Booklamp: Like Pandora for Your Books

Anybody familiar with the Music Genome Project? How about Pandora? Basically, the Music Genome Project is the science that makes Pandora work. Experts take a look at over 450 different musical characteristics for each song that is in the MGP database, and this data is used by Pandora to find music that is right up your musical alley.

Well, what if I told you that the same kind of thing exists for books? Pretty cool, no? Booklamp is the front end of the Book Genome Project, just like Pandora is the front end for the Music Genome Project. The Book Genome Project takes a look at the language, story, and characters in a book, and turns them into information that can be used to find similar books to what you are already reading.

The Book Genome Project uses computer intelligence to come up with data points on a scene by scene basis. BGP calls this collection of data the BookDNA, and the BGP gives you book suggestions that are similar to the BookDNA of the book you are interested in, or let's you find books that are similar to a specific piece of the book you like.

For example, The Maze Runner by James Dashner has a huge chunk of Tunnels/Combined Spaces/Underground Environments in its StoryDNA, and Pacing is one of the higher points in the LanguageDNA. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian has Partying/Deviance as one of its top points in StoryDNA, and Pacing is also one of the highest points in its LanguageDNA.

The Book Genome Project is adding new titles constantly, so see if your favorite books are on it and see if it works for you to find your next favorite book =D

Please Don't Stop the Music =D

Ever need a quick music fix? Ever need to hear a song that you don’t have on your iPod? Ever need an awesome playlist fast?

When music first started going digital, these things were a little harder to come by. But now, there are plenty of free online options that let you listen to almost any song you could possibly need, create playlists, and get suggestions from others. Many of these sites also have a mobile version that you can get for your tablet, smart phone, or iPod.

If I’m dying to hear a song, I normally just look up the music video on Youtube (which I find has almost any song I could possibly need). But, if you’re looking for playlists or just the song, I figured I give you a few places to check out.

1. Pandora

Plug in an artist, song, genre, or composer and Pandora will set up a radio station of songs similar to your entry. This is the most popular option at the moment.

2. Spotify

"Millions of tracks, any time you like. Just search for it in Spotify, then play it. Just help yourself to whatever you want, whenever you want it." Spotify makes it really easy to share what you are listening to on Facebook, so this is another option gaining momentum.

3. Grooveshark

"Grooveshark provides free music streaming, online radio stations, and lets you connect with artists and friends." Several of my friends use Grooveshark when there is a particular song they want to hear.

4. Songza

"Working? Throwing a party? Songza has the perfect playlists for any occasion." Although this is a pretty new website, so the selection isn’t as great as some of the other options, Songza lets you listen to music that you might not find any other way.

Extra: Moreofit

Although this isn’t a music website, I thought it was pretty cool. It lets you search for websites that are similar to each other. So, if you search for Pandora, it will give you a huge list of other websites to try out.

Obviously, these websites are pretty similar to each other. So, try some out and find which ones work best for you J

Ever Find Yourself Listening to Music Online?

Anybody use Pandora or Grooveshark when they need to hear a song or fill the room with tunes? Well, as I checked my email yesterday (seems my email is full of useful info) I came across Turntable, and I thought it was an interesting idea.
In essence, its a social media format built around listening to music. You can create a "room" or join a room where DJ avatars are mixing music. You can vote the song that is playing up or down, and you can also join the action by taking your turn as a digital DJ. While you listen, you can also chat with the other listeners in the room via a chat box.
Most of the time I don't quite have the time to listen to music online. But, I thought this idea would be super fun with a group of friends, or to connect with people that you normally wouldn't be able to listen to music with.
If you want more information on Turntable, check out this NPR article.