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Trent Reznor/NIN does not give up.

They just released another free album, entitled “The Slip.”

You can download it over here: http://theslip.nin.com/, for free.

One of the most interesting things, is the mainstream use of BitTorrent as a distribution method (for all but the MP3 version). We really are entering into uncharted waters, both with distribution and revenue models. Despite other artists doing similar things, we’re seeing lots of permutations on the “free music” model lately.

Why all this legitimate free music all of a sudden, though? Do the concerts really make the artists that much money? Or, is it all just a fad (like Radiohead reported earlier this month? I really hope not. The retail store is on its way out of the music selling business – unless we start seeing digital kiosks real soon.

I hope that artists learn to make this digital world work for them, by charging for high quality versions and letting the fans decide what it’s worth. NIN isn’t accepting any money for “The Slip.” If I wanted to give them money, I couldn’t. That’s unfortunate.

I’m counting on mankind and music lovers around the world to be honest with themselves and the artists they like to hear. Call me an optimist. So, instead of buying another beer next weekend, and murdering your liver, go download GHOSTS I-IV, and pay for it, it’s worth it. Even if it is a wild foray into a very unique genre.

Update: I really am enjoying this album, almost as much as the previous instrumental album, GHOSTS I-IV.

Wordpress 2.5 is out! It’s one of the most significant releases to date, in my opinion.

The nightly releases have made it significantly easier for me to blog. Thanks Automattic and everyone (which is a ton of people, including one line of code from myself) who contributed!

And, on top of being just plain awesome, one of my favorite design studios ever, Happy Cog, (who redesigned the admin section of the app) did a killer job with the interface design.

Profane band name, Fuck Buttons, has a great experimental electronic album out entitled Street Horrsing. A sweet 6 song spinner, with most tracks striking the 10 minute mark.

SXSWi (South by Southwest Interactive, for my Mom). There were 9 million 7,500 people, and I was one of them. I was the one that looked half his actual age.

Some notes:

• With all the commotion, I found it frustratingly hard to meet my web heroes. However, I did manage to squeeze some face time in with some new and old friends. I also, found it irritatingly bizzarre at how celebrity-like the whole web game is getting. The line between intrepreneur [sic] and dedicated interactive designer/developer became blurred. Maybe, it was the invention of Valleywag? (I just want a little RESPECT!)
• Overall, I think it was worth going, despite not getting to see some of my best pals. I’m hoping this will spark a better way to connect next year? Twitter is so popular, and the usage was explosive, but was it the best way to gather friends? Maybe so. But I think we could do better, especially with that shiny new iPhone SDK.
• I picked up a “Brain Machine” (PDF Link) at the MAKE magazine booth, while I was there. In it, a kit with some swanky infopr0n and a kit to make a brain machine.
• At SXSW, I broke my YEAR long dedication to being vegetarian by eating a Cheeseburger. Then promptly being ill for the next day afterwards.
• Naz made the most kick-ass infographic I’ve seen since Khoi’s daily activity graph at An Event Apart in 2006.

 

It’s not that I haven’t been open about it before. But I am a bit hesitant of letting people know I’m still a comic book geek.For years I’ve been amazed at the comic’s ability to indicate vast changes in story with the use of mesmerizing layout and simple design elements. 

Applying this to a web page has already been discussed. It’s good to know there are other Comic Geeks among us. 

I was out of the swing for a little while, but now I’ve gotten back into the comics a bit.

I think this spread from “Ultimates 3″ from Marvel is just awesome. This book is just amazing.

Last Tuesday, my girlfriend and I went to see Joshua Radin and Schuyler Fisk at The Ark in Ann Arbor.

It was truly amazing. Hearing them live was so powerful. They talked about their songs too, which made it even more gratifying and intimate. If you ever have the chance to see either of them, do it, it will be a show you’ll never forget.

The best part of the night was getting to speak with Josh and Schuyler, who were both just so radiant and happy to meet their fans. And, I got to tell them how much their music has helped me, especially this past year, and that they really have made a difference in my life. This past year has been a crazy one, especially with my Dysautonomia, and their music really has touched me.

Oh, and if you ever read this Schuyler, I have to admit, I’ve got a crush on you. :)

I saw Madeleine Peyroux in concert at the Michigan Theater last Monday. She’s oh so talented, and really wonderful in concert.

I’ve got her first two (major) albums: Careless Love and Half the Perfect World. If you like Jazz just a little bit you’ll probably love Madeleine.

I just got my SimpleBits Tee. It’s super!

PackRat lets you use your Backpack data when you can’t be on the ‘net. I use it all the time, it’s great.