Something I have had long discussions about, with several close friends who tend to be on the other side of the argument. Seems the topic is warm again!

are new mathematical truths discovered or invented? http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/31392/title/Still_debating_with_Plato

If anyone cares I’m squarely on the invented side of the argument.

I don’t buy the concept of absolute ideas that are somehow in a different sphere - and I dont buy the challenge which says that it is proven wrong by the fact that so many different people and cultures come up with the same concepts.

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This coming week is catch up week, where I add things to the site that have been on my pile for too long - that is mostly traditional content which has been on this site.
Mostly this is a cleanup to prepare for a new spin off blog which will be more about my professional side, technology, web - get all that todo list down so I feel I have the energy and space to do it.

* games I watch (mostly indie at the moment)
* games reviews I earmarked in 2008 but never got around to put the link/quote in (have started adding some backdated, check the games sections)
* why i am off A list games at the moment (i.e. how great games like Oblivion, Bioshock and more just dont make me want to play more super realistic games) and a reflection as to what makes me tick in a game
* a new round of the 2 line movie reviews catchup
* a new round of the 2 line book review catchup
* great software, fiction, arts and photo sites

Of course it would be cool if some of my 30 readers would tell me if they even care about any of these anymore - have you missed it? Like the new stuff, hate the new stuff? Want the photo and art stuff to stay here or go back to the spinoff blog? Now clearly I write most of it for myself, to remember what I read, wanted etc. but now that I have 30 regular readers I start to care… how weird is that?

A simple roast chicken recipe which turned out pretty well. http://www.cottagesmallholder.com/?p=161

I’m probably not alone in having spent time sketching ideas out only to never do anything about it - not because research showed it wouldn’t be a success, but because I never got the courage or focus together to even get that far. In my case it has often been “don’t feel like doing it alone and cannot quite justify trying to lure one of my friends to waste their free time on it”. Others do just that, though, and succeed.

Some would not have worked, others certainly would have with the right partner, but I never even really looked. I need to get some of those to rest, so I stop feeling bad about not following up on them.

I’m sure many of you know that feeling.

The stealth PC silent pc shop

In 2002-2003 I considered starting something about silent PCs, because I hate background noise and couldnt find much in the UK. I bought domains, I played with platforms, I contacted manufacturers, I got a plan together. But since I was running a web agency at the time that took me 10 hours a day already, I couldn’t do it without harming that business, so I didn’t. Others did it, but now silent is mainstream and most of these stores don’t exist. I think there is still potential though, as many products are still hard to find.

This was revived in 2004 around tiny form factor PCs, again because they were so hard to find. Rinse, repeat.

Smartguilds.com

At some point I also considered writing an online guild management tool for online gaming guilds. Being a gamer I had ended up in guilds or playing communities more than once, and being the person I am I always ended up an officer/leader… So I thought there was a potential for a service offering a neat forum/roster/calendar/loot manager/wiki/chat server etc. Again I got domains (12 or so), sketched it all out, played with the platform. Then did nothing, I didn’t have a designer that I could call on at the time, and then I got a lucrative job offer. Others did it, but I can’t tell how well they are doing.

Cooklink.net

Another idea I worked on about 2-3 years ago was social networking around recipes - there wasn’t that much of that around, just the normal sites where you could submit recipes. We had the idea to create a much more agile, web2.0 way of entering recipes, and using simple semantic analysis to allow recipe exchange across languages - so for example Bruno in Berlin could enter a recipe in German and metric units, but then Sam in Colorado could see the recipe in english and with US measures and temperatures, and perhaps even some altitude notes. Played with a drag-and-drop recipe builder, and then with text analysis. Then I took a job with a media and semantic search company and left this idea behind. It would have needed a few smarter people around I think.

The multi-language and international connection is a hard thing to achieve in text based online communities (come to think of it it is hard to architect right even on a simple content site), but I think this would have been an interesting thing to pull off.  Content that is formulaic, for example recipes or craft patterns, or code is a great way to start, because it uses a limited, structured vocabulary and grammar which can be mapped across the language boundaries, allowing for some experiments in cross-boundary community building.

