Alle 15.30 arriviamo a Ferrara (anticipo per accaparrarsi la posizione in prima fila sotto Paul Banks). Propongo di passare dietro al Castello, prima di andare agli ingressi e iniziare la lunghissima fila.

Sulla via incrociamo due tipi vestiti di nero, occhiali da sole, cappelli con tesa eleganti, uno dei due alto, con una canottiera che lascia intravedere una carnagione chiarissima. Io e la mia amica ci guardiamo, un sospetto ci accomuna. Questa gente viene dal backstage, e quello alto dei due assomiglia proprio... proprio a... LUI.

Non convinti tiriamo dritto, ed entriamo in piazza. Tuttavia ci coglie subito un rimorso. Pensiamo all'unisono, CHE CAVOLO, ERA LUI! Istantaneo il dietro front, ci mettiamo all'inseguimento. Scorgiamo i due men in black nei pressi di un bar. Stanno entrando. Corriamo.

Giungiamo davanti al bar. Ci passiamo davanti due o tre volte, sbirciando dentro. Si è levato gli occhiali. I due occhi turchese che sono emersi non mentono: si tratta di Paul Banks in persona, a pochi centimetri da noi!

Intanto cu accorgiamo che un ragazzo e una ragazza romani stanno facendo pressocchè quello che facciamo noi, e lei ci chiede: "è lui?", e io: "sì, è lui, che si fa?" - "entriamo?" - "certo che entriamo!!".

Entriamo in quattro nel bar. I due musicisti non si sconvolgono e continuano indisturbati a ingerire caffè e pizzette. Irrompo nella scena con un fatidico "Excuse me... Mr Banks?". Si gira. E' fatta. I suoi occhi turchese si posano su di noi. "Yes!" fa lui.

Prende le redini del discorso la ragazza romana: "If I pay you this -indica la pizzetta- can you take a photo with me? I'm not a stalker!" Paul sorride incredulo. "Maybe I got too much sun on my head", continua lei. Mi sa che il sole lo ha preso davvero, e decidiamo per il suo bene di interromperla.

Paul si dimostra subito molto disponibile, e accontenta dapprima la ragazza. Poi è il turno della mia amica. Il cantante le chiede: "Ma la foto la devo fare io a te, o noi due insieme?". Direi che la fama che si porta dietro di uomo quasi asociale è subito cancellata, si mette addirittura a far battute! Arriva il mio turno, mi posiziono accanto a lui, vado per allungare la mia macchina fotografica alla mia amica, ma Paul me la strappa di mano: "Don't worry, let me do it. I'm quite good at such things". Ci rimango secco. Dirige l'obiettivo verso noi due, e scatta una foto perfettamente centrata e messa a fuoco.

Dopodiché Paul e l'altro prendono le loro cose e si siedono ai tavolini all'esterno. I ragazzi romani ringraziano e tornano in piazza. Noi restiamo al bar a chiacchierare emozionati con la barista. Anche lei, donna sulla cinquantina, li aveva identificati, confrontandoli con il volantino del Bands Apart.

Siamo sfacciati, e la mia amica decidere di prendere il suo caffè (dopo due Red Bull che aveva già ingurgitato), e di prenderlo proprio al tavolino esterno, poco più in là di Paul & Friend. Li ascoltiamo parlare pacatamente (in realtà è solo Paul a parlare, voce bassa e distesa, sigaretta alla mano. L'altro si limita ad ascoltare ed annuire). Paul parla di musica, di canzoni, di Busta Rhymes (Busta Rhymes?? Questa alla prossima me la dovrà spiegare). Noi intanto chiamiamo amici e parenti, per spargere la notizia.

Tuttavia non siamo soddisfatti. Vogliamo l'autografo. Siamo già attrezzati, perché a casa speravamo nell'evento: abbiamo carta e penna. Ci alziamo e ci dirigiamo al tavolo. La mia amica imbarazzatissima rivolge ugualmente la parola a Paul "Excuse me... don't kick me!", ma Paul è sempre disponibilissimo. Gli porge carta e pennarello, lui le chiede come si chiama, e le scrive il nome, seguito dall'autografo. Finalmente ci presenta il suo accompagnatore: ce lo introduce come Former Dave (si scriverà così?), tastierista in prestito alla band. Già che ci siamo facciamo firmare anche a lui. Stessa procedura per me, stringiamo le mani ai musicisti, diciamo che è un vero piacere conoscerli, e ci si vede allo show.

