I have a copy of two Gaiman plays/monologues on CD. They are fantastic to listen to, but I'm not sure I would feel the same about American Gods--mainly because of the length and number of CDs that traditional audio CDs would involve.
When American Gods was released in print, I was lucky enough to have the first chapter read to me by Gaiman at a signing, and it was fantastic to listen to him read that much of it. But the thought of lugging around multiple CDs (which is traditionally how they come) for one lengthy novel puts me off the audio bit.
I have a copy of The Lord of the Rings trilogy on CD that is supposedly fantastic, but it's almost a spindle-worth of CDs and I can't get into it because of that--what a commitment. And I'd rather carry around a tattered copy of the book than spend the time ripping them to MP3s that I could dump to my iPod so I could have them on the go.
MP3 format should make the audios involve less discs... and that appeals to me. BUT, I don't have an MP3 player in my car, so the disc would be ripped to my computer and dumped on my iPod for transport.
As an aside, Daniel Quinn's book Ishmael was given to me as a book on tape about 10 years ago. I wore it out listening to it and am now searching for another audio copy of that recording.
And I should probably also note that I am generally a very page-turning traditionalist when it comes to my reading...but audio adaptations/recordings do have their place.
I can't take my TV/cable access on the train; I can take my iPod.
I can't take my TV/cable access to work; I can take my iPod.
rinse, wash, repeat... I'd pay ~$2-3 to snag the episodes I missed in a highly portable format. In a long plane ride, with layovers, etc, I could watch almost half a season of Lost? That's fun.
And the quality and process, if it has enough of a following, will improve I'm sure.
"Figures never lie, but liars always use figures."
While I think a full out celebration would be premature, this same set of numbers showing an increase from a previous data set is still a positive sign...isn't it?
The loss of traditional TV ads might mean they have to actually focus on the quality of the programming...
Of course, instead I will end up with commercials on my iPod.
Isn't there an Ayn Rand quote that's perfect for this?
Seriously though, the questioning of the morality of technology should be reserved for those using it for evil--not for the creators or vendors who supply it. I did not hate Chris & Mitch when they made the laser hotter and stronger and used it to make popcorn; I hated the bad professor who wanted to use it for assasination.
Personally, I'd rather see "studies" done on supposed software companies cough*peoplsoft*cough*blackboard*cough* ripping people off with poorly coded, unsecure "solutions" than companies providing technology that works to people who paid money for it...
The interesting argument I have heard when it comes to "freeing up" the body that governs the domains is the fact that decisions for the entire world (the internet is, afterall a global community) have been blocked or complicated by American Politics.
I don't agree with one country's moral constructs governing a global community/resource....But I'm not in favor of change for the sake of change either...
In New England, actually. There's certainly some panic here about the merger as we currently have -several- open issues/tickets with Blackboard. The general fear is that the resolution of any of them will be delayed because they'll be too focused on the merger and subsequent re-org.
Blackboard uses the same java link trick. The whole system has been nothing but a nightmare for us.
We're the medical school for a multi-campus state university. The main campus uses WebCT and there's been quite an inter-school war about which is better. Now they'll be able to share the same craptastic product.
Conversely, I was in a technical role at a state institution and because their unionized job classifications hadn't changed with the times, I was given the glorious title of "Graphic Designer III" because %5 of what I did involved graphics and the HR woman didn't understand the rest of what I did (she said as much.)
Re:women aren't departing in greater numbers...
on
Women Leaving I.T.
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· Score: 1
While I can agree that the initial number was misleading, it also has been my personal experience that women are a lot less likely to be trusted by clients/users or male IT staff when they're in moderate to highly technical positions.
In programming and web-development, women tend to have an equal shot at being heard or trusted, but when it comes to workstations, networking, fiber, server administration, etc, women tend to get the verbal equivalent of a pat on the head and "it's cute when you're technical." Some of my female coworkers and I joke about how it's not real until a man says it.
