Michael's Place

Michael's Place http://michaelg.multiply.com/ Welcome to my Multiply home page. I've got tons of stuff on Multiply that I've set to only be available to my friends and family so if you know me, and you're not on Multiply yet, sign up now so you can see it. Enjoy! Fri, 16 May 2008 16:11:20 -0000 Fri, 30 Nov 2007 17:05:00 -0000 Michael's Place http://images.michaelg.multiply.com/logo http://michaelg.multiply.com 100 100 Is Facebook Overrated? <a href="http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1686825-1,00.html">"Is Facebook Overrated?,"</a> from last week's Time Magazine, is a rare article on social networking that I enjoyed reading. Anita Hamilton suggests that "Social networks are a lot like nightclubs, and Friendster was the place to be in 2004 and '05, before MySpace came along and stole its mojo. In short, Friendster got boring."   That's exactly what we've been saying for years as it pertains to sites like Friendster, err Myspace...oh wait, what's hip today?  Oh yeah, Facebook. Later Hamilton quotes venture capitalist Jim Timmins of Pagemill Partners who says ""How do you serve up ads in such a fashion that your young, hip audiences aren't turned off by it?"  Despite considering myself a pundit that is constantly proselytizing that social networking isn't  just for "young, hip audiences" I applaud when a publication as credible and mainstream as Time reminds everyone that Mypace and Facebook are. It highlights how Multiply is different. As I wrote in <a href="http://multiply.multiply.com/journal/item/187/Ironing_Out_the_Wrinkles">Ironing Out... http://michaelg.multiply.com/journal/item/93/Is_Facebook_Overrated Fri, 30 Nov 2007 17:05:00 -0000 Weekly Rhap: Beastie Boys, The Mix Up Why I downloaded it: One day when rounding up my library with some old school hip-hop - specifically looking for Licensed to Ill - I noticed an album from the Beastie Boys that I had never heard of. The review (next paragraph) piqued my interest. Rhapsody's review: Playing The In Sound From Way Out! to unsuspecting Beasties haters has been a popular parlor game since its release in 1996. Now comes an excellent and similarly groovy sequel, and it's just as likely to wrong-foot those few friends you still have who continue to disparage the Boys' talents. As jazz funk albums go, this probably isn't going to excite or offend serious jazzheads too much, but for the less educated among us it's a fun diversion from the Beasties' normal canon, and you can never have enough Hammond organ in your life. My take: Ever been dragged by Hersh and Matar to a slightly off the beaten path - say west of Gramercy Park in NYC- lounge? That's the vibe given off by this  instrumental and non-stereotypica... http://michaelg.multiply.com/journal/item/91/Weekly_Rhap_Beastie_Boys_The_Mix_Up Fri, 9 Nov 2007 21:57:00 -0000 Cryin' Shame <a href="/photos/hi-res/upload/RwJX@goKCq4AACg-QRA1"><img class="alignmiddle" src="http://images.michaelg.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/RwJX@goKCq4AACg-QRA1/shame.jpg?et=a6aBvnxGImij%2BdfmGaJXoQ" border="0"></a> With the Mets collapse occurring gradually over the course of month, I wasn't stunned by the way the season ended. More crushing would be losing a playoff series, or perhaps a situation such as Phillies fans would've endured had the Phillies been eliminated on the last day after their momentous comeback. I did focus on avoiding media coverage and generally ignoring the situation, and I didn't get really upset until I accidentally noticed the front-cover of the Post on the train. My reaction was "oh gosh, poor Charlie."  