Development on the new Newcastle Computer Wizards (original site here) website has kind of stagnated. The place is absolutely flat out and hasn’t really been able to sit down long enough to contemplate what is wanted on the website or how they want it to look. That OK because I have a new project I’m working on. And it most definitely is a first for me.

Genealogy, the study of one’s ancestry, seems to be a hugely popular past time for people with too much time on their hands. I don’t see the appeal personally, but if it helps me make money then thats fine. Turns out it is such a big deal that there is actually a data format standard that is in use across the field. It’s called Gedview and it allows the data stored to be transfered between different applications. This includes web applications.

PHPGedView is a website engine that can import said Gedview data files and present them in almost any format desired. On top of that there is a Joomla module in development that will integrate PHPGedView with Joomla.

I’m very much looking forward to working on this site. It should be a great challenge.

family tree

Gibson Presents The Limited Edition Jimmy Page Signature Double Neck Guitar - Gibson Guitar has partnered with legendary Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page to produce a limited-edition replica of Page’s iconic double-neck guitar. The guitar was created through a partnership with Page and the Gibson Custom Shop in Nashville, Tenn. and is based on the specifications of Page’s original ‘71 Gibson EDS-1275 double-neck model that boasted a 12-string electric on top and a six-string electric on bottom.

The whole replica thing has taken off. There is something about have a signature model, but I don’t know if it would mean enough for me to have a guitar that “looks” someone famous played it. To me it disparages the worth of the true antique guitar that was owned by someone famous. That said, this looks like a great guitar and I would definitely not say no if it was offered to me.

Now, do Elixer make 12 String packs?

I admit that I am one of those annoying people that air drum and tap drum (especially when I’m driving - ooops). I believe this would drive people around me mad. A mouse pad with built in drum sounds. Oh no, people are gonna hate me. I’d love to see this with MIDI. Now that would be a laugh.

It must be said that the site this is from has some other great gadgets too.

Besides the first LC Classic and the Explorer Pro, I’ve found the Gibson GOTW series to be pretty average so far. Well not anymore. I introduce to you the Les Paul Antique Deluxe Gold Top.

The Les Paul Antique Deluxe recreates the look, the crunch, and the bite of the original Les Paul Deluxe, introduced nearly 40 years ago. Features a one-piece mahogany back and neck, bookmatched maple top, vintage style tuners, and famous mini-humbucker pickups. With the coveted Goldtop’s trademark antique gold finish.

Yep. This one I want. The Gold Top is an iconic image in rock music. It is the ultimate Les Paul to own. Just the mention of a Gold Top Les Paul can make you drool.

Funny story about Gold Tops. Quite a few years ago, my good mate Rosco and myself went down to Sydney for a double Bruce Kulick / Eric Singer clinic. Us being poor teenages, Rosco had an Epiphone Les Paul Gold Top that he took with him hoping to get signed. After waiting in the queue for autographs Rosco finally gets to Bruce Kulick. I’ll never forget the works that came out of Kulicks mouth as he opened the case and saw the gold top finish:

“Oh wow a real………Epiphone…….”

He was so disappointed and I couldn’t stop laughing, much to the embarrassment of Rosco. But it goes to show the build quality on the Epiphones.