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Apple Offers College Lectures Via Podcasts

SAN JOSE, Calif. - In its latest move to broaden its iPod and iTunes franchises, Apple Computer Inc. has introduced "iTunes U," a nationwide expansion of a service that makes course lectures and other educational materials accessible via Apple's iTunes software.

The company behind the iPod portable players, the iTunes online music store and Macintosh computers had been working with six universities on the pilot project for more than a year and expanded the educational program this week, inviting other universities to sign up.

Internet access to college lectures is nothing new, but listening to them on portable gadgets is a more recent phenomenon of the digital age, spurred in part by the popularity of podcasts, or downloadable audio files.

The University of Missouri offered podcasts of lectures through its school network before it signed up with Apple last summer as a pilot school. But "iTunes U" offered a software and service package for free, said Keith Politte, the development officer at the university's School of Journalism.

The market dominance of Apple's iTunes Music Store and iPods, which helped spawn the podcast movement, also was key.

"Our students are digital natives. We seek to meet our students where they are, and iTunes is the interface that most of our students are already familiar with," Politte said.

Apple's service offers universities a customized version of the iTunes software, allowing schools to post podcasts, audio books or video content on their iTunes-affiliated Web sites. The iTunes-based material will be accessible on Windows-based or Macintosh computers and transferable to portable devices, including Apple's iPods.

The service lets institutions decide if they want to limit access to certain groups or open the material to the public.

For instance, Stanford University, which joined the pilot program last fall, gives the public free access not only to some lectures but also audio broadcasts of sporting events through its iTunes-affiliated site.

Peter Gabriel hits 'Big Time' in wrestling world

The Doors' previously announced Love/Death/Travel box set now is available for preorder.

The limited-edition four-disc package features three CDs boasting the band's greatest hits, as well as the surviving members' hand-picked favorite tunes. A DVD included in the compilation offers vintage live footage and a trio of songs mixed in 5.1 Surround Sound by longtime Doors collaborator Bruce Botnick.

Grateful Dead

Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour

"All great truths begin as blasphemies."

SupaaDave

I haven't heard that one (workingmans dead) before.

But You Could Have

A husband and wife are traveling by car from Key West to Boston. After almost twenty-four hours on the road, they're too tired to continue, and they decide to stop for a rest. They stop at a nice hotel and take a room, but they only plan to sleep for four hours and then get back on the road.

When they check out four hours later, the desk clerk hands them a bill for $350. The man explodes and demands to know why the charge is so high. He tells the clerk although it's a nice hotel; the rooms certainly aren't worth $350.

When the clerk tells him $350 is the standard rate, the man insists on speaking to the Manager. The Manager appears, listens to the man, and then explains that the hotel has an Olympic-sized pool and a huge conference center that were available for the husband and wife to use.

"But we didn't use them," the man complains.

"Well, they are here, and you could have," explains the Manager. He goes on to explain they could have taken in one of the shows for which the hotel is famous. "The best entertainers from New York, Hollywood and Las Vegas perform here," the Manager says.

"But we didn't go to any of those shows, "complains the man again. "Well, we have them, and you could have," the Manager replies. No matter what facility the Manager mentions, the man replies, "But we didn't use it!"

The Manager is unmoved, and eventually the man gives up and agrees to pay. He writes a check and gives it to the Manager.

The Manager is surprised when he looks at the check. "But sir," he says, "this check is only made out for $50."

"That's correct," says the man. "I charged you $300 for sleeping with my wife."

"But I didn't!" exclaims the Manager.

Naty

Happy Birthday

Ethn Hayabusa

cheese101

Thanks for the link for the new album.

RIP

Coretta Scott King Dies at 78

The Cult energized for 2006 tour

NEW YORK (Billboard) - After a three-and-a-half year break, veteran rock act the Cult will return to the road this spring.

The group, which features core members Ian Astbury and Billy Duffy, is in the midst of auditions and rehearsals ahead of the March 1 North American tour kick-off in San Francisco. Additional international shows are also being considered for later in the year.

The Cult was last active in 2002, when it toured in support of the previous year's Atlantic album "Beyond Good and Evil." But Astbury told Billboard.com the experience was "soul destroying. After going through that whole major-label experience when the industry was in its death knell, it left a horrible taste in my mouth. I really didn't want to be a part of it any more."

He spent the next few years performing with the Doors Of The 21st Century and enjoying extensive travel around the world. "Having done it for nearly three years, the Cult started to come back to me. I was missing it and missing the music. I missed performing with Billy," Astbury said.

Astbury and Duffy are already conceptualizing the set list for the tour, which will blend favorites like "She Sells Sanctuary," "Fire Woman," "Wild Flower" and "Love Removal Machine" with more obscure items such as "American Gothic," "Gone" and "Witch." Said Astbury, "We might reaching further into (1994's 'The Cult'), which we skimmed over in a lot of ways. I'd really like to perform some more songs from that."