While my almost two year-old son, who can slur the word "Mezzz" and recognize "ball" when it's on t.v, is fortunately too young to comprehend what happened, I couldn't help but think of the future misery he's going to face being a Mets fan. http://michaelg.multiply.com/journal/item/87/Cryin_Shame Tue, 2 Oct 2007 14:37:00 -0000 Difficult Work Assignment - DigitalLife For the last few years the fine folks at Ziff Davis have been suggesting to me that their annual DigitalLife expo would be a great place to show off Multiply. The event takes place at the Javitz Center and there's a wide array of companies showing off their digital (or digital-related) goods...everything including PCs, video-games, bluetooth car kits, mp3 players, cell-phones. You name it. Multiply did not have a booth but I was offered a "VIP" pass to check out the show. Reluctantly I spent a couple hours checking out all these things that bore me. I was most surprised at the the presence of video games. About 1/2 the floor space (and 75% of the wattage) was probably for video games. Besides lots of gaming companies, even companies like Dell and Microsoft had large gaming venues in addition to their regular venues. I did acquire lots of good swag although I didn't embarrass myself for it. (At one point I saw a huge crowd gathering around one booth with loud hip-hop emanating.... http://michaelg.multiply.com/photos/album/74/Difficult_Work_Assignment_-_DigitalLife Fri, 28 Sep 2007 21:12:56 -0000 Bring Back Doug Sisk! <img class="alignright" src="http://images.michaelg.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/Rvw5vgoKCq4AABjyAzw1/doug_sisk_topps%2Bcard.jpg?et=v%2CdKbtu1josV%2CRzxR4RFag" border="0">I know. My third Mets related post in a few weeks. Desperate times call for desperate measures. I'll be quick this time- the subject says it all. (If you don't know who Doug Sisk is, read this <a href="http://metsarebetterthansex.blogspot.com/2007/03/in-memoriam-doug-sisk-1982-1987.html">funny entry</a> from <a href="http://metsarebetterthansex.blogspot.com/">The Mets are Better than Sex</a> blog. ) http://michaelg.multiply.com/journal/item/86/Bring_Back_Doug_Sisk Thu, 27 Sep 2007 23:03:00 -0000 Ironing Out the Wrinkles In the past I've used my personal blog for discussions about Multiply. My latest, <a href="http://multiply.multiply.com/journal/item/187/Ironing_Out_the_Wrinkles">Ironing out the Wrinkles</a>, was posted on our staff blog. Please check it out. Thanks. http://michaelg.multiply.com/journal/item/85/Ironing_Out_the_Wrinkles Wed, 26 Sep 2007 16:41:00 -0000 The Mets still make me sick On August 30th, after the Mets got swept by the Phillies and had their division lead shrink from 6 games to 2, I posted <a href="http://michaelg.multiply.com/journal/item/80/The_Mets_make_me_sick">The Mets make me sick</a>. After that post the Mets went 9 and 2 including winning 5 of 6 from the Braves, the Phillies went back to playing at their level, and the Mets division lead went right back up to 6 1/2 games. With the Phillies coming into Shea for 3 games, the Mets could've easily ended the season by winning two or three games. Not. They got swept AGAIN and have proceeded to lose 2 more games (5 straight) while the Phillies won two more (5 straight) and now their division lead is a paltry 1 1/2 games. My wife, with more neutral objectivity, suggested that perhaps I need to post again. Given what happened after the Mets first sweep I remained calm after the last sweep but in retrospect, if my first "make me sick" post had some kind of karmic affect I am perhaps a couple days late with this. But here goes. The Mets make me really sick. How could they not win a g... http://michaelg.multiply.com/journal/item/83/The_Mets_still_make_me_sick Wed, 19 Sep 2007 14:56:00 -0000 Baseball and Philosophy <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0812695569?ie=UTF8&tag=multiply-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0812695569"><img align=right src="http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/14950000/14955594.JPG"></a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=multiply-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0812695569" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /> The title of the book caught my eye when perusing the Philosophy section at Barnes and Noble one day. Based on the flap I thought it would be a fun light read combining an avid interest of mine (baseball) with a more cursory interest (philosophy). The book was actually a little deeper than expected, although the format of the book - a series of independent essays - made it fairly digestible. The essays, in most cases grouped in pairs with each taking an opposing view of a philosophical argument, were all by different writers, and the 4-star rating is an