WikiMedia Commons

How many of you spend time at your local library? Maybe checking out books for research? Taking the kids to story time? Now, how many of you have checked out eBooks from your library system? The Monroe County Library System (where I live) gets its eBook catalog from Overdrive. Some of Cool Gus Titles are in overdrive, but sadly, when I search for them in the Monroe County Library system, they are not there. I’d like to change that, but I can only list the titles in Overdrive and hope libraries pick them up. And I still have books to load (yes, Bob, I’m still working on it, the to do list is still very long).

In December of 2012, Forbes had an article: The Wrong War Over eBooks: Publishers Vs. Libraries. It’s a good article.

I want all our books in libraries and I’m not concerned about the possible “lost revenue” to my company or to my authors because this is not about sales, but about connecting to readers and increasing reach. Discoverability is the key and in today’s crowded marketplace even the bestsellers in the both indie and trad are finding it difficult to reach new readers.

I’ve never been a library gal. Yes, I took my kids to story time, but I’ve always liked to be able to read one of my favorites, anytime I want. This is in part why I gravitated so quickly to my Kindle. I can read books over and over and over again. My stepfather reads just as much, perhaps more, than I do, but he’s always been a library kind of guy. He doesn’t buy too many books, though he’s been known to go out and buy a favorite just to have it on his bookshelf. He comes to my house, checks out books from my personal library, then takes them to his book clubs. Anyone who wants a recommendation for a good book, well my stepfather is it.

I’ve said this before, but it’s worth repeating. Only two things sell books: Product placement and Reader engagement. The later is really the key point and in the kind of reader engagement you want is not just a reader recommending a book, but readers writing reviews, bringing it to their book club, taking the time to get on Goodreads, etc. Libraries are a great way to engage readers who love to read and love to talk about books and that is the key to discoverability.

This past week I finalized loading 96 ePub files, 96 JPEG files, and the absolutely largest, most insane spreadsheet filled with metadata I have ever seen to the Douglas County Library in Colorado. The spreadsheet alone took me a week to fill out. Now, Bob is thinking, geez, JT (I know that’s what he calls me so lets go with it) it’s a spreadsheet, you love spreadsheets, how hard can it be? Well, it wasn’t hard, just a lot of information that had to be done just right and to their specifications. I have all the data in another spreadsheet, but this one had to be done in their template, their way. And we all know how much I love metadata. My local RWA Chapter mates throw stuff at me every time I mention the word (they throw a lot). So, while this was work, it was kind of fun too.

I then had to make sure all my JPEG files were labeled the way they wanted them. I had to do the same thing for the ePub files, but I took that one step further. I redid all the end matter in the master files so that was up to date, which meant converting to ePub again and running it through ePub checker and also checking the file…

Finally, I pulled up FileZilla and connected to the FTP server and moved the files from my system to theirs. Bob is wondering what the heck is FileZilla.

Sure, we can load to Overdrive (happy to and glad they are providing such a valuable service) but we’d much rather go through the above steps and work directly with the libraries in getting our digital content to readers.

Now, I’m ready for the next Library System to come knocking on the Cool Gus Door and ready to get our books to their readers. Takers? Anyone? Hello? Libraries? We have content! Lets do business. And yes, that is an open invitation to ALL libraries across the country.

Side Note: We’re doing a GoodReads Giveaway of Eyes of the Hammer by Bob Mayer! Enter to Win!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Eyes of the Hammer

by Bob Mayer

Giveaway ends April 20, 2013.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter to win

The changes to the website include:

• Grid and List  title views;
• An “Account” page where you can now view your Holds, Lists (Wish List,  Rated titles, and Recommendations for you), and change your lending period;
• A ribbon below each title to allow you to add or remove it from your Wish List;
• A format icon in the top-right corner of a cover image that will tell you if a title is available – if a title isn’t available, the icon will be greyed out.

There are a few other changes too that can be  discovered by having a play or reading through these instructions.

OverDrive has also introduced OverDrive Read, a new browser-based e-book reading experience. This is another alternative to current download practices as it allows users to just open up an e-book without having to install or activate extra software. You will though still need to check your browsers compatibility. If you want to continue to use an earlier edition of Internet Explorer, then you can install for free  the Google Chrome Frame Plugin or simply use the basic version of OverDrive Read. If you currently use a cable to connect and copy your title you will probably continue to use your current method and choose EPUB.

