Student: (Mark Butler - 09006121)
Chosen blog: (Subcycle Labs - http://www.bannister-design.nu/blog/)
Chosen post: (Multi-touch the sound storm)


The blog that I have chosen is that of Christian Bannister who juggles an amalgamated career of a musician and a developer and designer. Christians’ main topics are of his interactive digital instrument/ synthesizer which is still in its developmental stages. The device uses a touch screen as the main input device and the user uses their hands to manipulate the onscreen medium. The date that he began his project is unclear as his first post seems to be made several steps into the completion of the project but what is clear is that it could have great potential.

Currently there are only four posts made on his blog that give updates to the digital instrument which span three months from August to September. Each of these posts contains info about the digital instruments including video examples and pictures of it in motion. Of course the target audience is the digital music fans, of any age, who want a follow-up to the progression of the digital instrument and are interested in the interactive video – music hybrid. The posts themselves would mean little to the unfamiliar fan of the technology but there is plenty for anyone who has a basic understanding of music. At regular intervals, Christian does explain some of his “techno babble” for the average reader.

The majority of the comments are positive and supportive of the author. The 30+ comments consist of the views of the audience and the author/admin. The interaction of Christian to the comments are few and far between but he does vow to have a news feed available in the coming weeks.

The overall design of the blog is a simple two column layout with the usual links to one side approach. The posts appear in their entirety, minus the comments. Each post has examples of the digital instrument in use or the graphics. The videos that are used show the device in its early stages of development but show a great deal of user interaction from Christian and new upgrades from previous video posts. In the end, the blog gives an insight into a possible new technology in the digital media area and leaves most readers waiting for the latest instalment from Christian, but judging by the frequency of the posts… they might be waiting a bit longer.




My favourite comment is by Sasze on the “Touch Loop Navigator” blog because his comment, along with many others, shows that people are indeed interested in this technology. It gives an insight as to what people think of this merger of music and electronics. The comment also shows that there very well could be a market for the interactive device.


My posted comments: (Waiting to be authorised)
Subcycle Labs
http://www.bannister-design.nu/blog/?p=107
Pat Phelan
http://patphelan.net/how-to-twitter-no-charge/#comment-513229
Bobby Badfingerz
http://dj808.blogspot.com/2009/08/interactive-led-wall.html