LUV and Linux Developments, 'Blogs, Gaming Updates, Science Fiction

[tcpip]

Unmentioned in my most recent posts was two excellent talks at the last week's well-attended LUV main meeting on completely different topics: Adam Bolte provided a good overview of the absolutely terrible suggestions of introducing DRM in HTML5, whereas Malcolm Herbert gave a great introduction to GNU Screen. It was an ideal combination of the free software social advocacy and the deep technical implementations that LUV remains famous for. Also, on request of the committee (I'm not so keen, but that's democracy for you) we have established a Meetup group and even revived our old linux_victoria livejournal account. There is rumour afoot that we're about to have a fourth regional chapter. Amusing related news is that Mark Shuttleworth has closed Bug #1 "Microsoft has a majority market share" of computational devices, as it is now longer true.

Over the past week have been bringing together a range of historical posts from some very disparate sources to my 'blog pages on the Isocracy Network (really have to prod some other people to contribute there) and to the Lightbringers website. Next step will be to bring in my many reviews on RPG.net to the RPG Review website and various tech and academic pieces to my main website (including some old tutorials on discrete mathematics and news items that I used to publish). Keeping track of one's writings is challenging when one puts together at least a thousand words a day, but not impossible.

Have had a couple of excellent gaming sessions in the past week for Eclipse Phase and Twilight 2000. Former game saw the explosive conclusion of a lunar singing cult with antimatter bombs and the latter saw the first stages in the Battle for Warsaw (2001) between a self-styled Baron and a disparate group of former Soviet soldiers and a free Polish community, all of which saw the need to introduce some more rules patches. Also have recently had reviews of GURPS Cthulhupunk, and H.P. Lovecraft's Dreamlands published on RPG.net. In preparation of next Thursday's Pendragon game (re)watched Kingdom of Heaven an excellent story and theme with an interesting collection of historical accuracies and inaccuracies) along with Mists of Avalon, a fairly good rendition of the reinterpretation of Arthurian legend in the novel of the same name.

Went briefly to Continuum, Melbourne's science fiction convention, on Friday evening. One day in the far-flung future, I'll throw myself back into sf fandom but not quite yet. Nevertheless briefly caught up with a number of old friends including Narelle H., physics lecturer and Gaelic-speaker ariaflame, the ever studious (but taking a break) claudine_c, and the superorganiser, mortonhall, before heading off to dinner with the wonderfully exuberant callistra and friends, where there was fine philosophical conversation and consumption of Korean food. Apropos this, many in this community are mourning the loss of one of their recent greats, Iain Banks, founder of The Culture in science fiction, and a variety of challenging literary fiction. Favourite books from said author for myself include Use of Weapons and Complicity.

Comments

[saithkar.livejournal.com]

I've missed a lot of classic science fiction, I'm only now reading William Gibson's Neuromancer (only read 60 pages, but thus far it's been most enjoyable), would there be any Iain M Banks novels you particularly recommend as a starter?

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Start at the start; Consider Phelbas. It's a big fat science fiction epic, but it also gives you all you need to introduce The Culture to a new reader.

You can borrow my copy if you like.

[saithkar.livejournal.com]

Excellent, I'll have to add it to the (very) long list of books I need to read.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

OK, next time our paths meet I'll make sure that I have it. Vic Sec Lobby, Saturday June 22nd, I believe?

[saithkar.livejournal.com]

Yeah no worries. If you make a Facebook event that would be great.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

You mean the one I made two weeks ago and posted to the committee list? ;)

https://www.facebook.com/events/140088339513958/

[saithkar.livejournal.com]

Thanks, I'm about out of it lately with uni work.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Sorry, I completely forgot about the Iain Banks book. I'll take it to work today (Carlton), so if you want to pick up it during the week you can swing by my workplace from Uni.

My 'phone number is 0432 255 208

[stephbg.livejournal.com]

Well there's a new source of nightmare fodder - being given the job of organising your excellent but multitudinous writings.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

The biggest problem is that I write across so many disciplinary and even some cultural areas. Thus I find material that I've written years ago in weird places.

But it's all coming together, it really is.

[kingtycoon.livejournal.com]

So I have to ask about eclipse phase. I was discussing it with my GM during fig painting and he commented that in all of our attempts there was no real reason why everyone wouldn't just play robots. The social stigma? I can't get a read on how well seated that really is. Do you play with a lot of robo-bodies or no?

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Well, what is a robo-body anyway in Eclipse Phase terms? Your body is a shell. Change it.. The statistical advantage, if there is one, with the various 'bot morphs (e.g., Flexbots, Reapers etc) would certainly include some social stigma in some places (especially those Flat fanatics). Price is also a significant limiting factor.

Personally, I've taken an Octomorph, because I found it was best for those things I want my character to do. But you know.. it's only a shell.

The more important narrative consideration that the character may wish to consider is that if their body is disposable hardware and their ego is mere software which is hackable.....

Extinction is approaching. Fight it.

[ext-2026349.livejournal.com (from livejournal.com)]

How heavy is the system in Eclipse Phase? I ask since it looks scary but I haven't really sat down and focused.
I like a system a little lighter than RQ6, can cope with one a little more complex than OpenQuest, Mongoose Traveller and Savage Worlds hit the sweet spot.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

About the difficulty you describe as being a "sweet spot" (and yes, Savage Worlds is excellent). However with two caveats. Firstly, it uses a lot of language which is not always familiar (e.g., characteristics) and secondly, there is a high-tech range of equipment, morphs, on top of psi powers etc