Support your favourite local artists

It’s time now to vote for your favourite artists and songs of 2008 in the Triple J Hottest 100.

Be especially supportive of our great local bands and artists, why not give them preference to internationals?!  Voting closes 18 January so don’t miss out.

What’s your voting incentive?

If you vote in the Hottest 100, you’ll go into the draw to win our awesome ‘Access All Events – triple j Pass’.  This is your double pass to EACH and EVERY gig and festival that triple j presents in 2009.

Music lovers – can you just imagine that?!   A ticket to the best year of your life!

If you don’t think it would really make that much of a difference in your life … check out the review of last year’s winner on the J’s site. So jealous.

Fingers, toes and everything in between crossed it’s me that wins this year

Where to find more info: Triple J Hottest 100 comp

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Steve Jobs, Apple CEO, announced Monday that he is suffering from a treatable hormone imbalance.

The CEO addressed the latest rumours about his health, by posting a letter on the Apple website.  Speculations have been made since the announcement that he wouldn’t do the keynote at this year’s Macworld Conference & Expo.

The Macworld Conference & Expo kicked off in San Francisco 5 January, with Phil Schiller to deliver the Apple keynote speech.

Source: Macworld.com
Apple site letter: Jobs health announcement

Loving summer – loving music festivals

Those familiar with the Falls Festival organisation and great lineups should cast their eye over the lineup this week at Sunset Sounds festival.

What: Sunset Sounds Music Festival

Where: Brisbane Riverstage & Botanical Gardens

When: 3-10pm 7 and 8 January

The pros?

Internationals acts:

• The Hives
• Franz Ferdinand
• Santogold
• Donavon Frankenreiter
• The Kooks
• Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings
• Tegan & Sara
• Gomez

Live and Local

Not to be too dazzled by the international acts though as the national and locals are also a lineup worthy of jealousy (for those missing out that is)…

Sexy Ash Grunwald and charismatic The Cat Empire will be sure to bring the house down, but don’t miss all local talents as well.

Check out the full line up here

The cons?

Presumably it’s targeting uni students based on the timing.  Spread over two days, it’s an afternoon / evening event, however we’re sure this will keep us all from expiring in the current Qld heat.

Bring it on!

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Going green with old gadgets

Out with the old, in with the new.  Can you believe Christmas – and 2008 – has now been and gone?!

Now if you’d been a good girl or boy last year and Santa bought you a new mobile phone or iPod, now would be a good time to recycle your old iPod or MP3, but how?

Think recycling (as in selling it)

If your previous iPod still works, why not sell it on OZtion or eBay to make a little cash for new iPod accessories?

Think regifting

Or – why not show someone your caring sensitive side, and treat your iPod as a hand-me-down.

Of course, if you haven’t got a little brother or sister, mum or dad or mate that you want to hand your iPod down to and you no longer have a use for your old outdated MP3 or iPod, then don’t just throw in in the rubbish bin.  It needs recycling!

“Ok, how do I recycle?”

Planet Ark to the rescue

The best option is to check out Planet Ark’s Recycling Near You website.  By searching under Product: Computers and Electronic Waste (eWaste) and your suburb and postcode, you can find out exactly how to recycle iPods, MP3s and similar electronic goods in your area.  (If necessary, contact those listed for exact details of what is and isn’t allowed).

Apple

I also tried to find out information from the Apple website…

If you live in the US, you can download free mailing address labels etc.  

However, finding the appropriate Australian iPod recycling information on the Apple website is like pulling hens teeth.  From time to time, they do hold community recycling events in Sydney where you can recycle your old items; and do list a Victorian retailer that recycles Macs – but that hardly helps the remainder of the country now does it?!

They also hint at giving a 10% discount on a new iPod if you buy from (and recycle at) an Apple retail store, but also note in the Recycling FAQs that you can’t recycle at an Apple retail store. So, presumably only allowed when purchasing a new iPod can you recycle your old one.  I guess 10% discount is a fair incentive for that.  But is the 10% discount even valid in Australia? NO, of course not. Just the old US.

Calling the Apple store and Apple care was also completely fruitless.  After being shuffled around with an obviously very “difficult enquiry” – and after 5 minutes of politely trying to explain I was just trying to find out if they do, or how to recycle old iPods (no fool – not restore, not repair, not service, recycle it) I gave up!

Doesn’t sound as easy to be iPod green… does it?  And yet Apple tries to talk up just how green they are?!  hmm

Apple resellers

Some of the Apple resellers will trade in your old iPod when purchasing a new one – and some of the iPod service centres will recycle.  Contact your local resellers and service centres to find out the relevant information. They may or may not be able to assist.

“What it boils down to for recycling your iPod”

If you’re not keen to regift, resell etc, please go back to reading the Planet Ark section above. It seems the only easy answer for Australasia.

Other recycling

Mobile Phones

Find out how to recycle your mobile phone.

General

With the festive season just passed, be sure to also check out Planet Ark’s tips for festive recycling and Recycling Near You websites for all other recycling.

Help the World Think Green…

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