Our customer contact centre is prepared to assist customers with any technical issues.

To explore these changes further take a gander at this YouTube Video.

Aprés Old gregg voici venir son équivalent italien (mais en franchement moins bien) . Une étrange pédale probablement fabriquée en Italie dans les 60′s . La pédale a été produite sous différentes marques (tres commun a l’époque) . La qualité est a chier autan le dire tout de suite et le son est pas franchement mieux . Je l’ai acheté 20 euros avec le port a cause de footswitches cassés (ils le sont tous d’ailleurs)

the three circuits are the typical 60′s circuits. First we have a tremolo close to the repeat percussion tremolo (and the use of a unijonction transistor) . The waveform is kind of a square wave , so there’s none subtlety here (can be usefull I guess)

the Wah is an inductor based wah , nothing magic here neither .The sound is not that fun and the shortness of the pedal doesn’t  give satisfaction.

The fuzz is….. a classical fuzz face circuit . It’s  noisy (actually that was the first thing I noticed) certainly the oldness of components

Les trois circuits sont les standards de l’époque . D’abords on a le fameux repeat tremolo (avec l’utilisation d’un transistor unijonction) . La forme d’onde est un espèce de carré donc pas vraiment de subtilités ici (mais certains y trouveront peut etre l’utilité)

la wah est un circuit classique de wah avec inductance . Mais étrangement elle sonne bien plus pauvre que les autres wah et la petitesse de la bascule rend son utilisation pas grandiose..

la fuzz est évidement une variante de la fuzz face mais avec l’énorme bruit de fond vintage (c’est cadeau)

The original wiring was a mess so after I looked for the broken switch  I re-made it .

The odd thing about this stompbox is the footswitch arrangement . It’s impossible to switch on and off the Wha or the fuzz without kicking in the other effects . It makes the pedal unuseable in “normal” situation.  I can’t imagine what was the designer’s idea behind this (maybe he had to compose with a mass produced chassis and have been asked to fill it with three effects to maximise the space . The enclose was actually used for several effects.

I still got this pedal , recently completely cleaned up and the circuit took out . My idea was to take advantage of the big chassis to use it as a expression pedal for a tremolo, vibe, phaser or whatever I want to control with my foot but even in this configuration , it sucks ! The mechanism isn’t as strong as a Crybaby or Vox , a harder kick and it falls appart . The circuit would end up in a stand alone box with modifications and additional circuits to control the wah (enveloppe filter, LFO, remote expression pedal and such….). I think it’ll be a really improvement to these effects .I’ll try also to reduce the noise. A kind of 60′s multi-effects (the noise would be extra )

Here the effectdatabase page : http://www.effectsdatabase.com/model/silversound/distortionwhaurepeat

Le câblage original était un vrai bordel alors je l’ai refait après avoir chercher la cause de la panne.

la chose la plus étrange avec cette pédale est la disposition des footswitchs. Il est impossible d’enclenché la wah ou la fuzz sans enclenché en même temps les autres effets.  Je ne sais pas quelle était l’idée du concepteur derrière cette disposition mais surement l’idée de maximiser la place (le boitier servait a plusieurs effets différent).

J’ai toujours cette pédale qui a été démontée et nettoyée. L’idée était de récupérer la bascule et la crémaille pour l’utiliser comme pédale d’expression pour un circuit type tremolo, vibe ou phaser. Mais meme dans cette configuration elle ne vaut rien , le mécanisme est trop fragile et le moindre coup plus fort tout se barre en sucette. Le circuit finira peut etre dans une boitier type rack avec des circuits additionels pour controler la wah (enveloppe filter, LFO, pédale d’expression ect…) et évidement il serait modifié pour virer le bruit de fond horrible.

Il va s’en dire qu’autan avec la Mold spore on peut se faire plaisir autan avec celle ci vaut mieux oublier.

The Metro Transportation Library & Archive is participating in a landmark joint exhibit of the Getty Museum and Getty Research Institute.

Overdrive: L.A. Constructs The Future, 1940-1990, which runs from April 9 through July 21, 2013, is part of Pacific Standard Time Presents: Modern Architecture In L.A.

The exhibit is the first major exhibition to survey Los Angeles’ complex urban landscape and diverse architectural innovations. Drawings, photographs, models, films, animations, oral histories and ephemera illustrate the complex dimensions of L.A.’s rich and often underappreciated built environment.

