RobiNZ Personal Blog

Me, the Fairlight CMI, Thomas Dolby and back to the Murrumbidgee River?

(Way) Back in the 80s I used to buy an Aussie technology magazine “Omni”, correction it was “Omega Science Digest”!. One issue had a card you could send off (with a few au$) to get the demo cassette for a remarkable new electronic instrument. Yes, that there was an analogue demo cassette for a digital instrument gives an idea of how long ago that was! It had a bunch of different tracks, samples etc. all created with the Fairlight Computer Musical Instrument but one (complete unlike the others) was the most memorable. I found Claude Larson’s Murrumbidgee River on YouTube... Read more →

NZ Herald a bit early with “Windows App”?

I saw this on the NZ Herald website tonight and wondered: A “Windows App”, aren’t they coming with Windows 8? Clicking it took me through to a “Download the NZ Herald Windows App” page with link to Windows Phone Marketplace. So why not call it a Windows Phone App? . Read more →

Preservation Hall, Kiva and memories

Charlotte’s post from the Kiva Fellows Blog reminded me of a great evening spent at Preservation Hall (back in 2007). It was also a great excuse to use my favourite, even though out of focus & blurry, photo which best captured the atmosphere. Preservation Hall - fellowsblog.kiva.org A few nights ago I saw the Survivors Brass Band at Preservation Hall with Kiva CEO, Matt Flannery and Jonas Miller from Good Work Network… (Charlotte is a Kiva Fellow in KF-16, the 16th Kiva Fellows Class, with ASI Federal Credit Union and is now living in New Orleans. Charlotte has lived in... Read more →

Traffic Light Thought - Has Mr Mito traded up?

A previous Traffic Light Thought told how I often see a, quite rare, red Alfa Romeo Mito (below) heading, against the normal flow, west on my morning commute. Today I’m pretty sure I saw Mr Mito in a lovely red Alfa Romeo Giulietta (right). Was it a dealer loan while the Mito is being serviced* or has Mr Mito traded up? * I predict comments about Alfa reliability… Read more →