I thought this was worthy of posting on Nerdy Bot. I saw a movie back in the 90's called Pirates of Silicon Valley. It's the story of Bill Gates and Steve Jobs. You would appreciate all of the early computer lingo. You can rent it at the UVU library.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
The Greats
Over the course of comic book history, in many companies, there comes a story that is so fantastic, you have to read it again, and again, and even again until you know this story as well as you know your own. That doesn't stop you from reading it over, because it never stops being enjoyable.
Do you remember when Superman was killed by Doomsday, and from his death there arose a few new superheroes based upon his kind service to man? Steele was born, Superboy, and a couple of nasty villians. I remember the other superheroes coming into Metropolis to pay their respects, and Batman stops a crime. He hangs the guy up on a flag post telling him he's doing it Superman's way instead of kicking the crap out of him himself. It's awesome!
Speaking of Batman, how many great stories has come out of that one? Fallen Knight, anyone? Knight's End? Delicious. Cataclysm, No-Man's Land, Bruce Wayne Murderer and Fugitive?
Obviously, Batman is one of my favorite characters, and so many of the story arcs from those books are going to be my favorites. The challenge is to let others know of your favorites. Are you an X-men fan, and can sit down to the Dark Phoenix Saga any night of the week? Or perhaps a Wolverine fan specifically, and pore over his Origin story still the night is long? Do you like my little pithy statements of time elapsement?
For our venerable CAP, I give you Spider-Man's Clone Saga, or one I more prefer, Maximum Carnage! There's even an N64 video game (complete with red cartridge) based off this story! How much better can it be?
If you're not into the mainstream side of things, you can tell us about Transmetropolitan, which I still always read again (if I can wait that long) on an election year. It's futuristic society demands that I pay attention to what's going on in the world. The Truth, no matter what! Do not make the Chair Leg of Truth angry. Do you hear what it says? It says, "Shut up, Fred!"
All comments welcome, for surely you can appreciate art (both written and drawn) in some of its best conveyed forms. Give it a shout out, yo!
Do you remember when Superman was killed by Doomsday, and from his death there arose a few new superheroes based upon his kind service to man? Steele was born, Superboy, and a couple of nasty villians. I remember the other superheroes coming into Metropolis to pay their respects, and Batman stops a crime. He hangs the guy up on a flag post telling him he's doing it Superman's way instead of kicking the crap out of him himself. It's awesome!
Speaking of Batman, how many great stories has come out of that one? Fallen Knight, anyone? Knight's End? Delicious. Cataclysm, No-Man's Land, Bruce Wayne Murderer and Fugitive?
Obviously, Batman is one of my favorite characters, and so many of the story arcs from those books are going to be my favorites. The challenge is to let others know of your favorites. Are you an X-men fan, and can sit down to the Dark Phoenix Saga any night of the week? Or perhaps a Wolverine fan specifically, and pore over his Origin story still the night is long? Do you like my little pithy statements of time elapsement?
For our venerable CAP, I give you Spider-Man's Clone Saga, or one I more prefer, Maximum Carnage! There's even an N64 video game (complete with red cartridge) based off this story! How much better can it be?
If you're not into the mainstream side of things, you can tell us about Transmetropolitan, which I still always read again (if I can wait that long) on an election year. It's futuristic society demands that I pay attention to what's going on in the world. The Truth, no matter what! Do not make the Chair Leg of Truth angry. Do you hear what it says? It says, "Shut up, Fred!"
All comments welcome, for surely you can appreciate art (both written and drawn) in some of its best conveyed forms. Give it a shout out, yo!
Monday, April 11, 2011
Fun stuff in Tech Support
So, I get a call from a lady whose domain is "telepathyacademy.net". She was having issues with her database.
I was tempted to tell her I was thinking about the solution to her problem really hard and that she could read my mind and figure it out.
Less talk. Gotta save my voice.
Less talk. Gotta save my voice.
