Music Monday #114 – Pussy Riot

Pussy Riot is a Russian feminist punk-rock collective that stages politically provocative impromptu performances in Moscow on Russia’s current political life.
In March 2012, during an improvised and unauthorized concert in Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, three women from the band were arrested and charged with ‘hooliganism’ and their trial began in late July. The band members have gained sympathy both within Russia and internationally due to allegations of harsh treatment while in custody and a risk of a possible seven-year jail sentence, and have also been criticized in Russia for offending the feelings of religious people. Alexei Nikiforov, a federal prosecutor, has demanded prison for the trio because they ‘abused God’. Pussy Riot’s lawyers said that the circumstances of the case have revived the Soviet-era tradition of the show trial.
– wikipedia

And now for some music …

This weeks links (2012-08-13)

In brief:

* One Race, Every Medalist Ever (2012-Aug-05) [NY Times]
Usain Bolt’s 9.63 set an Olympic record in the 100. So how far ahead of every Olympic medalist is he?

* 12 Most Indisputable Signs You Need To Leave Your Job (2012-Aug-13) [12most.com]
Perhaps, most of us are not at liberty to immediately leave a job that pays the bills. However, if a few of these signs sound familiar to you, it may be time to re-evaluate your current circumstances.

Some reading/listening:

* Cory Doctorow – Homeland (Excerpt) (2012-Jul-19) [Tor.com]

Marcus and Ange are enjoying the annual festival Burning Man, deep in the Nevada desert. But in the midst of all the walking art, camps full of sunscreen and body paint, and a fantastic D&D game with some living legends, Marcus gets a visit from Masha and Zeb.

Masha has some information that she wants Marcus to get out. But by Burning Man’s end, it becomes clear that what he’s carrying may turn out to be far more than he bargained for….

Something from Bandcamp:

Presenting using your iPad

The challenge with presenting with the iPad in many locations is that the existing infrastructure is configured for laptops and this means connecting via VGA and this can result is restricting the iPad mobility; one of the reasons to be presenting from the iPad in the first place..

DIRECT CONNECTION

You can directly connect your iPad using the Apple VGA Adapter (MC552ZM), this results in your iPad being tethered to the podium. If the VGA cable is heavy you can pull the adapter from the iPad as it is a non locking connection (compared with the laptop which uses screws to lock the attachment to the laptop). Some of the very heavy VGA cables place some considerable strain on the iPad dock connector.

The Apple VGA Adapter supports video mirroring on iPad 2 or later and iPhone 4S; and video out (only) on iPad (1st generation), iPhone 4 or iPod touch (4th generation).

This can work and is worthwhile carrying the adapter in your iPad case if you are presenting from your iPad. This is not a good solution if you control the space that you plan to present in.

USING AIRPLAY

iLab AirPlay Mirroring
1. On your iPhone 4S or iPad 2, double-click the Home Button to view your recently-used apps.
2. Swipe all the way to the right to until you see the icon.
Note: If the icon does not appear, go to the “If AirPlay Mirroring is not visible or available on your mobile iOS device” section.
3. Tap the icon to see the list of available AirPlay devices.
4. Enable AirPlay Mirroring in this menu by tapping on an available Apple TV, then sliding the Mirroring slider to ON.

– Setting up and troubleshooting AirPlay Mirroring [KB TS4085]

iLab screen mirroring to VGA wireless
The challenge – allow screen display on teaching lab screens via existing AV inputs from iPad without restricting the iPad mobility.

AirPlay
With AirPlay, you can wirelessly stream videos, music, and photos from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to Apple TV (2nd generation) and stream music to AirPlay speakers or receivers, including AirPort Express.
– Using AirPlay [HT4437]

AirPlay Mirroring
AirPlay Mirroring is available on the following products: Apple TV (2nd generation), iPad 2, iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G, iPhone 4S
– Setting up and troubleshooting AirPlay Mirroring [KB TS4085]

Making it work in our environment.
To allow for the AirPlay in our environment we have created an ‘iLab’ that can be installed into classrooms where the iPads are being used. At the moment the “iLab’ resides in one of our Science labs and is moved when required elsewhere.
* Video is converted from HDMI output from the Apple TV into a VGA signal using a Digitech HDMI – VGA/AV component converter. This gives a VGA signal that can be plugged directly into the laptop video input.
* Digital audio output from the Apple TV, we convert the signal to analogue audio using a Digitech D to A Audio converter to plug directly into a 3.5mm audio jack provided for the laptops.
A custom wireless network is provided using an Apple AirPort Extreme. This allows for access control specific to the class, and access to the internet can be supplied and removed without impacting other users.

All of the required components apart from the AirPort have been mounted onto a 1RU rack tray so that the unit is very portable and can be installed into the teaching environment when requested.