The first use I thought of was using this software to paraphrase an assignment so you could more easily pass it in as your own work, and it would be more difficult to prove that it was the same as a previous work since it had different words. Possibly the software has some sort of paraphrase signature that would make this possible to detect?
When I first came to university there was a VT101 terminal for use accessing the Library Catalogue - this this was great, menus at the top that you accessed with curson keys, context sensitive help was always at the bottom the screen, searches were quick, you could use the think without your fingers leaving the keyboard and advanced searches weren't too dificult to do.
When I left university they came up with another way, the web way. Now instead of a dumb terminal you need a computer with a browser (more than 4x the cost) you need to know how to use a mouse and a browswer (those cursor keys are real easy) you have to figure out the weird interface to the search, the searches take longer, the data usually has more screens of crap between you and it.
Current Favourites: Orson Scott Card, Robert Sawyer, Neil Gaiman
Classics: Robert Heinlein, Anne McCaffrey, Ursula K. LeGuin, Isacc Asimov, Douglas Adams, Tolkien
Obviously too popular to be SF (or won't admit it): Michael Crichton, Tom Clancy, Margaret Atwood (The Handmaid's Tale)
Don't Forget Short Stories: Asimov's is the best, On-Spec from Canada is very good. Analog's editorial spin is "Hard SF" and the writing suffers to my taste because of it. SF is probably the most vibrant genre to find current short stories in.
Starting points: Illegal Alien, Starplex, and Factoring Humanity by Sawyer NeverWhere, and Good Omens by Gaiman Ender's Game and Shadow, and Alvin Maker books by Card
Starship Troopers by Heinlein - when buying Heinli en you may find it useful to measure the thickness, and the date of the book - the thinner earlier ones are often "Juveniles" - good stories, but he had to write them with kids, and kid's librarians in mind. The other thing which is odd is how quickly people get married in his books. Super Prolific writer.
If you can't get enough of "Lets fight bugs in space books" then try Armor by John Steakley. Remember- it's a metaphor
The Left Hand of Darkness by LeGuin. This one is current but her books are excellent and worth looking for in used book stores.
McCaffery - All the Pern books are fun.
Hobbit then LOTR by Tolkien
Many of these are Fantasy more than SF. I can't decide if I'm smug at how smart I am to like SF, or if it is just fiction and entertainment...
Slashdot Mirror
The first use I thought of was using this software to paraphrase an assignment so you could more easily pass it in as your own work, and it would be more difficult to prove that it was the same as a previous work since it had different words. Possibly the software has some sort of paraphrase signature that would make this possible to detect?
I've been hoping for a while now that somebody would impliment at least a portion of my fantasy DVD player. This is a start.
When I first came to university there was a VT101 terminal for use accessing the Library Catalogue - this this was great, menus at the top that you accessed with curson keys, context sensitive help was always at the bottom the screen, searches were quick, you could use the think without your fingers leaving the keyboard and advanced searches weren't too dificult to do.
When I left university they came up with another way, the web way. Now instead of a dumb terminal you need a computer with a browser (more than 4x the cost) you need to know how to use a mouse and a browswer (those cursor keys are real easy) you have to figure out the weird interface to the search, the searches take longer, the data usually has more screens of crap between you and it.
Usability testing, do it.
Current Favourites: Orson Scott Card, Robert Sawyer, Neil Gaiman
Classics: Robert Heinlein, Anne McCaffrey, Ursula K. LeGuin, Isacc Asimov, Douglas Adams, Tolkien
Obviously too popular to be SF (or won't admit it): Michael Crichton, Tom Clancy, Margaret Atwood (The Handmaid's Tale)
Don't Forget Short Stories: Asimov's is the best, On-Spec from Canada is very good. Analog's editorial spin is "Hard SF" and the writing suffers to my taste because of it. SF is probably the most vibrant genre to find current short stories in.
Starting points:
Illegal Alien, Starplex, and Factoring Humanity by Sawyer
NeverWhere, and Good Omens by Gaiman
Ender's Game and Shadow, and Alvin Maker books by Card
Starship Troopers by Heinlein - when buying Heinli en you may find it useful to measure the thickness, and the date of the book - the thinner earlier ones are often "Juveniles" - good stories, but he had to write them with kids, and kid's librarians in mind. The other thing which is odd is how quickly people get married in his books. Super Prolific writer.
If you can't get enough of "Lets fight bugs in space books" then try Armor by John Steakley. Remember- it's a metaphor
The Left Hand of Darkness by LeGuin. This one is current but her books are excellent and worth looking for in used book stores.
McCaffery - All the Pern books are fun.
Hobbit then LOTR by Tolkien
Many of these are Fantasy more than SF. I can't decide if I'm smug at how smart I am to like SF, or if it is just fiction and entertainment...