Periodically on HBO there are "advertisements" for the "HBO original
series" shows - a few months ago they were running a spot for
which the theme was "Do the Math" - it showed spots for Sex in the
City, The Soprannos, etc, all intersperced with some 3D graphics of
mathmatical equations, and set to a "rap/hip-hop" song ... I am trying
to identify the artist and song the spot featured, and what agency
created the ad.

Hi Benjoe,

I remember that spot but have no idea on the song or artist.  It's not
my genre at all.  The Velocity Design Group has done some recent work
with HBO promos but I didn't find that particular one available on
their site.
http://www.velocityny.com/home.htm

Digital Kitchen has also done promos for The Sopranos.
http://www.d-kitchen.com

Here's the Design in Motion website in case I missed something:
http://www.uemedia.net/CPC/index.shtml
http://www.uemedia.net/CPC/videography/article_7335.shtml

Best of luck and I hope one of my colleagues can find this for you,
V

A friend of mine is one of the promo producers at HBO, so here's the
scoop directly from the source:

"ok, so... the song was 'algebra' by soul hooligan.  there was no
agency--spot was produced (in-house) by jacqui bussey;  michael
darmanin did the grfx (the only thing done out-of-house)."

Oh, how we love our shadow insiders.  Thanks, cryptica.  I was trying
to recall the lyrics to that song and the one big hook ("not
al-jih-bruh or kal-kyoo-lis-sssaah") but the brain is much too old and
fried.  Appreciate your stopping that itch at the base of my skull.

Benjoe, here's the tune if you'd like to verify:

"Algebra" --  Soul Hooligan
http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=3092556&cart=188656053&style=music

And the music to the Velocity promos (for the pathologically obsessive)

"Why Can't We Be Friends" -- War
http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=1117421&cart=188656053&style=music

"Comin' Home Baby" -- Mel (the VF) Torme
http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=5064888&cart=188656053&style=music

"Sunday" -- Frank Sinatra
http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=1109158&cart=188656053&style=music

Good to 'see' you again, cryptica!  I can usually call up a song title
if it has a 'doo-bee' in the lyrics, but this one had 'crack' in it.
;-).
V

Greetings, Voila . . .yeah, I didn't mean to usurp your gig, but I
couldn't resist, since I had a straight line to the source.   And
believe me, I have never even heard of "Soul Hooligan," so I was just
the messenger!  If you like the doo-bee stuff, go to nytimes.com and
read about the new restaurant/club in NY called "The Summitt."  It's
decorated to look like everything Frank Sinatra. . . his house,
everything!

Not a problem, C.  I'd tossed in the Martex on this one, posted what I
did find, and moseyed off.  It's possible someone would've come up
with the song title, but only an insider would know the names of the
creative team.  Most of these multi-part questions get tossed into the
unanswered pile because of that fact, so jump on in there with your
bad self.

Thanks for the restaurant tip and who wouldn't enjoy a "60s
swank-fest" with Frank?  I do wish GA would consider a community chat
board so we could pump you for further info instead of doing our
yak-yak in poor Benjoe's comment section.  Sorry about that.  We don't
have an opportunity for a crypti-chat often enough.
http://www.digitalcity.com/newyork/dining/venue.adp?vid=210243

Here's a London company who's done some interesting work on HBO's 6FU
website.  Might as well give them a plug also.
http://www.hi-res.net

Cheers and thanks for the fun question,
V

Wow - thanks for the great information.  I don't mind the "yak-yak" at
all ... in fact, I have found the extra info v. helpful ... It just so
happens that the question was related to a segment I am working on
that will be presented in NY - thanks to extra info I have something
to add to the list of places to check out while I am there.  And to
think I might have missed out on a good "60s swank fest".  So, it
looks like we have spent a dollar and six dimes ...

My only complaint is now I need to submit an extra question - to find
out what it means to "toss in the Martex" ... how much do you think an
answer to that one is worth?

I get the 'explain your odd phrasing' quite often.  Somehow I think
everyone's on my same wavelength, but it's usually just me and a
couple of space aliens on that frequency.