E scappiamo via, imbarazzati, emozionati, deliziati, estasiati.

In 27 years I've drunk fifty thousand beers
and they just wash against me like the sea into a pier
[Trains Across the Sea]

***

Time, cum, sand, and surf
these are the building blocks of life
[The Frontier Index]

Ο Michael Jackson παίρνει διαζύγιο, οι Beatles κυκλοφορούν το Real Love, ο 2pac δολοφονείται, η Madonna γίνεται μάνα και οι Silver Jews κυκλοφορούν το The Natural Bridge με παραγωγό τον Rian Murphy. Καλως ήρθες στο 1996. Αν μέχρι και το Starlite Walker υπήρχε η αίσθηση πως οι Silver Jews είναι ένα side-project των Pavement, το Natural Bridge, χωρίς την συμμετοχή των Malkmus και Nastanovich αυτή τη φορά, αποδεικνύει πως οι Jews ήταν από την αρχή προσωπική υπόθεση του Berman. Με μεγαλύτερη εμπιστοσύνη στις ικανότητές του, και ελεύθερος από τις συγκρίσεις με τους Pavement, δημιουργεί ολοκληρωμένα,  στρογυλεμένα τραγούδια και φλερτάρει όλο και  έντονότερα με έναν γλυκό alt-country ήχο σαν να θελει τρόπο τινά να εξισορροπήσει έτσι τους κοφτερούς σαν ξυράφι στίχους του. Από την αρχή του album κιολας είναι φανερό πως ο Berman δεν αστειεύται. Στο How to Rent a Room δηλώνει εξ' αρχής "No, I don't really want to die/ I only want to die in your eyes" και στη συνέχεια προχωρά στην ολοκληρωτική ισοπέδωση μιας ήδη τελειωμένης σχέσης. Το Ballad Of Reverend War Character [στίχοι] με την κλειστοφοβική μελωδία και ενορχήστρωση του δεν αφήνει, με την σειρά του κανένα περιθώριο αισιοδοξίας. Οι κάτοικοι του τραγουδιού, άνθρωποι κατεστραμμένοι, εγκλωβισμένοι στις μικρές ζωές τους είναι την ίδια στιγμή επώδυνα καθημερινοί και ταυτόχρονα εκκεντρικοί χαρακτήρες ενός φανταστικού μίζερου υπερθεάματος. Ακόμη και ο έναστρος ουρανός, σύμβολο ελπίδας και αισιοδοξίας, στο μυαλό του Berman αποτελεί άλλη μια υπενθύμιση της ασημαντότητας των ανθρώπων ("the stars don't shine upon us we're just in the way of their light"). Το Natural Bridge είναι σε γενικές γραμμές ένα καμουφλαρισμένα κατασκότεινο album. Τα προβλήματα κατάθλιψης και καταχρήσεων που θα κορυφωθούν μερικά χρόνια αργότερα με τις απόπειρες αυτοκτονίας του Berman, έχουν αρχίσει να κάνουν την εμφάνισή τους και να στιγματίζουν τα τραγούδια. Η απελπισμένη τρυφερότητα του Pretty Eyes (And though final words are so hard to devise/I promise that I'll always remember your pretty eyes) είναι φινάλε απόλυτα ταιριαστό για το Natural Bridge και προάγγελος του επόμενου δίσκου. Τέλος, Ο David Berman εξακολουθεί να αρνείται πεισματικά να κάνει συναυλίες.

***

Στο Επόμενο

Μέρος β':Η Κορύφωση έρχεται με το  American Water.

Bright Flight και η μάχη ενάντια στην κατάθλιψη.

Our first topic for this new publication is going to be copyright and instructional materials, but our runner-up was LibGuides. And because I'm also interested in LibGuides, I'm going to do a quick focus post on 'em.

