Glass Wings Blog: March 2015
The original indie dev: How one man made 22 games in 22 years, mostly from his basement
Sun, 01 Mar 2015 13:05:41 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
http://venturebeat.com/2015/02/17/the-original-indie-dev-how-one-man-made-22-games-in-22-years-mostly-from-his-basement/view-all/>
"Jeff Vogel’s been writing games, by himself, mostly in his basement,
for longer than most people have been playing: 22 games in the past 22
years. The most recent, the role-playing game Avernum 2, just published
(More...)
Crows Are Even Smarter Than We Thought Possible
Sun, 01 Mar 2015 13:06:42 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
http://io9.com/crows-are-even-smarter-than-we-thought-possible-1686074962>
"We know that crows understand causality, the relationship between cause
and effect. We also know they have mad tool skills. Now, a new research
collaboration between Moscow State University and the University of Iowa
(More...)
Shock Pop Comic Con, 2015
Sun, 01 Mar 2015 13:08:23 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
http://www.epbot.com/2015/02/shock-pop-comic-con-2015.html
"For our part, John and I had a blast in Artists' Alley buying ALL the
things, hanging out with our artist friends and making several new ones,
and roaming the aisles looking for cosplayers to photograph. There
(More...)
Cerf Warns Of A 'Lost Century' Caused By Bit Rot; Patents And Copyright Largely To Blame
Mon, 02 Mar 2015 12:22:07 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20150213/07470230016/cerf-warns-lost-century-caused-bit-rot-patents-copyright-largely-to-blame.shtml>
'Humanity's first steps into the digital world could be lost to future
historians, Vint Cerf told the American Association for the Advancement
of Science's annual meeting in San Jose, California, warning that we
(More...)
Snow Girl and the Dark Crystal TRAILER (2015) Li Bingbing Fantasy Movie
Mon, 02 Mar 2015 12:23:20 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gi59PPCyEK8
"Directed by Academy Award Winner Peter Pau, Snow Girl and the Dark
Crystal is a big-budget ($30M US) romantic fantasy adventure about the
legendary hero Zhong Kui, a fabled warrior with mysterious powers who is
(More...)
Investigating The Real Detective Charlie Chan
Mon, 02 Mar 2015 12:25:49 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129424778
"Although Charlie Chan embodies some stereotypical traits, his fictional
creator, the early twentieth-century novelist Earl Derr Biggers,
succeeded in minting a unique and appealing image."
(More...)
A Whistleblower's Horror Story
Tue, 03 Mar 2015 13:44:58 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/a-whistleblowers-horror-story-20150218>
"Years after blowing the whistle on Countrywide, Michael Winston is
bogged down in the courts, and fighting for his life"
(More...)
Here’s a Bunch of Science Fiction Books with Cats on the Cover
Tue, 03 Mar 2015 13:46:28 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
(More...)
Watch Neil Patrick Harris open the Oscars with song, dance, and Anna Kendrick
Tue, 03 Mar 2015 13:48:12 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
http://www.theverge.com/2015/2/22/8088177/nph-anna-kendrick-musical-open-academy-awards-2015>
"With a host like Neil Patrick Harris, how could you not open the
Academy Awards with a musical number?"
(More...)
To infinity and beyond: A computer designed to outlast a childhood
Wed, 04 Mar 2015 13:11:12 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://medium.com/road-to-infinity/to-infinity-and-beyond-a-computer-designed-to-outlast-a-childhood-35e36040f1ed>
"This week our team reached a remarkable milestone — we delivered 50,000
XO computers to disadvantaged children around Australia and in the
process became a leading provider of technology for primary school aged
(More...)
The light of human rights is fading in Australia
Wed, 04 Mar 2015 13:12:56 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-07/saul-the-light-of-human-rights-is-fading-in-australia/5794640>
"Never has an Australian government talked so much about freedom while
doing so much to undermine it. When it comes to national security and
refugees we are increasingly pathetic, writes Ben Saul."
(More...)
