Articles by Michael Anderson

Ingrid Laubrock Anti-House Strong Place Review

OK, so I am a sucker for any new release featuring guitarist Mary Halvorson. Already a fan of Ingrid Laubrock from 2012’s Camino Cielo Echo from the Tom Rainey trio (yes, also with Mary Halvorson), this was an instant-buy for me. And while the band members were all familiar to me, this was clearly Laubrock’s effort, featuring her compositions and arrangements and a tremendous sense of personal style. So let’s take a look at Ingrid Laubrock Anti-House ‘Strong Place’: Musical Genre: Avant Garde Jazz Where to buy: iTunes Music Store Artist: Ingrid Laubrock Anti-House Description: Ingrid Laubrock Anti-House is an ensemble led…

Health and Fitness

Losing Weight Will Make Me Run Faster – The Monday Mile

Despite running for about 24 years now, it is only in the last year that I have become a ‘RUNNER’. And in doing so I have discovered the nearly obsessive relationship between runners and their weight. Because I was losing weight at the time, I had concerns about running and eating to prepare for half- and full-marathons while losing weight. Searches turned up loads of resources that basically said the same thing – Losing Weight Will Make Me Run Faster. You don’t have to go too far to find these articles – look here, here, here, here, or here. And these…

Game Diary, Reviews

Neverwinter Nights 2 Mysteries of Westgate – a Retro Romp Review

Type of app: RPG adventure pack Platform/where to buy: PC; available at GoG.com Developer: Ossian Studios (full game published by Atari) Just over a year ago I looked at the Mac App Store release of Neverwinter Nights 2, which included only the core game without expansions. And while we still don’t have the expansions for the Mac, recently fans of the game got an unexpected treat – a DRM-free release of NWN2 Complete on GoG.com! Included in this is the single official third-party ‘adventure pack’ for the game, Neverwinter Nights 2 ‘Mysteries of Westgate’ from Ossian Studios. To celebrate the…

Music Diary, Reviews

iLectric Piano Review – Get Classic Electric Keyboards

It doesn’t take an astute listener to realize that ‘retro is in’. At the recent NAMM show, we saw names such as Korg, Moog and Prophet right out of the late 70s, and all of them were producing analog synths. But before the synth became the keyboard mainstay, loads of classic recordings were made with funky Fender Rhodes and swirling Wurlitzer electric pianos. Now IK Multimedia allows you to get classic electric keyboards with iLectric. Let’s take a look! Type of app: Audio app Platform/where to buy: iPad; available in the App Store Developer: IK Multimedia Description: iLectric Piano offers…

Editorials

Is Nokia Dumping Samsung for Copying Their Technology?

I have been critical or at least suspicious of Samsung for many years for simple reasons: I find that they employ an ‘end justifies the means’ mentality, paired with a ‘fast follower’ technical approach, that allows them to overtake competitors with solid products that too-closely resemble the competition. Micron was the leading memory company in the world until they fell victim of Samsung, Apple is parting ways with Samsung after a few years of bitter lawsuits over technology copying, and now AppleInsider poses the question “Is Nokia dumping Samsung for copying their technology?” in their post Nokia rumored to join…

Game Diary

GoG.com Brings Greatest Shooter-RPG System Shock 2 Back!

Today we get great news with the announcement that GoG.com brings greatest shooter-RPG System Shock 2 back, and that it is playable on modern PCs! Many younger gamers know System Shock 2 as the ‘sprititual inspiration’ for the Bioshock games, but System Shock 2 does so much more. It is a masterpiece of writing, gameplay, timing, environment, design, music and more. What makes System Shock 2 such a milestone in gaming is the way it advances the entire state of gaming. You can play as one of three characters – the psionic power-wielding agent, the master hacker naval officer, and…

Music Diary, News & Features

iTunes Music Store Has Sold 25 Billion Songs in 10 Years

The thought that the iTunes Music Store Has Sold 25 Billion Songs in 10 Years is stunning. For many it is hard to remember the music industry landscape as iTunes started selling music a decade ago. The CD had peaked in popularity at the start of the new millennium, topping off an amazing decade of music sales. Yet the decade closed and broadband speeds became more pervasive, it seemed that ‘file sharing’ sites such as Napster and Limewire were going to completely devalue music by making downloading as easy as doing an AltaVista search. But in April of 2003 Steve…