But the challenge is not just technical. Advertising and affiliate deals are usually limited to one language and territory. I have worked on sites in the UK where only 30% of the audience could be monetized (apart from automated network or adsense style ads). It takes a significant operation to deal with agencies in multiple countries, and I am always amazed how outdated this feels. Also, affiliate deals are again very narrow. Even amazon will only give you widgets for one country at a time. If you want something that shows the same books on a site but with the UK link to a British visitor and the German link to an austrian visitor, you have to build it yourself. And it is a pain.

I do hope this changes one day, I like a diverse world and being able to share without forcing everyone into one language. but this turning into a topic of its own.

news it ain’t

I am known for ranting quite often as to how much of the news we are given is not news. PR statements, discussion of what other media are doing, reports on studies, non events, curiosities, opinions - but not news. Not real information, and many real events left unsaid.

I thought it might be interesting to actually show how much white noise and fluff we are getting and rattle my cage every morning about what I saw and heard on the web instead of to my poor colleagues.

The world was spared.

Historyslices

That one I still haven’t given up already, although I cannot help thinking it is already out there and I haven’t found it, or could be built combining existing services in a large part. It would build on things like flickr notes and visual search and concepts from image recognition and genealogy sites and mapping - with a dollop of social networking to tie it all up.

This starts with your garden variety history buff. I know several, and I know most of those have accumulated boxes and boxes of images and articles. Some could almost build a museum. Most of them have a rather narrow niche of interest - the local train line, or their family, or a business, a town. They have done their research, and often can talk through stories, showing you old photographs and maps, connecting them together. And most have blanks - they have identified some of the buildings, vehicles, words on the images but not all. And for these blanks there might be another history buff perhaps 5 or 100 miles away, focusing on something different but who could recognize the unknown element, because it is familiar to them.

These people are not online much. They use ebay, know their way around a scanner, and know how to search for information online some. But they don’t publish. If they are very clued up they might be on a genealogy site or upload some scans to flickr.

What these people won’t do is spend hours and hours messing about with a fancy webapp. They won’t get the idea or time to put it all up on a site, even though they probably have enough to fill a site and a few books. But if there is a site where they can add things gradually and easily, which builds them a site and then connects with others (squidoo with semantics?),
upload just one image, register what you know, and what you don’t, in 3 or 4 minutes, then send it out there to see what it connects with (leveraging the commons, possibly?),

Because these stories will be lost if they aren’t moved into the digital age.

I really want this one, please tell me someone’s built it. Or, if you too have some history buffs in your family circle and have thought “there should be something online for them”, get in touch. I haven’t given up on or thought this one through yet. Since I first discussed that one Flickr has started the commons, and that is a step in the right direction, a building block. But there still is no connection or structured annotations or the ability for normal people to tie into it…

blumphster.com

A site to poke fun at all the ridiculous web2.0 ideas out there, which were surfing on the new bubble and hoping to print money. Was going to be a fake such site, but everytime I came up with what I thought was a silly web app idea that would work as a fake, I found a real one too similar.
Not particularly topical now that there is no bubble.

There’s actually a few more but I think that’s enough ghosts for today.

Last year I got it into my head to create some herbal tea mixes for my mother. It seemed like a good idea, I could do some mixes supposedly for her various ailments, and she would love the idea that I had created those for her. After all, how hard could it be – get plants traditionally known for certain things, mix them together until you have a pleasant taste, and voila!

As is my (*sigh*) habit I didn’t start small - I ordered 36 little plastic jars, and dozens of different herbs – made myself a cool looking herb wall against one wall in the kitchen, and started playing and tasting. And I found out it is a lot trickier than I would have thought to come with a pleasant taste. Needless to say my mother never got her tea mixes, I found other gift ideas, and have not used these herbs very much (apart from some very classic ones). Although this autumn when we both had the nasty-chest-virus-that-lasts-weeks, I made several cold-and-cough mixes which I have the illusion might have helped, at the very least it helped us drink enough hot water.

But somehow the idea keeps coming back, so why not share how far I have got just in case it helps someone?

