Author Archives: Stephen Pate

About Stephen Pate

Stephen Pate has been writing about music and computers for more 30 years. His IT career left him with an admitted Microsoft bias.

Apple to ship iWine

Apple iWine will delivery cask wine to iTunes customers starting July 15, 2013 in the USA and Canada

a> Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon one of the first to offer in iWines 4 liter casks

“Apple iWine is, simply put, the internet delivery of select wines from around the world to 4 liter casks in your home,” said Cook.

“I can’t get over how convenient iWine is,” said beta tester Edith Marie, of Sacramento Ca.

“I don’t have to stand in that horrid cashier line up at the liquor store any more,” she added, “with all those wine snobs looking down their noses at me.”

“We believe iWine will totally revolutionize the world,” Cook told the enthusiastic San Francisco audience “just the way the Apple iPod revolutionized how we buy and listen to music.” Continue reading →

Fender and other instruments 50% off for Father’s Day

It’s huge – up to 50% discounts on brand-name musical instruments like Fender guitars, Yamaha keyboards, Ampeg amps, violins and mics

Fender American Vintage ’72 Telecaster® Custom Electric Guitar, 3 Tone Sunburst, Maple Fretboard

I can’t resist an instrument sale. Amazon.com is having a doozy.

I found a Fender American Vintage ’72 Telecaster® Custom Electric Guitar, 3 Tone Sunburst going for $1,199.

The products include beginner guitar and keyboard kits to high-end gear at bargain prices.

Along with Fender, there are guitars from Martin, Gibson, Squire and Ovation, keyboards by Yamaha, Novation and Casio, mics by Blue Microphone, Shure, and Rode violins by Molinari, bass amps by Ampeg, and hundreds of other name brand companies. Continue reading →

Happy 72nd Birthday Bob Dylan May 24 2013

Has my life been wasted listening to and following Bob Dylan for almost 5 decades?

Bob Dylan on tour in Barrowsland UK

One of the world’s most prolific songwriters and touring performers turns 72 doing what he likes the most – touring.

Bob Dylan, who is 72 years old today, is taking a few days off from The Never Ending Tour but he will be back on the road June 26th in West Palm Beach Florida.

Born May 24, 1941, Dylan was the darling of the 1960′s folk and folk rock scene, establishing a legacy for himself as the pre-eminent singer songwriter.

Celebrate his birthday by listening to your fave Dylan music. Continue reading →

How Netflix Killed Cable TV

With the release of the drama series “Arrested Development” Netflix is poised to take more people away from cable and only costs $8 per month

3 seasons of the Fox Series Arrested Development now available on Netflix

Two weeks ago, when I called a reporter buddy about a story, he was engrossed in watching several episodes of the drama series Mad Men.

We only talked briefly about the story but did compare notes on which Netflix series we were watching. Continue reading →

Taylor Swift sweeps Billboard Music Awards performs Reds – digital sales take off

Taylor Swift cleaned up at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards. The biggest winner was the internet as music lovers grew digital sales 10% and CD’s declined

Taylor Swift performing “Reds” wins 8 Billboard Awards

Taylor Swift swept the 2013 Billboard Awards in Los Vegas with 8 awards, including top artist and top album. Other winners include Justin Bieber, Gotye and Rihanna.

Swift has totally crossed over winning Top Country and Top Artist in the same year.

“You are the longest and best relationship I ever had,” said Swift whose songs chronicle the ups and downs of her personal relationships. Continue reading →

Things to do on Sunday morning – update your Nokia Lumia Windows Phone

Looking for trouble on a Sunday, I updated my trouble-prone Lumia 920 with the much-anticipated, latest Nokia firmware 1232.5962.1314.0000

Nokia Lumia 920 home screen (S. Pate photo)

The sun was streaming in the south-facing Windows two hours ago when I announced to my wife “Oh look, my Nokia phone has an automatic update.

“You are a bear for punishment,” she said from her easy-boy chair taking in the morning sun after the frost last night.

“Isn’t that phone jinxed?”

“Babe, I like being on the bleeding edge.” I replied with a smile.

“Just because the phone has been replaced 3 times since Christmas and bricked last weekend does not mean anything. Hope springs eternal that Nokia will finally get it right.”

With a devil-may-care grin I pressed the OK on the automatic update and 10 minutes and one cold boot later, the Lumia 920 was back in action. Continue reading →

Review – Gibson J-45 the must play and must own guitar

The Gibson J-45 is an iconic guitar – the classic sound of singer songwriters, rock, country and folk singers for about $2,200

Gibson J-45 Standard Acoustic-Electric Guitar, Vintage Sunburst – the classic American guitar (Gibson photo)

{rating}

Dubbed the “working man’s guitar” when it was released in 1942 to sell at $45, no other guitar except the Martin D-28 defines what a guitar should be.

The J-45 and D-18 are the most copied styles and sounds in guitars. Continue reading →

NJN Network

Windows 8, Technology, Bob Dylan, Music, Musicians Resources, Disability, Lifestyle