‘Sesame Street’ hilariously parodies Oscar Best Picture favorite ‘Birdman’
Wed, 04 Mar 2015 13:14:18 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2015/02/watch-sesame-street-hilariously-parodies-oscar-best-picture-favorite-birdman/>
"The Sesame Street Workshop released a parody of Oscar-contender
Birdman, in which one of its most iconic characters follows around his
puppeteer in a style and with a soundtrack of Alejandro González
(More...)
Australia secured asylum deal by staying 'silent' on rights abuses: Sri Lanka PM
Thu, 05 Mar 2015 12:47:35 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/23/australia-secured-asylum-deal-by-staying-silent-on-rights-abuses-sri-lanka-pm>
"Prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe says former president agreed to
help stop boats carrying asylum seekers if Australian government kept quiet"
(More...)
Sunday Sweets: Story Time Sweets
Thu, 05 Mar 2015 12:48:40 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
(More...)
Fantasy Webcomic: Gaia
Thu, 05 Mar 2015 12:51:38 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
http://www.sandraandwoo.com/gaia/2000/01/01/welcome-to-gaia/
https://www.patreon.com/gaia
"Advertising revenues are currently our only source of income from the
comic. And, as you can see above, those have really gone downhill during
(More...)
The King's Singers - Masterpiece
Fri, 06 Mar 2015 13:18:56 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXhAz0DOpMU
A real classic! Via my mother, Veronika Birken.
(More...)
Free Music: Kevin MacLeod Composes for the Internet
Fri, 06 Mar 2015 13:24:45 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.kickstarter.com/stories/freemusic
"MacLeod makes music and distributes it free of charge. He posts his
compositions on the Royalty-Free Music section of his website, for
anyone who wants to use them, for any project whatsoever."
(More...)
Brandis’ metadata plan won’t stop crime but will crush art
Fri, 06 Mar 2015 13:29:33 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
http://dailyreview.crikey.com.au/metadata-retention-stay-awake-it-will-affect-you/19791>
"The thing about “metadata” is that it is, at best, a pseudo category.
At worst, it’s an ignorant falsehood evolved by the Attorney-General’s
Department under successive governments to make-believe that there is
(More...)
Why Do Many Reasonable People Trust Science?
Sat, 07 Mar 2015 12:31:03 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
http://thesocietypages.org/cyborgology/2015/02/23/why-do-many-reasonable-people-trust-science/>
"I have a secret to tell all of you: I kind of don’t care about teaching
evolution in science classes. Put another way, I’m less than convinced
that most people, having learned the story of species differentiation
(More...)
'Loverless' feat. George the cat - Ayleen O'Hanlon
Sat, 07 Mar 2015 12:32:01 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7udUxofdBIE
"Here's a snippet of my song 'Loverless' featuring George the cat on
cute duty. Happy viewing!"
(More...)
Proving that Android’s, Java’s and Python’s sorting algorithm is broken (and showing how to fix it)
Sat, 07 Mar 2015 12:33:26 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
http://envisage-project.eu/proving-android-java-and-python-sorting-algorithm-is-broken-and-how-to-fix-it/>
"TimSort is today used as the default sorting algorithm for Android
SDK, Sun’s JDK and OpenJDK. Given the popularity of these platforms this
means that the number of computers, cloud services and mobile phones
(More...)
The girl who gets gifts from birds
Sun, 08 Mar 2015 13:02:19 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-31604026
"Lots of people love the birds in their garden, but it's rare for that
affection to be reciprocated. One young girl in Seattle is luckier than
most. She feeds the crows in her garden - and they bring her gifts in
(More...)
Why I’m Saying Goodbye to Apple, Google and Microsoft
Sun, 08 Mar 2015 13:03:22 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://medium.com/backchannel/why-i-m-saying-goodbye-to-apple-google-and-microsoft-78af12071bd>
"So why am I typing this on a laptop running GNU/Linux, the free
software operating system, not an Apple or Windows machine? And why are
my phones and tablets running a privacy-enhanced offshoot of Android
(More...)
Everyone Wants You To Have Security, But Not from Them
Sun, 08 Mar 2015 13:04:57 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2015/02/everyone_wants_.html
"Eric Schmidt does want your data to be secure. He wants Google to be
the safest place for your data as long as you don't mind the fact that
Google has access to your data. Facebook wants the same thing: to
(More...)