A lot of these herbs are believed to help an awful lot of things at once, which doesn’t convince a sceptic like me (can one herb really help with the stomach, fever, the immune system, toothache, cramps, insomnia, and coughs?) but I am a big enough tea and herbal tea enthusiast that the idea of making my own mixes is one I keep returning to. I am still hoping to figure out these herbs, because there is something that appeals to me in giving someone a lovely package of mixed herbs saying “I thought of you so here is my ‘good mood for cold days’ tea”. I suspect that is the appeal of the revival of modern “witchcraft” which seems to be about tea mixes, scented herb pillows and the like. A link to nature and centuries of tradition, giving people a new way to say “i care about you and your problems, can’t do much so I will make this symbolic gesture – please remember that you are not alone and have people willing to help, every time you see that pillow or make a cup of tea”. Rather lovely put that way, even though I cannot take it seriously, it has its heart in the right place.

It was after all exactly the idea I had in making a tea mix for my mother.

Herb cheat list

I figure perhaps someone else can use this list – please look up online references for more detail.

I have deliberately left out herbs that are known to be problematic at higher doses, frankly there is no need to risk hurting oneself by using those.  I do list herbs that should not be taken by pregnant women, but if you are pregnant you should know by now to check everything prior to consuming it – In all cases, do your research! I’m not a pro and there could be tons of errors in this list. This is just for fun.

Herbs traditionally believed to help the immune system: Borage, Chamomile, Coltsfoot, Echinacea, Elecampane, Eucalyptus, Grapefruit, Sheep sorrel

Herbs traditionally believed to help for lungs and/or cough: Aniseed, Balm of Gilead, Borage, Chamomile, Chickweed, Coltsfoot, Elecampane, Elder, Ground ivy, Heather, Holy Thistle, Horehound, Hyssop, Irish moss, Jasmine, Marshmallow, Mullein, Oak Moss, Oregano, Red Clover, Speedwell, Star Anise, Turmeric, Witch Hazel, Watercress, Wood betony

Herbs traditionally believed to help for sore throat: Balm of Gilead, Blackberry, Caraway, Coltsfoot, Goldenrod, Lemon, Lime, Sage, Sheep Sorrel, Speedwell, Vervain, Witch Hazel, Wood betony, Yarrow

Herbs traditionally believed to help for colds and fever: Basil, Borage, Chamomile, Elder, Eucalyptus, Hibiscus, Motherwort, Plantain, Sheep sorrel, Witch Hazel

Herbs traditionally believed to help stomach, digestion, intestinal and/or appetite issues: Aniseed, Basil, Blackberry, Calendula, Caraway, Chamomile, Fennel, Hibiscus, Irish moss, Lemon Verbena, Lime Flower, Marjoram, Marshmallow, Meadowsweet, Mint, Mugwort, Oak Moss, Raspberry, Tarragon, Yarrow

Herbs traditionally used for detox, bladder & kidneys: Blackberry, Butternut, Celery, Centaury, Cornsilk, Elecampane, Goldenrod, Grapefruit, Holy Thistle, Horsetail, Juniper, Raspberry, woodruff

Herbs traditionally used for relaxing, sleep, and improving moods: Damiana, Oat, Hawthorn, Heather, Jamaican Dogwood, Jasmine, Lemonbalm, Lime Flower, Marjoram, Motherwort, Mugwort,  Lemon Verbena, Passionflower, Red Clover, Star Anise, Tarragon, Vervain, woodruff, Watercress

Herbs traditionally used for skin: Balm of Gilead, Calendula, Chamomile, Chickweed, Hibiscus, Lemon peel, Lemon Verbena, Marshmallow, Oat, Sage, Thyme, Witch Hazel

Herbs traditionally used for various aches and pains: Basil, Butternut,  Calendula, Celery, Chickweed, Clove, Goldenrod, Ground Ivy, Hawthorn, Holy Thistle, Horehound, Horsetail, Lemonbalm, Meadowsweet, Motherwort, Raspberry, Turmeric, Vervain, Watercress, Witch Hazel, woodruff, Yarrow

Some of the above are scientifically documented, most have the circumstancial evidence of traditional practice (which means that it could be the placebo effect of being fussed over and drinking hot drinks) – most of the reason I am playing with teas is to create teas which taste nice and can be given a nice title, say “grumpy morning tea” or “sharing memories” or whatever :D. But when it comes to taste, there is very little information online or otherwise – what tastes nice with what, what needs covering, what is good at covering bitterness etc.