Library & Archive staff has been working with the Getty for the past year in preparation for this exhibit. Several historic items from the Archive have been lent to the Getty for display, along with additional items for the exhibit catalog publication as well as film footage that runs in the Overdrive exhibit.

The exhibit moves on to the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. later this year.

More information on the exhibit and Metro’s contributions to it can be found on the Research Library’s Primary Resources Blog.

What does this mean?

1.Our OverDrive site will look completely different.

To get an idea of what the new site will look like take a look at Chesterfield’s OverDrive site.

2. New Filtered Search

The search experience has been improved. You will have the ability to narrow searches by format, subject, publisher, language and by age.

3. One-step check out

One of the improvements we like is the in the checkout process. Currently, you have to choose the format you want then check out the title. The new system reverses that. You check out the book then select the format.We think this is an improvement that should make things a little easier.

4.New READ format

OverDrive is introducing a new eBook format, called READ, in addition to the current eBook formats they currently offer. It is browser based so you don’t have to download the eBook to a computer or the OverDrive app to read. Not all of the eBooks in our collection will be available in this format but most will be.

More info & a demo

OverDrive has placed the image to the right on our OverDrive site to let people know that things will be changing soon. Clicking on it will take you to a page that explains things.

If you want a quick explanation take a look at the video below.

never heard of the Snarling dogs mold spore ?  it’s apparantly pretty rare . It’s a wah pedal combined with a ring modulator .

Jamais entendus parler de la Snarling dog ? (d’old gregg non plus d’ailleurs ? ) . Elle est apparement plutot rare. C’est une wah combinée a un ring modulator .

this weird beast reminds me of the colorfull character of Old Gregg form the Mighty boosh . Like him, it’s noisy , buzzy, weird and hardly appreciable for a normal human being. The wah has nothing really special  it’s the standard snarling dog wah with a range selector . Don’t get me wrong , the wah is really good , better than a crybaby . Actually I won another Snarlind Dogs wah, the black bwall .

Cet étrange animal me fait penser au personnage haut en couleur de Old Gregg du celebre show britanique the mighty boosh . Comme lui , c’est bruyant , bizarre et difficilement appréciable pour un etre humain normale . La wah n’a rien de spéciale c’est une wah standard de la marque . N’en reste pas moins qu’au jour d’aujourd’hui ce sont les wahs que je préfére et de loins.

the ring mod is pretty uncommun . It’s based on the Graig Anderton’s balanced modulator which uses a LM565 .  The clever part of this circuit is the detector level made of the LM324 and the LRD/LED combo (the black thing near to the connector). Certainly  to act as a switch . It shunts to the ground the oscillator ouput signal when there’s no signal in and make it appear when a signal is aplied.  The thing is with Ring modulator you have to take care of the oscillator signal when there’s no input signal. An oscillator gives a fixed frequency but has no start or stop (expect , obviously, when you plug the power in or out) so even when you’re not playing the oscillator signal is still hearable. Therefore, this detector circuit, or enveloppe, based on the input signal creates a DC voltage corresponding to the AC signal . It can be really usefull in this particular case to allow the sound only when there’s a input signal.

Note that you can also do this switching element with cheaper component , instead of the expensive opto-resistor, you can use a classic bipolar transistor wired as a switch

Le ring mod par contre est plutot originale. Il repose sur l’emploi du circuit de Graig Anderton le “balanced modulator” qui utilise un LM565.  La chose interessante dans ce circuit est le detecteur de crete fait avec le LM324 et l’opto-coupleur qui fonctionne comme un interupteur. Il mets a la masse le signal de l’oscillateur quand aucun signal audio (guitare ou autre) n’est présent dans le circuit . Quand un signal audio est présent , la LRD ( résistance photo-sensible ) obtient une valeur tres forte et le signal oscillateur apparait a l’étage de sortie pour etre mixer avec le signal audio.

Ce genre d’interupteur peut se faire avec des composants moins cher, notament en remplacant l’optocoupleur par un transistor bipolaire utilisé en switch (en utilisant la tension Vbe pour commander le canal Colleteur/Émetteur)

Le fait est qu’un oscillateur produit une fréquence fixe qui ne se tait seulement lorsqu’on coupe l’alimentation ou fait en sorte de le faire taire. Le circuit présenté plus haut permet ainsi de donner un semblant de “musicalité” et suivant l’enveloppe du signal entrant.

