Good Omens May 8, 2008

So, I just read Good Omens, by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, for the first time. I know, I know, where have a been all this time? I can’t believe it took me so long to get around to reading it. I had a copy checked out from the library for forever, but I finally just bought a copy. I think that the problem was, it took me about a chapter or two to really get into it. If you try reading it, and have that same experience, keep reading, it is so worth it. This has got to be one of the funniest books I have ever read. I think my favorite character is Dog. I really like the subtle character development that he goes through. I thought at first Anathema Device would be my favorite, but while she’s great, I thought she felt a little flat. I suppose she isn’t supposed to show development, that’s kinda the point with her.

If you have already read it, and it was a while ago, I suggest that you get your hands on a newer copy and check out the interviews in the back. They interviewed each author about the other, and it is hilarious. Borrow from a friend, see if you can find a new library copy, sit down in the bookstore and read it, or buy a new copy (you might need one, if, as Neil believes, you have dropped your old copy in the bath several times)

On a related note, there is a perfume company, called Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab that makes a line of fragrances (one of many many lines) based on this book, which can be found here. I am only disappointed that there is not an Anathema Device scent.  Their products are made of essential oils, are cruelty-free, and quite quite good. All the profits from the Good Omens collection are donated to charity. Even if you aren’t into perfume, the art on their site is amazing, and the flavor that they add to their products in the titles and descriptions is just plain enjoyable to read. It’s too bad they’re in California, or I would totally check them out (they only open on the full moon)

On language: Elitism April 30, 2008

So, my co-worker and I are currently engaging in a debate about appropriate pluralization.  The discussion started with a simple question: What is the correct pluralization of thesaurus?  To which I answered: thesauri, of course.  He looked it up anyway, and thus ensued the age-long war between OED and Websters.  OED does not recognize thesauruses, while Websters does.  I won the round with the OED.  While I recognize that it is in the nature of language to change with the usage of the people, I think that MW’s wanton disregard for correctness is troubling.  They seem to let in every possible variant, even ones that, I think, are still considered incorrect, or at least sub-optimally correct (if such a thing can exist).  People consult a dictionary when they have a question about a word, and they want an authoritative answer.  MW undermines their own usefulness through their incredibly open policy.

I do, however, still maintain that octopodes is the correct plural form of octopus, and I will strive to bring it into use! (marxist-style fist waving)

Dream Code April 26, 2008

So, I just recently finished reading Dreaming in Code by Scott Rosenberg of Salon.com.   It is about an open-source software project that is trying to make a personal information manager that is flexible.  The main shtick is that you can “stamp” items as different kinds of things, like email, calendar event, etc.  You can also sync your instances, and share with other users.

It kinda makes me want to download Chandler, and give it a whirl, even though, according to some friends of mine, it is already vaporware. I am more optimistic. I think they still have a chance to pull it through. I think that the project was simply too large for them to be able to leverage an open-source community fast enough. People simply lost interest before the core developers had something to give them. They still seem to be moving along, bit by bit.

For a fun time, check out Wired magazine’s Vaporware awards (Chandler hasn’t made the list yet, by a long shot).

The book was excellent. I found the pace a bit slow at times, but the handing of some of the major problems with software design and construction were handled beautifully. The best thing about it was that it managed to do the one thing that any good book must do: make me want to read more books. In this case, it has made me want to redouble my efforts to get through Kurzweil, and I am considering reading some of Knuth’s works as well.

Spring makes me strange April 25, 2008

Seasonal changes always seem to mess with my head. I want to turn over a new leaf, and start doing all the things I want to do, but never find the time for. So here I am, trying to find a way to organize my thoughts, and get to moving ahead. I used to spend a lot of time inside my own head, but I feel as though I have been distant from myself for a long time. So, here I am, talking to the void. There was a time when doing something like that would get you marked as crazy, I guess that’s progress for you. Nietzsche once said, “If you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.” I’m not sure what happens when the internet starts gazing into someone…