If you don't know about LibGuides, they're a proprietary turnkey system for creating web-based research guides, created by a company called Springshare. They allow librarians to quickly and easily add Facebook applications, YouTube videos, meebo (web-based chat) widgets, polls, a rating system for suggested resources, and other neat things to their web pages. Overall, the idea is to make library web pages more interactive and user-friendly, while removing the technological burden from non-techy librarians. This is not a free service (annual licenses run from $899 to $2499), and the pages are hosted by LibGuides, not the library. (Although they say they're willing to talk if you really want to do your own hosting.)

You can see some examples of library research guides created using LibGuides here.

A selective list of readings includes...

• The Librarian in Black blog post
  Sarah bullet-points a lot of the key functions of the tool, and nutshells it as a "swanky-looking wiki with a lot of open source features pulled all together in one place." A good starter post for anyone considering the LibGuides option.
• Library Support Staff blog post
  More critical of the pricing model for the tool. "This, to me, is packaging Library 2.0 like a database subscription." Which, good point. However, I'm pretty sure there are libraries who are willing to pay for the convenience that LibGuides offers, or who don't have Systems departments that can host and support all the features that LibGuides offers. Those libraries might accept the cost. (Though I hope they'd also put some money into training their staff to do these things for free in future.) Also critical of some of the fine print in the license agreements (with a link.) To their credit, Springshare addresses some of these points in the comments.
• BiblioTechWeb blog post
  Much more enthusiastic review of the tool. Scott is very happy with the way LibGuides interfaces with Facebook tools, which is sort of a mixed bag for me. (My last "Focus on..." post was about Facebook, and included some research showing that students don't want to use FB for research, they want to use it for gossip. Also, I keep seeing articles saying that FB is already getting old, so I'm not sure it's the technology I'd want to tie to.) Scott works at a library that has actually used LibGuides, so he has hands-on experience.
• "Beyond HTML: Developing and re-imagining library web guides in a content management system" in Library Hi Tech, 24(1), 2006
  I skimmed, I admit! A case study of using a CMS to create web guides at Georgia State University Library, and a good overview of why libraries should move toward using a CMS (or similar tool) for publishing their subject guides. Essentially: consistent look & feel, clearer information architecture, no skill barrier for publishers, reusability of content, and usually version control and good customization. Georgia State moved from the Wild West of Front Page to the more civilized climate of a homegrown CMS after doing a comparison of several licensed and open source CMS providers. I don't want to stray too far into CMS territory here, but for any librarian who wants to understand a bit more about why CMS = good (or what CMS = at all), this is good background reading to compare with what Springshare is offering.
• Oregon State University's open-source alternative (ICAP)
  Look at that, someone's gone ahead and made a free, open-source LibGuides tool! I have no idea why I haven't heard more about this project. ICAP stands for Interactive Course Assignment Pages. My one nitpick (and it's minor!) is that while the ICAP site looks great, it's maybe pitched a little toward tech-savvy Systems librarians who know why "Uses the MVC pattern" is a benefit (?), when in reality it's non-tech-savvy subject librarians who are going to be the real drivers on using the tool. Be sure to check out their Publications page, too, for more about the project.
• Creating a Library Database Page with Drupal
  Okay, this one's a little more tech-y, but again, it's an interesting alternative to the LibGuides model. Leo Klein screencasts the process of setting up a resource page (he calls it a "library database page," which is confusing to me--he means a page that lists licensed databases, so basically a research guide) in Drupal, an open-source CMS. Too much detail for most viewers who aren't actively pursuing Drupal solutions right now, but still interesting as a way of getting the under-the-hood view of managing sites with Drupal.

A tale mancanza sopperisce un'utilissima estensione del browser Firefox, Linkification. Essa è in grado di trasformare tutti gli url che si presentano sotto forma di testo in veri e propri link ipertestuali (direttamente cliccabili) in maniera totalmente trasparente all'utente, contestualmente al caricamento della pagina che li contiene. Non sarà più necessario quindi selezionare l'url e trascinarlo o copiarlo nella barra degli indirizzi. E' estremamente comoda, leggera e funzionale ed effettua (se l'opzione correlata è attiva) conversioni anche di url contenenti protocolli non direttamente trattabili dai browser (ad esempio, ed2k://) per poterli aprire all'interno di programmi specifici mediante un semplice click del mouse e ultimo, ma non meno importante, l'hyperlink generato rispetterà lo stile dei css della pagina senza creare antiestetici effetti nella sua visualizzazione!

