Lee Distad's professional opinion

It's totally ridiculous, redundant and unnecessary but lately I've been streaming audio from the Squeezebox Server downstairs to my iPhone via Squeezecast, and then streaming it to play over my laptop speakers via Bluetooth.

I'm not doing it because I need to, but just because I can.

New At Marketnews: Custom Corner: Outdoor Speaker Season Is Coming!

noreply@blogger.com (Lee_D) — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 20:00:00 +0000

Marketnews: Custom Corner: Outdoor Speaker Season Is Coming!

A Tribute To Marketnews' Robert Franner

noreply@blogger.com (Lee_D) — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 16:02:00 +0000

I’m saddened by the loss of my editor, mentor, and friend Robert Franner who passed away Friday March 11, 2011 after his three year bout with cancer. I extend my deepest sympathies to all his friends and family.

You can read Marketnews’ excellent obituary here.

It was around five years ago that I was still a third-tier blogger, blogging away in total obscurity on CE and business issues, and I had only done a few paid columns for CE Pro’s website when I cold-called Marketnews and Robert gave me a big break, asking me to start writing feature stories and weekly columns covering the custom channel beat for Marketnews.

My writing career has snowballed from there, and I owe him a huge debt of gratitude for that, which I can only repay by trying to live up to the expectations that he set for me.

I have a mental list of people who’ve had a massive impact on my personal and professional development, and Robert is right up there at the top of the list. He was brilliant at getting my best work out of me, and wouldn’t settle for lazy words or half-hearted prose. He was a demanding editor, but his critique was honest and incredibly helpful.

Those who know him will know what an extraordinary sense of humour he had. The few times when he and I were in the same room at industry functions I can remember laughing so hard my ribs hurt.

Related to both the previous points, he had no filter, and had the most amazing way, reminiscent of Oscar Wilde of saying wildly inappropriate things that no one else would ever dare, and getting away with it because of his wit and charm. Early on in our work relationship, when he was coaching me on my writing, he exhorted that prose “should be vigorous and strong, like a donkey’s cock.” I don’t think I’d ever done a double take at a work-related email before.

Finally, his passions for technology, from computers to HiFi were infectious. As his long-time friend and colleage Gordon Brockhouse said in Robert’s obit, he communicated those passions in clear, bright terms that transported you to what he sensed and felt.

Right from my first month working in CE retail all those years ago I remember reading Marketnews, and can still remember some of Robert’s columns and stories that I most enjoyed. That made working with him years later that much more of an honour and a privilege, as I was always a big fan of his work.

Robert, you will be sorely missed. Rest in peace, my friend.

New At Marketnews: Custom Corner: Clients Want Fewer Sources

noreply@blogger.com (Lee_D) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 18:03:00 +0000

Marketnews: Custom Corner: Clients Want Fewer Sources

New At rAVe [Publications]: Streaming Heats Up As We Knew It Would

noreply@blogger.com (Lee_D) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 13:25:00 +0000

rAVe [Publications]: Streaming Heats Up As We Knew It Would

This is one of my favorite topics and I could probably expound on it all day, whether people like it or not.

New At rAVe [Publications]: Hello, Analog Sunset: Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Lee_D) — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 18:27:00 +0000

rAVe [Publications]: Hello, Analog Sunset: Part 2

Here's the link to Hello, Analog Sunset: Part 1 if you missed it before.

New At rAVe [Publications]: Managing Employees In A Small AV Integration Business

noreply@blogger.com (Lee_D) — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 18:25:00 +0000

rAVe [Publications]: Managing Employees In A Small AV Integration Business

New At Marketnews: Custom Corner: Apple Airplay & Custom Installation

noreply@blogger.com (Lee_D) — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 18:17:00 +0000

Marketnews: Custom Corner: Apple Airplay & Custom Installation

New At ProAV: Well Blended

noreply@blogger.com (Lee_D) — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 20:14:00 +0000

ProAV: Well Blended

The title doesn't tell you much but it's a profile of the technology and design that went into Lockheed Martin's new conference facility. It was really interesting to research and the interview subjects for the story were both loquacious and fascinating.

New At Marketnews: Custom Corner: Wireless To The Rescue

noreply@blogger.com (Lee_D) — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 17:16:00 +0000

Marketnews: Custom Corner: Wireless To The Rescue

New At rAVe [Publications]: A Plethora Of Stories

noreply@blogger.com (Lee_D) — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 17:01:00 +0000

rAVe [Publications]: Not Holding My Breath For The iPad Killer

rAVe [Publications]: Analog Reminiscences

rAVe [Publications]: Hello, Analog Sunset: Part 1

New At rAVe [Publications]: Integrating The Integrators: You're All On The Same Side

noreply@blogger.com (Lee_D) — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 16:05:00 +0000

rAVe [Publications]: Integrating The Integrators: You're All On The Same Side

New At rAVe [Publications]: Bigger Boat Syndrome

noreply@blogger.com (Lee_D) — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 16:03:00 +0000

rAVe [Publications]: Bigger Boat Syndrome

New At Marketnews: Custom Corner: More Apps for That

noreply@blogger.com (Lee_D) — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 16:02:00 +0000

Marketnews: Custom Corner: More Apps for That

New At Marketnews: FEATURE: Custom Corner - Distributing High Definition Video

noreply@blogger.com (Lee_D) — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 16:03:00 +0000

Marketnews: FEATURE: Custom Corner - Distributing High Definition Video