well the Korg Monotron plays with others – and how hackable it is.

Features:

• Full-fledged, true analog synthesizer: VCO, VCF, LFO
• Ribbon keyboard
• Features the same classic analog filter found in the legendary Korg MS-10 & MS-20
• Filter any external source using the audio input jack
• LFO can modulate either pitch of filter cutoff
• LFO Rate knob features LED visual indicator.
• Battery operation and palmtop size
• Internal speaker/headphone jack

The Korg Monotron will be available August 2010 with an MSRP of $85.00.

Check it out and let us know what you think!

Click here to view the embedded video.

It’s surprisingly tiny!

Korg Monotron Specifications:

Audio Path:

• VCO, VCF, LFO

Knobs:

• VCO Pitch; LFO Rate; LFO Intensity; VCF Cutoff; VCF Peak

LFO Switch:

• Assignable to Oscillator Pitch or Filter Cutoff

Controller:

• Ribbon Controller

Volume:

• Headphone Volume

Aux Input:

• 1/8″ Stereo Jack

Headphone Output:

• 1/8″ Stereo Jack

Speaker:

• Miniature internal; Disabled when headphones are in use.

Power Supply:

• AAA Alkalines (x2)

Dimensions:

• 120 mm (W) x 72 mm (D) x 28 mm (H) / 4.72″ (W) x 2.83″ (D) x 1.10″ (H)

Weight:

• 95g / 3.35 oz. (without batteries)

Description:

Powered by two alkaline AAA batteries, the compact monotron can be held in one hand. Although small enough to easily carry with you, the monotron is packed with KORGs legendary analog technology, generating thick and powerful sounds. Concentrating on the most important sound parameters, the controls have been streamlined as much as possible. The panel contains only five knobs and one switch. With this level of simplicity, now anyone can easily enjoy the world of analog synthesizers.

Borrowing the enjoyment of performing with a simple touch from Korgs wildly popular KAOSS products, the monotrons ribbon controller keyboard takes this ease of use even farther. Simple finger gestures can produce expressive effects such as vibrato and glide. Used in a band, you can expand your possibilities by harmonizing with another instrument ? or taking center stage for a monotron solo!

The monotrons circuit is radically simple: one voltage-controlled oscillator, one voltage-controlled filter, and one low frequency oscillator. Since each knob directly applies a specific change to the sound, the process of sound creation is intuitive, and instantly understandable. Simple is best. Gone are the deep lists of presetsand parameters typical of todays synthesizers. Instead, the monotron encourages exploration andexperimentation. The monotron provides the joy of sonic creativity that’s at the heart of analog synthesis, making it an ideal choice for someone who is new to synthesizers, or for musicians who wants to expandtheir sonic palette.

The monotron uses the same highly acclaimed VCF circuit as KORGs classic MS-10 and MS-20 semi modular synthesizers. Originally released over 30 years ago, these instruments are still coveted today for their aggressive, dynamic filters. The VCF Cutoff knob sets the frequency or tone of the filter; the VCF Peak knob adds emphasis. A powerful filter is an essential aspect of any analog synthesizer, applying dramatic tonal changes to the sound, and projecting an intense personality that will stand out in any live performance.

Nederlander David Rudolf Bakker adds this particularly ingenious improvisation to the already-impressive repertoire of off-label uses for binder clips. [via Boing Boing]

Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Gadgets | Digg this!

If you don't like your bags being out of your sight and it makes you uncomfortable to think that airline workers are rifling through your stuff, you can take advantage of the TSA's own security rules by—eek—packing a gun.

Photo by Vince Alongi.

Most of the time, travelers are on the short-end of TSA regulations. In this instance, however, you can use travel rules to your advantage. If you're traveling with equipment you would prefer locked up and watched more closely than your run of the mill luggage, you can pack a firearm with the equipment or luggage. Whether or not you own an actual firearm isn't important—the TSA considers a starter pistol a firearm, and it must be checked in and secured properly. Bruce Shneier, on his security and privacy centered blog, highlights how some creative professional photographers have been using this rule to their advantage. One of the photographers writes:

A "weapons" is defined as a rifle, shotgun, pistol, airgun, and STARTER PISTOL. Yes, starter pistols - those little guns that fire blanks at track and swim meets - are considered weapons...and do NOT have to be registered in any state in the United States.

I have a starter pistol for all my cases. All I have to do upon check-in is tell the airline ticket agent that I have a weapon to declare...I'm given a little card to sign, the card is put in the case, the case is given to a TSA official who takes my key and locks the case, and gives my key back to me.

That's the procedure. The case is extra-tracked...TSA does not want to lose a weapons case. This reduces the chance of the case being lost to virtually zero.

It's a great way to travel with camera gear...I've been doing this since Dec 2001 and have had no problems whatsoever.

You can pick up a super basic starter pistol for around $16-20—really nice starter pistols can easily cost $100-200, but you're not concerned about the quality—a rather small sum to ensure that your case of photography equipment or personal effects will be watched more carefully and only opened in your presence.

Have your own off-beat way of keeping your stuff safe while traveling? Let's hear about it in the comments.

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Paintings by Nick Lepard. A fellow Emily Carr grad.

Hugh Pickens writes "The Telegraph reports that scientists have created the first artificial meat by extracting cells from the muscle of a live pig and putting them in a broth of other animal products where the cells then multiplied to create muscle tissue. Described as soggy pork, researchers believe that it can be turned into something like steak if they can find a way to 'exercise' the muscle and while no one has yet tasted the artificial meat, researchers believe the breakthrough could lead to sausages and other processed products being made from laboratory meat in as little as five years' time. '"What we have at the moment is rather like wasted muscle tissue. We need to find ways of improving it by training it and stretching it, but we will get there," says Mark Post, professor of physiology at Eindhoven University. "You could take the meat from one animal and create the volume of meat previously provided by a million animals." Animal rights group Peta has welcomed the laboratory-grown meat, announcing that "as far as we're concerned, if meat is no longer a piece of a dead animal there's no ethical objection while the Vegetarian Society remained skeptical. "The big question is how could you guarantee you were eating artificial flesh rather than flesh from an animal that had been slaughtered. It would be very difficult to label and identify in a way that people would trust.""

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Shared by Matt
Got one in my closet. Will sell for $50,000.

This is unconfirmed by Technics, but DJ equipment retailer DMC says that DJing on a turntable is officially dead – Technics is discontinuing the classic SL-1210 MK5 Direct Drive Turntable:

Panasonic (the manufacturer of Technics) have announced that production of the world famous Technics SL-1200 and SL-1210 DJ turntables will stop at the end of February 2010.

If you are interested in securing a pair of the legendary turntables before they are gone, we have a limited number left in stock at DMC.

Is traditionally DJing really dead? Let me know what you think!

shitmydadsays: “We’re banned from the dog park. Well, I guess it’s okay to hump, and it’s okay to bark, but both at the same time freaks people out."