Scaricate ed installate l'estensione collegandovi a questa pagina.

With no particular agenda in mind, I'm doing the first one on Facebook. So, here we have it:

Focus on...Facebook

Bisson, C. "What does Facebook matter to libraries?" Maison Bisson. January 30, 2006.
Asks how well existing library services serve students in Facebook.

Bumgarner, B. "You have been poked: Exploring the uses and gratifications of Facebook among emerging adults." First Monday 12, 11-5, Nov 2007.
The abstract concludes with the delightfully frank observation, "Essentially, Facebook appears to operate primarily as a tool for the facilitation of gossip."

Charnigo, L. & Barnett-Ellis, P. "Checking out Facebook.com: The impact of a digital trend on academic libraries." Information Technology and Libraries. 26:2, March 2007, 23-34.
Link to UCB resource; requires log-in. Haven't read this one yet. From the abstract: "This article reports on a survey of 126 academic librarians concerning their perspectives toward Facebook.com, an online network for students."

The ECAR study of undergraduate students and information technology, 2007
Check out the full study link, and do a quick search on "Facebook." 80% of students use social networking tools daily, but most prefer not to use them for work or school. Student quote: "It would be crossing the line for my advisor or instructors to find me on Facebook. But it's open to everyone!"

Kroski, E. Top ten Facebook apps for libraries, part 1. iLibrarian. August 1, 2007.
Includes apps for Slideshare, Libguides, MyFlickr, the UIUC Facebook app that lets users search the library catalog and databases from inside FB. Edit the URL to get parts two and three.

Lupsa, C. "Facebook: A campus fad becomes a campus fact." The Christian Science Monitor. Dec 13, 2006.
Includes a sidebar history of Facebook and poll results on students' opinions on FB privacy issues.

Stephens, M. "Social networking services." Library Technology Reports. 43: 5, Sep/Oct 2007, 45-51.
Link to UCB resource; requires log-in. Gives an overview of MySpace, Facebook, Ning, and Hennepin County PL's Bookspace. Gives practical suggestions for what a library can do to start offering services in FB or another social networking tool.