Music Diary, Reviews

Fleetwood Mac Rumours 35th Anniversary Edition Review

When it comes to the iconic albums of the 1970s, people think of names like Pink Floyd, Stevie Wonder, Kraftwerk, and more. But in the late 70s, there was one album that was everywhere to the point that it seemed like a greatest hits collection: the legendary Rumours by Fleetwood Mac. With estimated sales of more than 40 million copies, Rumours is on the top 10 all-time best-selling album list … but unlike many other top-selling 70s albums, it is still a great collection of songs. For the 35th anniversary, the band has released a few new versions including remastered…

Health and Fitness, Outdoors

Hypothermia Warning Signs – The Monday Mile

Over the last week I have heard a few stories about runners getting into a bit of trouble with the elements, and reflecting on how hard it is to interpret hypothermia warning signs … when you are the one who has gotten into trouble. One veteran runner had a ‘stomach emergency’ mid-run which led to too much exposure, and the inability to get warm. Fortunately there was a nearby gym where he stopped and called his wife to collect him. He noticed that he had a hard time operating his phone, and while driving home she remarked that the scary…

Editorials, Outdoors

Smartphone Cameras Change Everything: Winter Storm Nemo vs Blizzard of ’78

This week marked the 35th anniversary of the Blizzard of ’78, and as a result we have seen some of the iconic images from that storm on web sites and social media. I have a few pictures that I’ll share here. The other day it was snowing – pretty snow floating to the ground and coating everything. I snapped a picture with my smartphone camera that went to our photo stream, and my wife saw it and remarked that it was a pretty shot … and that is likely the only attention it will ever get. And as snow started…

Editorials

USPS Saturday Service Cut: The Revolution Will Not Be Sitting in Your Saturday Mailbox

For as long as anyone alive can remember, the mail has come on Saturday. Since 1863 the mail service has offered delivery six days a week, through rain, snow, sleet or hail! Well, that last bit has softened, and we have already missed one day this winter since our local carrier couldn’t get into our neighborhood safely. But in the same way the post office itself is open on Saturday to get out letters or mail back those Netflix DVDs, delivery came on the weekend which gave you a chance to grab a movie from Netflix or a game from…

Game Diary, Reviews

Totem Tribe Gold for Mac Review

Type of app: Real-time Strategy (RTS) game Platform/where to buy: Mac (Also for iPad and iPhone.); available in the Mac App Store Developer: Enkord / G5 Entertainment Description: In this game you are trying to help Aruku, a chief of the Hawk tribe, restore peace and lead her tribe to a better future. Features: ? 32 Locations ? 22 Quests and mini-games ? 20 artifacts to locate and preserve ? Real-time strategy and adventure game ? Game Center Support Major features: Totem Tribe Gold is actually a bulked up version of a casual PC game released back in 2009. The…

Game Diary, Reviews

Inbetween Land HD for iPad Review

Type of app: Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure (HOPA) game Platform/where to buy: iPad, (iPhone version here); available in the iTunes App Store Developer: Specialbit Studio / G5 Entertainment Description: • 52 Fascinating locations to explore • 19 Thought-provoking mini games • 3 Game modes: Casual, Normal, Expert • 4 Engaging comics • Out-of-this-world storyline Major features: I have to admit to not being the hugest fan of Inbetween Land for the Mac. It wasn’t a bad game by any stretch, nor were there any technical issues, it was just a game that didn’t ‘grab me’ unlike so many other G5…

Music Diary, Reviews

Top 10 Jazz Albums of 2012 and More – a Music Diary Feature

It is finally time for my Top 10 Jazz Albums of 2012! The end of each year we get bombarded by ‘top 10’ lists for just about everything, but for me it is too soon. Personally, I like to be sure all releases are out, and take some time over the holidays to reflect and re-listen to stuff I loved — or thought I loved — or perhaps barely touched all year long. Last year this resulted in a late February ‘Baker’s Dozen’ best of list where I spent too much time on stuff NOT on the list and never…

