The Frontier Chat Bar

[Riotbeard]

RE: The Frontier Bar Volume 1

Funny enough, the Connors book is in Dublin bookshops in paperback. I don't have Kindle or things like that. They're handy for that, I know. I'm a bit of an old-skooler when it comes to books, preferring the hard copy. I'll read it in the future, but so far I dip in when I visit the book shop, go to the index and read what he's saying about my favourite players. I think his time with Roddick gets dispatched in about two paragraphs, does it?

I am going to riff on the digital versus hardcopy issues as the bar has gone silent. I too am a paper book person. It's not that i love killing trees (only like it), I just like have something tangible in my hands that I can write on and mark up. What about other people?

 

[britbox]

RE: The Frontier Bar Volume 1

I never thought I'd get into reading from a digital device, but prefer it now - largely because I've got Kindle on a smartphone and a tablet.
If I'm in a queue, I will read... If i'm waiting for something or someone, I can read.... It's basically a load of books in my pocket - so I've gone from a sceptic to the complete opposite.

 

[Kieran]

RE: The Frontier Bar Volume 1

I must admit, in the battle between Books and Tablets, books are destined to lose in the long run. Not totally, because there'll always be Luddites like me, who love the whiff of the page and like the feel of a book in the hands. But still, then next generation will be different. Even I do most of my reading online, with articles etc. And as Britbox says, the convenience is a hugely winning factor. Kind of like i-Pods versus CDs versus Records. It's getting more compact, portable and personal. You can stack maybe hundreds or even thousands of books on your tablet. Imagine how much leg-room that leaves at home.

I also think that if the medium changes so drastically, it'll affect the content. It has to. Not so much the thought - because they're limited to human observation - but the form of writing. The old three-act narrative form - already fragmented and passe - might become more interactive, authors using animation and spoken dialogues in their books. A hundred years from now, who can tell where it will go? But I doubt it'll be the same. Once you put an options tab on a gadget, it'll be used.

We're living in interesting times, which I believe is a Chinese curse - or is it a blessing?

 

[tented]

RE: The Frontier Bar Volume 1

I must admit, in the battle between Books and Tablets, books are destined to lose in the long run. Not totally, because there'll always be Luddites like me, who love the whiff of the page and like the feel of a book in the hands. But still, then next generation will be different. Even I do most of my reading online, with articles etc. And as Britbox says, the convenience is a hugely winning factor. Kind of like i-Pods versus CDs versus Records. It's getting more compact, portable and personal. You can stack maybe hundreds or even thousands of books on your tablet. Imagine how much leg-room that leaves at home.

I also think that if the medium changes so drastically, it'll affect the content. It has to. Not so much the thought - because they're limited to human observation - but the form of writing. The old three-act narrative form - already fragmented and passe - might become more interactive, authors using animation and spoken dialogues in their books. A hundred years from now, who can tell where it will go? But I doubt it'll be the same. Once you put an options tab on a gadget, it'll be used.

We're living in interesting times, which I believe is a Chinese curse - or is it a blessing?

Interesting observations, Kieran. I don't know how many Star Trek: The Next Generation fans there are here, but your post made me think of that show. They had a holodeck on their Starship Enterprise which could be used to stage novels in a real-world simulation.

The technology would essentially create an environment in which you would become part of the action, and even influence the narrative (if you wanted to). Kind of like making and being an actor (lead or supporting -- it's up to you) in your own movie.

 

[Kieran]

RE: The Frontier Bar Volume 1

Interesting observations, Kieran. I don't know how many Star Trek: The Next Generation fans there are here, but your post made me think of that show. They had a holodeck on their Starship Enterprise which could be used to stage novels in a real-world simulation.

The technology would essentially create an environment in which you would become part of the action, and even influence the narrative (if you wanted to). Kind of like making and being an actor (lead or supporting -- it's up to you) in your own movie.

Also, in Star Trek, Picard used read books on a tablet. This was far-seeing, I think. Not sure the Kindle was an idea in the 90's.

I used to find the Holodeck strange. It reminded me of how when I was a child I'd stick a towel down the back of my neck and pretend to fly like Superman. Except that these were adults doing it. But I suppose it's like a murder mystery weekend in a creaking old house. people go there and pretend...