ARLINGTON, Va. Nov. 4 2007 - Raise your hand if you've heard of "Second Life," police Lt. Charles Cohen asks a room of about 75 law enforcement officers from around the country. "Second Life," a sprawling online universe, has had technology circles abuzz for a while. But here, it might as well be a watch repair shop. Only a few hands go up. Cohen has some explaining to do.
And so begins another session in the traveling classroom of this fast-talking Indiana state trooper at the forefront of the idea that cops need to be better at incorporating the online world into their patrols.
Many police departments have computer crews that perform skillful forensic analysis on hard drives and specialize in nailing online predators. Cohen's lectures are not for them.
Instead he's trying to reach everyone else in law enforcement: beat cops, homicide detectives and other investigators who might otherwise think monitoring the Internet is not their responsibility.
More and more, such boundaries don't make sense. Whether it's on MySpace, Facebook, "Second Life" or other Web flavors of the moment, criminals and victims — especially young ones — are leaving clues in plain sight online, even for offline crimes. Things people once wrote in private diaries now cascade through Web sites that stimulate free expression — and are open to anyone who comes looking.
In one recent example, a detective in Newark, N.J., tracked the alleged killers of three college students by mining MySpace pages maintained by the suspects and their friends. In another, pictures and prose posted online by the killer of Taylor Behl, a 17-year-old Virginia college freshman, connected him to the victim and ended up revealing where her body was stashed.
And in an Indiana case in which Cohen helped, a young man wrote on his MySpace page: "I just killed two cops." (One officer survived the shooting.)
"People under 25 tend to think about what is public versus private information differently from the rest of us, and that is great for law enforcement investigators," Cohen, 37, tells his audience in Arlington, at a conference of the National White Collar Crime Center. Later, he adds in an interview, "Your computer usage is in some ways a window into your soul."
But the anonymity and the sheer scope of the Internet also can make it easier for criminals to cover their tracks. And today's hot online hangout is tomorrow's dead zone. The trick for cops is to figure out how to keep up — a proactive step that doesn't come easy, given that most police departments have to concentrate their limited resources on reacting to crimes.
Les Lauziere, a computer crimes investigator for the Virginia Attorney General who was part of the Behl case, suggests that police need to incorporate Internet analysis into just about every investigation. In the coming years, he says, asking whether a police department has a distinct cybercrime unit will be like asking if there's a telephone squad.
Steven DeBrota, a federal prosecutor in Indiana, argues that too much separation between cyber-specialists and other cops can be dangerous.
Typically, he says, detectives will transfer a suspect's computer to forensic examiners who might need months to produce a full report on the contents, especially with hard drives ballooning to monumental sizes. In that time, DeBrota fears, the opportunity to find a suspect's associates or additional victims may be lost.
So DeBrota has pushed an alternative approach in Indiana. Now computer specialists get out of their labs and assist detectives on sweeps and arrests. At the same time, front-line cops have been trained to do some of the basics. They can take hard drives out of computers, attach "write-blocking" clips that prevent data from being altered, and then do initial, targeted searches for evidence — Google searches typed, videos watched — that might be valuable in interrogations.
For all the logic of this approach, it is far from common. At best, several departments have launched profiles on social-networking sites like MySpace, so people can report tips or informally chat with cops.
"Not everyone watches the news at night. Not everyone reads the paper. Not everyone even reads news online. But it seems like everyone is on MySpace," says Stephanie Slater, a police spokeswoman in Boynton Beach, Fla. Her department's MySpace page gets more hits than its general Web site does.
Yet for all that MySpace reveals in its 200 million profiles, it's just one of innumerable online avenues. Spending some time in Cohen's class shows just how hard it is to track them all.
He suggests ways to hunt for clues not only on obvious social-networking zones like Facebook and MySpace but also the likes of Xanga, Bebo and Orkut. Given that people often don't use their real names online, cops might have to ask friends of suspects and victims not only where they hung out in the physical world, but also which Web sites they frequented.
The answers likely go beyond social-networking sites. People jabber in "Second Life" or through chat programs in online games like "Runescape" or "World of Warcraft." Sometimes they don't say much but show a lot on real-time Web video sites like Stickam.
Each of those sites has different procedures required of law enforcement agents who want to match anonymous user names with the Internet Protocol address behind them. Then more work is needed to ask an Internet service provider to cough up the IP address holder's real name and address, assuming it wasn't a cybercafe or library.
Investigators say most sites are extremely cooperative with subpoenas, warrants and other requests for help. In particular, MySpace, owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp., has a former federal prosecutor as its head of security and maintains valuable logs on site activity for at least 90 days. Some sites maintain such logs for much less time, if at all.
To listen to Cohen is to walk through dark corners of the Internet. There are gang members boasting on MySpace, killers revealing their obsessions on LiveJournal, teenagers sharing drug-making tips on YouTube, prostitutes hawking themselves on Craigslist, child pornography flourishing on Internet Relay Chat, a specialists' slice of the Internet separate from the Web.
Yet Cohen, in a cop's matter-of-fact manner, is measured in his approach.
"Social networks are not a bad thing. It's a great thing," he says. "It's like any community, communities we all live in. There are going to be criminals in it."
Cohen began his career with the Indiana State Police like any other trooper, writing speeding tickets and responding to accidents. Eventually he moved into complex fraud and corruption cases, and found that increasingly his work had an online component. But hardly anyone was available to coach him. So he mainly taught himself, with help from tech blogs and news stories.
Now he spends most of his vacation time and a few of his state police hours relaying what he's learned to local, state and federal agencies. At the recent three-day conference of the National White Collar Crime Center, Cohen's presentation was in such demand that it was the only one offered twice.
At one session, Cohen's audience nods along as he shows how officers can plumb public pages of social-networking sites to get to know people's likes, dislikes, friends and hobbies before questioning them in an investigation.
But his pupils have trouble accepting the particulars of "Second Life," where people chat, shop, trade stuff and have sex — and in Cohen's estimation, launder money occasionally — through animated characters known as avatars.
"Is this for people who don't want social contact?" one investigator asks.
Cohen shakes his head as if to say it's not that simple.
"This," he says, "is our new world."

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Fixed cables are being installed in the Laptop areas in the Auchmuty Foyer and in the AIC which will mean that lending of laptop cables can eventually be phased out.