That thing is really fun but hard to use musically . Actually you can do it but it’ll be funnier with the Devo’s hat.

I bought mine 35 euros because of a broken switch . We can often see some of them on ebay , the price is stupid . It’s a funny stompbox but doesn’t worth 250 euros.

for the the schematic of the ring mod you can go to the JC maillet page : http://www.lynx.bc.ca/~jc/pedalsBalancedMod.html (and browse the rest of the site, it’s even highly recomended ! )

Cette pédale est super simpa mais pas facile a utiliser . Vous pouvez ceci étant mais sera plus rigolo avec le chapeau de Devo .

j’ai acheté cette pédale 35 euros pour une histoire de switch cassé. On en voit souvent sur ebay mais le prix est ridicule (comme souvent sur ebay) . Ca tres simple comme effet mais ne vaut pas 250euros.

Si vous voudriez monter le ring mod je vous invite a aller faire un tour sur le site de Jc maillet . Le reste du site est également a l’avenant.

From Adam Sockel at OverDrive

Readers of all ages are discovering the power and convenience of eBooks. The results of a recent Pew Research Center study show that eBook reading is on the rise across every age group. At the same time, people are reading fewer physical books. More than half the population still reads physical books, but the percentage of eBook readers has increased dramatically. Nearly a quarter of all readers aged 16 and up reported reading an eBook in 2012, up 16 percent from 2011.

This growth in eBook reading coincides with the growing popularity of eReaders, tablets, and other devices. One-third of those polled reported owning at least one eReader or tablet device.

As more readers become aware of libraries’ digital collections, the popularity of eBook lending continues to soar. Readers checked out more than 70 million eBooks and audiobooks from OverDrive-powered libraries in 2012, more than double 2011’s totals. Libraries throughout the OverDrive network are seeing increased digital circulation, more page views, and more engagement with eBooks, audiobooks, music and video.

To show how engagement at OverDrive-powered digital libraries mirrors the continued growth of the eBook industry, we’ve created this infographic. Feel free to download, print, and share with your patrons however you see fit.

Above is a television advert you will have almost certainly seen. It’s Strongbow’s attempt to tap into the now-popular “pear cider” market.

Although to me, the remarketing of perry as “pear cider” is a ridiculous as calling rum “sugarcane vodka”, it has proved to have been a shrewd move that has revamped a drink that had gone out of fashion. Before, perry was associated with teenage girls drinking Lambrini on park benches; now, despite its sickly sweet taste (perhaps you can tell I’m not that big a fan), it conveys the image of a proper drink that professional women can safely stomach on in the context of daytime pub drinking (rather than the late-night option of syrup-smothered ethanol or cream-drenched vodka).

The brand that led the charge into these unchartered waters I believe was Brothers, and it would seem other companies (Kopparberg, Magners, etc.) have followed in the wake of its success. However, I suspect most “pear cider” drinkers are women, in large part due to its female-orientated marketing (to which the above advert is testament).

So, how does Strongbow attempt to rebrand a sickly sweet, girly drink like perry into a manly beverage?

Clearly the visuals are important: the archer reminds us of traditional combat in an ancient world, and indeed the corageous acts of [male] protagonists in epics like the Homer’s Iliad or Dante’s Inferno – or perhaps more importantly, [historical] epic films like Gladiator or Ben-Hur. That fact that he is completely alone in a desert also indicates single-mindedness, self-reliance and self-confidence — traditional male attributes. Strongbow’s existing reputation as a brand marketed at men is also very valuable.

But the most important element in constructing a façade of masculinity is the music used in the advert. Here’s what the music signifies:

• The piece of music used is called ‘In the House in a Heartbeat’ by John Murphy. It will have been heard by many in accompanying the film 28 Days Later. As such it reminds our ears of the do-or-die/dog-eat-dog situation in the film. In a modern relatively civilised society, men may feel (albeit perhaps subconsciously) that there is little opportunity to prove their primal masculinity. Part of the reason we may enjoy films like this is because we empathise with (virtually put ourselves in the position of) the on-screen protagonist. This means we can in some sense share in their actions to feel the same sort of “I survived!” buzz that would be felt by the character.
• Most of the instruments used would be found in a standard rock band. Rockstars are well known for their hedonism, masculinity and sex appeal. The strength of the playing post-pear smash also signifies physical strength and aggression.
• Heavy distorted guitar (usurping the other instruments when it comes in) is a “rough” sound. Rough sounds may remind us of rough voices. Rough voices signify wear and tear; someone who has been there and done it, who has lived a lifestyle that is likely to affect the voice in this way: smoking, heavy drinking, shouting, illness, late nights — think of Johnny Cash.
• Repeated, unfaltering note pattern (regardless of changing chords) suggests a stubbornness or determination.
• Lack (or latent use) of thirds within chords. This strips chords of their traditional emotional “happy or sad” characteristics. In rock, they’re known as “power chords”. This suggests men are not emotional and are (or should be) instead task-focused (the rising repeated figure also seems to suggest this).