 

[tented]

RE: The Frontier Bar Volume 1

Also, in Star Trek, Picard used read books on a tablet. This was far-seeing, I think. Not sure the Kindle was an idea in the 90's.

I doubt it, but it is interesting that Star Trek writers envisioned such a thing.

I used to find the Holodeck strange. It reminded me of how when I was a child I'd stick a towel down the back of my neck and pretend to fly like Superman. Except that these were adults doing it. But I suppose it's like a murder mystery weekend in a creaking old house. people go there and pretend...

Exactly. It's all pretend. Something to stir up the imagination.

 

[Kieran]

RE: The Frontier Bar Volume 1

Ah, I used to love that show! :shy:

 

[tented]

RE: The Frontier Bar Volume 1

Ah, I used to love that show! :shy:

Me, too!

OK, for the Star Trek fans on this site, which was your favorite, and why:

- Star Trek - The Original Series
- Star Trek: The Next Generation
- Deep Space Nine
- Voyager
- Enterprise

My favorite is Voyager. I think the idea of flinging them across the galaxy, and making them find their way home was genius. It was a refreshing change of pace from the other Earth-rooted series.

 

[Kieran]

RE: The Frontier Bar Volume 1

They had some great ideas. I suppose TNG rebooted the original concept, but then DS9 was a stagnant space station, Voyager was a journey home and Enterprise was - to my mind - the least interesting. It did nothing new. Okay, it had the cute Vulcan who took plenty of showers, but after Seven of Nine, that was "meh."

In a fit of nostalgia, I would say I prefer the original crew, but the original show itself is dated terribly. Really though? TNG followed by Voyager. They had the best production, great stories and cast, and a mix of whimsy (Q) and menace (the Borg)....

 

[britbox]

RE: The Frontier Bar Volume 1

Never got into Star Trek, largely because Star Wars seemed far superior, but it must have something going for it with the millions of Trekkies worldwide.

 

[Moxie]

RE: The Frontier Bar Volume 1

I'm gutted for Mickelson that he comes up a bridesmaid, once again at the US Open (golf.) But congratulations to Justin Rose.

 

[ClayDeath]

RE: The Frontier Bar Volume 1

afternoon sports fans.

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scotch on the rocks please. make it a 12 year old blended scotch: black label or chivas regal.

 

[britbox]

RE: The Frontier Bar Volume 1

Good to see you around, Field Marshal Clay Death.

 

[Moxie]

RE: The Frontier Bar Volume 1

I guess we're marshaling troops? Must dig around in the closet for my all-white armor. Good to see you, FM Samson.

 

[Johnsteinbeck]

RE: The Frontier Bar Volume 1

afternoon sports fans.

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scotch on the rocks please. make it a 12 year old blended scotch: black label or chivas regal.

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what a pleasant surprise.

brutal as ever: lets a drink age and evolve for twelve years, only to kill it with ice.

 

[ClayDeath]

RE: The Frontier Bar Volume 1

I am always here in spirit with my great friends like baron britbox, john Steinbeck, and the others.


I read "of mice and men" when I was a kid. it was a fascinating read.


now how about another drink. make scotch on the rocks.



guys don't hesitate to stop by the castle at tennis4you once in a while just to say hello. the castle gates are forever open for all my friends here.

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who has the inside track at Wimbledon?

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that is a castle in Scotland. I created that image for the andy murray fans.

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[kskate2]

RE: The Frontier Bar Volume 1

Very nice work FM Clay Death. :clap

 

[ClayDeath]

RE: The Frontier Bar Volume 1

thanks.

 

[Moxie]

RE: The Frontier Bar Volume 1

Actually, Clay Death, if you make your images too big, some of us lose the edges. I rather miss when you used to talk to us, even if in metaphor, rather than just assaulting with graphics. I appreciate that you want us to visit the other site, and I promise to, but, when you're here, can you remember that we're more about conversation than fantasy graphics? Thanks.

 

[Riotbeard]

RE: The Frontier Bar Volume 1

afternoon sports fans.

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scotch on the rocks please. make it a 12 year old blended scotch: black label or chivas regal.

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what a pleasant surprise.

brutal as ever: lets a drink age and evolve for twelve years, only to kill it with ice.

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Haha! I like my whiskey iceless too. :clap