Russell Davies

depot fun

The depot was as fun as predicted. Though Arthur wouldn't come with me. Maybe he's growing out of it.

There was a fantastic selection of old tube maps. These pre-Harry Beck models actually feel like they might be more useful than the his abstracted version. Jack pointed out, later in the day, that visitors and residents have different requirements from the tube map. If you live in London you often need to know where the stations actually, geographically are - not just how to get to them. I wondered if you could create an Open Source tube map with layers that would allow you to print only the specific bits you wanted.

One of the best things about their sprawling collection is the specificity of everything. The underground clearly had to produce many of its own components, they couldn't get much 'off the shelf'. And clearly, once they'd made something, they were reluctant to throw it away.

The models were deeply appealing, blueprints for a future passed.

coming soon

I've recently felt the need to get my various bits of ToDo out of my little notebooks and TaskPaper and BackPack and into somewhere more conspicuous. Somewhere where it's more likely to confront me with its undoneness. This is the 'blog posts to write sometime' section.

home again

I went home to Derby yesterday, to do some talking to the Creative Industries Network. Very good fun. Met some nice people (either there or via email afterwards), people like Pixel Lab, Momiji and Rachel. And had more of a wander around town than I normally do.

This shop in the old market hall was the final demonstration for me that everything is everywhere. When there's a shop called Tokyo Otaku in Derby's Market Hall then geography and exoticism have finally disappeared.

There's also a huge new shopping centre there with an electronic guide. And what's missing in the shop categories? Music. No music stores. Time was you couldn't be a destination shopping place without a couple of music places. Not any more. Music's been replaced by mobile.

signs of the urban seasons - february

I'm struggling to find many signs of seasonal renewal in the city, though the umbrella corpses are getting more and more mangled. And starting to be accepted back into the tarmac, to be reborn in the autumn as young, fresh brollies.

abstract vending

watchification

Since Speechfication seems to be working and the BBC iPlayer is such a delight we thought we'd have a crack at Watchification. It's very much early days; most of the posts up there are tests, the copy in the sidebar is the same as the speechification copy and it's not been designed. But you can probably see what the idea of the thing is. And we'd love to hear from anyone who'd like to be a contributor. (Maybe you could email me - russell at russelldavies.com - if you're interested.)

Some things to note: the iPlayer won't work if you're outside the UK. That's not our fault. But we're sorry. iPlayer programmes exire 7 days after they're broadcast so if you see something you like the look of watch it quickly. (We're going to try and make a little timer or something that'll tell you how long before the programme expires, anyone want to help with that?)

get to the depot

Three years ago we had the best day out at the London Transport Museum depot open day. I just discovered via upcoming that it's coming round again. It's brilliant fun. Highly recommended.

things going on

Some stuff and things:

Dan's posted about wanting to find another writer for Innocent. Can you write good? Details here.

Mark's booked the Conway Hall for his geekyoto conference, it's going to be May 17th. Put the date in your diaries. I think it's going to be very good.

I'm doing a talky thing in Derby, my home town, on March 6th. I caused unnecessary pain for the organiser by being reluctant to commit to talk about anything in particular and refusing to reveal anything in my bio that might actually get people wanting to come. Consequently the title is a bit of a vague place-holder. The problems of the bio have recently been well-described, the problem of the non-commital talk title needs to be similarly examined.

Mark's pointed out the better version of The Double-Decker's titles - the one with the hand through the door and the Heath Robinson-y entrance mechanism. I always thing the best thing about Applied Minds is that they have a concealed entrance via a phone box. And I've always loved the fun 826 have with their stores - especially the new one - The Echo Park Time Travel Mart - with lots of lovely stuff done by Stefan. I think the Robot Milk's the best product.

Anyway...

lights out

I think it's only fair to mention that I've been past here a few times recently and it's been all dark. Very good. So either I was getting all worked over a couple of accidental leaving-the-lights on moments or the nudges from the good people of Aegis did the trick. Either way, hurrah. If you've any interest in energy conservation, real estate, public lighting and all related issues it's well worth having a look at the comments added by James. I'm certainly no expert, but it seems like sage and thoughtful stuff to me.

spllng

This handy guide was distributed at the conference today.

A couple of tips stuck out for me.

However I'm spending the evening working in my hotel room, while my syntax mangling and mispllling thngs. Cursez. I'lll nevr get to B a gud blgger.