/blog

Today sees me starting a new role. Sort of.

Since October 2021 things have been following a path of natural progression: from project to BAU and now something similar but with a much wider scope. It's all related which is good for continuity – both for me and the company.

The new role will slowly ramp up over the rest of the year so, in the meantime, I will continue to do some of my previous tasks. As the two roles are closely linked I will continue liaising with the other team members even after I have fully transitioned to the new team (which is just me at the moment) so I'll be the link between both sides.

It's time.

Litmus Test (phase 2) is now available.

Four more tracks, four different vibes, but all #acid.

Dave Winer wrote about wanting source:markdown support in WordPress and how this might be achieved:

"The challenge is to figure out how to convert the HTML in a post to Markdown and then to get a source:markdown element in the corresponding item in the feed."

I've not used WordPress (beyond edits and CSS) since switching to (b)log-In over two and a half years ago, even then I didn't use the Gutenberg block editor.

WordPress has a Markdown block so. at the most basic level, I imagine that the raw text can be taken from this; it would then be a case of inserting this into a custom RSS feed template (I had one before the switch.) There are also PHP libraries that convert HTML to Markdown if aren't just using Markdown blocks.

Dave asks for those who have "any interest in working on a plugin that does this"– I've got half a mind to spin up a WordPress install and have a look at what's possible.

Update I forgot that I still have a test install from when I wanted to look at changes in the webmention plugin. 🤔

Like Be alone, get bored - Amit Gawande...

"So that I can listen to my mind and do what it wants me to do the most."

As part of my new musical experiment, I sat down with the Roland TR-06 last night for the first time in a while. I had to consult the manual (AKA the folded sheet of paper) a few times just to remind myself how certain features worked, it's been that long.

It's still a nice little unit (better since I figured out how to best connect it to my set up) but the small form factor does have its downsides. Everything is less accessible – you have to go menu diving – and it's not as user friendly for playing live. I think it will come into its own more when sequencing a track rather than doing things on the fly.

I've been thinking about creating some ground rules for the experiement. Do I limit myself purely to one drum machine and one TD-3 per track? (Plus effects of course.) Or do I allow additional elements, like vocal samples or, maybe, a second TD-3? (With a limit of only one additonal element.)

Maybe I could stick to the original plan but then do 'enhanced' versions of anything I create if they lend themselves to it.