John Barbrook

Book Cover. The Revenge!

John Barbrook — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 19:01:57 +0000

Or rather, the revenge of Photoshop. Many years ago I was on a book cover here. Well it seemed the book itself must have sold quite well, and I have been photoshopped onto some new and even more heroic situations.

I think I have found my new passport photo, unfortunately the only effect on people so far is less ‘Awe and Admiration’ and more ‘Unstoppable Mirth and Laughter’.

A note for the reader, I am not constantly googling myself, I am a Librarian. We have some sort of radar (furtive glance). Yes some sort of magic book radar.

Creating an Affordable E-Book Reader

John Barbrook — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 00:06:57 +0000

Sometimes you have to do it yourself.

What with the Sony Reader being very expensive, proprietary and well, a little too Sony. The Amazon Kindle being mildly expensive, unavailable and blisteringly ugly, and all the others requiring substantial loans. The only real solution is to somehow create a more ‘down to earth’ E-Book reader.

(more…)

Sauerkrautsaft

John Barbrook — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 16:58:34 +0000

Found in a Local Supermarket. I am sure it’s very good for you, but ‘Pickled Cabbage Juice’ disturbs me.

Ich habe es im Supermarkt gefunden. Ich bin sicher, das es sehr gesund ist. Aber ‘Sauerkrautsaft’ macht mir Angst.

Checkpoint Charlie. Missing or Not?

John Barbrook — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 20:25:42 +0000

Looking through the internet, I found an interesting puzzle. in 1990 a chap called Alan Wolan claims to have stolen the checkpoint charlie sign. He even stands next to it quite proudly in this Picture.

(more…)

As Seen on The Berlin Wall

John Barbrook — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 19:42:13 +0000

“Shortly before coming to see this, i found myself in an apoplectic rage because my american debit card wouldn’t work at the ATMs here. People died trying to cross this thing. Apparently, the other side was nothing but tourists”

All the way from the US just to write that, How strange.

Berlin Fahrräder - A Photo Essay 2

John Barbrook — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 21:16:05 +0000

Berlin is without a doubt the most unique cycling town outside Amsterdam, due to a combination of large ex soviet style roads and a general down to earth attitude to travel means only one thing. Berliners love to bike, and naturally love their bikes. Possibly the worse thing you can do here is steal someones bike, Its so personal. This has created somewhat of a special breed of bike, the ‘Berlin Bike’. Almost like a fashion statement your Berlin Bike is as important as your ironic T-Shirt and what shoes you wear! (more…)

Anti-War

John Barbrook — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 16:31:18 +0000

There is something strangely photogenic in these anti-war banners, and that makes the message so much stronger.

Simple statements simply put.

Link

I Love Tea

John Barbrook — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 21:55:40 +0000

My odd interest of finding strange graffiti has spawned a wallpaper!

Its 1024×768 so will look smart on your computer desktop, at home or at work.

To find it yourself (if you like that sort of thing), it is on a wall in Berlin near the shore of the ‘Muggel See’. (It’s a large lake).

(more…)

Why the Commercial eBook Market is Broken

John Barbrook — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 14:28:59 +0000

Previously, back in the mists of time, I had a Palmpilot. It was an old greyscreen and it was used exclusively for one job… Reading books.

A six year old calender device was a fantastic book reading device, the screen was even easy to read.

(more…)

History of Oil

John Barbrook — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 21:32:56 +0000

Been a bit distracted, as I am quite busy learning German in Berlin, however I discovered that ‘Robert Newman’s History of Oil’ was uploaded to Google Video. It was shown on UK TV in April 2006 and I was lucky enough to record it (Humax PVR’s, technology from the far future!).

It is an excellent ‘Educational’ show detailing the rather sordid history of oil in the world, on a stage with cycle powered lights. After the recent global warming report release and the ensuing bunfight that follows it’s very topical. Enjoy.

Link