The taste list:

Here’s my conclusion so far – I am still working at building this list:

Herbs that have a bad or very strong taste or can turn bitter – watch your amounts: valerian (utterly vile, nothing can mask it), eucalyptus (nice, but overpowering), Caraway (i like it but many don’t), chamomile (i like it but a lot of people don’t), elder (can turn bitter), Holy Thistle (no taste except bitterness), Hibiscus (makes tea acidic), Rosehip (used a lot, makes tea acidic)

Herbs that taste like nothing (i.e. vague herby taste, bland, neutral): Horehound, Horsetail, Raspberry, Uva Ursi, Violet, watercress, Witch Hazel

Pleasant taste, herbs that add flavor or cover bad flavors: Aniseed, Basil, Blackberry, Calendula, Cinnamon, Fennel, Jasmine, Lemonbalm, Lemon Verbena, Lemon peel, Marjoram, Mint, Orange peel, Rose, Rosemary, Red Clover, Sage, Tarragon, woodruff

Some mixes I have used

simple wake up mix: Verbena, Mint, Lemon peel

traditional swiss mix: Lime flower, Orange blossoms, chamomile, orange peel

the only way i can stomach rosehip: rosehip, orange peel, fresh orange slices, sugar

traditional shepherd’s mix: Lime flower, verbena, lemon verbena, mint, orange blossom

after meal tea: fennel, lemon verbena, mint, rosemary, hyssop.

Summer tea:  mint, lemon balm, hibiscus, lemon peel, rose petals

The help-with-this-stupid-cough mix: Red Clover, Mullein, Lemon peel, Borage, Elder (small amount), Heather, Jyssop, Marshmallow, Yarrow, Sage, Lemonbalm for taste, Aniseed or Fennel seed, Juniper berries, honey (my invention, can also add pepper, cinnamon and/or ginger for warming)

Sleepy tea: Lavender, chamomile, heather, passion flower, orange blossom, catnip, vervain

Time for me: Rose, Marshmallow, Calendula, Heather, Lemon Verbena, Hibiscus, Jasmine (my invention, still needs work)

My favorite: Oolong tea + orange blossom

First, as I have said here and elsewhere before, I love blipfoto.

It is a very simple but beautifully done photoblog, or photo diary. You can only post 1 image a day (but no pressure to do it every day). The community is friendly, encouraging, and creative. If you are looking for a way to encourage yourself to take more pictures more regularly, you really owe it to yourself to check blip out. It certainly did that for me, to incredible degrees at times. I lost it over December but fully expecting to go back.

The site has been free for 2 years. But like every site out there, they have costs, and need to start covering those costs.

They are not adding ads, they are adding premium memberships, with improved features and additional bonuses (I suspect these will be special discounts, perhaps also ways to show/export your blog but probably a lot of premium information, courses etc. But I am just guessing). But they are doing something else that is very much in the spirit of the community created around the site: they are creating special supporting founder memberships:

(from the blog
you’re going to have a never-to-be-repeated opportunity to show your appreciation for everything Blipfoto has done so far, give us a kick-start for 2009 and stake your place in history with an exclusive Blipfoto Founding Membership.

For £40, you’ll receive:

- 18 months full membership, starting when we introduce our membership option
- an exclusive founding member’s icon, which will stay with you forever
- a specially produced founding member’s enamel badge
- 10% discount on all future Blipfoto purchases, including membership fees

As if that wasn’t enough, when you take out your Founding Membership, you’ll have an opportunity to pay a little extra and lay your hands on a set of 200 personalised Founding Member Blipcards. Again, this is an exclusive, one-off print run which will never be available again.

Why do I think this is so clever? Note that apart from a few token trinkets, you have no idea what the membership features will be. They are not selling the premium features, they will have plenty of time to do this later. No, they are appealing to their core users, the ones who love the service and would pay for it as it is (even though the service as it is will always remain free). They are saying “if you like us, trust us, and fund the time we are spending creating the next level”. I think this is an extremely open and modern way to fund an application, and a very courageous approach.

It works for me.

Even though I have no income at the moment I will become a founding member of blipfoto, because I have received real value from the site and want to support its team to do more of the same. I am not doing it for the badge or pin, I am doing it to support the site. I want to see what it can become, and am willing to chip in to make sure it gets the chance to get there (note that this is the same reason I paid for lwa, 72photos, aviary and others, and I would do the same for a site like bookmooch or friendfeed).