average. Some of the essays were more though-provoking or interesting than others. Overall, it's a great escape for the serious fan from the <a href=http://pez.multiply.com/journal/item/189/Far_more_better>idiocy of Baseball Tonight</a>. I figure the best way to more specifically highlight the subject matter would be to just list the table of contents: Inning 1 Hometown Heroes Top of the First 1. "There's No Place Like Home!" Bottom of the First 2. Minnesota's "Homer Hanky Jurisprud... http://michaelg.multiply.com/reviews/item/45 Tue, 18 Sep 2007 20:03:20 -0000 1 New Item on My Amazon Wish-list (This blog entry was automatically generated by Multiply's Wish-list Cross-posting feature.) Below are items recently added to my Amazon wish-list. If you are familiar with anything below and have any comments or alternate suggestions, please leave a reply. <a href=http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/registry.html/?ie=UTF8&tag=multiply-20&type=wishlist&id=3O5JLDN1NURQG>Click here</a> to see my full and current wish-list. <hr style='display: none; width: 400px;'><a href='http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=B000QU8J8E%26tag=multiply-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/B000QU8J8E%253FSubscriptionId=1J3HCRRRA7MPKB447482%2526coliid=I1K8YLICRZC992%2526colid=3O5JLDN1NURQG'><img style='padding-right: 8px;' src='http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/117kWq9mi3L.jpg' height='60' width='120' border=0></a><big><a href='http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=B000QU8J8E%26tag=multiply-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/B000QU8J8E%253FSubscriptionId=1J3HCRRRA7MPKB447482%2526coliid=I1K8YLICRZC992%2526colid=3O5JLDN1NURQG'>Sonos BU130 Digital Music System Bundle</a></big> Manufacturer: Sonos Price: $934.99 <a class=select href=http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=B000QU8J8E%26tag=multiply-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/B000QU8J8E%253FSubscriptionId=1J3HCRRRA7MPKB447482%2526coliid=I1K8YLICRZC992%2526colid=3O5JLDN1NURQG>Learn More</a> http://michaelg.multiply.com/journal/item/82/1_New_Item_on_My_Amazon_Wish-list Tue, 18 Sep 2007 17:16:34 -0000 The Mets make me sick Four days ago the Mets had a 6 game lead over the Phillies going into an important 4 game series against them.  Going into the series, as a pessimist (synonymous with Mets fan), I'm just hoping the Mets win one out of the four and escape with a 4 game lead. Winning more than one would be gravy. Monday night the Mets were blown out 9-2.  Fine.  Mets lead: 5 games. Tuesday night Glavine pitched 7 shut-out innings and the Mets have a 2-0 lead. In the 8th they bring in Feliciano who gives up a home run to the first batter. A walk, throwing error on a steal, and an infield-roller that David Wright and Paul LoDuca watch stay fair it's 2-2.  A nice Ryan Howard 2 run homer in the 10th wins the game. Mets lead: 4 games. Wednesday, the Mets are down 3-2 in the 9th. They've got one out and runners on first and third. A fly-ball from tying the game. Just please no double-play. Shawn (weak-grounder-my-specialty) Green at the plate. Weak grounder to short. Maybe too weak to be a d... http://michaelg.multiply.com/journal/item/80/The_Mets_make_me_sick Thu, 30 Aug 2007 21:49:00 -0000 Weekly Rhap: Reggatta Mondatta Why I downloaded it: It was <a href="http://michaelg.multiply.com/journal/item/59">170 days ago</a> that I purchased Police tickets for tonight. Can't believe it's here. Anyway, figured I should dedicate this weekly rhap to The Police but since I've owned all their music for years (LP, cassettes, and CDs) there's no reason for me to download any of it. So I downloaded something related. Rhapsody's review: [None] My take: Reggatta Mondatta - A Reggae Tribute to the Police. This is the type of stuff Rhapsody is great for. I'd never buy something so obscure, at least not at the album level and probably not at the individual song level. But reggae covers of classic Police songs by the likes Ziggy Marley, Shinehead, and Steel Pulse are certainly fun diversions (as are most covers of great songs in alternate musical styles than the originals). The Police's music, especially