Friends’ Webmarks

( Whose friends? )

Monday, 6 September 2010

Trailer Fodder

Not many anticipating ones out there, but if I were to pick a few from the current lot, it would be: 

UPS Figures Out the ‘Right Way’ to Save Money, Time and Gas

Ingenious thinking at work. Who knew a right turn would be the right way? Atleast on American roads I suppose.

Tuesday, 17 August 2010

Consumption: How Inspiration Killed, Then Ate, Creativity

As a creative collective the term “inspiration” has driven us to become lethargic to the realities, foundations, and intentions of our chosen craft. …

The reality is that it’s easier to be inspired than it is to create an original idea and we are hardwired to take the path of least resistance.

Applicable to any of todays fields.

Sal Khan at the Gel conference

When you understand something, that’s the highest high you can have.

Sal Khan founder of the Khan Academy,

…has a vision of teaching the entire world, for free. His not-for-profit Khan Academy has the mission of “providing a high quality education to anyone, anywhere.”

Highly inspiring cause and effort, implemented.

Sunday, 25 July 2010

The Sixty One

According to wikipedia:

thesixtyone (t61) is a streaming media website that uses collaborative filtering to organize, promote, and sell music uploaded by artists, many of whom are independent musicians. The site was founded by James Miao and Samuel Hsiung and received early investment from Paul Graham. It was released in alpha form January 2008 and received additional funding from Creative Commons CEO Joi Ito and Reid Hoffman, founder of LinkedIn.

Their wiki has some more info on how they play their music. It’s a nice place for nice Indie music. It appears to be a broader playing field than the current muxtape, to find new music and to get to know the artists. You just have to keep looking. (Via Shikha)

Friday, 9 July 2010

Super Mario Bros.

This game gave pixel art new levels of fun. This, accompanied with its nostalgia-sweeping music, had me smiling for 7 minutes today.

(via Prateek)

Friday, 2 July 2010

The Big Web Show

The Big Web Show features special guests and topics like web publishing, art direction, content strategy, typography, web technology, and more. It’s everything web that matters.

If you like love The Pipeline hosted by Dan Benjamin, The Big Web Show co-hosted by Jeffery Zeldman might just fulfil the itch to get more. This, coming from someone who’s mostly a consumer of the web. So anyone working or interested in the intricacies of the web is surely going to appreciate it largely. And if you can catch a live show before the editing, it can only add to the fun.

Leaving Home - The Life and Music of Indian Ocean

It’s difficult to do this documentary justice in a couple of lines.

I can only strongly recommend this to all music lovers, and especially for Indian music enthusiasts. But it’s not restricted to only them. It’s a first of its kind, made on Indian soil, and more reason to patronise such works of art and music. It offers a real perspective on the difficulties of a budding band in India, since the 1990s. The members share their philosophy and ethics in forming their band and in the music they choose to play, building upon their innate passion for music and for making a difference through it for the community. Exceptionally moving. It’ll never be the same again.

[If you like to patronise such independent movies/documentaries, Dingora could only be of help. It surely is my kind of movie community, and enjoyed the straightforward and simple experience it offered. But mild warning, it requires using Microsofts Silverlight player to view movies.]

Friday, 28 May 2010

Alaipayuthey vs. Saathiya

This post is about spotting the difference between the original Alaipayuthey vs. Saathiya, using the song ‘Mangalyam’ as the case study. Thanks to Rakesh for showcasing both the clips.

Now after you watch both clips, notice the cinematography, direction, editing and acting:

It must be difficult reworking a masterpiece. Both deserve their respective credits. But if you choose to have a better viewing moving experience, do give Alaipayuthey a chance and do it the justice it deserves.

Saturday, 15 May 2010

Mémoires

It’s perfect. Just what I was looking for, but better.

Life In Perpetual Beta

Life in Perpetual Beta is a documentary film about the ways in which technology has/is/will change the ways in which we think about ourselves as individuals and a society. It is exploring the cultural shift that technology creates as it enables people to live less planned and more passionate lives.

I found this topic quite intriguing. The concept of living in the moment and making changes as you discover a passion for something; and breaking the norm of a planned and goal oriented culture. I’d say that’s interesting. Curious to know how these different personalities would approach such a notion. Now to hope that spring arrives soon.

Saturday, 8 May 2010

Helvetireader

A minimal, anti-social theme for Google Reader

Having incorporated this stylesheet, it could easily be replacing my primary feed reader app.

Sunday, 11 April 2010

Entre les murs (The Class) (2008)

This is not just another one of those classroom-teacher-changing-student dramas that we’re used to from Hollywood. This one involves the similar student, parent, faculty, system involvement, but without all the faff. It holds true ground as an European movie. The direction is impeccable. The details are maintained throughout, keeping the emotions and reactions as real as possible for a movie. There are times when the frustrations between a teacher and the students will make you want to take a break away from it for a while, but that’s exactly what the movie aims to get at, and it does that to perfection.

You either like these kind of movies or you don’t. If you’re one of those who thinks they might like it, you have my recommendation.

Thursday, 4 February 2010

Iglooo | Compare Book Prices in India

Iglooo was inspired by Mr. Jaswant Singh’s controversial new book - rather an attempt to buy it online at the best possible price. Having spent a reasonable amount of time store hopping and comparing pries, we figured there should be a better way.

A much needed idea, implemented with a nice minimalist interface.

Friday, 29 January 2010

Full movies on Youtube.

Isn’t this awesome. Hope they keep adding on to it.

Paying Zero for Public Services

Fighting corruption with 0-money. That’s a nice new concept.

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