Zeno's Paradox of Motion: The Arrow -- Part III
Motion Through Time and Consciousness
I would like to make yet another argument for motion, in a sense, relating it to spacetime. Aristotle said that time is the measure of motion. What he meant was that any change was motion. Movement can be defined as an objects motion through time. Time passes; therefore, any change can be categorized as movement. We experience time or we are conscious of time therefore we must assume that it exists. In this we can assume the premise that movement can be categorized as an objects experience through time.
I would like to make yet another argument for motion, in a sense, relating it to spacetime. Aristotle said that time is the measure of motion. What he meant was that any change was motion. Movement can be defined as an objects motion through time. Time passes; therefore, any change can be categorized as movement. We experience time or we are conscious of time therefore we must assume that it exists. In this we can assume the premise that movement can be categorized as an objects experience through time.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Zeno's Paradox of Motion: The Arrow -- Part II
Velocity, Kinetic Energy and Motion
In the book, Labyrinths of Reason,the following questions are addressed: “It would seem there must be some information attached to a moving arrow that identifies it. Otherwise, how does it “know” to jerk forward in the next instant?” (Poundstone 145) Here, Poundstone brings up the issue that if we were too look at any instance of time how would we be able to tell that the arrow was “moving” or would continue to move. However, there are measurable ways to see if an object is in motion. As we are not treating the observed movement of the arrow as a “freeze-frame” image, but simply taking an instance of time we should be able to measure velocity, and it's potential energy through space-time. Calculations in air disruption and force as well as the “compactedness” of the arrow, (the arrow would be shorter as it traveled than when it was stationary just before being released from the bow).
In the book, Labyrinths of Reason,the following questions are addressed: “It would seem there must be some information attached to a moving arrow that identifies it. Otherwise, how does it “know” to jerk forward in the next instant?” (Poundstone 145) Here, Poundstone brings up the issue that if we were too look at any instance of time how would we be able to tell that the arrow was “moving” or would continue to move. However, there are measurable ways to see if an object is in motion. As we are not treating the observed movement of the arrow as a “freeze-frame” image, but simply taking an instance of time we should be able to measure velocity, and it's potential energy through space-time. Calculations in air disruption and force as well as the “compactedness” of the arrow, (the arrow would be shorter as it traveled than when it was stationary just before being released from the bow).
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Zeno's Paradox of Motion: The Arrow -- Part I
This is my final paper for my Paradox class, (in three parts). It discusses the ideas on motion. What is motion? Is there motion at all?, etc. It discusses Zeno, who postulated that there is no such thing as Motion. Enjoy.
*References on request
*References on request
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Novel adaptations to Comic
Several novels are being adapted into a Comic Book format. Depending on the authors you enjoy and the stories that you have previously liked probably dictates which comic adaptation you'll pick up. This is for some honorable mentions that I have found most enjoyable and a good retelling with pictures what the original author attempted to convey through the force of words:
Magician: Apprentice 1-12 (Raymond E. Feist - Dabel Brothers, picked up by Marvel)
RiftWar 1-5 (Raymond E. Feist - Marvel)
Magician Master: The Great One 1-5 (Raymond E. Feist - Marvel)
Ender's Game: Battle School 1-5 (Orson Scott Card - Marvel)
Ender's Game: Command School 1-5 (Orson Scott Card - Marvel)
Ender's Shadow: Battle School 1-5 (Orson Scott Card - Marvel)
Ender's Shadow: Command School 1-5 (Orson Scott Card - Marvel)
Speaker for the Dead 1-5 (Orson Scott Card - Marvel)
Formic Wars 1-7 (Orson Scott Card - Marvel)
New Spring 1-8 (Robert Jordon - Initially Red Eagle, picked up by Devil's Due, finished by Dynamite)
