Monday, December 26, 2005

Links

1024 megabytes = 1 Gigabyte

Which is loosely translated as approximately 204 tracks if the average megabyte size of an mp3 file from AMPCAST.COM is about 5mb

and taking internet speed into consideration, you could be looking at a week to download 50% of ampcast.coms music if you download continually for several days.

Something I am urging everyone to do.

Thankfully, I'm halfway there - after Audio Coffee began in August 2004, I've amassed a considerable number of tracks over time and ok, lost a few (computer crashes and so on)but managed to fill one dvd with some good good tunes - and there's plenty more going to be put onto a second dvd (for my own listening pleasure) once the doors on ampcast have been closed forever. The hard part being making sure I don't duplicate stuff... hehehe... not easy!

Well, I sure hope everyone has enjoyed the holiday season so far - I have. I'm rather proud of the fact that we've had 2 squirrels providing entertainment that simply can't be bought anywhere - and it's been great fun watching them! My only regret was not filming half of the antics, which reduced both myself and my mother into fits of giggles.
But I'm working on that...

Anyway, time for the build up to see 2005 disappear up its own backside as we welcome it's brother 2006 in with tentatively open arms.
I just hope 2006 is a lot better in many ways that 2005 wasn't. I have a lot planned for 2006 and I can't wait for it to all begin (with the exception of jury service - but once thats out of the way, I can get a move on!)

But to end this posting, I'd like to thank family and friends for all their cards and presents this Christmas.
THANK YOU!

Wednesday, December 21, 2005

Links

Sad News...

Today, there is news of Ampcasts demise. I'm so sorry to see the only site I held in such high regard disappear like this.
To quote:
"

Ampcast Artists,

Today is a sad day for us at Ampcast.com. This is the day we have decided to announce that we will be shutting down our services. Although this may not surprise anyone, it comes with great remorse.

We started Ampcast.com in 1999 with a grand vision of how the Internet and digital music would change the music industry. Since 1999, our vision of the impact of Internet and digital music has become a reality and has dramatically changed the music industry for the benefit of all its constituents: music fans, musicians and associated corporations. Unfortunately, Ampcast.com has not been able to successfully capitalize on this opportunity despite the efforts of its dedicated employees, loyal customers and generous investors.

Soon after its inception, Ampcast.com raised capital in a private placement with friends and family to fund its operations. The Company raised enough capital to hire Chris Waskowich and me full time. After working on it for 3 years, in January 2002 we had to terminate ourselves in order to conserve the cash to extend operations. The intention was to continue developing Ampcast.com in our spare time, hoping that our business plan and the market would mature into a self-sustaining entity.  So, for the past 4 years Ampcast.com has continued to exist with our voluntary effort. It has become more of a hobby.

Ampcast.com will be completely out of cash by the end of February, as Ampcast.com cannot even afford its basic expenses. We are now forced to make the decision to close Ampcast.com. To begin, we have shut down the following features:

* New Artist Signup
* Creating CDs
* Purchasing UPCs
* Message Boards

We will also discontinue automatically charging credit cards for monthly and quarterly artists. Therefore, you can remain on the website and continue to use its limited services for free. We currently do not know when we will completely shut down Ampcast.com, but we are predicting that it will happen before the end of February.

We sincerely hope that you will continue your endeavors on the Internet because we strongly believe that the Internet will play a vital role in the success of your music and the music industry.

Best Wishes and Warm Regards,

Erik Briceno"

click this line of text to see the whole webpage...



The End of Audio Coffee as it is on ampcast doesn't necessarily rule out 'the end'...
Audio Coffee will seek a new home and of course... you're all free to follow Audio Coffee Productions as that will never end.

But do you think I'm gonna let ampcast just... go???? LIKE HELL I'LL LET THAT HAPPEN!!!!!!!!!!!!

Watch this space!!!!!!!!!!

Tuesday, December 20, 2005

Links

Uhm... *whistles innocently...*

The Ampcast Christmas Bash went really well. As the second broadcaster on, I kept things themed, but didn't record the show... so, if you weren't listening, you won't have heard my rather splendid rendition of 'Jingle Bells'... so, for the terminally bewildered and for those who neglected to tune in (I did say...) I will now publish the lyrics used purely for your amusement seeing as how you missed the singing - shame on you!



dashing through the town
with a single carrier bag
desperate for a coffee
god I need a fag
christmas spirits gone
please don't even try it
christmas shopping is hell on earth
in fact it's just a riot

oh...
jingle hell don't feel well
sick of christmas cheer
I wanna be home with the tv on
drinking a can of beer
oh...
jingle hell as you can tell
all this is a farce
so take your christmas pudding pal...
and shove it up your...Christmas Tree!
oh hi santa!

feeling like a jerk
tinseled to the nines
this christmas song is bad
I'm half surprised it rhymes
got to get things done
so far I have done nothing
got a duck for christmas day
it's the only thing getting a stuffing ohhhhhhhh....

jingle hell don't feel well
sick of christmas cheer
I wanna be home with the tv on
drinking a can of beer
oh...
jingle hell as you can tell
all this is a farce
so take your christmas pudding pal...
and shove it up your...Chimney!

take your christmas pudding pal...
and shove it up your... arse!!!