their early stuff, was very reggae influenced so many of the covers work well. Many don't though, and a few border on painful. Check it out if you're a Police fan, a reggae fan, or i... http://michaelg.multiply.com/journal/item/79/Weekly_Rhap_Reggatta_Mondatta Fri, 3 Aug 2007 21:42:00 -0000 Weekly Rhap: Velvet Revolver, Libertad Why I downloaded it: Rhapsody promotes new releases on their home page. It was a no-brainer to check out this album from (most of) the group that created the best rock album of the late 80's - Appetite For Destruction. Rhapsody's review: We know they're experienced -- between the five members and uber-producer Brendan O'Brien, Velvet Revolver have logged over a century in the biz. Thus, it's overcoming the STP meets GnR tag that is VR's greatest challenge, and they do a fine job with Libertad. Although each member gets his time to show off, the group sounds more comfortable binding together. Tightly composed, upbeat, carnal and suave with the huge riffs you'd expect, songs like "She Mine" and "Mary Mary" are fitting for a cruise down the Sunset Strip -- or at least for a quality session of air guitar. My take: Guns N' Roses minus Axl Rose plus Scott Weiland (ex-lead singer of Stone Temple Pilots) times second album together equals Good Rock Album. But not quite a great rock album. It's bet... http://michaelg.multiply.com/journal/item/78/Weekly_Rhap_Velvet_Revolver_Libertad Fri, 27 Jul 2007 15:16:00 -0000 Weekly Rhap: Arctic Monkeys, Favourite Worst Nightmare Why I downloaded it: There was a 2 page story in the May issue of GQ that discussed how ridiculously popular this band is in the UK. Shortly after that I read a review of the album in Bass Player magazine's "BP Recommends" section.  (Great example of the effect of repetitive coverage, with the secondary coverage prompting my checking out the album.) Rhapsody's review: The Arctic Monkeys' 2006 debut was a massive hit in their native Britain and even broke the U.S. Top 40. The excitement of the new is gone for this follow-up, but the Arctic Monkeys prove they weren't a flash in the pan. Here, their guitar sound is streamlined, putting even more of a spotlight on Alex Turner's cheeky teenage narratives. The feel of the AMs sets them apart more than their sound does. They don't ape the Beatles, the Smiths or the Jam, but update their quintessentially English approach, showing that poor, provincial yobs can see right through their "betters." My take: You ever try on a pair of shoes and t... http://michaelg.multiply.com/journal/item/74/Weekly_Rhap_Arctic_Monkeys_Favourite_Worst_Nightmare Fri, 20 Jul 2007 18:55:00 -0000 Weekly Rhap: Lady Sovereign, Public Warning Why I downloaded it: Over a year ago Time Magazine briefly reviewed Lady Sovereign's debut album, Vertically Challenged, as one of 5 CDS You Should Not Miss. I downloaded it and it was a pretty good listen. More recently I read that she's currently opening for Gwen  Stefani and that Jay-Z signed her for his label. Rhapsody's review: One day, while taking a break from his busy schedule of (still) not(officially) dating Beyonce, Jay-Z looked at the Def Jam roster and realized what was missing was a pint-sized female rap prodigy. So faster than you can say "retired," Jay recruited the motor-mouthed, Cockney slang-slinging emcee Lady Sovereign. Public Warning, her rollicking Def Jam debut, is so good that it's easier to list what doesn't work: "Those Were the Days" is kind of boring. That's it. The moral of the story? As usual, Hova knows best. My take: A unique combination of the female braggadocio of a Missy Eliot, the pitch of an MC Lyte, and the lyrics and ability to alter flow o... http://michaelg.multiply.com/journal/item/73/Weekly_Rhap_Lady_Sovereign_Public_Warning Fri, 6 Jul 2007 16:46:00 -0000 4 New Items on My Amazon Wish-list (This blog entry was automatically generated by Multiply's Wish-list Cross-posting feature.) Below are items recently added to my Amazon wish-list. If you are familiar with anything below and have any comments or alternate suggestions, please leave a reply. <a href=http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/registry.html/?ie=UTF8&tag=multiply-20&type=wishlist&id=3O5JLDN1NURQG>Click