Unfortunately, more often than not, it's the female baby-boomer type managers that are guilty of treating the women IT staff this way. Many of my female coworkers have left for less techinal positions because the bull factor was lower.
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When American Gods was released in print, I was lucky enough to have the first chapter read to me by Gaiman at a signing, and it was fantastic to listen to him read that much of it. But the thought of lugging around multiple CDs (which is traditionally how they come) for one lengthy novel puts me off the audio bit.
I have a copy of The Lord of the Rings trilogy on CD that is supposedly fantastic, but it's almost a spindle-worth of CDs and I can't get into it because of that--what a commitment. And I'd rather carry around a tattered copy of the book than spend the time ripping them to MP3s that I could dump to my iPod so I could have them on the go.
MP3 format should make the audios involve less discs... and that appeals to me. BUT, I don't have an MP3 player in my car, so the disc would be ripped to my computer and dumped on my iPod for transport.
As an aside, Daniel Quinn's book Ishmael was given to me as a book on tape about 10 years ago. I wore it out listening to it and am now searching for another audio copy of that recording.
And I should probably also note that I am generally a very page-turning traditionalist when it comes to my reading...but audio adaptations/recordings do have their place.
I can't take my TV/cable access on the train; I can take my iPod.
I can't take my TV/cable access to work; I can take my iPod.
rinse, wash, repeat... I'd pay ~$2-3 to snag the episodes I missed in a highly portable format. In a long plane ride, with layovers, etc, I could watch almost half a season of Lost? That's fun. And the quality and process, if it has enough of a following, will improve I'm sure.
While I think a full out celebration would be premature, this same set of numbers showing an increase from a previous data set is still a positive sign...isn't it?
The loss of traditional TV ads might mean they have to actually focus on the quality of the programming... Of course, instead I will end up with commercials on my iPod.
Seriously though, the questioning of the morality of technology should be reserved for those using it for evil--not for the creators or vendors who supply it. I did not hate Chris & Mitch when they made the laser hotter and stronger and used it to make popcorn; I hated the bad professor who wanted to use it for assasination.
Personally, I'd rather see "studies" done on supposed software companies cough*peoplsoft*cough*blackboard*cough* ripping people off with poorly coded, unsecure "solutions" than companies providing technology that works to people who paid money for it...
I don't agree with one country's moral constructs governing a global community/resource. ...But I'm not in favor of change for the sake of change either...
In New England, actually. There's certainly some panic here about the merger as we currently have -several- open issues/tickets with Blackboard. The general fear is that the resolution of any of them will be delayed because they'll be too focused on the merger and subsequent re-org.
Blackboard uses the same java link trick. The whole system has been nothing but a nightmare for us. We're the medical school for a multi-campus state university. The main campus uses WebCT and there's been quite an inter-school war about which is better. Now they'll be able to share the same craptastic product.
The best (or worst, depending upon your point of view) example of Windows failure at UI is the whole shut down sequence.
Go to Start --> Shut Down.
This, in fact, is used in instructional design curriculums as an example of what not to do when designing an interface that can be used by the masses.
Killing crews and passengers haven't exactly grounded the Airlines in the US. But for some reason, space flight is different.
Conversely, I was in a technical role at a state institution and because their unionized job classifications hadn't changed with the times, I was given the glorious title of "Graphic Designer III" because %5 of what I did involved graphics and the HR woman didn't understand the rest of what I did (she said as much.)
While I can agree that the initial number was misleading, it also has been my personal experience that women are a lot less likely to be trusted by clients/users or male IT staff when they're in moderate to highly technical positions.
In programming and web-development, women tend to have an equal shot at being heard or trusted, but when it comes to workstations, networking, fiber, server administration, etc, women tend to get the verbal equivalent of a pat on the head and "it's cute when you're technical." Some of my female coworkers and I joke about how it's not real until a man says it.
Unfortunately, more often than not, it's the female baby-boomer type managers that are guilty of treating the women IT staff this way. Many of my female coworkers have left for less techinal positions because the bull factor was lower.