These characteristics are by no means limited to this particular advert, they are absolutely standard for adverts trying to imbue a product with a sense of masculinity. As well as targeting men, this music effectively perpetuates certain ideas of what it means to be a man. Because this is basically happening on a subconscious level (except perhaps for a semiotic musicologist like me), this makes it all the more powerful.

Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer: The Sunday Gazette

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer.
~this meme was inspired in part by ~ In My Mailbox~

It’s a chance to share News.

A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up for the week on our blog.

This is your news post, so personalize it! Include as much as you want or as little.
Be creative, it can be a vlog or just a showcase of your goodies.

Anyone can participate as long as you:

This is your news post, so personalize it! Include as much as you want or as little.
Be creative, it can be a vlog or just a showcase of your goodies.

Anyone can participate as long as you:

Enter your link on my post - Sundays beginning at 12:01 am (CST) (link will be open all week)

Link back to this post or this blog

Last week on Jorie’s Reads, I:

• Posted my 30^th edition of The Sunday Post
• Participated in The Broke and the Bookish’s Top Ten Tuesday - Jorie’s Bookish Best Friends | Top Ten Tuesday
• Saw Oz the Great and Powerful
• Reviewed Libba Bray’s Rebel Angel 
• Finished reading: Zondervan’s The Bible in 90 Days: Cover to Cover in 12 Pages a Day (The Bible in 90 Days) (Week Four)

This week, I hope to:

• Post my 31^st edition of The Sunday Post
• Participate in The Broke and the Bookish’s Top Ten Tuesday - Top Ten Favorite Books I Read Before I Was A Blogger
• Post reviews
• Finish reading:  Katherine Howe’s The House of Glass and Velvet 

Around the Blogosphere:

• A special thanks goes to Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer for her Blogger Tips and Tricks feature. I plan to continue implementing these tricks found here.

My Book Haul:

• Holy Bible: Archaeological Study Bible-NIV: An Illustrated Walk Through Biblical History and Culture 
• Lee Strobel’s The Case for Christ: A Journalist’s Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus 
• Katherine Howe’s The House of Velvet and Glass
• Zondervan’s The Bible in 90 Days: Cover to Cover in 12 Pages a Day (The Bible in 90 Days) (Week Five)

Jorie’s Store – Rebel Angels (The Gemma Doyle Trilogy)

Reasons for Reading: Well, I finished A Great and Terrible Beauty and I wanted to know what happened next to Gemma and her friends.

Spoiler Alert: Readers must read A Great and Terrible Beauty before reading this review.

Summary: It’s Christmas 1895 and Gemma can’t wait to going to London, having fun with friends Felicity and Ann,  filling her dance card at holiday balls, and spending time with her family. Setting the fact that her father is unwell and her grandma is consumed with worry, Gemma manages to enjoy her time. Simon Middleton, Lord Denby, is dazzled by Gemma and begins to pursue her. However, Gemma is also pursued by three ghostly girls. They can only be from the realms. So, Gemma takes Felicity and Ann to the magical realms. They are reunited with Pippa in the realms but all is not well. Kartik has returned, ordering Gemma to find the Temple in the realms and to bind the magic. Now, Gemma must face all of her fears – the apparitions, her father’s opium addiction, and her late mother’s foe – Circe.

One Thing I Learned from reading Libba Bray’s Rebel Angels: I didn’t know that the infamous Bedlam Hospital hosted balls for its patients.

What I Liked: Gemma was definitely a teenager. She was trying to figure out who she was and how she fit into the real world and the realms. I liked how she ultimately chooses the right thing.

What I Disliked: This book seemed like work. I enjoyed reading the first book but this one wasn’t as fascinating to me. Also, I didn’t care much for the book beginning with Kartik’s voice. These books are referred to as the Gemma Doyle Trilogy for a reason, right?