here</a> to see my full and current wish-list. <hr style='display: none; width: 400px;'><a href='http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=B00005Q3KM%26tag=multiply-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/B00005Q3KM%253FSubscriptionId=1J3HCRRRA7MPKB447482%2526coliid=IKS45G0S3J2K5%2526colid=3O5JLDN1NURQG'><img style='padding-right: 8px;' src='http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/21LhsfYpNDL.jpg' height='120' width='120' border=0></a><big><a href='http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=B00005Q3KM%26tag=multiply-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/B00005Q3KM%253FSubscriptionId=1J3HCRRRA7MPKB447482%2526coliid=IKS45G0S3J2K5%2526colid=3O5JLDN1NURQG'>Red Hot Chili Peppers - Off the Map</a></big> Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea Price: $15.99 <a class=select href=http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=B00005Q3KM%26tag=multiply-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/B00005Q3KM%253FSubscriptionId=1J3HCRRRA7MPKB447482%2526coliid=IKS45G0S3J2K5%2526colid=3O5JLDN1NURQG>Learn More</a><hr style='display: none; width: 400px;'><a href='http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=B000286RKW%26tag=multiply-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/B000286RKW%253FSubscriptionId=1J3HCRRRA7MPKB447482%2526coliid=IAFAWIFBLYDFQ%2526colid=3O5JLDN1NURQG'><img style='padding-right: 8px;' src='http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/2148PA1PVZL.jpg' height='105' width='81' border=0></a><big><a href='http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=B000286RKW%26tag=multiply-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/B000286RKW%253FSubscriptionId=1J3HCRRRA7MPKB447482%2526coliid=IAFAWIFBLYDFQ%2526colid=3O5JLDN1NURQG'>Goodfellas (Two-Disc Special Edition)</a></big> Manufacturer: Warner Home Video Price: $9.80 <a class=select href=http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=B000286RKW%26tag=multiply-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/B000286RKW%253FSubscriptionId=1J3HCRRRA7MPKB447482%2526coliid=IAFAWIFBLYDFQ%2526colid=3O5JLDN1NURQG>Learn More</a><hr style='display: none; width: 400px;'><a href='http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=0316010669%26tag=multiply-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/0316010669%253FSubscriptionId=1J3HCRRRA7MPKB447482%2526coliid=I2UMY3LOT3DUIQ%2526colid=3O5JLDN1NURQG'><img style='padding-right: 8px;' src='http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/11KTPYB071L.jpg' height='120' width='80' border=0></a><big><a href='http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=0316010669%26tag=multiply-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/0316010669%253FSubscriptionId=1J3HCRRRA7MPKB447482%2526coliid=I2UMY3LOT3DUIQ%2526colid=3O5JLDN1NURQG'>Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking</a></big> Manufacturer: Back Bay Books Price: $8.00 <a class=select href=http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=0316010669%26tag=multiply-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/0316010669%253FSubscriptionId=1J3HCRRRA7MPKB447482%2526coliid=I2UMY3LOT3DUIQ%2526colid=3O5JLDN1NURQG>Learn More</a><hr style='display: none; width: 400px;'><a href='http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=B000I1ZWRC%26tag=multiply-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/B000I1ZWRC%253FSubscriptionId=1J3HCRRRA7MPKB447482%2526coliid=I1SZTCSKXY1WEI%2526colid=3O5JLDN1NURQG'><img style='padding-right: 8px;' src='http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/21A5JB3ARDL.jpg' height='93' width='120' border=0></a><big><a href='http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=B000I1ZWRC%26tag=multiply-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/B000I1ZWRC%253FSubscriptionId=1J3HCRRRA7MPKB447482%2526coliid=I1SZTCSKXY1WEI%2526colid=3O5JLDN1NURQG'>Canon Digital Rebel XTi 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens (Black)</a></big> Manufacturer: Canon Price: Too low to display <a class=select href=http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=B000I1ZWRC%26tag=multiply-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/B000I1ZWRC%253FSubscriptionId=1J3HCRRRA7MPKB447482%2526coliid=I1SZTCSKXY1WEI%2526colid=3O5JLDN1NURQG>Learn More</a> http://michaelg.multiply.com/journal/item/69/4_New_Items_on_My_Amazon_Wish-list Mon, 14 May 2007 11:04:42 -0000 Charlie's First Television Appearance <a href="/photos/hi-res/upload/RkILZwoKCq4AADFjJJQ1"><img class="alignmiddle" src="http://images.michaelg.