*** NEXT BROADCAST OF AUDIO COFFEE WILL BE ON THE 8TH JANUARY 2006 AT THE USUAL TIME ***

Sunday, December 18, 2005

Links

Last 2 shows of 2k5 for Audio Coffee

Starting with todays show at 12noon in the UK (which everyone knows is now 1pm across most of the rest of Europe that isn't in GMT) and Eastern Time (in the U.S of A) at 7am.

TOMORROW, however (note the captials, they mean something) Audio Coffee is putting out a special broadcast as part of the 'Ampcast Christmas Bash' and will be going out at 6pm UK time which is 1pm EST and 7pm if you're in Europe on CET.

But whatever you're doing tomorrow (The 19th) please DO TUNE IN to ampcast because it's going to be the most fun you've ever had without having to step foot out of the front door!

There's going to be way too much going on and it's just going to be the most festive thing you're ever likely to come across.

Heck damnit, I've even promised to *S I N G*... and I will because I've been working extra hard on clearing the crap from the back of my throat and giving the ol' vocal chords not so much as training, but more of a joyride...

The lyrics will be posted here and a link to _stuff_ as soon as the embarrassment dies down and the laughing becomes no more than a mere titter, which will probably be Tuesday sometime.

For todays show, got *some* Christmassy stuff lined up and some faves from the last year at Ampcast.com. The kind of tracks that have been either highly requested or are just personal favourites of mine for whatever reason.

So, what are you waiting for? go grab yourself a coffee today and grab a glass of mulled wine or five for tomorrows Ampcast Christmas Bash which kicks off at 5pm here in the UK with C J Wray!

Whatever you do, make it an Ampcast Christmas... why? you deserve it!

Wednesday, December 14, 2005

Links

BACK!!!

Had a FABULOUS weekend away.. if you don't believe me, check out my *HOLIDAY PICS*

Audio Coffee on Sunday this week: well... last official one before Christmas and then there's the Ampcast Christmas Bash on the 19th - so... depending on whats what, I have a choice - do 2 shows in 2 days OR.. just do a Christmas show on the 19th.
News about that will be posted here as soon as I know whats what myself and then you'll know :-)

Here's one of my favourite pictures from the weekend away...

SKYTH (13)

Thursday, December 08, 2005

Links

Just to remind you all...

That there will not be another fun packed edition of 'Audio Coffee' this Sunday on ampcast.com due to holiday commitments.

The show will return AS NORMAL on Sunday the 18th December and then again for a show on the 19th during the Ampcast Christmas Bash (TIME TO BE CONFIRMED)where lots of fun will be had. I might even be tempted to dig out my jingle bell hat and sing some Christmas choons and encourage you to join in aswell (hey, I'm not THAT bad a singer!)


So watch this space after the weekend for more news and stuff on whats going on over Christmas and the New Year!

Just to remind you further, here's the now official Christmas/New Year Audio Coffee broadcasting schedule:

SUNDAY 18th December: 12noon in the UK, 1pm across most of Europe and 7am ET

No show Christmas Day and no show New Years Day.

MONDAY 19th December: Time slot to be announced - watch THIS space!!!

SUNDAY 8th January 2006: Back to the usual time, and as it will have been my birthday that week, expect absolutely ANYTHING!

So, there you have it. My broadcast schedule. Right... now what did I do with those Christmas decorations... I think it's high time I put them up around this place :-)


Oooh yeah... almost forgot... time to give you the stats from Soundclick (see the links on the right? yes.. the ones over there ---------------->)

Big Wide Something:

plays: 205
downloads: 51

Blowing Bubbles (Little Britain)

plays: 1330
downloads: 393

bombay mix

plays: 826
downloads: 105

FuTuReSkYpE (chatroom megamix)

plays: 324
downloads: 36

Lou and Andy Shoplifting Megamix

plays: 14919
downloads: 4189

My name is not Jean Michel Jarre

plays: 342
downloads: 55

Saturday, December 03, 2005

Links

Merry Christmas!!



and thanks to Daves cat (Relative Chaos) for looking pleasantly psychotic in the Christmas tree decorations!

Clicky the link and sit back and enjoy!