Song: Loreena McKennitt – Mystic Dream

You might also like:

• A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
• The Luxe Series by Anna Godbersen
• Going Bovine by Libba Bray
• Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
• Rebel Angels by Libba Bray
• The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray

It has been noted that there are several states that are doing way more inspections on trucks than other states.  An article written in the Overdrive magazine, a magazine geared towards the trucking industry, has published this fact.  The article, Inconsistent enforcement: CSA’s heat index, compares each state and their rate of inspections per lane mile.  The state at the top of that list is Maryland, which has conducted over 32 inspections per lane-mile.  Idaho is at the bottom with only 2 inspections.  Depending on what state and what the inspector is looking for, determines where the state stands on the list.  The state of Ohio is on top for lighting inspections, they have written more citations for lights on each vehicle than any other state.

I feel that it is unfair for some drivers to be inspected every time they cross into a certain state.  If you live and operate in one of the states with a high inspection ranking, you would stand to be inspected everyday.  The second highest ranking state is California, with its weigh stations being very active in inspections.

These and other inspection stations use electronic equipment to detect overheating of tires and brakes.  The use of portable scales can be found on roads that do not have permanent weigh stations an can be moved anywhere.  Most of these type scales are located near companies that haul flatbed, logs, wood chips, and dump trucks because these vehicles have been noted to carry heavier loads than normal.  In some cases, these drivers are weighed and inspected up to 3 times a day.

Granted truck inspections are a good tool to catch those with trucks not up to standards but can be a hindrance to those trying to make a living.  No one is saying get rid of inspections, just make it consistent with every state.  There should be a standard of how many inspections each state should conduct, no more no less.

Related articles

• Weigh stations and Drive-Away (message8.wordpress.com)
• Inspection sheets and trip documentation (message8.wordpress.com)

Voici une chose assez commune a faire avec un LM386 . Une super grasse distortion (presque fuzz en fait)

The LM386 is a headphone amplifier, but can also produce a nice fat distortion , in putting another gain stage in front of it to sature its input. In this case it’s a JFET (2N5457) with a fully bypassed source resistor (for max gain) . You can set the gain of the LM386 as you like (cf. datasheet) . At the ouput, a passive RC low pass filter . The ouput volume is HUGE (it’s a headphone amplifier …)

Le LM386 est un amplificateur pour casque qui peut aussi produire une distorsion assez simpa et originale . Pour cela il faut mettre devant un étage de gain pour le faire saturer , dans le cas présent un JFET (mais n’importe quelque étage de gain fait l’affaire , l’idée c’est de lui en mettre plein les dents) . Le gain propre du LM386 est réglable (voir datasheet) . A la sortie, un simple filtre passe bas (RC filter). La volume de sortie est ENORME ! (c’est un ampli casque ne l’oublions pas)

Some LM386s are more noisy and easy to break than others (few I’ve tried did  oscillations and hum ) .But on the other hand  distortion pedals weren’t in the designer’s mind. This type of circuit isn’t new (at all) , there’s a lot of DIY project based on it . Some Commercial products as well (the really pricey DAM sonic titan or the Krank Distortus Maximus ) . If you like big fat distortion , it’s the way to go .

This idea can even go further. For instance  the Frantone Peach Fuzz (and its Danelectro Clone) uses 2 LM386 to create its huge fuzz tone.

here’s the schematic :   http://smokingtip.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/lm386-dist.pdf

Certains LM386s sont plus bruyant et facile a endommager que d’autres (certains me donnaient du “hum” et même des oscillations). Faut dire qu’ils n’ont pas vraiment été conçus pour ca. Ce type de circuit n’est pas nouveau , il existe depuis un moment sur les forums et site de DIY . Certains pédales du commerces l’utilisent meme comme la tres cher DAM sonic titan ou la Krank Distortus Maximus. Si vous aimez la distortion grasse et originale vous pouvez y aller !

On peut aller encore plus loin en saturation et en faire une fuzz . La frantone peach fuzz (et son clone chez Danelectro) utilise 2 LM386 a la suite.

deux autres fuzz dérivées de la fuzz face , la premiere est un circuit hybride employant un transistor Germanium (AC127) et autre Silicium (2N3904) . Le rotacteur selectione différents condos de valeurs différentes (pour aller d’un son bien gras et saturé a quelque chose de plus propre et plus resserré) . Le cablage est pas des meilleurs mais la nécessitée d’une pile était le plus important.

