American - The Bill Hicks Story

I just got this in the post. 

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Bill Hicks is one of the reasons I do what I do now. At school we would pass around a cassette tape with his name in thick black marker pen. He is the reason I started shouting at the TV.. questioning the news. The reason I went to Iraq to see for myself. He is the reason i started podcasting and joined the New Media Revolutionaries all those years ago.

In 1994 I heard about his death whilst traveling Europe and soon realised that he had an underground following the world over. This made me want to know more about the man, what he believed in and what he stood for.

All you could find at that time were tapes and remastered bootlegs. Until now.

I heard about this movie in an interview with Paul Thomas and Matt Harlock on BBC Radio6. It took me about 5 minutes to get online and order it.

I am writing this without having seen anything but the trailer (embedded below) and will place my review at the bottom this post soon. From what I have seen so far Paul and Matt have done an amazing job. With the combination of new footage, interviews with the family and creative photo animation mashups, I hope this film goes on to inspire a new generation of people who question the world around them.

You can follow the Paul and Matt on twitter at @BillHicks_movie

Here is the DVD on Amazon

..some final words from Bill...

"The world is like a ride in an amusement park, and when you choose to go on it you think it's real because that's how powerful our minds are. The ride goes up and down, around and around, it has thrills and chills, and it's very brightly colored, and it's very loud, and it's fun for a while. Many people have been on the ride a long time, and they begin to wonder, "Hey, is this real, or is this just a ride?" And other people have remembered, and they come back to us and say, "Hey, don't worry; don't be afraid, ever, because this is just a ride." And we...kill those people. "Shut him up! I've got a lot invested in this ride, shut him up! Look at my furrows of worry, look at my big bank account, and my family. This has to be real." It's just a ride. But we always kill the good guys who try and tell us that, you ever notice that? And let the demons run amok... But it doesn't matter, because it's just a ride. And we can change it any time we want. It's only a choice. No effort, no work, no job, no savings of money. Just a simple choice, right now, between fear and love. The eyes of fear want you to put bigger locks on your doors, buy guns, close yourself off. The eyes of love instead see all of us as one. Here's what we can do to change the world, right now, to a better ride. Take all that money we spend on weapons and defenses each year and instead spend it feeding and clothing and educating the poor of the world, which it would pay for many times over, not one human being excluded, and we could explore space, together, both inner and outer, forever, in peace. ~Bill Hicks

I'm @Documentally on Twitter
Filed under  //   bill hicks   dvd   review  
Posted October 1, 2010
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KeyCase iPad Folio Deluxe with Bluetooth Keyboard - Review

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I first heard about the KeyCase iPad Folio Deluxe with Bluetooth Keyboard on the @BritishMac podcast. Apart from being the longest named iPad accessory I have come across, I thought it looked pretty handy.

I found the @GearZap website and immediately got lost in the masses of iPad accessories.

I asked @Gearzap on twitter if they had a unit I could review and they kindly obliged.

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As soon as I threw a photo of the case online quite a few people commented "What's the point? You've turned the ipad into a laptop?"

I disagree. For a start I don't know of many 9.7" touch screen laptops running OSX. Especially that come with a detachable screen. (I am sure we will be swimming in them soon no doubt.)

After using the case for a few days now. I find myself in two minds as to whether this would be the way I would permanently use my iPad. That said it is a case and if you want to return to the slimmed down ipad for reading in bed etc that's easy enough.

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On the one hand it's cool to have a iPad case that holds a bluetooth keyboard but on the other hand the case does double the size of the iPad. It's a pleather case with magnetic closures. Sturdy and finished well but not the look (or price) of some of the leather cases I have seen.

Being able to switch between the iPad being a social object and a tool for working privately is probably the cases main feature.

Personally I don't do that much typing and I am not sure I would sacrifice the compact size of the iPad in order to have the handy keyboard always ready to go.

I guess whether you grab one of these is down to how much you type and how much you don't mind a 'squidgy' keyboard.

It certainly does remind me of my old Spectrum 48k and as I type this it also feels the same. Ahhh.. i can almost hear Manic Miner playing in the background.

I'll be honest, It was so easy to set up I haven't looked at the instructions till now and although typing with a rubber keyboard takes some getting used to, some of the listed power stats sound pretty impressive.

I was worried that having to power the keyboard separately would be an issue but for starters it's a micro USB connector (I have plenty) and it boasts 100 days of standby time and 90 solid hours of operational 'working' time.

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So for nearly £60 is it worth it?

If like me, you are from the 'Hunt & Poke School of typing' and are not really into banging out essays, then you may be happier getting by with the screen keyboard in order to stay slim-lined.

If you like rubber and you were planning to buy both a keyboard and a case then yes you may well find it handy and a worthy purchase.

You will need more of a quick type to get used to the keyboard though. Give it a few hundred words before you decide if rubber is for you.

Thanks to GearZap for sending me the case to review. They have a shed load of stuff on their site go take a look…

http://www.gearzap.com/ipad-accessories.html

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I'm @Documentally on Twitter
Filed under  //   iPad   review   tech  
Posted September 30, 2010
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Films of Colour at The Cowshed in Milton Keynes


A few photos I took last night of the band @FilmsOfColour as they played at a small festival called Hushabye Mountain at The Cowshed ran by @DaveCowshed.

Certainly a band you will be hearing a lot more of in the coming months.

(Kit used: Nikon D3 with a few f2.8 lenses)

I'm @Documentally on Twitter
Filed under  //   music   photography   photos   review  
Posted September 26, 2010
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Panasonic Lumix GH1 (Quick Test)

This is a small test with the Lumix GH1. It's a 'hybrid' camera I have only just bought, initially with the intention to videoblog with.

