Technology News

Technology

From Weekend Warrior to $4.2m by Giving His Music Away for Free

Source: HypeBot
January 31, 2009

This guest post by Floor 64 CEO Mike Mesniak, an insightful fellow who I had the pleasure of spending a bit of time with at Midemnet, first appeared on TechDirt.

Here's yet another one for the books to respond to those who claim that music giveaways only work for “big" artists. Corey Smith was a high school teacher, doing weekend music gigs. Then, apparently, his manager had a revelation and started giving all of his music away for free: and ...

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Technology

From Analog Dollars to Digital Dimes and Back

Source: HypeBot
January 30, 2009

NBC Universal CEO Jeff Zucker recently lamented that the entertainment industry has exchanged “analog dollars for digital dimes". Five years ago we sold as many CD's as possible for $15. Now the music industry hopes that a few consumers will give them 99 cents...or less.

But exceptions are beginning to emerge from a new musical middle class. Trent Reznor collected well over $1 million within days of a self-release by offering Nine Inch Nails fans everything from a $5 download ...

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Technology

Where Your Favorite Actress Could End up Next: Youtube

Source: Michael Ricci
January 30, 2009

Hollywood talent agency William Morris is in talks for a deal that would funnel the talent agency's clients into videos created for the Internet giant.

Hollywood talent agencies pride themselves on placing their star clients into the biggest movies and TV shows.

Now, add YouTube to the list.

William Morris Agency, one of the largest talent firms, is in talks for a deal that would funnel its clients -- both actors and consumer brands -- into videos created for the ...

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Technology

How Does the Economic Stimulus Plan Affect Tech?

Source: PC Magazine
January 30, 2009

The economic stimulus package has dominated nightly newscasts and newspaper headlines this week, and while Democrats and Republicans are still undecided over whether the bill is unnecessary or just the type of boost our economy needs, the stimulus does include some serious cash for tech-related projects. The House approved the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan this week, and a Senate version of the bill is currently floating through Congress. There are some differences in the way the money is allocated, ...

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Technology

Maximizing Your Music Experience (Part Three)

Source: HypeBot
January 29, 2009

In the final part of his three part essay, our resident music industry philosopher Kyle Bylin makes his conclusions about why the digital natives are different from the previous generations and defines the four trends that separate them. (Read Parts One and Two.) New Music

With the ability to maximize almost every aspect of our music experience, the problems created are both the unrealistic expectations we set for how good music should be and how happy it should ...

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Technology

Is Your ISP Throttling Bandwidth? Google Will Know

Source: PC Magazine
January 29, 2009

Is your ISP throttling your Internet connection or is it just time to get a new computer? How much bandwidth are you actually using? Are you getting the Internet speeds promised by your provider? These may seem like basic questions, but they are not easily answered. At the root of last year's Comcast network management debacle was whether or not the cable provider was blocking access to file-sharing Web sites. Comcast said no, the Federal Communications Commission said yes, but ...

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Technology

Maximizing Your Music Experience (Part Two)

Source: HypeBot
January 28, 2009

In part two of his three part essay, our resident music industry philosopher Kyle Bylin continues his exploration of the differences between digital natives and the previous generations. (Read Part One) In his book The Paradox of Choice, Barry Schwartz explains, “We all know people who do their choosing quickly and decisively and people for whom almost every decision is a major project." Therefore, we've all known someone from recent generations that have displayed tendency to ...

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Technology

Muxtape Inches Back to Life

Source: HypeBot
January 28, 2009

The major labels forced it out of business by not playing nice, but the once mighty Muxtape appears to be inching back to life with a more narrow an decidedly indie focus. From the front page:

Welcome to a preview of the new Muxtape, a minimalist platform for bands to promote their music and listeners to create mixes. We've invited 12 of our favorite artists to help test, and in the coming weeks we'll begin allowing bands to sign up ...

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