Astbury hopes new Cult music could be a byproduct of the reunion, noting that he's been "writing songs that are appropriate for the Cult. There's got to be some sort of creative aspect to this."

Nine Inch Nails Frontman Appears In Graphic PETA Ad

LAUNCH Radio Networks - A graphic two-minute commercial from People For The Ethical Treatment Of Animals (PETA), featuring Nine Inch Nails frontman

Trent Reznor, has been posted online by TMZ.com. Reznor appears at the beginning of the ad and narrates it. The spot shows graphic footage of dogs and cats being tortured, killed and skinned in China for the fur trade industry.

Reznor notes that some of the animals are wearing collars, which he calls "proof that they were someone's beloved companion." The musician adds that the Chinese industry is not regulated and asks viewers to boycott fur products.

Girl group Lez Zeppelin rocks, with a twist

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Four women rockers who took on the music of Led Zeppelin are driving club audiences to a frenzy and, offstage, whipping up speculation over their sexual tastes with the name of the band: Lez Zeppelin.

"We have sort of a 'don't ask, don't tell' policy," says Steph Paynes, lead guitar player and the " Jimmy Page" of the group. "It's better to keep it all a mystery, and in the end it really doesn't matter. What matters is the music."

The New York-based quartet came together almost three years ago with the express purpose of covering songs by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame members Led Zeppelin.

They're among a small but growing number of all-female tribute bands Spin Magazine recently referred to as "Chicks with Picks," and include the playfully dubbed AC/DShe, Cheap Chick and The Ramonas.

"It wasn't like we decided just to do an all-girl cover band for the sake of it," Paynes said in an interview. "It was strictly me lounging on the couch, listening to a Led Zep album and being in absolute ecstasy over the music. I can't think of anything I'd rather be playing than this."

Zeppelin's brash amalgam of hard-driving rock, traditional blues and guitar-tinged ballads propelled the sale of millions of albums and made them one of the top bands of the 1970s. It disbanded in 1980 after the death of drummer John Bonham.

Paynes said the tribute group had been mulling a name for a week or two and when Lez Zeppelin was suggested, there was no question of them not using it.

ARE THEY OR AREN'T THEY?

With veteran New York-area musicians Helen Destroy on drums, Lisa Brigantino on bass, mandolin and keyboards and Sarah McLellan on vocals, the group is electrifying. But the question that consistently follows the band around is whether any or all of its members are, in fact, lesbians.

"Oh, definitely maybe," Payne said. "There's no question about maybes."

"I was aware of what the name might suggest, but that to me was not a problem at all," she added.

Paynes said despite the nudge and wink the band's name conveys, their audience is not dominated by lesbians.

"There is some gay and lesbian following, but it's mostly just a Led Zeppelin following. Male, female, in every age group," she said before getting ready for a sold-out gig that night at New York's Bowery Ballroom.

Her take on the group's demographic was borne out at the show that night. As the band opened with a thundering version of "The Immigrant Song," vocalist McLellan delivered the number's trademark opening wail faithfully and sent the predominantly male crowd into a frenzy.

The audience, including a few amorous Sapphic couples near the front of the stage, did not differ noticeably from that in any other East Village club on a Friday night.

Paynes said she thinks many come to see if a group of women can recreate music with such a testosterone-driven sound.

"It was pretty daunting to perform this stuff live, even for Led Zeppelin," she said. "Even they didn't keep it going once John Bonham died."

Judas Priest

SO,

WHO IS GOING TO WIN THE SUPER BOWL THIS WEEKEND?

Anybody have any money riding on it?

blue_nez

The Who

E Street Band guitarist Little Steven Van Zandt

Fan Memo to Music Industry: Lower Prices

NEW YORK (AP) - Music executives love to blame illegal downloading for their industry's woes. But, based on the results of a new nationwide poll, they might want to look in the mirror.

Eighty percent of the respondents consider it stealing to download music for free without the copyright holder's permission, and 92 percent say they've never done it, according to a poll by The Associated Press and Rolling Stone magazine.

Meanwhile, three-quarters of music fans say compact discs are too expensive, and 58 percent say music in general is getting worse.

"Less talented people are able to get a song out there and make a quick million and you never hear from them again," said Kate Simkins, 30, of Cape Cod, Mass.

Ipsos' telephone poll of 1,000 adults, including 963 music listeners, from all states except Alaska and Hawaii was conducted Jan. 23-25 and has a sampling error margin of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

The music industry has spent several years in turmoil, as downloading and the popularity of iPods upend its traditional business model. A total of 618.9 million CD albums were sold during 2005, sharply down from the 762.8 million sold in 2001, according to Nielsen Soundscan.

At the same time, 352.7 million tracks were sold digitally in 2005, a category that wasn't even measured five years ago. Digital sales of music and ring tones offer new revenue opportunities, but often at the expense of more lucrative CD sales.

