View from Auchindoun Castle

click to enlarge panorama

Oxford English Dictionary Vs. the iPad

So today is going to be a non-photography based post. I've always been fascinated by the Oxford English Dictionary (O.E.D.), I was particularly taken by the eccentric two volume edition that included a small drawer in the slip case that included a magnifying glass. Well no more, since the 3rd edition will probably never be printed.

The next full edition is still estimated to be more than a decade away from completion; only 28 per cent has been finished to date.

OUP said it would continue to print the more familiar Oxford Dictionary of English, the single-volume version sold in bookshops and which contains more contemporary entries such as vuvuzela, the plastic trumpet encountered in the 2010 football World Cup.

Mr Portwood said printed dictionaries had a shelf life of about another 30 years, with the pace of change increased by the popularity of e-books and devices such as the Apple iPad and Amazon’s Kindle.

Simon Winchester, author of ‘The Meaning of Everything: The Story of the Oxford English Dictionary’, said the switch towards online formats was “prescient”.

He said: “Until six months ago I was clinging to the idea that printed books would likely last for ever. Since the arrival of the iPad I am now wholly convinced otherwise.

“The printed book is about to vanish at extraordinary speed. I have two complete OEDs, but never consult them – I use the online OED five or six times daily. The same with many of my reference books – and soon with most.

“Books are about to vanish; reading is about to expand as a pastime; these are inescapable realities.”

Photo Assemblage: Still House No.2

Pirate Metal

Thanks to our intrepid director / camp counselor Andy for the heads up about the little known micro musical genre of Pirate Metal that he shared with us at the after party for the 2nd gallery show last night. Enjoy!

Time Lapse: Pagoda

This is a time lapse video I shot from a window in the original pagoda roofed malt kiln at the Glenfiddich distillery spanning 24 hours. It overlooks the commons area where the tours go through from the warehouse to the tasting room. I have this video and another of a day at the cooperage showing in the second gallery show here with the other artists in residence.

Worchester Berry Syrup

Striped Socks

Another New Landscape

Balvenie Cooling Pond

My New Landscape

Thursday's Map

Everyday I've been here in Scotland I've been tracing my daily routes on a map. The different types of locomotion I've used, whether walking, biking, car, bus, train, helicopter, etc... are all differently color coded.

18th Hole at the Old Course

The Old Course Hotel - St. Andrew's, Scotland

Edinburgh

The Scotsman Hotel - Edinburgh, Scotland

The Dean Gallery - Edinburgh, Scotland

"THERE WILL BE NO MIRACLES HERE" by Turner Prize winner Nathan Coley is installed on the grounds of the Dean Gallery, one of the museums of the National Gallery of Scotland.

Abraham Lincoln in Edinburgh, Scotland

Heather in the Cabrach

Helicopter Shots - Balvenie Castle

Helicopter Shots - River Fiddich

Orkney Line

The Sun Comes Out After a Rainy Day in Scotland

Peedie Chippie - Orkney Style Food Cart

The Stromness Hotel – Orkney, Scotland

Heather Blooming at the Ring of Brodgar

The Ring of Brodgar is a neolithic henge and circle on the Mainland of Orkney. It is thought to have been erected between 2500BC and 2000BC. Presumably the heather has always been there, but these however are freshly blooming.

The Bridge Hotel – Helmsdale, Scotland