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/RkILZwoKCq4AADFjJJQ1/charlie_on_tv.jpg?et=zSTXypNLkWG%2BKdfvBrredw" border="0"></a> Ok, so it's just a picture of Charlie. Ok...ok....a web-page with a picture. Ok, a video of a monitor showing a web-page. But the video is a 2 minute news segment about Multiply. <a href="http://multiply.multiply.com/video/item/4">Click here to see the segment.</a> http://michaelg.multiply.com/journal/item/68/Charlies_First_Television_Appearance Wed, 9 May 2007 17:56:00 -0000 You Lose Everett. You All Lose. Everett, based on your familiarity with <a href=http://everdred.multiply.com/photos/album/66>Maplewood</a> and your participation in the game I figured you'd be especially <strike>excited</strike> depressed with my morning discovery at the train http://michaelg.multiply.com/photos/album/69/You_Lose_Everett._You_All_Lose. Wed, 18 Apr 2007 22:11:16 -0000 Apple Appalls Where Xbox Excels This is a rather cursory review of the new Apple TV device. The title of the article refers to just one aspect of the device - video quality - compared to that of the Xbox360. "It's surprising, then, that videos from Apple's online iTunes store look horrible on an HDTV set." The writer does mention that the "Xbox is also a bit of a brute compared to the Apple TV" and that "after having my eyes gently caressed by the Apple TV's menus, the Xbox interface is like a slap in the face." That second comment isn't entirely fair. The author states that the Apple TV and Xbox 360 "can more or less do the same things" which is far from true. For starters, Apple TV can't play console video games, nor downloaded classic games from the Xbox Arcade (like Pac Man and Galaga), nor does it have a built-in DVD player. (There are a handful more obscure and advanced things it also can't do.) While I have no doubt that the Apple interface is more elegant than the clunky Xbox's, to some degree more ... http://michaelg.multiply.com/links/item/12/Apple_Appalls_Where_Xbox_Excels Thu, 5 Apr 2007 17:51:06 -0000 Amazon Wishlist Cross-Posting Feature <a href="../photos/hi-res/68/3"></a>We're soon going to officially announce a new feature we're testing out. Below is an early draft the blog entry we'll be placing on <a href="http://multiply.multiply.com/">our official staff blog</a>. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? This is a real concern for users of most blogging and photosharing solutions: If you post a blog or upload photos somewhere and nobody knows about them, are you really "sharing"? Multiply has been addressing this concern for years; its unique messaging solution notifies your whole social network -- direct and indirect contacts, alike -- whenever you post something new. Multiply has built its new Amazon Wish-List feature to address a similar problem: If you add something to your Wish-List but nobody knows about it, who will buy it for you? If you already have an Amazon Wish-List, visit the setup page at <a href="http://multiply.com/setup/wish-list"><a href=http://multiply.com/setup/wish-list>http://multiply.com/setup/wish-list</a></a> and enter the e-mail a... http://michaelg.multiply.com/journal/item/65/Amazon_Wishlist_Cross-Posting_Feature Tue, 3 Apr 2007 15:26:00 -0000 Club Photo shuts down without notice For the last two and a half years Multiply has been outsourcing its photo-printing to a company called Club Photo. For the most part our customers were satisfied with the quality of the prints, and we were satisfied with the reliability and turn-key nature of our relationship. Around 1AM on Wednesday morning Mary, a fellow Multiply employee, received an e-mail from our former business development liaison at Club Photo. It happened to be from an "@photoTLC.com" e-mail address. It began: I am writing to let you