Markku Seguerra’s weblog on web design, photography, and other things of interest.
We just finished moving to a new place a few days ago, and I’m still without an internet connection, not even dial-up! Updates will be very sporadic for the next few days, until I get a phoneline. It sucks, I know. A day without internet is quite unbearable.
More to come, hopefully soon.
The CSS Vault has been showcasing good CSS–driven designs for some time, linking to some of the best designs around. A few hours ago, I found the newest entry, pointing to this site called aDeuxMains. Now, have a look at Dan Cederholm’s SimpleBits and Doug Bowman’s StopDesign, two well–known sites of famous web designers. Observe closely SimpleBits’s navigation bar at the top, and StopDesign’s sidebar on the right side; have a second look at aDeuxMains’s layout again. Seeing some familiar details?
Certainly, this cannot be considered a “rip,” a term for blatant, inconsiderate copying of someone else’s (graphic) work. Everyone who develops an interest for web and graphic design passes such a stage at some point. “View Source,” as Zeldman would say, is a great learning tool. However, to publicly use heavily–inspired designs without mention of your “inspirational sources,” and have your work listed on a CSS–resources site, is at the very least—unacceptable. Dangerously close to the limits.
What do you think?
Update: Leone just posted a comment noting that aDeuxMains’s top header is actually based off Brookelyn.org. Now it makes me wonder, has this site crossed the line?
Listening to this CD I got from my girlfriend for my birthday, I can’t help but recall the old Rivermaya days—a unique blend of vocal talents. The Bamboo Mañalac–Rico Blanco sound was simply unrivalled during the mid–nineties, when the Filipino band scene was very much alive and kicking.
Fast forward to 2004 and we have Bamboo — The Band. After quitting Rivermaya and leaving for the US several years ago, Bamboo Mañalac has returned to Manila and formed his own band, aptly named Bamboo. Joined by former Rivermaya bassist Nathan Azarcon, with Ira Cruz and Vic Mercado of Passage, they have released their first album As The Music Plays, with the current radio hit Noypi as the carrier single.
Every song highlights their music’s main selling point—Bamboo’s wonderful voice. Personally, they sound much “lighter” compared to Rivermaya (who else should I compare them to?); though I notice that some of their songs, especially those written in Filipino, has some of the Rico Blanco style of songwriting—surely a strong influence to Mañalac’s music.
Upon getting this CD and listening to it for a few days, my initial impression was that there wasn’t anything too special about their music. Not enough of the wow–factor you get listening to the Eraserhead’s Fruitcake or Cutterpillow, yet playing the songs more in Winamp (yes, I was able to rip the copy–protected CD) makes you develop a liking for their music, growing everyday. I don’t know, it must be that voice.
The band itself sounds nice and clean, the guitarwork sweet and simple. Once again, we get to enjoy Azarcon’s playful (but not funky playful) bass lines, something I noticed a lot in older Rivermaya records.
My picks: Masaya, War Of Hearts And Minds, These Days, Hudas and Noypi.
Ten songs for a CD priced less than 300 pesos. Worth every depreciating peso. If you’re a Rivermaya fan missing Bamboo’s voice, this is your fix. For casual listeners, this is certainly worth a try.
Four out of five rebellious pixels.
wp–recent–links 1.1 is now out, with a few bugfixes and now a bookmarklet for easy posting of new links. The zip package has everything you need.
Last night, I watched the performances of Americal Idol’s final twelve on StarWorld, and I must say that most of them were very good. Jasmine Trias’ rendition of Natalie Cole’s Inseparable was the best for the evening! Filipinos have been rooting for the two half–pinoys, Jasmine and Camile Velasco, and I really hope they stay longer in the competition. Who do I think would win? Jasmine or Jon Peter Lewis.
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