Andrew Dubber     

February 4, 2005 – 11:07 pm

Peter Brown writes:

Hi Andrew,

I enjoyed reading about your CC board game (via BoingBoing) and spent some time designing a board based on your descriptions. I tried to make enough room at the innermost row for the pieces. I also included the rules on the board. (I’m not a graphic designer – just an amateur hack, but I really like the way the board looks).

It is designed to be printed full bleed on a sheet of 11×17 paper, which could be done easily at a local copy shop or something. I haven’t printed it out yet (nor have I had a chance to play) but I am looking forward to doing both. I have attached the board as a pdf, but have higher res versions of it if you want them. I don’t have a blog or anything to release this on, so that is why I am sending it to you.

Mr Brown is a modest man. I think this design [800k pdf file] is absolutely spectacular.

Trouble is, I’m still working on getting web hosting myself – hence the YouSendIt option I’m having to resort to for all of my file sharing at present – from my jazz show to this kind of thing.

So if you happened to be the sort of kind individual willing to donate a spare corner of your webserver and was willing to host Peter’s design, I would greatly appreciate it. He’s obviously put a great deal of work into it, he’s willing for it to simply be made available to whoever wants it – so the YouSendIt link is really only a temporary solution. [Situation resolved - thanks Spoons!]

I have to say, I’m also hugely taken with David Stiller’s ‘Sun Dugi’ board:

And Gabor’s design is pretty sensational too.

I’m completely humbled.

In other news, it’s interesting to see that Steve Maharey has identified some of the same issues I mentioned recently facing broadcasting in New Zealand.

He’s even using the same unfashionable term:

TVNZ’s dependence on commercial revenue means it meets the needs of viewers as “consumers” more than “citizens”.

And identifying the same core issues:

…the need for public broadcasters to develop digital services; and the large number of commercial radio stations was not matched by diversity in content.”

The full Public Broadcasting Programme of Action document is available as a pdf file.

This, in particular, caught my eye:

Public broadcasters’ role in providing a depth of information and serving the interests of diverse audiences is likely to be enhanced by digital broadcasting, while their role in providing a shared experience and forum for ideas and debate is likely to become more rather than less important.

This potential enhanced role for public broadcasting provides a motivation for ensuring that public broadcasters are supported to take a leading role in the digital era.

It’s only 13 pages of quite readable prose, and it’s worth a peruse – if only to give a sense of hope for the future of New Zealand broadcasting.

It’s both optimistic and practical. And you can bet the RBA are getting ready to fight it every step of the way – especially that bit about strengthening the powers of the Broadcasting Standards Authority.

No doubt Brent Impey will be taking time out from the launch this weekend of his all-New Zealand music radio station to have an apoplectic fit.

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Yesterday’s listening:

99. Mario Pavone – Dancer’s Tales Knitting Factory Works 1997

Today:

100. John Scofield – A Go Go Verve 1998

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