know that PhotoTLC has decided to close their business today without notifying any customers in advance. I WISH I HAD MORE OF A HEADS UP BUT I WAS NOTIFIED THE SAME TIME YOU WERE. It has been a tough day and a huge shock to me as well as I had no idea this was going to happen. I wish I had more to say but words can’t express exactly how I feel at this time. Actually, we weren't notified the same time. Excluding this e-mail from what sounded like a recently laid-off employee...we... http://michaelg.multiply.com/journal/item/63/Club_Photo_shuts_down_without_notice Thu, 8 Mar 2007 19:21:00 -0000 Shot Glasses #446 to #484 Well, it's been a little over a year and a half since I last posted additions to my shot glass collection (which, not coincidentally, is a little more than Charlie's age). A little over a month ago I started gradually taking the pictures, uploading to Multiply, and adding comments. Phew. Going forward I must do a better job doing that as I get them. For those not aware, I've been casually collecting shot glasses for about 15 years now. I say casually because a majority of the collection at this point has probably been "donated" from friends and family. People sending me glasses in this update include G.J., Kayt, Babs, Jodi, Andre', Pez, Balazs, and Vilius. THANKS EVERYONE. (Where possible I tried linking to the appropriate photo album on Multiply but in many cases I couldn't figure it out so please help me.) The complete list of 484 is <a href=http://michaelg.multiply.com/journal/item/3>here</a> http://michaelg.multiply.com/photos/album/66/Shot_Glasses_446_to_484 Thu, 8 Mar 2007 00:42:53 -0000 2 New Items on My Amazon Wish-list (This blog entry was automatically generated by Multiply's Wish-list Cross-posting beta feature.) Below are items recently added to my Amazon wish-list. If you are familiar with anything below and have any comments or alternate suggestions, please leave a reply. <a href=http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/registry.html/?ie=UTF8&tag=multiply-20&type=wishlist&id=3O5JLDN1NURQG>Click here</a> to see my full and current wish-list. <hr style='display: none; width: 400px;'><a href='http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=B000286RKW%26tag=multiply-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/B000286RKW%253FSubscriptionId=1J3HCRRRA7MPKB447482%2526coliid=IAFAWIFBLYDFQ%2526colid=3O5JLDN1NURQG'><img style='padding-right: 8px;' src='http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/B000286RKW.01._SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg' height='105' width='81' border=0></a><big><a href='http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=B000286RKW%26tag=multiply-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/B000286RKW%253FSubscriptionId=1J3HCRRRA7MPKB447482%2526coliid=IAFAWIFBLYDFQ%2526colid=3O5JLDN1NURQG'>Goodfellas (Two-Disc Special Edition)</a></big> Manufacturer: Warner Home Video Price: $11.48 <a class=select href=http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=B000286RKW%26tag=multiply-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/B000286RKW%253FSubscriptionId=1J3HCRRRA7MPKB447482%2526coliid=IAFAWIFBLYDFQ%2526colid=3O5JLDN1NURQG>Learn More</a><hr style='display: none; width: 400px;'><a href='http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=0316010669%26tag=multiply-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/0316010669%253FSubscriptionId=1J3HCRRRA7MPKB447482%2526coliid=I2UMY3LOT3DUIQ%2526colid=3O5JLDN1NURQG'><img style='padding-right: 8px;' src='http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/0316010669.01._SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg' height='120' width='80' border=0></a><big><a href='http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=0316010669%26tag=multiply-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/0316010669%253FSubscriptionId=1J3HCRRRA7MPKB447482%2526coliid=I2UMY3LOT3DUIQ%2526colid=3O5JLDN1NURQG'>Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking</a></big> Manufacturer: Back Bay Books Price: $10.07 <a class=select