The state of Linux gaming in the SteamOS era
Mon, 09 Mar 2015 13:11:21 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2015/02/the-state-of-linux-gaming-in-the-steamos-era/>
'Now, more than a year into the SteamOS era (measuring from that beta
launch), the nascent Linux gaming community is cautiously optimistic
about the promise of a viable PC gaming market that doesn't rely on a
(More...)
bird and moon: Things I've Learned From Snakes
Mon, 09 Mar 2015 13:13:18 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
http://birdandmoon.com/snakes.html
Via Vince Hrabosky, Avanti Halfhorse and Electra Flarefire.
(More...)
Kioski social experiment
Mon, 09 Mar 2015 13:16:26 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
Part 1 "Requesting hugs from Muslims":
https://vimeo.com/120477690
Part 2 "I am a Muslim, hug me if you trust me":
https://vimeo.com/120698737
Via Heli Järvenpää and Elisa T.
(More...)
Comic: The Life of Sitting Bull, as told by a 10-year-old
Tue, 10 Mar 2015 13:06:29 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
http://boingboing.net/2015/02/27/comic-the-life-of-sitting-bul.html
"The story of the Hunkpapa Lakota holy man who united the Lakota tribes
against betrayals by the US government"
(More...)
Sierpinski Hamantaschen: Sierpinskitaschen (First in the world?!)
Tue, 10 Mar 2015 13:07:44 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
http://seattlelocalfood.com/2011/03/20/sierpinski-hamantaschen-sierpinskitaschen/>
"Somehow this year it dawned on me that the world was incomplete without
a Sierpinski hamantaschen, or sierpinskitaschen. I scoured the vast
reaches of the Interwebs, to see if this had been done before. I may
(More...)
Centuries Before Memes, There Were The LOLCats Of Japanese Woodprints
Tue, 10 Mar 2015 13:09:10 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/26/cat-art-japan_n_6755592.html
'Typically, we associate the centuries-old Japanese art form with wood
print masters like Katsushika Hokusai and Hishikawa Moronobu, who
rendered everything from "Great Waves" to Edo-era erotica. But, as a
(More...)
The Little Engine That Couldn't: How We're Preparing Ourselves and Our Children for Extinction
Wed, 11 Mar 2015 12:52:07 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
(More...)
Those Who Teach, Can – A Formal Reply to Ryan Boudinot’s Post on Teaching
Wed, 11 Mar 2015 12:53:13 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
http://lauravaleri.com/2015/02/28/those-who-teach-can-a-formal-reply-to-ryan-boudinots-post-on-teaching/>
"I can certainly appreciate the frustration that goes along teaching a
topic that is of life-death importance to an instructor, since students
seldom have the maturity of appreciating that subject at the same level,
(More...)
Toby Froud’s New Puppet Film Returns Us to the Magical World of ‘Labyrinth’ and ‘The Dark Crystal’
Wed, 11 Mar 2015 12:55:12 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
http://www.portlandmonthlymag.com/arts-and-entertainment/culturephile-portland-arts/articles/toby-froud-s-new-puppet-film-returns-us-to-the-magical-world-of-labyrinth-june-2014>
"In case you missed it last week, Toby Froud, the baby in the striped
PJs from the movie Labyrinth, grew up, moved to Portland for a job at
LAIKA, and premiered his own fantasy puppet film on Saturday in
(More...)
ATROPA -- Sci-fi Short
Thu, 12 Mar 2015 12:39:46 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://vimeo.com/77761436
"An Off-World Detective investigates the missing research vessel ATROPA.
Concept short inspired by '70s and '80s sci-fi classics like Alien and
Blade Runner."
(More...)
Should The Punishment For Falsely Accusing People Of A Crime Match The Punishment For The Crime Itself?
Thu, 12 Mar 2015 12:40:52 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
(More...)