The Eye of the World (Robert Jordon - Dynamite)
John Carter: Warlord of Mars (Edgar Rice Burroughs - Dynamite)
The Legend of Drizz't (R.A. Salvatore - Devil's Due)
Homeland 1-3
Exile 1-3
Sojourn 1-3
The Crystal Shard 1-3
Streams of Silver 1-3
The Halfling's Gem 1-3
Legacy 1
DragonLance: Chronicles & Legends (Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman - Devil's Due)
Dragons of Autumn Twilight 1-8
Dragons of Winter Night 1-4
Dragons of Spring Dawning 1-12
Time of the Twins 1-3
Magician: Apprentice 1-12 (Raymond E. Feist - Dabel Brothers, picked up by Marvel)
RiftWar 1-5 (Raymond E. Feist - Marvel)
Magician Master: The Great One 1-5 (Raymond E. Feist - Marvel)
Ender's Game: Battle School 1-5 (Orson Scott Card - Marvel)
Ender's Game: Command School 1-5 (Orson Scott Card - Marvel)
Ender's Shadow: Battle School 1-5 (Orson Scott Card - Marvel)
Ender's Shadow: Command School 1-5 (Orson Scott Card - Marvel)
Speaker for the Dead 1-5 (Orson Scott Card - Marvel)
Formic Wars 1-7 (Orson Scott Card - Marvel)
New Spring 1-8 (Robert Jordon - Initially Red Eagle, picked up by Devil's Due, finished by Dynamite)
The Eye of the World (Robert Jordon - Dynamite)
John Carter: Warlord of Mars (Edgar Rice Burroughs - Dynamite)
The Legend of Drizz't (R.A. Salvatore - Devil's Due)
Homeland 1-3
Exile 1-3
Sojourn 1-3
The Crystal Shard 1-3
Streams of Silver 1-3
The Halfling's Gem 1-3
Legacy 1
DragonLance: Chronicles & Legends (Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman - Devil's Due)
Dragons of Autumn Twilight 1-8
Dragons of Winter Night 1-4
Dragons of Spring Dawning 1-12
Time of the Twins 1-3
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Independant versus Main
It should be easy to identify and define the Main comics publishers: Marvel and DC (or DC and Marvel, so as not to play any favorites). While easy is a subjective term, the real clarity of the definition comes when identifying the characters of these Big Two:
Marvel – X-Men, Spider-Man, The Hulk, Fantastic Four, Captain America, The Avengers, Iron Man, Wolverine, Thor and many more!
DC – Superman, Batman (and Robin), Wonder Woman, The Green Lantern, The Flash, The JLA, Teen Titans, Green Arrow, Lois Lane (not even a superhero!) and several others!
This doesn't go into the villains, such as The Joker, or Lex Luthor, or Green Goblin, but what is a hero without a villain? The very definition suggested by recognizing these characters (or group of such) easily incorporates the villains.
When I first read my first comic book, it was a collection in the Book-Mobile that came to my elementary school once a week. I didn't know what I was starting. Sure, who didn't love to read the occasional comic strip, like Garfield, or Wizard of Id (or a collection of such) but this was the Fantastic Four! Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, Ben Grimm (respectively, I hope already know without my needing to say, Mr. Fantastic, the Invisible Woman, the Human Torch, and the Thing!). I have no idea what it was I read. Was it something that was reprinted from the main comic line? I don't care. It was elementary school, and I liked the letters and the phenomenal story.
Years later (ok, just a couple to a few really), I pilfered through my older brother's collection of Uncanny X-men, X-Factor and Excalibur (during the INFERNO run, which we all know is awesome). I can't begin to tell you how many times I've read that story, again and again, because it never ceases to be awesome. Perhaps I'll read it tonight now that I've brought it up.
My point is, I love the X-men. At my peak, I was collecting all the X-men books with the full nuances of characters that "family" has to support. I've even been trying to get all those books into a semblance of reading order, so when I read them again (as I inevitably will several more times) I don't have to keep going between boxes. I want to go through Box 1, which covers the beginning, to box 2 and so forth as new teams come up.
We could even say the same thing about Batman! Of course, collecting Batman came much later, but once I caught on, of course my enthusiasm had to grab a lot of the back issues. It starts with Knight's End (the breaking of the Bat, if you will, and Bane). So I've read that several times of course, and many of the other Bat stories (who can't remember No Man's Land, and who hasn't read it so much that it was better to get the TPB in order to maintain the integrity of the original comics?).
