True Names

[moleprince]

Re: True Names

If you're looking for more Vinge and less commentary, you could pick up the True Names: and Other Dangers collection.
http://www.amazon.com/Names-Other-Da...7980619&sr=8-2

I'm ordering it as we speak, actually.

[shrdlu]

Re: True Names

I really liked Frederic Brown's "Answer":

...and thanks for reminding me of it. He was just a class act.

BTW, I now possess the Vernor Vinge "True Names and the opening of the cyberspace frontier" which has contributions from Timothy May and Patti Maes, in addition to True Names itself, and a host of other folk as well. It looks to be very cools, and I look forward to reading it.

[Thorn]

Re: True Names

He probably just hit reply on the latest post, to add his post to the conversation. You just happened to be it. I don't think he understands the thread and wanted to add his "name". I can see it as a simple mistake. English is obviously not his first language and is probably doing better than we would trying to join and post on a forum entirely in his language. I am soft hearted I suppose. No one should have to be a baby sitter but I don't want to see the baby out with the bathwater either.

The intent was to give him the benefit of the doubt, so that's why I asked him. If it was a simple mistake, then no harm, no foul.

However, judging by a three other posts he made after this, his asshat potential is moderate to high.

[bascule]

Re: True Names

One of my earliest influences was Frederic Brown, in a story called (go figure) "Etaoin Shrdlu." It was about an intelligent linotype.

I really liked Frederic Brown's "Answer":

Dwan Ev ceremoniously soldered the final connection with gold. The eyes of a dozen television cameras watched him and the subether bore throughout the universe a dozen pictures of what he was doing.
He straightened and nodded to Dwar Reyn, then moved to a position beside the switch that would complete the contact when he threw it. The switch that would connect, all at once, all of the monster computing machines of all the populated planets in the universe -- ninety-six billion planets -- into the supercircuit that would connect them all into one supercalculator, one cybernetics machine that would combine all the knowledge of all the galaxies.
Dwar Reyn spoke briefly to the watching and listening trillions. Then after a moment's silence he said, "Now, Dwar Ev."
Dwar Ev threw the switch. There was a mighty hum, the surge of power from ninety-six billion planets. Lights flashed and quieted along the miles-long panel.
Dwar Ev stepped back and drew a deep breath. "The honor of asking the first question is yours, Dwar Reyn."
"Thank you," said Dwar Reyn. "It shall be a question which no single cybernetics machine has been able to answer."
He turned to face the machine. "Is there a God?"
The mighty voice answered without hesitation, without the clicking of a single relay.
"Yes, now there is a God."
Sudden fear flashed on the face of Dwar Ev. He leaped to grab the switch.
A bolt of lightning from the cloudless sky struck him down and fused the switch shut.

[TheCotMan]

Re: True Names

Based on information we can see, the guy is "from" a country where English is not the first language spoken by most members of the population.

[Nikita]

Re: True Names

Is there some reason you directed this to me, or was it just a mistake?

He probably just hit reply on the latest post, to add his post to the conversation. You just happened to be it. I don't think he understands the thread and wanted to add his "name". I can see it as a simple mistake. English is obviously not his first language and is probably doing better than we would trying to join and post on a forum entirely in his language. I am soft hearted I suppose. No one should have to be a baby sitter but I don't want to see the baby out with the bathwater either.

[barry99705]

Re: True Names

Yes, I'm the one who /dev/null'ed the post. I'm trying to see what he's up too before further action is taken.

Heh, I thought it was just your day to watch the forum.

[Thorn]

Re: True Names

He's on a posting spree. So far he's dug up two old threads, one post has already been /dev/null'ed

Yes, I'm the one who /dev/null'ed the post. I'm trying to see what he's up to before further action is taken.

[streaker69]

Re: True Names

Is there some reason you directed this to me, or was it just a mistake?

He's on a posting spree. So far he's dug up two old threads, one post has already been /dev/null'ed

[Thorn]

Re: True Names

I am Dennis Ruiz

Is there some reason you directed this to me, or was it just a mistake?

[el-mago]

Re: True Names

Thanks! Good to know.

I am Dennis Ruiz

[Thorn]

Re: True Names

I don't think you will find it in local stores. It was a very important book, and there were only so many copies printed at the time. I treasure mine. Ordering it from various places online is probably your best bet.



Although Vernor Vinge does not make an issue of such sites, and would not (it's simply not his style), you can actually give support to the author by purchasing the title below, which is a fascinating read all by itself (and contains the text of the short story in question).

True Names and the Opening of the Cyberspace Frontier:
http://btobsearch.barnesandnoble.com.../?itm=1&btob=Y

Thanks! Good to know.

[shrdlu]

Re: True Names

My wife was going out shopping with a friend this weekend, and they hit a couple of used bookstores as part of the excursion. I asked her look for a copy of True Names, as it sounded pretty interesting. Apparently however, it's now in the low end of the rare book area, because a paperback is $30 and has to be ordered from out of state through another dealer. I plan on calling some of the other used bookstores in the area to see if any have it, but may end up ordering it.

I don't think you will find it in local stores. It was a very important book, and there were only so many copies printed at the time. I treasure mine. Ordering it from various places online is probably your best bet.

In the meantime, I've found this: http://home.comcast.net/~kngjon/truename/truename.html

Although Vernor Vinge does not make an issue of such sites, and would not (it's simply not his style), you can actually give support to the author by purchasing the title below, which is a fascinating read all by itself (and contains the text of the short story in question).

True Names and the Opening of the Cyberspace Frontier:
http://btobsearch.barnesandnoble.com.../?itm=1&btob=Y

[Thorn]

Re: True Names

I'm going to have to check out this book... Sounds like an interesting little read. =)

My wife was going out shopping with a friend this weekend, and they hit a couple of used bookstores as part of the excursion. I asked her look for a copy of True Names, as it sounded pretty interesting. Apparently however, it's now in the low end of the rare book area, because a paperback is $30 and has to be ordered from out of state through another dealer. I plan on calling some of the other used bookstores in the area to see if any have it, but may end up ordering it.

In the meantime, I've found this: http://home.comcast.net/~kngjon/truename/truename.html

[Deviant Ollam]

Re: True Names

i'll go all low-key and partial-fu with my response: Adams' Hitchhiker's series... today, tomorrow, and beyond.

it was one of the first works (or series of works) that's even remotely sci-fi which my completely non-techy friend and relatives would fall in love with immediately. i can recall times in my parents' car on the road to a relative's house for easter or thanksgiving, etc. with the audiobooks playing and them completely being in love with it.

i think that if you have a completely non-techy friend or sig-o, that is the piece you first expose them to* and let them get a glimmer into the wit and mindset of our world. from there, anything is possible.


* as some folk have seen at con... i have all audio releases of Adams' work. that includes all the printed works in Audiobook format (read by Adams himself) as well as the original BBC radio plays and then the modern revised radio plays which address the extra segments. if you'd like a DVD that has all of these works in full... maybe i'll have some at con and be willing to trade them for glasses of Jameson. maybe. all unofficially, of course. i'm just a guy talking here. wink wink, nudge nudge.