I know this may seem like a bit of overkill but as I normally take a pro SLR and a video camera out on assignments I was thinking that this may finally be the device that takes decent photos and video while at the same time is reasonably compact. By consolidating my kit I have fewer cables accessories and can travel lighter. there is no reason why with the additional microphone I cannot use the GH1 for pro audio, video and stills. As it records to an SD card I can pop that in the side of my mac and do away with a card reader too.

I am still getting me head around the AVCHD format. Files have to be imported and not simply dragged and dropped, but it is a sacrifice I am willing to take for the extra quality.

As well as being able to auto focus the Panasonic will of course record video at 1080p but in this test I wanted to have a quick look at what 720p 50 fps looks like at half speed (25fps).

The camera was set to intelligent auto (IA) and continuous auto focus.

Please keep in mind that this was filmed indoors, with little window light, in one take, using the internal microphone. I edited it in iMovie in about 5 minutes.

I'm @Documentally on Twitter
Filed under  //   apple   avchd   camera   gh1   lumix   panasonic   review   test   video   vlog   vlogging  
Posted January 8, 2010
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Samsung ST550 - Nearly a good camera

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When i first saw the TV add for the Samsung ST550 I thought it would be a top vlogging camera. It's duel screen would mean you could monitor the composition of your video as well as your photos.

(Here is a short clip from the camera that cut off as tha memory card was crap.)

I was wrong. The front facing screen although very cleverly hidden behind the plastic body and perfect for composing your cheesy self portraits in front of tourist attractions, for some strange reason is not activated during video recording. I figured it must be just 'off' as the default and could be turned on but no.. At least I think not. Neither me of the friendly shop assistant could find out how to turn the duel front facing screen whilst shooting video. This was pretty disapointing as as soon as I saw the camera I thought about it as a vloggers camera. I imagine this is a simple firmware upgrade that's needed so Samsung, if you are watching.. You really have missed a trick and I would have certainly considered your camera over the Canon Ixus 120is I eventually bought. Although saying that, your audio was nowhere near as good as the Ixus so if you get the chance, please sort that out as well. ;o)

So very nearly a great blogging tool. Hi-res photos and HD video in a device that has a front facing screen. It appears only half thought out. I am certain if the camera companies spoke to more of the users out there they'd sell more devices to corners of the market still waiting for someone to do it right. There were a few interesting features on the camera but I havn't gone into detail about these or the other things I didn't like I don't think any person that reads this blog would buy it anyway. As it stands the screen is more of a gimick for taking self portraits.

I'm @Documentally on Twitter
Filed under  //   camera   review   samsung   tech   video   vlogging  
Posted December 5, 2009
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Zoom Q3 (First Impressions)

After having a little play with the Zoom Q3 I give my first impressions and a little on what I hope for the Q4 or whatever it's successor will be called. Zoom are on twitter as @ZoomUK

I'm @Documentally on Twitter
Filed under  //   VloMo09   blogging   review   video   zoom q3  
Posted November 21, 2009
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Canon Ixus 120is

I have blogged about this camera on my main blog OurManInside.com

I though I'd better post something there as it has been seriously neglected since Posterous came along.

I'm @Documentally on Twitter
Filed under  //   canon   documentally   review   tech   video  
Posted November 15, 2009
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Petzl MYO RXP (First Look)

I just got hold of a Myo RXP from Petzl. Winter is setting in and living in the country means, like broadband, street lighting is not yet every where.   Some places I walk the dog are close to pitch black and where there are dogs, there's poo. I guess I needn't go any further.

This is the first Petzl head torch with programmable regulated lighting levels allowing you to customise up to ten levels of power into three lighting modes from 8 to 140 lumens. One setting for walking the dog (as low as possible, just enough for poo scanning) one for cycling in the woods (long beam reaching ahead) and one for nipping the back way to the local pub (diffused and wide for climbing fences and avoiding nettles).

The Petzl Myo RXP Features

  • Wide angle impact resistant polycarbonate lens
  • Operates on 3 alkaline or rechargabler AA/ LR6 batteries
  • It's compatible with lithium batteries
  • Water-resistant

The Petzl Myo RXP Specification (according to the website)

  • Regulated power levels gives constant lighting power and automatically switches to reserve power mode when batteries are almost discharged.
  • Three lighting levels can be chosen (choose from among ten levels between 8 to 140 lumens)
  • Choice of the order of activation of the three lighting modes
  • Flashing mode frequency can be programmed (slow, fast, SOS signal)
  • User-friendly programming in three steps, using the two buttons
  • High-output lighting:160 lumens (Boost mode), 8 to 140 lumens (programmable levels)
  • Shines up to 97 metres in Boost mode
  • Compatible with lithium batteries
  • Wide Angle lens allows to quickly switch from flood beam proximity lighting
    to focused long-distance lighting in a single movement
  • 95 h battery life with program level no.1
  • Lightweight: 175 g
  • Battery charge indicator light: warns when the batteries are 70 % and 90 %
    discharged
  • Switches are protected from accidental operation when light body is in upright
    position
  • Water resistant for all-weather use
  • Compact design
  • Adjustable elastic headband 
So, I'll give this a try and no doubt pop back to report on if it's any good or not.

(I will say I thought the packaging was over the top and dangerous. I would have been happy if the product cane in a rubber band. It's not like you need hardcore display packaging when purchasing of the net.)

I'm @Documentally on Twitter
Filed under  //   documentally   head   light   packaging   petzl   review   tech   torch   video  
Posted October 20, 2009
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Power for your mobile devices

I'm @Documentally on Twitter
Filed under  //   devices   documentally   power   review   tech   video  
Posted October 15, 2009
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