I’ve received friend of IMAO Mike Z. Williamson’s new novel Contact with Chaos in the mail. It comes out in April but I get a copy now because I’m special. It looks to be a bit different than Mike’s other novels (what do you call that genre? Military science fiction?). I’ve only gotten a chance to read the prologue so far and it seems that it’s about first contact with sentient alien life. Since a corporation is what discovers the aliens, their first thought is that they have a new group of customers. I’m sure the story will end up being a cautionary tale about capitalism, but, given today’s economy, I think we’ve already learned our lesson about capitalism (we won’t be trying that again!). So maybe Mike has finally given up on his libertarianism; who needs freedom now that we have Obama?
Also, SarahK has gotten her Kindle 2. The screen is pretty unique; it’s indistinguishable from there just being an image printed on the front of it. And the Kindle is quite thin (thinner than a pencil) but nice and durable feeling. My only complaint is the screen contrast (it’s kinda like black against gray), but I’ve found it very readable. The text to voice is also quite good, being a mixture of robotic and surprisingly human (it pronounce most words with a very normal sounding inflection). It’s actually quite listenable. The thing that amazes me most is the 3G internet access with no monthly fee. I wonder how much they adds to the price (and thus how much cheaper a Kindle would be without wireless access; if Amazon really wants to dominate with their new format, you’d think they’d want to release a cheaper version). Anyway, IMAO is quite readable on it since WordPress makes the center column load first so you see almost nothing but text when it comes up on the Kindle. Still, I’m thinking of adding a mobile version of IMAO. How many people would use that if I added it?
Anyway, the Kindle is pretty neato. I don’t read much, but now I want one and can’t help but think of all the books I would read on it. What they need is a version that could do comic books, though.
18 Comments
Spechul as in “needs” ….. this tidbit of humor was brought to you by the FEN. FEN for all your Final Exit Needs there is the Final Exit Networks. We’re so liberal we make abortion retroactive!
Only thing i have read of his is The Hero with John Ringo. I read quite a bit of Mil Sci Fi as well, so will have to check out his other books. Reading Hammer Slammers Vol 2 right now.
Got to say that on my Blackberry Curve IMAO looks ok but is a tough read with the side panels.
MMm….censorship. did not like the idea of anyone not liking the sound of the book eh? getting paid? The book sounds like a real stinker. I’ve read some cheesy science fiction in my time but I was 13 at the time so I had an excuse.
Yes, please on the mobile version of IMAO! Right now the only thing I read on my Blackberry while in the men’s room is the Puppy Blender, a little variety would be nice.
I’ll be getting one, once I win the lottery or when it goes down in price. Whichever comes first. And when that happens, I will sew it to the front of my best shirt and will always have the latest article from IMAO on it.
I was just considering emailing you to plead for a mobile version of IMAO. Since getting a smartphone (yeah, I’m behind the times), it has officially made the newspaper redundant… since hauling my computer to the restroom wasn’t very time-efficent.
Guess what I’m trying to say is that there are already people who try to read IMAO with mobile devices, and would appreciate a mobile version of the page.
I don’t think there’s much chance of Williamson giving up libertarianism because he’s gettting Obama Tingles up his leg. I just read the Amazon discription and it says:
” Corporations on Freehold were eager to sell high-tech toys to the Ithkuil, as the inhabitants called themselves, which had the potential to disrupt their society. Then there was the U.N., which controlled the planet Earth. Earth and Freehold were not on good terms, to put it mildly, and the U.N. immediately sent its own ship to make contact with the Ithkuil. If the authoritarians from Earth started throwing their weight around, Freehold would have to push back, causing anything from a diplomatic incident to outright war. And then another ship arrived, full of idealistic do-gooders determined to keep the Ithkuil in their unspoiled state of nature . . . ”
I think this book will accurately portray liberal do-gooders from the UN as the same pushy “I know what you need better than you do” types that we see today.
for what it’s worth…i don’t do mobile because whenever i’m mobile it’s because i’m driving.
and the kindle looks pretty neat but call me old fashioned…i prefer actual books like with paper.
in reality a corporation dealing with an undiscovered species wants to do 2 things: 1) sell crap to them and 2) create a dependable judicial system, etc. that will honor their contracts, to help with item 1. At least with evil, soulless, money only type of people running it. The view of corporations in Resident Evil, for instance, is laughable in its lack of sophistication.
Capitalism isn’t good or evil. Its indifferent to the issue. There’s nothing wrong with a few thing to channel all that greed in a good direction, though, but our modern government is not terribly good at that, to the point that you have to wonder if the project has any realistic chance at succeeding.
I think you might actually enjoy my books, if you’re willing to give them a read before critiquing them.
Freehold is available as a free download on Baen’s site. It’s not my best, but it was my first and it still sells well. As to the others, drop me an email.
I found Freehold to be quite Pro-Capitalism/Free Market, as well as Anti-Government Interference. Has Williamson gone over to the Dark side of Obots? Can this be verified, or were you just yanking Williamson’s chain?
Wait… I reread that. You are chain yanking. Right?