Connecting your laptop to the wired or wireless network does not enable printing to the network printers or access to applications loaded on the lab PCs or MACs - it provides INTERNET ACCESS ONLY.

For more information see http://www.newcastle.edu.au/unit/it/labs/laptop.html
or
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/unit/it/wireless/index.html

The Cultural Collections  is situated on level 2 of the Auchmuty Library. It is the home of the historical and cultural memory of the University and its regional context. Our opening hours are 9.00 - 5.00pm Monday to Friday. You can also locate University Theses and Handbooks.

You can read more on their UoN Cultural Collections Blog page which you access here on the right hand  side.

Describe your product and how it works.
The Bear Hug Ring Sling is a basic design ring sling that works well for people new to babywearing who are looking for a carrier that is easy to use and versatile.

Are there any special design features?
With a gathered shoulder, it allows the wearer to gain maximum comfort when wearing, no matter the size of the bub. Each ring sling has a pocket built into the tail that is perfect for holding keys/wallet/phone etc. when popping in and out of shops.

What age/weight baby is this product suitable for? From birth to toddler (aprox. 16kgs)

What type of wearer would you recommend this product to?
Anyone who is after a carrier that is easy to use. Our ring slings are also perfect for the family who wants both mum & dad to be able to use the same sling.

Are there any sizing issues buyers need to be aware of before purchasing? As our Ring Sling is a one size fits most, there is no need to be too concerned about fit.

Any other details to add?
Our Ring Slings are made of 100% cotton drill in a range of colours. Each sling comes with a glossy photo instruction booklet to help our customers better understand the joy of babywearing!

Website:  http://www.bearhugbaby.com.au

Tell us a little about your business/products.
Bear Hug Baby has a wide range of carriers for babies through to toddlers. Ring Slings, Pouches, Wraps & Square Tais. We also carry other babywearing accessories such as Baby Legs & the Tummy 2 Tummy Babywearing DVD.

When did you start your business?
BHB has been running for just over 3 years. We made our very first sale in July 2004.

Tell us how you discovered babywearing and what impact it’s had on you.
When our daughter was born, I knew I would need something to help me get out and about with both her and our son. Our son, Connor is autistic, and having both hands free is very important.

When our first daughter was a baby, wearing her was the only way I was able to get around daily tasks with Connor, as well as get him & myself out of the house. I did some more reasearch on what was available as Rhiannon got heavier, and found a serious lack of products available in Australia, so set about making them myself.

What led you to start your business?
I kind of just stumbled across the business side of things really. I got requests from friends, & then friends of friends, and it just blossomed from there.

What motivates you in your business and what makes it enjoyable for you?
Being at home with my 3 kids is the most motivating factor. The most enjoyable thing is receiving emails/phone calls/letters from customers thanking us for helping them out. I love to hear the little stories that my customers have to tell me of how babywearing has saved their sanity!

What do you find challenging about producing and/or selling baby carriers? Keeping up with demand is getting way too much. We are currently in the process of expanding quite a bit, and finding the right people to help us has been a challenge in itself.

What is the best thing about babywearing for you?
I love being close to my baby! I love that she can sleep soundly on me, or happily chat away when I'm working, out and about or tending to the other kids. She doesn't miss out on a thing because she is always right there in the thick of it!

Do you have any other special interests or causes?
BHB has recently signed up with the Royal Children's Hospital Foundation here in Brisbane, to donate $2 from every sale to their Working Wonders Foundation. We have spent quite a bit of time in the hospital with Connor over the past 6 years, so this is our way of giving something back.

What do you get up to in a typical day?
After getting Connor off to the therapy centre or school, the daily task of answering emails, processing orders & returning phone calls is always first. Then it's onto making up or packaging orders and usually a trip to the post office. There is always time squeezed in for playing with a bit of play dough, finger painting, baking & outside play. That is my favourite part of the day :-D

Describe your product and how it works.
The Baby ring sling has a  special shoulder fold, which is anatomicall for wearers shoulder.  It has a pocket as well, and a toy loop.

Are there any special design features?
100Knots Ring Slings are anatomically designed for mum and baby.  The shoulder part is specially made to cup the mother's shoulder while the rings perfectly fit in the hollow under the mum's shoulder.  That specially developed and registered unique shoulder design that enables sling to perfectly mould into wearers body is a trademark that distinguishes 100Knots Ring Sling from other quality carriers.

