Internet “Sound” Archive (April 12, 2010)
The objectives of global archive projects has been focused on the book as an artifact. What about sound archives, and the unique set of challenges related to ownership and access to sound recordings of indigenous music? How do you apply the OCAP principles (Ownership, Control, Access and Possession) in the context of recorded sounds, when many of the earlier recordings in the field by ethnomusicologists are inundated with copyright and use restrictions that prevent reasonable access by the communities from which they originate? I think a new conceptualization of sound archives can be built from the ground up, to solicit more contemporary field recordings (both audio and visual recordings) that do not come with institutionalized usage agreements, but do come with the same kind of sensitivity ethnomusicologists exercise (theoretically) when interacting with these communities, with the intention of achieving a more balanced goal of serving the needs of all community stakeholders, not just the academic one.

Dynamic Music Instrument Database (October 14, 2009)
http://www.banjodatabase.org/
I can’t take credit for this idea, but it is closely related to with another idea I’ve had since I saw a “Call for contribution by the The New Grove Dictionary of Musical Instruments” back in August on the SEM list (Society for Ethnomusicologists). I was reminded of the collaborative nature of the New Grove project (it is the authoritative source for any musician doing music-related research), and how my intent to facilitate a bottom-up approach to music knowledge sharing would affect — both positively and negatively — such an institution. Greg Adam’s Banjo Database Project tackles it from an Archives perspective, already attempting to address the dynamic nature of information related to music instruments (consider Banjo as a test case) that could be addressed in future editions of the New Grove Dictionary on the topic. I give Greg the full credit for taking on such a inspired project and hope he suceeds in his pursuits!

Community Informatics: Regent Park School of Music (July 10, 2009.)
The concept of Musin‘ is pretty broad. As I’m taking the community informatics course, it occurs to me that it can be applied in Toronto itself. Already there was a Ph.D. thesis done on St. Christopher House on how ICT can support the communities they’re serving, how about using ICT and the concept of music knowledge sharing to further the goals of Regent Mark School of Music? Foray into Participation-Action Research? Potential thesis? Potential good work? This is up there with the literacy program idea from May 20, 2009 (see below.)

Dijon on the go! (June 23, 2009.)
As I’m packing a burger for lunch the next day, I am dismayed that there is no good way to enjoy it with my dijon mustard. If the japanese have those tiny single-serving soya sauce bottles in the shape of a fish, why don’t we have similar things to dispense dijon? Environmentally unfriendly, I know, but someone out there please come up with a solution that reflects the best of both worlds.

Head Hunter Assistant (June 8, 2009.)
I am thinking of starting a head-hunting company independently. Perhaps associated some how with the performance group agency at the very bottom of the page, even though I was inspired more by the designer and communication industry connections. This is perhaps a more personal idea, but I wonder what kind of tool do head hunters need to organize their own work, especially because it is so socially based?

Literacy Program (May 20, 2009.)
Speaking with T today, who is doing internships as part of her teaching degree. There are many students with zero literacy from other countries who are being “passed” in the system, but who will ultimately fail to succeed in anything once they are left to fend for themselves. This literacy program addresses these kids, who are bright and eager, but have no one to teach them basic reading and writing skills. Pilot program should be launched for September 2009 with select school partners, curriculum will be graphic-novel based. Let’s go let’s go let’s do it!!

Urban Farming + Grocery Store (April 29, 2009.)
Imagine a space as big as cosco, with high tech farming devices growing basic produce, and you buy them off the plant. Maximum taste and nutritional value. Throw in a few local baker and butchers and start a whole new grocery experience. Whoo!

Social Media: Conference Review (April 23, 2009.)
I am going nuts trying to sort out all the conferences that exist in the world. Why is there not a world index? What about people’s feedbacks and experiences? How do I decide which ones are worth going and which one are not?

Music Information Retrieval Systems (April 20, 2009.)
These have a wide application, such as musicologists, record companies, sound designers, and educators. First, research should be done as to the user/market demand for something like this, and to present interface designs and Wizard-of-Oz demos for promotional purposes. See if we can get a VC interested in the ideas.

Ear Training Program (March 22, 2009.)
There are tons of ‘free’ear training programs and websites out there, but none of them are designed to reflect the user’s needs. I would like to create an online resource to help musicians improve their musicianship, starting with ear training exercises. This is both a design exercise, as well as a self-promotional strategy.

Open Source Proposal for the Arts (March 18, 2009.)
Inspired by the process of putting together a business proposal for an “Alumni Orchestra”, I recognized the dissemination of open source proposals to be an effective way for me to instill the community at large with my ideas, despite being often an innocent bystander with a lot of ideas.

Agency for amateur performing groups (March 4, 2009.)
Inspired by a conversation with Natalie, who recently joined the union for music performers, create an online portal of performing groups that are not big enough to be professionally represented, but good enough to be getting gigs. Help event planners (professional and starting out) connect with a unique performing group that reflects the needs of the event. (i.e. Art Gallery opening with a performance group that ties in to the artist’s theme.)