50 of my favourite pics from the Australian International Airshow
Thu, 12 Mar 2015 12:42:19 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/50-my-favourite-pics-from-australian-international-airshow-steven-pam>
"No doubt, there will be many write-ups of this year's Avalon air show
in aviation and defence industry publications. Of course, my perspective
is more the visual one, so I thought I'd share a few of my own favourite
(More...)
A Ranking of 1980s Fantasy That Would Please Crom Himself!
Fri, 13 Mar 2015 12:58:42 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
http://www.tor.com/blogs/2015/03/ranking-all-of-1980s-fantasy
"I have travelled back to that time to bring forth the Ultimate 1980s
Fantasy Epic Ranking List Post! And By Crom, I swear I’ve gotten… most
of them. Join me below to celebrate the 1980s fantasy epic, in all of
(More...)
(Self) Employment Practices in Games.
Fri, 13 Mar 2015 12:59:53 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
http://www.hannahnicklin.com/2015/03/self-employment-practices-in-games/
"Rest is hard, it’s easy as a freelancer to overcompensate for what
looks like a low work time and end up with too much; it’s hard to make
space in your home to rest when it’s also your work place; you enjoy
(More...)
Priya’s Shakti - free comic
Fri, 13 Mar 2015 13:01:39 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
http://www.priyashakti.com/
"A mortal woman and the Goddess Parvati fight against gender-based
sexual violence in India and around the world in this layered
storytelling project and augmented reality comic book, supporting the
(More...)
Explaining White Privilege to a Broke White Person
Sat, 14 Mar 2015 13:23:59 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gina-crosleycorcoran/explaining-white-privilege-to-a-broke-white-person_b_5269255.html>
"I came from the kind of poor that people don't want to believe still
exists in this country. Have you ever spent a frigid northern-Illinois
winter without heat or running water? I have. At 12 years old were you
(More...)
Shelter 2 game
Sat, 14 Mar 2015 13:25:10 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
http://www.gog.com/game/shelter_2
"Follow a powerful Lynx through vast open landscapes. Give birth to your
cubs, raise and strengthen them by mastering your skills for hunting
prey. Explore the wild beauty of nature and do everything possible to
(More...)
Douglas Adams made me a writer: Neil Gaiman salutes his friend and inspiration
Sat, 14 Mar 2015 13:26:20 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/mar/04/neil-gaiman-douglas-adams-writer-genius>
"Paying tribute to his genius at the annual Douglas Adams lecture,
writer explains how meeting the Hitchhiker’s Guide author at 22 changed
his life"
(More...)
Sunday Sweets: Seuss Day Treats
Sun, 15 Mar 2015 18:33:15 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
(More...)
9 Social Panics That Gripped the Nation, Were Totally False, and Did Horrible Lasting Damage
Sun, 15 Mar 2015 18:34:25 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
http://www.alternet.org/fear-america/9-social-panics-gripped-nation-were-totally-false-and-did-horrible-lasting-damage>
"America is a fearful and gullible nation with a media misinformation
machine that is more than happy to stoke our anxieties. Like windup
toys, we obediently point in whatever direction the fearmongers tell us
(More...)
London Brawling
Sun, 15 Mar 2015 18:35:09 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpasSV_mw2o
"Freddie's vacation in London takes an unexpected turn..."
Great comedy fight scene. Via Muse.
(More...)
The “Snowden is Ready to Come Home!” Story: a Case Study in Typical Media Deceit
Mon, 16 Mar 2015 12:25:00 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/03/04/snowden-wants-come-home-stories-case-study-media-deceit/>
"Various media outlets then took these redundant, anodyne comments and
distorted them into some brand new BREAKING!! event — as though Snowden
suddenly decided for the first time he wants to Come Home — and then
(More...)
This movie starring Jackie Chan, Adrien Brody, and John Cusack is huge in China right now
Mon, 16 Mar 2015 12:26:51 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
http://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-dragon-blade-2015-3
"Dragon Blade is an historical epic set in Han Dynasty China. It is
loosely based on the true story of a missing legion of Roman soldiers
who ended up along China's Silk Road in 48 BCE.
(More...)