The second is in some sort the same as the one described in “fuzzy face” post . I don’t quite remember but I think the voicing was different (I don’t own this pedal any more).

La seconde est plus ou moins identique a celle présentée dans le post “fuzzy face” . Il me semble cependant que le “voicing” était différent (je ne possède plus la pédale)

Available as an e-book through Overdrive, A Confusion of Princes by Garth Nix is a fantastic sci-fi adventure. Prince Khemri has been raised to think he is the best thing to happen to the Empire and dreams of grand adventure exploring the galaxy. When he comes of age he rapidly discovers that as one of ten million princes it will be a struggle to survive his first hour and that his journey will be a fight for survival that will challenge everything he believes.

http://sapln.lib.overdrive.com/DD933DB9-614F-4A4C-96AD-9BB667F84727/10/50/en/ContentDetails.htm?id=BC50441A-C1EF-48B6-86C7-CE71BD536A7B

This last week has been a bit more on the level of overdrive than normal. It started on Saturday, where after receiving a frantic text from my husband to go downstairs, I found him flat on his back, his face contorted in pain. He had been stepping on a stack of boxes to flatten them, slipped, fell backward, and felt a major, and painful pop in his ankle.

As a person who has anxiety on a routine basis, I was surprised at how well I went into autopilot, remembering the first aid checks that I had learned and had to repeatedly practice in the military. I assessed the situation, checked for bleeding, breaks, pain levels, etc. I helped him get up and then assess things again. I was fairly certain that there wasn’t a major break but there could have been a fracture, so we decided that he should go to the ER and get checked out.

I managed to prop him up on a stool, scurry around to get purse, ice packs, iPad – in case he wanted to read, (it just happened to be sitting under my glasses), and helped him hobble out to the car. That’s when I think my brain decided to go into overload, I tried to turn the van around so he could get in easier, and ended up doing a 17 point turn, then I turned the wrong way out the driveway, and managed to forget which roads to take to get to the hospital.

Finally at the hospital it took me 3 tries, and a myriad of unsavory words, to open a wheelchair up and get it to the van. Then after helping my husband in, I almost dumped him back out when I tried to go over the entrance door bump, so I turned the wheelchair around and backed in. This is why I’m an artist, I can come up with a creative solution to a problem, but I don’t handle stress well for very long.

Thankfully the X-Rays showed that there wasn’t a break or a fracture but he did have a pretty bad sprain twisting the ligaments way too far. So with crutches, ice packs, and everything else I brought, we went back home, and propped his ankle up and began R.I.C.E., which is rest, ice, compression, and elevation. My husband and I are both learning how much he does that requires walking.

My husband tells me that I did well in coming to get him, assessing things, and helping him to the ER, and then after, back at home. In my mind I felt like there was a strange version of my voice screaming at me, OMG! OMG! OMG!

Thankfully, somehow, I was able to focus on what was right in front of me, taking care of my husband, although I had to keep reminding myself to breathe. I think after the adrenaline wore down, I was more overwhelmed than I was initially, and ironically I think that initial burst of adrenaline is what helped push me into autopilot and being able to handle the situation. If only I could use this somehow to manage everyday life, but I tend to get too much of an adrenaline push and wear myself out, so good in theory, not in everyday practice.

So life throws stuff at us, sometimes it’s a lot of stuff that just seems to pile up all at once, like my week… my husband’s injury, my dog healing from being spayed, I have a bad sinus infection, a failed hard drive, assignments to turn in, and a test to study for…

Sometimes anxiety gets in the way and things can be overwhelming, and then inexplicably, it gets overridden, we go on autopilot, and we can manage for the moment.

I’m managing for the moment… and I’m hanging onto the good things, for instance, my husband wasn’t hurt worse and is recovering, my dog is healthy, I have a new art book that is inspiring, only 6-weeks left of classes, and it’s finally getting warmer out, the snow is melting, so no more shoveling, hurrah!

This is a great transparent overdrive stack. Very natural and open sounding.

Works great on my Suhr Classic T and on the Stratocaster. The Eternity works as a fat boost, and the Kalamazzo adds saturation and grit for soloing.