And save your $, child; Martex is a brand of towels.  We're sending
the Fab 5 to your home immediately.

Glad the extra info was helpful and enjoy your time in NYC.  The
Summit looks like a fun place to shake it like a pre-Polaroid.  Have a
martini for me, son.

Good doin' the schmooze thang with ya,
V

OK ... you have now answered two questions for me.  So, now you can
post this as an answer, no?

This was my first question with GA ... maybe I am missing something
about how this works. I feel obligated to give a rating on this, and
it looks like the only way to do that is to have the "answer"
posted...

Voila -- yes, by all means, we should have a Google Gab Area.
But before they do that, I think Google should publicize answers.google more.
On the one hand, I love that it's sort of a "best kept secret" kind of place,
but all of you deserve a lot more notice than you get.  And I also wish the
fonts in the Answer/Comment sections weren't so UGLY.  What is this-- courier?
Times New Roman?  Not stylish at all!!!

Benjoe, here's the link to the NY Times article on the Sinatra joint.
It will be free on the Times site for 7 days, then you have to pay,
so go get it while you can.  If you're not registered on the Times site,
it takes just a minute to do it.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/13/garden/13SUMM.html


And for other good NY sources for food, drink, shopping, etc. -- the
New York Magazine website is terrific, too:
http://www.nymetro.com

Lordy, I'm afraid my conscience would bother me to do that.  Ya know,
sometimes a researcher can search the web high and low while someone
with contacts can pick up the phone and deliver the information
succinctly in two seconds flat.  Cryptica did that -- didn't have to,
mind you -- but she's a nice lady for doing it.  All thanks go to her.
 I was only foolin' around on a work break when I noticed your
question and it looked like an interesting pursuit.

As for the Martex 'answer,' talk is still free unless you're a 1-900
operator.  Chatting with our customers is a way of letting them know
that researchers aren't a part of the Googleplex, AI answer bots, or
people with cookie-cutter personalities.  I think people forget we're
Cheerios-eatin', PowerAde swiggin', lounge music listenin', Crest
WhiteStrips wearin' folks with lousy healthcare coverage just like
you.

So how about just closing this question and using the service again
sometime?   I bet you have tons of other questions on your mind or
will be down the road.  But you can do us one favor though.  The next
time you formulate a question, try not to ask more than one at a time.
 Most researchers will pass by most multi-part questions entirely. 
Having the name of the song is one question; having the name of the
producers/agency a second -- and much more difficult (unless you're
cryptica!).  This would go a long way in reducing that nasty bruxism
epidemic among researchers.  Quite a few people are using GA for the
first time and really just need a bit of coaching on how we operate.

Also, with our service, you have the benefit of some very generous
commenters who fill in the gaps, share their time and offer their own
expertise.  All of that combines to make GA the absolute best game in
town, IMO.  Plus you get a quirky restaurant tip from the tangent
banter.  Not bad, eh?

So come back soon, Benjoe, and tell your friends we're here, okay? 


*******

Cryptica -- We certainly have all sorts of folks who frequent GA --
the professionals, the loosey-gooseys, the absolute certifiable loons,
the kids (and adults) who can't do their own homework, those Google
ranking fanatics, the people with song lyrics in the head for 16 years
-- dang, that's one endless sea of entertainment.  Still, you're bound
to bump up against someone you'd like to chat with but they have that
Thou Shalt Not Fraternize commandment ... so here we are, left to jaw
in a random comment section.

We have had an increase in traffic since Google included a link to us
on the front page, but I don't think they want people to descend en
masse -- just a slow steady incline with great word of mouth.  That's
really the best advertising.  However, word's been traveling, that you
get 'free' answers here -- eehhh, not so fast, Bucko.  You may
*occasionally* get a free answer --often times provided by kind
commenters such as yourself -- but don't count on it.  We would like
to nip *that* kind of word of mouth in the bud.  No one works for free
and no self-respecting researcher would claim a fee for an answer
provided by a commenter.  We want the word to travel that GA runs a
respectable joint.