Although buying music digitally hasn't exactly become widespread — only 15 percent of poll respondents said they have done it — there appears to be a growing acceptance of this type of transaction. The poll found that 71 percent of music fans believe that a 99-cent download of a song is a fair price or outright bargain.

The industry would be wise to embrace downloading, said Greg Hoerger, 42, of Minneapolis, who suggested that customers could receive five or six free downloads from an artist when they buy a CD.

For fans like Hoerger and Simkins, buying a CD for about $20 is no bargain. They'd rather download one or two favorite songs to their iPods. The digital music revolution also has other benefits, Simkins said: with the iPod, she no longer has to have cassettes or CDs cluttering her car.

The last CD she bought, a few months ago, was by the Killers. "It was on sale," she said.

Many fans also say they just don't like what they're hearing. It may not be surprising to hear older fans say music just isn't what it used to be when they were growing up. But the poll also found that 49 percent of music fans ages 18-to-34 — the target audience for the music business — say music is getting worse.

"Even if our parents didn't like how loud rock 'n' roll was, or that it was revolutionary, at least they could listen to some of it," said Christina Tjoelker, 49, from Snohomish, Wash. "It wasn't gross. It wasn't disgusting. It wasn't about beating up women or shooting the police."

The last CD she bought was Neil Diamond's new one, "because Oprah was raving about it," she said.

Overall, music fans were split on why music sales have been declining for the past five years: 33 percent said it was because of illegal downloads, 29 percent said it was because of competition from other forms of entertainment, 21 percent blamed it on the quality of music getting worse and 13 percent said it was because CDs are too expensive.

FM radio is still the main way most fans find out about new music, according to the poll. Television shows are a distant second.

Rock 'n' roll is the most popular style of music, cited by 26 percent of the fans. It runs neck-and-neck with country among fans ages 35 or over.

Punxsutawney Groundhog Sees His Shadow

PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. - Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, but it was hard to find a complainer in the crowd on Gobbler's Knob, where the morning temperature was well above freezing and Thursday's high was expected to hit 48 degrees.

There were a few boos at the groundhog's prediction of six more weeks of winter, but most of the hundreds of revelers instead turned the event into an impromptu Pittsburgh Steelers rally.

Fans in football jerseys sang "Here we go Steelers," and members of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club's Inner Circle — the top-hat- and tuxedo-wearing businessmen responsible for carrying on the groundhog tradition each year — threw black and gold Steelers "Terrible Towels" as they waited to rouse Phil from his burrow.

The furry forecaster may be popular, but the Pittsburgh Steelers are playing in the Super Bowl on Sunday.

"It's been really wonderful. This is just a ball. I'm having so much fun," said Nancy Durr, who came from Paxton, Neb., to the small western Pennsylvania town about 65 miles north of Pittsburgh to celebrate her 50th birthday.

She had been outside awaiting Phil's arrival since about 2:15 a.m., a rub-on Punxsutawney Phil tattoo on each cheek.

Others latched on to the Phil frenzy for a publicity boost — for just about anything, from global warming to the lottery.

The National Environmental Trust said it's groundhog-suit-wearing human "will ignore his shadow and will instead rely on global warming evidence to forecast an early spring."

The American Physiological Society was offering experts to discuss "What Punxsutawney Phil can teach us about surviving massive blood loss, preventing muscle atrophy, and more."

The Pennsylvania Lottery even has Gus, "the second most famous groundhog in Pennsylvania," who implores lottery players to "keep on scratchin'."

None of those things are really what Groundhog Day is about, said Mike Johnston, a member of the Groundhog Club's Inner Circle. Punxsutawney Phil is nonpolitical and can't speak anyway, Johnston said.

Each Feb. 2, thousands of people descend on Punxsutawney for a little midwinter revelry, celebrating what had essentially been a German superstition.

The Germans believed that if a hibernating animal casts a shadow Feb. 2 — the Christian holiday of Candlemas — winter will last another six weeks. If no shadow is seen, legend says spring will come early.

According to the Groundhog Club, Phil has now seen his shadow 96 times, hasn't seen it 14 times and there are no records for nine years.

Life After Death

A couple made a deal that whoever died first would come back and inform the other of the after life. Their biggest fear was that there was no after life.

After a long life, the husband was the first to go, and true to his word he made contact,

"Phyllis,Phyllis"

"Is that you, Fred?"

"Yes, I've come back like we agreed."

"What's it like?"

Well, I get up in the morning, I have sex. I have breakfast, off to the golf course, I have sex. I bathe in the sun, and then I have sex twice. I have lunch, another romp around the golf course, then sex pretty much all afternoon. After supper, golf course again. Then have sex until late at night. The next day it starts again."

"Oh, Fred you surely must be in heaven."

"Not exactly, I'm a rabbit on a golf course in Arizona."