Fantastic Redesigns Of Women Characters By Women Science Fiction Artists
Mon, 16 Mar 2015 12:28:07 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
http://io9.com/fantastic-redesigns-of-women-characters-by-women-scienc-1689503485>
"What do women want in their women characters? Art director and Muddy
Colors columnist Lauren Panepinto addresses sexism in art and what she
wants creators to think about when developing female characters. Even
(More...)
If enough of us decide that climate change is a crisis worthy of Marshall Plan levels of response, then it will become one
Tue, 17 Mar 2015 13:02:34 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/mar/06/dont-look-away-now-the-climate-crisis-needs-you>
"There are ways of preventing this grim future, or at least making it a
lot less dire. But the catch is that these also involve changing
everything. For us high consumers, it involves changing how we live, how
(More...)
Fan films and the future of fantasy
Tue, 17 Mar 2015 13:03:44 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
http://boingboing.net/2015/03/05/like-nothing-on-middle-earth.html
"Small productions are becoming better—and more professional—than ever.
But the falling price of good equipment is only part of the magic."
(More...)
French theatre's Sixties rebel child still going strong 50yrs on
Tue, 17 Mar 2015 13:06:00 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
http://www.bangkokpost.com/print/407611/
"Mnouchkine is the founder and indefatigable driving force behind the
Theatre du Soleil (Theatre of the Sun), a workers collective born of the
heady idealism of the 1960s that, half a century later, is still
(More...)
Goodwill letters to asylum seekers on Nauru returned unopened
Wed, 18 Mar 2015 12:35:16 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/mar/10/goodwill-letters-to-asylum-seekers-on-nauru-returned-unopened>
"Immigration department delivers three boxes of mail to barrister Julian
Burnside – six months after he was assured it was being distributed to
detainees"
(More...)
Run for your life!!.... A Princess is attacking Japan!!
Wed, 18 Mar 2015 12:36:17 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://imgur.com/gallery/eA7yRxj
"A friend decided everyone, and everything, deserves the chance to look
fierce"
(More...)
Reframing Progress
Wed, 18 Mar 2015 12:37:25 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
http://www.resilience.org/stories/2014-12-10/reframing-progress
"The idea of progress is essentially about things getting better, about
the future being better than the past and the present. This hopeful
idea, tied up with assumptions about how it will happen, forms our
(More...)
"Back to the Future" documentary
Thu, 19 Mar 2015 12:18:04 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
http://boingboing.net/2015/03/11/back-to-the-future-documen.html
'Filmmaker Jason Aron created a very compelling trailer for "Back in
Time: A Back to the Future Documentary," including interviews with
Michael J. Fox, Robert Zemeckis, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, and
(More...)
Crowdfunded TV series: Con Man
Thu, 19 Mar 2015 12:27:16 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/con-man
"A new comedy from Alan Tudyk and Nathan Fillion produced by YOU!"
You can see how much these guys are loved - they're already over $2M
(More...)
Technology should be used to create social mobility – not to spy on citizens
Thu, 19 Mar 2015 12:29:01 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
(More...)
Car-Size Stingray May Be World’s Largest Freshwater Fish
Fri, 20 Mar 2015 12:59:48 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
(More...)
How Ricoh Returned 90,000 Photos to Victims of the 2011 Tsunami in Japan
Fri, 20 Mar 2015 13:01:03 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
http://petapixel.com/2015/03/11/how-ricoh-returned-90000-photos-to-victims-of-the-2011-tsunami-in-japan/>
"When Japan was devastated by the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami in 2011,
countless families lost precious photos in their homes that washed away.
In response, many organizations sprung up to recover, restore, and
(More...)
Blurred Lines may be the biggest music copyright case of 2015
Fri, 20 Mar 2015 13:02:32 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
http://theconversation.com/blurred-lines-may-be-the-biggest-music-copyright-case-of-2015-38706>
"This case highlights a common confusion in what copyright law is about.
Contrary to what we often think, copyright isn’t about “credit where
credit’s due”. It’s about encouraging people to make and produce new works."
(More...)
Four years after Fukushima, just one man lives in the exclusion zone – to look after the animals
Sat, 21 Mar 2015 16:38:42 +1100
"Andrew Pam" <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
http://wamiz.co.uk/naoto-matsumura-macchan-fukushima-animals/
"Macchan takes care of scores of pets and livestock left behind when their
owners fled, including cats, dogs, ducks, pigs, cows, a pony and even
ostriches."
