DRUPOD 

Matt Westgate and Jeff Robbins have started podcasting at Lullabot.com about Drupal (an open source php cms project). This is good, as was looking for more info on this project and now I can learn about it on my way to work, without having to read the docs and faqs alone.

Matt and Jeff are core developers and contributors to the Drupal project.

IS THIS IRRESPONSIBLE? 

I was just looking at Odeo, earlier and I noticed on their home page, the third link, which says: "Podcast to the world" with the strapline "Make shows that people can people can get with iTunes"

Now, I spend alot of time talking about podcasting and educating people I talk to about it. What you need. How it works, etc. I ask questions and see what their knowledge level is, and then attempt to fill in the gaps and set a few things straight.

A feature in most answers I get from people is the word 'iPod'. So many people out there believe they they must have an iPod to participate. Sure, there are a huge amount of iPods out there, but there are many other choices for MP3 players. And many of them are much more 'open' about getting content onto them. Non-proprietary. I've been 'consuming' mp3 players since the early Rio. The one that started it all. Sure iPods are 'sexy' little devices, but they are acting like mini-pocket Trojan horses for Apple, which release their 'mental virus' into your consciousness, convincing you that this is the only way to go. With Apple.

These consumers are then forced to the iTunes lockin, without realising it, or being bothered about it. It's just the software the device uses. People install it, like they would a driver.

Some manufacturers, like Creative with their Zen players, have built software to act as the 'aggregator/funnel' and have started to create a directory so people can find content to play on their new toys. That's a good idea and who can blame them?

The point is, that line on Odeo's site makes me feel uncomfortable, and slightly angry, that they are pandering to the market leader, rather than representing the universal 'podosphere' and educating them openly. The only person who benefits here, is Steve Jobs. Not the consumers or producers. It's confusing people - and that's not right, in my book.

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BACK IN OLDE LONDON TOWNE 

It's good to be back home, but I'm really growing to like where I've been. It's a beautiful place. I've been in London for ALOT longer than I planned, when I arrived here about 12 years ago from the West Country in Somerset ("oooo arrr!") which is VERY beautiful. London isn't (on the whole - though it has it's 'spots').

FRIENDLINESS 

'Great Mad Uncle Fluffer' writes a good post here. It reminds me that I was drawn to Dave by his philosophical posts, not his work. An interesting, admirable mind.

A Karl Martino writes a great post here too.

I'm friendly to everyone (even complete strangers), unless or until they are unfriendly towards me. Being friendly to someone doesn't make you 'friends'. But that can evolve naturally over time, if you become further aquainted. Not always at all, by any means.

You soon find out who your true friends are, in times of need and crisis, that's for sure. They're supportive and caring. [Though that's not a requirement]. Friends are fun to be with. You have a laugh. You can say whatever you like and want to eachother. You can get away with it. You're buddies.

People say 'you can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family' which is true about the family bit, but who actually 'chooses' their friends? It just happens or it doesn't - or did and doesn't any more.

I would find it hard to trust someone who actually 'chooses' their friends.

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