It also features pocket on the front side, so you can easily carry it to the store as both: baby carrier and a purse! Our sling has an inbuilt loop as well which can be used for carrying the dummy or a toy within an easy reach for the baby.

What age/weight baby is this product suitable for?
All products are suitable from birth to age of 4 or up to 16 kg.

What type of wearer (lifestyle, personality etc) would you recommend
 this product to?
They are suitable for any lifestyle. For busy mums, for hiking, shopping, home use...

Are there any sizing issues buyers need to be aware of?
Ring sling is one size fits all.

Davvero un video chiaro ed immediato.

Some rooms are equipped for rehearsing presentations or group viewing of DVDs, others have whiteboards for group brainstorming.

For more information go to the Room Bookings page

Describe your product and how it works.

Each picanini pouch is made up in good quality strong cotton fabrics, fully lined with soft muslin lining. It is tubular in design and comes with 'how to fit' instruction and presented in a little cloth bag for easy storage.

Are there any special design features?

I have made it adjustable by using a unique ajustable feature (invented by me) so it can be worn by both Mum & Dad with one simple easy to do adjustment.

What age/weight baby is this product suitable for?

Depends on baby....but it's best to introduce baby to a picanini straight away. The best part being that the baby feels secure next to Mum or Dad's heart in a loving "cradled position" and will sleep quite peacefully while the wearer can get on with things (hands free).   It is possible to place baby in a sitting position in the sling on the hip once baby can hold up it's head.   But then the wearer will be required to place their arm around bub for safety.

What type of wearer would you recommend this product to?

Anyone really ... the trendies l o v e the camou, the eco friendlies the Hemp ... the picanini is just so useful to use when going for a walk or shopping or doing things around the house.....handy also for feeding and then settling bub..

Are there any sizing issues buyers need to be aware of before purchasing?

I offer to make up each picanini order to the measurements of the customer and pride myself in having v. satisfied customers as a result.

Any other details to add?

It's a good quality baby sling at a very competitive price.

PicAnini

Tell us a little about your business/products.
Designed and made by me to suit the ozzie lifestyle in good quality strong cotton fabrics. One being a Hemp Cotton mix too. 

When did you start your business?  In 2006

What led you to start your business?

Was encouraged into it by my younger son Jason after losing our eldest son/his brother Justin to Cancer in 05 at the age of 33.  There is nothing so good to help overcome grief than to be creative and get involved with a passion or helping others.  I did both, and found the spin-offs so gratifying and helpful.

Lets face it, birth is a happy time of life too and creating my picanini's has brought me into contact with such wonderful people from all corners of Australia and the world.

What motivates you in your business and what makes it enjoyable for you?

Each creation is done with caring and love as I mentioned and I enjoy the personal detail and service I offer.

What do you find challenging about producing and/or selling baby carriers?

There is no challenge because I love being creative.

What is the best thing about babywearing for you?

That it will promote a good quality, reasonably priced,  uniquely designed and made ozzie baby pouch. 

Do you have any other special interests or causes?

Yes being a breast cancer survivor (twice).....I use every opportunity to help  women who might be going thru it.......I also strive to set a good example  that life should not change. We also raise money thru our sport of 4x4'ing for various charities, last year organized a 4x4 trip to the Vic High Country called "Drive4Life" and in so doing helped to raise $76,000  for the Northcott Cripple Children's Asssoc.(motorized kiddies wheel chairs)  There have also been a number of feature articles in our local Manly Daily paper associated with my picanini pouches , my breast cancer survival, loosing my son and being the only women driver in Australia to compete in hard core 4x4 events as I do.

What do you get up to in a typical day?

During the week, living by the beach we make the most of it ... love to go for beach walks, ride my bike along the beach front, kayak with girlfriends in the harbour 1 morning, work p/t two mornings and make my picanini orders. Weekends we do much the same when we aren't going bush or 4wheeling.   A lot of time is taken with preparing our truck for competitions.  I also design and make my own clothes when I find a nice fabric or have an idea I wish to make up.

Do you have anything more to discuss?  I think I've gassed enough!

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