1. LOVEPEDAL ETERNITY FUSE

LEVEL 10′ / 11′

GLASS 9′

DRIVE 10′/11′

FUSE SWITCH : middle

2. LOVEPEDAL KALAMAZOO

[i'm running this at 18V]

LEVEL 11′

DRIVE 9′

TONE 1′

GLASS 12′

One thing I appreciated was how the panelists discussed the fact that there’s an intermediary between the libraries (who have a mission that includes giving access to as wide a population as possible, along with freedom of expression, community development and preservation) and the publishers (who have a mission to get their books as wide an audience as possible while still being able to pay the people who produce the books). Giving control of the actual distribution of ebooks to these corporate intermediaries could be the source of many of the ebook licensing issues.

After listening to that, I read Evgeny Morozov’s article on Tim O’Reilly and his techno-publishing empire, The Meme Hustler. This included some fundamental criticism of our technocratic age and how Silicon Valley ideas have affected the way we think about technology.

Fuzzy, contentious, and complex ideas have been stripped of their subversive connotations and replaced by cleaner, shinier, and emptier alternatives; long-running debates about politics, rights, and freedoms have been recast in the seemingly natural language of economics, innovation, and efficiency.

It’s interesting (to me) how these two pieces played into each other. In the ebook realm libraries have invited in this technological, non-librarian intermediary. These intermediaries don’t have the same goals as information professionals and independent publishers.

An easy example from the podcast comes when they’re talking about wanting friction for borrowing ebooks. The language of “friction” applied to ebooks isn’t something that came from a publisher. It’s such a technocratic word, targeting our culture’s distaste for inefficiency. But why do we see inefficiency as such a terrible thing? Democracy can be a very spiky inefficient thing, especially when we’re trying to be informed citizens.

Anyway, even if you don’t agree with everything said in these two pieces (and maybe even if you think this is a weird juxtaposition in the first place), they’re both/each separately worth a bit of time and thought.

Getting Started

1. Download the free OverDrive app from the App Store. All you will need is your Apple ID and password.

2. When you open the app, click on “Get Books +” in the top right corner. Next, you will be asked to add a library (at the bottom of the screen). Find the Webster Groves Library by searching by name or zip code. Add the Municipal Library Consortium to start browsing titles.

*Tap the star next to the name so your device will save the library.

3. Before you can download eBooks, you must authorize your device with an Adobe Digital ID. (Without authorizing your device you will only be able to download Audiobooks).

4. Choose “Settings” on the bottom menu bar. Next, tap “Authorize.” The next screen will give you the option to enter an existing Adobe ID or get a free Adobe ID. When you choose “Get a free Adobe ID,” you will be redirected to the Internet. After you have created your ID, return to the app to enter your information.

*Steps 1-4 only need to be completed once!

Borrowing eBooks and Audiobooks:

1. Return to “Get Books” (from the bottom menu) to start browsing Audiobooks and eBooks!

2.When you selected a title, click on the cover and select “Borrow.”

3. Next, you will be asked to enter your entire library card number and select sign in.

4.The book will now be checked out. Download it by clicking on the Download button next to the title.  *If your device asks which format to download, choose Adobe EPUB for eBooks, and MP3 format for Audiobooks.

5. Clicking on “Bookshelf” in the top right corner will take you to your borrowed titles.

6. All the books that you have borrowed from the library will appear on this screen.

Under the title you can see the format of the book and the number of days left on your loan.

8. Clicking on the title will open your Audiobook or eBook.

9. To borrow more books, select the “Get Books +” icon at the top right corner of the app.

Placing a Hold:

• If a book is currently checked out, you can place a hold.
• Enter your e-mail address. The library will notify you when your hold is available. You will have 3 days to check out your book.
• Download your hold by going to your account. Next, view your holds to download the book.

Returning Audio and eBooks:
If you have finished your book before the loan expires, you may return the item by selecting the + symbol next to the title. You will be given the option to return and delete the title that you have finished. Expired loans will automatically be returned.

Is an Audio or eBook not opening or playing on your device?

• Go to your account by selecting “Get Books+” and choosing the icon for your Account.
• The bookshelf in your account will show you the titles that are currently checked out.
• Download the titles that are not working.
• Titles that are not compatible with your Apple device will not display a download button.

Want some more tips on how to use OverDrive on your Apple device?  Check out these links:

• What to do if WMA audiobooks are not transferring to an iPhone, iPad or iPod
• How to show or hide the option bars while reading an eBook on an iOS device
• How to listen to music and read an eBooks at the same time
• What to do if files are not downloading in OverDrives mobile app for iOS