As for the aesthetical font dilemma, I'm afraid it's been relegated to
a low priority on the to-do totem pole, lagging way behind cranky
customers, chargebacks on Visa cards, the adult version of 'she's
touching me' played by some very immature researchers,
porn/Berg/homework posting removals, suggestion sifting, and content
checking.  Oh, my, they have a big plate of goo to deal with indeed!

Just so I don't drive myself completely off the deep end in Courier
rage, I've increased the text size to 'largest' and it doesn't look
quite so bad and it also accommodates my presbyopia.  The artistic
types have always take an enormous back seat to those business folk. 
We will *try* to be patient but, just know, we will be scribbling
obscene rantings in our notebooks and painting sweeping brush strokes
on some random canvas over it, Buster Google!

I finally managed to locate my NYT password to read that article.  Do
you sometimes forget who you are because you have so many freaky
password identities?

What a great writeup!  Ah, Mr. Vincent Sgarlato.  Ya gotta love a man
with an obsession -- as long as he's heavily medicated.  Dang, I must
get a better paying gig, buy some travelin' shoes, and visit that city
again.

In the meantime, I gotta go do that rhino-grindstone thang...

Till then, I'll meet you characters on virtual tilt-a-whirl banquette
with a martini in hand,
V

V --
How are you making the font size "largest" on Google??? Is that a feature here?
Or you're fiddling with your pixels (er. . . that sounds bad, doesn't
it?) on your regular computer settings.

I agree with you that a lot of people seem to think GA is a free
service.  Or rather, as soon as they hear that they have to pay for it
-- even though the price is their own to set -- they say no.   I tell
them it's the eBay of research -- a bargain! (usually).    Hmmm...
maybe GA nees a catchier name.    How about gBay?

Mary Jo,

If you're using Internet Explorer, you can pull down "View" and select
"Text Size", where it allows you to choose from
Largest
Larger
Medium
Smaller
Smallest

Some web pages have the text size built-in, but this should work to
enlarge the type for most of them.

Regards,

aceresearcher

Wow, Ace!  I had no idea!
I have Safari and Explorer and just tried it on both.  (I have a Mac).
Safari has the larger, largest, etc. choice.  And on Explorer under
View it's called "Text Zoom."   What a thrill.  I'm replying to you at 150%.
It's like having a prescription monitor.  Thank  you!

Yeah, what Ace said.  It took a little while to eye adapt to the
super-sized text when I'm surfing elsewhere, but since I park myself
primarily at GA, I had to find a workaround for my text annoyance
level.

And we *are* a bargain for people in a time crunch.  Most of our
customers are fabulous but we've had quite a rash of systems scammers
and unreasonable clients who want us to hang the moon and stars for 2
bucks.  I'm afraid those folks will always be with us.  Then there are
people like you and Benjoe who wants to pay me for a towel reference
and that balances out our little community quite nicely.  A little
kindness on both sides of the screens goes a long way.

As far as the GA name, it reminds me too much of the gah! interjection
in pop culture or a shortened nick for Sacagawea.   I was leaning
toward WGSYDHT (We Google So You Don't Have To) but I'm afraid it
sounds a little too much like a German expletive or that we're in the
Eva Gabor wig trade.   ;-)

And, Benjoe, for your kind indulgence in allowing our girl talk hijack
of your original question, here's the latest tune in HBO's summer ad
campaign in case you need it.  The things you learn when you're
looking for something else, eh?

"C'mon, C'mon" by Von Bondies
http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=6678583&cart=189095257&style=music

Viola-ga, Cryptica-ga, etc.

You have succeeded in making me a WGSYDHT addict.  It looks like it
may be time to close this question (excuse me while I fumble around
with protocol here), but first a little recap of what yours truly has
gained in Advertisements on HBO world ?