(More...)
NTP's Fate Hinges On 'Father Time'
Sat, 21 Mar 2015 16:42:22 +1100
"Andrew Pam" <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
http://www.informationweek.com/it-life/ntps-fate-hinges-on-father-time/d/d-id/1319432>
"The Network Time Protocol provides a foundation to modern computing. So
why does NTP's support hinge so much on the shaky finances of one
59-year-old developer?"
(More...)
Norway's prison without bars: 'It's a trust thing'
Sat, 21 Mar 2015 16:44:53 +1100
"Andrew Pam" <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2015/03/norway-prison-bars-trust-150303121441430.html>
"Halden Prison tests the limits of humane incarceration and
rehabilitation, greatly reducing re-offending rates."
(More...)
Years Of Brainwashing The Public Into Thinking Everything Creative Must Be 'Owned' Has Led To This New Mess
Sun, 22 Mar 2015 12:31:28 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20150312/06330930299/years-brainwashing-public-into-thinking-everything-creative-must-be-owned-has-led-to-this-new-mess.shtml>
"Plenty of other folks have pointed out that no matter what you think of
any of the parties involved, this ruling is bad for music, bad for
musicians and bad for songwriters."
(More...)
Lawsuit Over DHS First Amendment-Violating Suspicious Activity Reports Given Green Light By Judge
Sun, 22 Mar 2015 12:32:40 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
(More...)
The near and far future of libraries
Sun, 22 Mar 2015 12:33:28 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
http://www.hopesandfears.com/hopes/future/technology/168465-future-of-libraries>
"As archives become digital and machines become smarter, what function
will libraries serve ten years and ten thousand years from now?"
(More...)
Artist Creates Adult Coloring Books And Sells More Than A Million Copies
Mon, 23 Mar 2015 12:15:36 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
http://www.boredpanda.com/coloring-books-for-adults-johanna-basford/
"Basford’s beautiful books, which can be found on Amazon, are full of
beautiful illustrations of fairytale forests and beasts. She told
Dailymail that she had been inspired by her childhood visits to her
(More...)
UN Cultural Rights Rapporteur Delivers Report Condemning Prevailing Copyright Laws
Mon, 23 Mar 2015 12:16:39 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20150312/10173830303/un-cultural-rights-rapporteur-delivers-report-condemning-prevailing-copyright-laws.shtml>
"The UN Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights, Farida
Shaheed, has just delivered a less-than-complimentary report on
copyright to the UN's Human Rights Council. Shaheed's report actually
(More...)
All hail the Anthropocene, the end of Holocene thinking
Mon, 23 Mar 2015 12:18:45 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn27162-all-hail-the-anthropocene-the-end-of-holocene-thinking.html>
"The Anthropocene geological era is not just the sum of our
environmental problems, says Christian Schwägerl. It may also prove to
be the age of humility"
(More...)
A Bunch of Pirates: A Transdimensional Adventure
Mon, 23 Mar 2015 20:24:43 +1100
Katherine Phelps <muse [at] glasswings.com.au>
Yoho me hearties!
Me comedy festival show this year be about spacefaring cyberpunk
pirates! We'd love to see ye having a hale and hearty good time upon the
evening. For more details you can check out me website:
(More...)
Why White People Freak Out When They're Called Out About Race
Tue, 24 Mar 2015 12:41:55 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
http://www.alternet.org/culture/why-white-people-freak-out-when-theyre-called-out-about-race>
"If you call someone out, they think to themselves, “What you just said
was that I am a bad person, and that is intolerable to me.” It’s a deep
challenge to the core of our identity as good, moral people."
(More...)
The Top 10 Films that Explain Why the Occupy Movement Exists
Tue, 24 Mar 2015 12:42:57 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
http://www.filmsforaction.org/articles/the_top_10_films_that_explain_why_occupy_wall_st_exists/>
"One of the most entertaining yet unsurprising aspects of Occupy Wall St
has been the response from traditional media. Whether intentionally
playing dumb or genuinely clueless, the mainstream media has failed to
(More...)
