mechturtle

Last week I finally got the internet memo that the e-reader app Stanza isn't compatible with iOS 5, and likely won't be updated in the future, ever. It's been a great app for me to use for reading fanfic, especially after I figured out that it could handle AO3's exported epub versions of stories, and I'm disappointed that it won't be maintained.

A number of message boards have been soliciting suggestions for replacements, though nothing seems to be able to do all of what Stanza could (or has all the bells and whistles that mattered to me). ShuBook is pretty close to meeting my needs, despite some issues with it ignoring all but the first two pages of certain stories after I change the font size. The developer of MegaReader has been hanging out at Stanza/Lexcycle's non-forums and says he's working on incorporating Stanza users' wish lists into a new update(s). That app is $2, but I probably still wait to see how the feedback is on it before trying it out.

1. OMG SWARMING ANTS OUTSIDE THE DOOR YOU STAY THE EFF AWAY FROM MY LIVING SPACE.

2. To my frustration, I've re-discovered the internet echo chamber that is "incorrectly transcribed song lyrics when no official version is available". For crying out loud, web sites, do you really think those words in verse three that you likely copied from another site make sense in that order? Really?

MWAHAHAHA slime molds! Today's xkcd:

...so I can comment directly to posts like these:

If you're looking for me
You better check 2-2-1-B
'Cause that is where you'll find me...

Am participating in SDCC's Web Page Reload-a-thon for tickets. I did know enough not to worry about starting right at 9:00am PST, and fortunately I can multitask during this. Watching Twitter posts, some people are getting through part of the reg process and then the next time they need to load a page, get the "over capacity" message. I wonder which will happen first, the site shuts down or so many people get discouraged and give up so traffic goes down and the page will load for me. Place your bets...

( Live blogging fun )

I love Martin Freeman, but it turns out that the only way I can stand to watch The Office (UK) on DVD is to turn on subtitles, play at 2x (the subtitles are still visible), and then hit Play at normal speed when Tim comes on. The US Office falls in to the same uncomfortable-to-watch category as Seinfeld for me. I figured that the UK version probably would, too, but that maybe I could distract myself while watching to make it bearable. No such luck. And annlarimer's observation on British DVD menus still holds.

Darn you, NBC's Today Show's Natalie Morales, for fooling me into watching the Golden Globe's pre-show thinking I'd see this Natalie Morales. *shakes fist*

Apart from the too-appropriate-to-be-real "EPIC Fail" of the San Diego Comic-Con payment system this morning, I almost feel sorry for them: the Event Planning International Corporation lists their phone number on their "Registration System Error" page. I hope they survive the geek-wrath...

ETA: The phone number is gone and now it's like an error randomizer.
- "Sorry! Server is too busy. Please try a few minutes later."
- "The web system has encountered an error while attempting to service your registration process."
- "The connection was reset."
- "HTTP Error 503. The service is unavailable."
- "Unable to connect."

EATA: And registration has been shut down again (for errors, I assume, not for being sold out by any means) with an update coming later on today. Gotta admit, watching it all unfold over Twitter made me feel less alone and more grateful I didn't get up too early to do this.

I haven't played "Mirror's Edge", but I dig this art by Bill Mudron of its main character, Faith, chatting with Chell from "Portal". Women! Who are not white! That are main characters of video games! Hanging out together! And prints are for sale.

I was all excited that ShopPBS.org had free shipping and a Gift Center discount going on for their Sherlock DVD that expires this evening. So I place the order, figuring the set would be the same as the ones at BBC America and Amazon. Then I surf around reading post-PBS-airing discussions and find out no, probably not so much.