?	links to 4 different design agencies
?	no less than five songs from HBO spots revealed ? enough to satisfy
even a ?pathologically obsessive? guy like myself,
?	one swanky local in NY that a guy can visit for quality drinks
featuring olives and twists, deopending on one's mood
?	two great NY references online to locate other swanky locals so a
guy can indulge throughout his visit
?	comfort in knowing that even those that are part of the Google
Establishment have an aversion to the lame courier font, and other
insights into the types of goo there is to deal with at  GE
?	instruction on how to improve the Google experience by changing the
font size on both IE and Safari (especially appreciated by this recent
G5 convert)
?	tips on how to be successful when posting inquiries on GA, such as
asking only one question at a time - (apologies for the initial
blunder)
?	last, but not least, that I need to pay more attention to what I am
using to dry off my body

And, let?s not forget that my original question was answered, above
and beyond my expectations.  Rest assured, I will work for the cause
in making sure people are not only aware of this great service, but
also that the answers ( or comments, in my case) command a premium ?
and are worth every cent.  I will fight for you against the $2
question ?

Thanks for the information, and the witty banter.  I will watch for
your ?sweeping brush strokes? and ?obscene rantings? in future forums
? in the meantime, ?clink? ?

B

Greetings, benjoe!

While cryptica-ga is not a Researcher (but instead, an extremely
valuable Customer who is *very* generous with her specialized
information), voila-ga *is* a Researcher, and if you feel that she has
been very helpful to you, you may invite her to post her links as your
Answer and collect the fee.

Best wishes,

ace

Yea!  A juicy new convert with word of mouth skills.  We love that.  I
ascribe to the 'put stuff out there and see what comes back'
philosophy.  Sometimes it's a big 'ol hairball flying back at my face
(?) but more often it's the appreciative customers like yourself, so
welcome aboard, son.

The Googlies and certain 'professional' researchers tend to frown on
banter as they feel it demonstrates a lack of professionalism.  When I
try to don that 'professional' hat, I come off sounding all
stultified, and that screwtop chapeau bores all vise-like into my
skull rendering me especially dweebish.  I prefer to play with the
customers more; otherwise GA deteriorates into a work situation
rigitorium for me.  Quite a few questions are indexed on Google
Central so they don't want too much extraneous chat attached; the
music questions not so much, so I think we're safe in doing it 'our
way.'

It was fun chasing down these songs for you and chatting with
cryptica, so feel free to close your Q anytime you want.  People can
still make comments on closed questions -- *usually* but sometimes
there's a system failure.

But please kindly refrain from calling me "Viola" or I'll hit you with
my purse.  I have no idea why I envision Violas all with very large
bags -- here's a nice specimen (if the link holds):

 http://www.tace.com/antiques_and_collectibles/items_forsale/8628.html  

or Duane Reade emcumbrances.  I'd tell my 'Voila' story in the
"Researchers Name" Q,

http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=345980 

but frankly I'm too tired and have flapped my gums much too often here
lately.  Suffice it to say every time I enter my screen name, a
million extra questions surface when people use "voila" in their
answer, so I wish I could change it.  Could ya'll cut me a large
parisian break on that, folks?  I was particularly incensed when this
particular message kept popping up: "Voila! LOSEWEIGHT - 0.072 0 0.860
1.060" on a recent spam question.  It sounded like my mother was
sending me a message through the computer and I had to get back on
those nasty antipsychotics again.

I kid with you, Benjoe.  Anyway, please say hi to the rest of the
Ponderosa clan and special props to Hop Sing who added some Buddha
flavoring to that Bonanza stew.   Feel free to clink away ...

Sayonara,
V

p.s.  Ace, I'm just having some fun with BJ, so no fee necessary, but
thanks for looking out for me. ;-)

Voila:
Pardon the offensive typo on the last note ... dear Aunt Viola, bless
her soul, was notorious for her inexplicably large, beaded black bag.
(one that, if childhood memory serves, packed quite a wallop.) all
apologies for the error.

On that note, I will continue to live with the guilt of not having
made an acceptable contribution for services rendered (unless you
change your mind and post an answer) and  close this one out ...
Thanks again!


B