Voting for the 2014 Ursa Major Awards now open
Tue, 24 Mar 2015 12:44:19 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
http://www.furrynewsnetwork.com/2015/03/voting-for-the-2014-ursa-major-awards-now-open/>
"The eleven categories are: Best Anthropomorphic Motion Picture, Best
Anthropomorphic Dramatic Short or Series, Best Anthropomorphic Novel,
Best Anthropomorphic Short Fiction, Best Anthropomorphic Other Literary
(More...)
Subbable and Patreon are Joining Forces
Wed, 25 Mar 2015 12:44:34 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.patreon.com/creation?hid=1886807
"Patreon is Creator First, and damnit, so are Hank and John. They
exemplify Creator First, not only in philosophy, but in action. Hank and
John, I am so excited to be working with you dudes. And we are honored
(More...)
How can I write a game about [some marginalized group] without being insensitive?
Wed, 25 Mar 2015 12:46:17 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://plus.google.com/117301572585814320386/posts/CM2mnZZXcHd
"Your job, as a writer, is to tell people's stories. Since only telling
your own story is myopic, being a writer means learning how to speak to
others about their experiences and understand them."
(More...)
A Visually Impressive Cover of the ‘Sesame Street’ Song ‘I Don’t Want to Live on the Moon’ Made With Toys
Wed, 25 Mar 2015 12:47:26 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
http://laughingsquid.com/a-visually-impressive-cover-of-the-sesame-street-song-i-dont-want-to-live-on-the-moon-made-with-toys/>
"Adobe designer Dave Werner has created a visually impressive cover of
the Sesame Street song “I Don’t Want to Live on the Moon” written by
Jeff Moss. Werner’s video features an Ernie puppet who sings the song as
(More...)
Worldwide more than 50 events about Open Standards
Wed, 25 Mar 2015 13:09:42 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://fsfe.org/news/2015/news-20150324-01.en.html
"On March 25 is this years Document Freedom Day and, depending on your
time zone, it has already started. Document Freedom Day is the global
campaign for document liberation by local groups throughout the world.
(More...)
Webcomic: Pepper & Carrot
Thu, 26 Mar 2015 12:46:03 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
http://www.peppercarrot.com/en/static3/webcomics
"Pepper&Carrot is a comedy/humor webcomic suited for everyone, every
age. No mature content, no violence. Free and open-source,
Pepper&Carrot is a proud example of how cool could be free-culture."
(More...)
Cosplay Music Video From PAX East 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts Featuring Creative Costumes and Video Games
Thu, 26 Mar 2015 12:47:10 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
http://laughingsquid.com/cosplay-music-video-from-pax-east-2015-in-boston-massachusetts-featuring-creative-costumes-and-video-games/>
"Beat Down Boogie has released a new cosplay music video from their
recent visit to PAX East 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts that features
excited folks dancing around and showing off their creative costumes
(More...)
Project Loon update
Thu, 26 Mar 2015 12:48:37 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://plus.google.com/+ProjectLoon/posts/8WesAvwxJrm
"One of Project Loon’s earliest Eureka moments was the idea that we
could provide continuous Internet connection not by keeping balloons
stationary over a given location (which would require lots and lots of
(More...)
The Worst Taboo In Urban Fantasy
Fri, 27 Mar 2015 12:41:03 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
http://io9.com/the-worst-taboo-in-urban-fantasy-1692481622
"Urban fantasy often seems more open-minded than other fantasy
subgenres. You can have more sex, more swearing, loads of blasphemy, and
tons of gonzo violence. So what can't you have in urban fantasy books?
(More...)
Joseph Gordon-Levitt Will Produce and Star in an Upcoming ‘Fraggle Rock’ Movie Based on the 1980s Television Show
Fri, 27 Mar 2015 12:42:17 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
(More...)
Lo-Fi Let's Play: LOOM
Fri, 27 Mar 2015 12:47:25 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
http://boingboing.net/2015/03/20/lo-fi-lets-play-loom.html
"Come along with me and revisit a classic Lucasfilm Games experience.