Gear Bits, Health and Fitness

Workout Indoors with BodyWeight Exercises – The Monday Mile

Last week I had a day where I planned to go out for a run, but the conditions were too icy, so I was home after about 2.5 miles to avoid possible injury. I already had myself warmed up and wanted to get in a workout, so I did the next best thing – an indoor bodyweight workout! Within a half-hour I had done a great workout that had me dripping with sweat and exhausted – and no equipment required! After years of everyone thinking you needed some expensive equipment to get a decent workout, folks are starting to realize…

Editorials

The Image That Helped NewEgg Crush a Patent Troll

The idea of a ‘patent troll’ has gotten taken way out of context in the past few years, with the Apple-Samsung cases being used by some to state that Apple is a patent troll. But while it could be debated that some of their patents are overly vague, or that they are over-zealous at prosecuting others, they are anything BUT a patent troll – because the patents in question were created based on an actual product that THEY made! A patent troll is someone who doesn’t really create anything, but instead files patents against holes in existing IP where new…

Game Diary, Gear Bits, News & Features

Get Ready for the Next Chapter with the Star Trek Into Darkness App for iOS or Android

Are you excited for the Star Trek: Into Darkness film opening on May 17th of this year? The teaser trailers have been intriguing and suggested an intensity beyond what the first ‘reboot’ showed us a few years ago. To help fans get ready, a new app for the movie is available for iOS or Android, boasting interactivity with content and a constant release of new material as the movie gets closer to release. In fact, the first ‘surprise’ will unlock during the second quarter of the ‘big game’ (since they can’t say Super Bowl) on Sunday February 3rd. Here are…

Gear Bits

Everything You Need to Know About Electrostatic Discharge in One Funny Video

Having worked with electronics through instruments companies or the semiconductor industry most of my professional career, I am keenly aware of the potential impact of a minor static shock on electronics. Static is more technically called ‘electrostatic discharge’ or ESD. From my very first job I was introduced to the concept of grounding straps, anti-stat mats, and on and on. For a great reference on the topic, check out this old magazine article on the impact of ESD on electronics. When I was learning, there were documents on the impact that talked about the technical impacts of how current and…

Game Diary, Reviews

Art Mogul HD for iPad Review

Type of app: Hidden Object Puzzle Adventure (HOPA) game Platform/where to buy: iPad (iPhone version here); available in the App Store Developer: Funzai! / G5 Entertainment Description: Art Mogul has loads of content, including: • 430 Pictures worth a thousand words • 21 Hidden object scenes • 7 Exciting cities to visit: San-Francisco, New York, London, Paris, Saint-Petersburg, Shanghai, and Tokyo • 40 Achievements to earn • 3 Art Museums to buy Major features: Art Mogul puts you in the role of an art collector seeking to maximize your collection and your profits, traveling the world visiting galleries; getting the…

Health and Fitness

Super Bowl Snackin’ – Plenty of Healthy Choices or Guilty Indulgences

Even though my family aren’t huge football fans (and lost our reason to care about the game itself two weeks ago), we enjoy using the Super Bowl as an excuse to have an ‘appetizer fest’. Our spread runs the gamut from fresh veggies to Buffalo wings with everything in between – so there are opportunities for healthy choices and decidedly UNhealthy choices. At the top we have a ‘one serving’ image of chips and seven-layer dip, which is part of the latest ‘This Is One Serving’ series from Greatist looking at Super Bowl snacks. Those guides are always an eye-opening…

Music Diary, News & Features, Reviews

Joe Lovano Us Five ‘Cross Culture’ Music Review

I have a huge library of jazz music stretching back nearly a century, and including representation from nearly every major (and most minor) figures of the art form. But like any other genre fan, there are artists I am ‘supposed’ to like that I have never connected with. I am also a rock music fan since my childhood, but never connected with much of the Rolling Stones (except for a few years in the late 60s) and Led Zepplin. In terms of recent jazz history, two leading instrumentalists are Joe Lovano and Brad Mehldau – and I have never really…

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