DE: He’s yanking your chain:-) I refuse to join the Libertarian Party because I’d regard that as selling out. REAL Libertarians don’t need parties;-)
Freemon: On another look, it appears no one will bother to comment on your blog even though it’s free. Since people will already pay for my words, I see no advantage to trying to promote myself to your three readers.
Hell, I might use the mobile version on my desktop. It’s not that I *dislike* the current design, but it is very… heavy. Seriously, your sidebars alone are like 100kb or so, and they have to load for every. single. page.
Spechul as in “needs” ….. this tidbit of humor was brought to you by the FEN. FEN for all your Final Exit Needs there is the Final Exit Networks. We’re so liberal we make abortion retroactive!
Guy on couch: Can you do more democrats please?
Only thing i have read of his is The Hero with John Ringo. I read quite a bit of Mil Sci Fi as well, so will have to check out his other books. Reading Hammer Slammers Vol 2 right now.
Got to say that on my Blackberry Curve IMAO looks ok but is a tough read with the side panels.
Is it not stretching credulity to call IMAO readable? barump bump! Kish! …..
I’ll be playing here all week folks! Thanks you been great.
MMm….censorship. did not like the idea of anyone not liking the sound of the book eh? getting paid? The book sounds like a real stinker. I’ve read some cheesy science fiction in my time but I was 13 at the time so I had an excuse.
Yes, please on the mobile version of IMAO! Right now the only thing I read on my Blackberry while in the men’s room is the Puppy Blender, a little variety would be nice.
I’ll be getting one, once I win the lottery or when it goes down in price. Whichever comes first. And when that happens, I will sew it to the front of my best shirt and will always have the latest article from IMAO on it.
It will be amazing.
It will get me kicked out of places.
I was just considering emailing you to plead for a mobile version of IMAO. Since getting a smartphone (yeah, I’m behind the times), it has officially made the newspaper redundant… since hauling my computer to the restroom wasn’t very time-efficent.
Guess what I’m trying to say is that there are already people who try to read IMAO with mobile devices, and would appreciate a mobile version of the page.
I don’t think there’s much chance of Williamson giving up libertarianism because he’s gettting Obama Tingles up his leg. I just read the Amazon discription and it says:
” Corporations on Freehold were eager to sell high-tech toys to the Ithkuil, as the inhabitants called themselves, which had the potential to disrupt their society. Then there was the U.N., which controlled the planet Earth. Earth and Freehold were not on good terms, to put it mildly, and the U.N. immediately sent its own ship to make contact with the Ithkuil. If the authoritarians from Earth started throwing their weight around, Freehold would have to push back, causing anything from a diplomatic incident to outright war. And then another ship arrived, full of idealistic do-gooders determined to keep the Ithkuil in their unspoiled state of nature . . . ”
I think this book will accurately portray liberal do-gooders from the UN as the same pushy “I know what you need better than you do” types that we see today.
for what it’s worth…i don’t do mobile because whenever i’m mobile it’s because i’m driving.
and the kindle looks pretty neat but call me old fashioned…i prefer actual books like with paper.
A mobile version? Let’s talk.
I second BrianW on that.
in reality a corporation dealing with an undiscovered species wants to do 2 things: 1) sell crap to them and 2) create a dependable judicial system, etc. that will honor their contracts, to help with item 1. At least with evil, soulless, money only type of people running it. The view of corporations in Resident Evil, for instance, is laughable in its lack of sophistication.
Capitalism isn’t good or evil. Its indifferent to the issue. There’s nothing wrong with a few thing to channel all that greed in a good direction, though, but our modern government is not terribly good at that, to the point that you have to wonder if the project has any realistic chance at succeeding.
Talk to Basil!
I’ve had a mobile version of Bad Example for years now. Very handy, highly recommended.
It’s also a big boon for those folks still stuck on dial-up.
Freemon: I took a look at your site.
I think you might actually enjoy my books, if you’re willing to give them a read before critiquing them.
Freehold is available as a free download on Baen’s site. It’s not my best, but it was my first and it still sells well. As to the others, drop me an email.
Well, Sprint just gave me a free upgrade to a blackberry something or other at work, so I would use a mobile version…
And I decided to get a kindle with my tax refund, so I’m a twofer.
I found Freehold to be quite Pro-Capitalism/Free Market, as well as Anti-Government Interference. Has Williamson gone over to the Dark side of Obots? Can this be verified, or were you just yanking Williamson’s chain?
Wait… I reread that. You are chain yanking. Right?
DE: He’s yanking your chain:-) I refuse to join the Libertarian Party because I’d regard that as selling out. REAL Libertarians don’t need parties;-)
Freemon: On another look, it appears no one will bother to comment on your blog even though it’s free. Since people will already pay for my words, I see no advantage to trying to promote myself to your three readers.
Hell, I might use the mobile version on my desktop. It’s not that I *dislike* the current design, but it is very… heavy. Seriously, your sidebars alone are like 100kb or so, and they have to load for every. single. page.
Amazon just released a free Kindle ebook reader for the iPhone.
http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/amazons_kindle_iphone_app.php