There's a lot special about LOOM, which recently went on sale at the
DRM-free digital store Good Old Games."
(More...)
Racism’s sinister word games: What a white-supremacist talking point tells us about modern politics
Sat, 28 Mar 2015 12:41:22 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
(More...)
Cookie Monster Teams Up With Grumpy Cat to Break the Internet
Sat, 28 Mar 2015 12:42:22 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
http://laughingsquid.com/cookie-monster-teams-up-with-grumpy-cat-to-break-the-internet/>
"Cookie gets a little advice from Grumpy Cat before he just decides to
try to eat the Internet."
(More...)
OhPonyBoy - Turbulences [Piano/Dubstep at Dijon's train station, France]
Sat, 28 Mar 2015 12:43:49 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8BNpF_l1VY
"I participate [in] the French national piano competition organized by
Yamaha and the SCNF ... here is my video!"
(More...)
Kannon and Moki enjoying an afternoon nap
Sun, 29 Mar 2015 13:18:43 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
http://glasswings.com.au/photos/2015/2015-03-21-Croydon-Kannon+Moki.html
It's been quite a while since my last cat post so it's clearly about
time for another one!
(More...)
Higher Education and the Politics of Disruption
Sun, 29 Mar 2015 13:20:10 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/higher_education_and_the_politics_of_disruption_20150321>
"This piece was drawn largely from Henry A. Giroux’s keynote speech
presented March 13 to a conference on higher education and inequality,
jointly sponsored by the National Educational Association and the
(More...)
We are not colonists
Sun, 29 Mar 2015 13:21:34 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
http://boingboing.net/2015/03/20/we-are-not-colonists-2.html
"Minority voices in games and tech present a necessary challenge to our
imagined community."
(More...)
NASA's LEAPTech X-plane Will Fly with 18 Electric Motors and Tiny Wings
Mon, 30 Mar 2015 12:08:48 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
http://spectrum.ieee.org/tech-talk/aerospace/aviation/nasas-newest-xplane-will-fly-with-18-electric-motors>
"What’s unique are those 18 electric engines, and the wing, which has a
total area of just over 5 square meters. In order to fly, a conventional
airplane of this size needs
three times as much wing area at the
(More...)
OK Go Creates Madcap Music Video Commercial for Chinese Furniture Store Red Star Macalline
Mon, 30 Mar 2015 12:11:56 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
(More...)
Plugging a 1986 Mac Plus into the modern Web
Mon, 30 Mar 2015 12:12:52 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
http://kernelmag.dailydot.com/issue-sections/features-issue-sections/12228/mac-plus-modern-web/>
"Reviving an old computer is like restoring a classic car: There’s a
thrill from bringing the ancient into the modern world."
(More...)
Why No One’s Laughing at Princess Twilight Sparkle
Tue, 31 Mar 2015 12:50:03 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
https://context.newamerica.org/why-no-one-s-laughing-at-princess-twilight-sparkle-994833f32af0>
"When toy company Hasbro was looking to launch its super fan store for
lovers of My Little Pony (tag line: “Super Art for Super Fans”), they
decided to do something different. They teamed up with 3D printing
(More...)
SolarCity to build its own power grids
Tue, 31 Mar 2015 13:22:55 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
http://www.computerworld.com/article/2900753/solarcity-to-build-its-own-power-grids.html>
'The company, whose chief executive is Tesla Motors founder Elon Musk,
said the grids will include distributed solar panels (rooftop), Tesla
lithium-ion batteries and controllable loads to offer users "cleaner,
(More...)
For 'BoJack Horseman,' It Matters If A Cartoon Dog Is A Man Or A Woman
Tue, 31 Mar 2015 13:25:21 +1100
Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>
<
http://www.npr.org/2015/03/24/393853692/for-bojack-horseman-it-matters-if-a-cartoon-dog-is-a-man-or-a-woman>
"The storyboard artists drew the dog and the businessperson as men.
Hanawalt changed them to women. Women never seemed to take part in the
show's gross, silly little sight gags, and she wanted to see them
(More...)
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