But, with all that, and the several other side stories I've occasionally picked up over the years, what about things like Spawn? That was monumental back in the day. I don't follow it now as it went a little too...I have no idea where it went, to be honest, since I don't follow it. It just wasn't consistent enough in what I love to get me to continue.
But now you have independent publishing getting some pretty good art with some decent stories. To me, regardless of how often the Big Two try to open a gateway to bring on new readers, you really are hosed if you don't have the entirety of the back-story. Well, you used to be, until writers like Grant Morrison (anyone remember the New X-men run? Or some of the recent things with Batman) decide that they don't have to be true to where previous RECENT authors left the characters (or really, they aren't true to what's at the core of those characters).
Does that happen with the independents? Do they have enough of a history for it to even matter? I think of Devil's Due Publishing, or Dabel Brothers, or IDW. Time will tell.
Marvel – X-Men, Spider-Man, The Hulk, Fantastic Four, Captain America, The Avengers, Iron Man, Wolverine, Thor and many more!
DC – Superman, Batman (and Robin), Wonder Woman, The Green Lantern, The Flash, The JLA, Teen Titans, Green Arrow, Lois Lane (not even a superhero!) and several others!
This doesn't go into the villains, such as The Joker, or Lex Luthor, or Green Goblin, but what is a hero without a villain? The very definition suggested by recognizing these characters (or group of such) easily incorporates the villains.
When I first read my first comic book, it was a collection in the Book-Mobile that came to my elementary school once a week. I didn't know what I was starting. Sure, who didn't love to read the occasional comic strip, like Garfield, or Wizard of Id (or a collection of such) but this was the Fantastic Four! Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, Ben Grimm (respectively, I hope already know without my needing to say, Mr. Fantastic, the Invisible Woman, the Human Torch, and the Thing!). I have no idea what it was I read. Was it something that was reprinted from the main comic line? I don't care. It was elementary school, and I liked the letters and the phenomenal story.
Years later (ok, just a couple to a few really), I pilfered through my older brother's collection of Uncanny X-men, X-Factor and Excalibur (during the INFERNO run, which we all know is awesome). I can't begin to tell you how many times I've read that story, again and again, because it never ceases to be awesome. Perhaps I'll read it tonight now that I've brought it up.
My point is, I love the X-men. At my peak, I was collecting all the X-men books with the full nuances of characters that "family" has to support. I've even been trying to get all those books into a semblance of reading order, so when I read them again (as I inevitably will several more times) I don't have to keep going between boxes. I want to go through Box 1, which covers the beginning, to box 2 and so forth as new teams come up.
We could even say the same thing about Batman! Of course, collecting Batman came much later, but once I caught on, of course my enthusiasm had to grab a lot of the back issues. It starts with Knight's End (the breaking of the Bat, if you will, and Bane). So I've read that several times of course, and many of the other Bat stories (who can't remember No Man's Land, and who hasn't read it so much that it was better to get the TPB in order to maintain the integrity of the original comics?).
But, with all that, and the several other side stories I've occasionally picked up over the years, what about things like Spawn? That was monumental back in the day. I don't follow it now as it went a little too...I have no idea where it went, to be honest, since I don't follow it. It just wasn't consistent enough in what I love to get me to continue.
But now you have independent publishing getting some pretty good art with some decent stories. To me, regardless of how often the Big Two try to open a gateway to bring on new readers, you really are hosed if you don't have the entirety of the back-story. Well, you used to be, until writers like Grant Morrison (anyone remember the New X-men run? Or some of the recent things with Batman) decide that they don't have to be true to where previous RECENT authors left the characters (or really, they aren't true to what's at the core of those characters).
Does that happen with the independents? Do they have enough of a history for it to even matter? I think of Devil's Due Publishing, or Dabel Brothers, or IDW. Time will tell.
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