C.R. KASPRZYK

I love/hate technology

// July 27th, 2010 // technology

I recently updated WordPress and while this went better than the previous time, I am still left trying to hack my way into code that has altered my site (e.g. the nifty side bar is gone, leaving visitors wondering what inspired me to have a picture of headphones, a clock, and the Picasa logo sitting useless and forlorn). While I admit that I’m a bit of a perfectionist, it is upsetting that this essential update leaves me with a larger to do list (i.e. fix the problem or come to accept that my online business card has flaws). (P.S. Safari, you’re used 25.3% of my visitors. Are you really not @font-face friendly!?)

I do not intend to scorn WordPress with these words; the problem is likely the fault of me dipping outside my field (again) and I cannot imagine using some other platform for a website at this point in time. Still, as I happily work with my favorite music notation program (and then receive a coupon for the 2011 edition), I, at times, wonder when all of this will stop. Having recently recycled a desktop PC that boasted Finale 3.X, Asteroids, and speeds that make one think a pencil would be the better means of executing a project, it seems obvious that the old adage of technology being out-of-date in around a week or so seems to hold a strong case.

I once tried to perform a work that was scored for, to generalize, saxophone and electronics. The (extremely gracious) composer went out of their way to foster my interest in their work, trying to alleviate our OS 9 vs. OS X issues through email and eventually, in person. I was never able to perform the work. The results were not necessarily the fault of the composer, but merely a product of me not expressing interest in the piece five years prior. Current projects trumped a revision of the older work.

I wonder, as I delve into a world where technology is a larger part of my work, what the future holds for music. Most composers, I would assume, would like their work to be performed in the future, should someone have interest. To tackle interpretation used to primarily be an issue of deciphering notation. There are a few, however, that have gone in [the] two worlds of past and present successfully. As the reel to reel-4/8 track-vinal-cassette-CD-mp3 progression continues, it begs the question how a work for prerecorded electronics (that’s a tape piece to my slightly older colleagues) will be successfully approached in the future. While this may be a relatively easy problem to solve, it raises concern with works that involve gesture-based interactive electronics, for example. I guess I’ll keep waiting for my hover board and embrace change. Perhaps all good things come to those who wait work hard. I’m thankful (most of the time).