href=http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html%3FASIN=0316010669%26tag=multiply-20%26lcode=xm2%26cID=2025%26ccmID=165953%26location=/o/ASIN/0316010669%253FSubscriptionId=1J3HCRRRA7MPKB447482%2526coliid=I2UMY3LOT3DUIQ%2526colid=3O5JLDN1NURQG>Learn More</a> http://michaelg.multiply.com/journal/item/62/2_New_Items_on_My_Amazon_Wish-list Thu, 8 Mar 2007 00:07:15 -0000 Multiply management team circa 1988 Found some old fraternity composites when doing some unpacking a couple weekends ago. (Yup, still unpacking from my move 2 years ago.) Figured I just had to scan and post these. These pictures are as old as we were in http://michaelg.multiply.com/photos/album/64/Multiply_management_team_circa_1988 Thu, 18 Jan 2007 22:26:13 -0000 RealNetworks' Rhapsody music service beats Apple's iPhone This article describes why I'm personally not excited about the iPhone, despite how awesome it sounds. While the iPhone may be the phone of the future, to the degree that it is a music player, it is based on the ideas of the past. Rhapsody, not iTunes, in my opinion, is the future of music. RealNetworks is way ahead of Apple in navigating the complexities of licensing and software for a streaming music service. Maybe the two companies will somehow get together. Until they do, or Apple otherwise gets the music subscription religion, the iPhone won't be what it should be. Also, an interesting NY Times article that pretty much slams all copy-protection. <a href=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/14/business/yourmoney/14digi.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1>Want an iPhone? Beware the iHandcuffs</a> IN the long view, Mr. Goldberg said he believes that today’s copy-protection battles will prove short-lived. Eventually, perhaps in 5 or 10 years, he predicts, all portable players will have wireless broadband capability and will provide direct access, anytime, anywhere, to every so... http://michaelg.multiply.com/links/item/11/RealNetworks_Rhapsody_music_service_beats_Apples_iPhone Wed, 17 Jan 2007 21:31:04 -0000 The Camel Club Back in March I wrote that Baldacci's Split Second was <a href=http://michaelg.multiply.com/reviews/item/31>"extremely disappointing"</a>. With The Camel Club, Baldacci redeemed himself...or at least remains on my author-I-read list. A cast of diverse, rich characters make this story about the prevention of a high-level government conspiracy leading to nuclear disaster very entertaining. It's one of those books where you'd like to see a movie made just to see how the characters are all cast. The pace was quick through-out. I took a star off for a couple incredulous plot-twists. <a href=http://www.amazon.com/Camel-Club-David-Baldacci/dp/0446615625/sr=8-2/qid=1167864365/ref=pd_bbs_2/105-1175674-1394862?ie=UTF8&s=books&tag=multiply-20><img src=http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/10860000/10866381.gif></a> http://michaelg.multiply.com/reviews/item/40 Wed, 3 Jan 2007 22:59:32 -0000 5 things you may not know about me <a href="../photos/hi-res/upload/RYmDMAoKCq4AAHQ7FTg1"></a>Peter first posted 5 things about himself.<a href="/photos/hi-res/upload/RYmDRwoKCq4AAHheG3g1"> </a><a href="http://pez.multiply.com/journal/item/152">Click here to read why</a>. Dozens followed suit. <a href="http://multiply.com/mail/tags/tag/5things">Click here if you don't believe me.</a> Since all the cool people are doing it, below are mine. After you read this, don't be lame. Add yours too. (Be sure to include tag '5things') 1. For 4 weeks, I was a home-run hitter. I played little league from about 8 to 14 years old. While I could always put the bat on the ball I never had what one would consider 'pop'. One summer, when 12 or 13, I went to a baseball day camp for 4 weeks. The mornings were instruction. Each afternoon was a game. Chosen to bat lead-off, I hit a home-run, the first of my life, in the first at-bat of the first game. A double in my next at-bat. I was moved to clean-up for the next game...and I hit another home-run. While that torrid pace didn't keep up, I did bang out a few more over the next few weeks to lead the camp/league in home-runs. I never hit another home-run the rest of my life (li... http://michaelg.multiply.com/journal/item/57/5_things_you_may_not_know_about_me Wed, 20 Dec 2006 18:33:00 -0000