“It seems that destiny has taken a hand.” Thus Humphrey Bogart, in a pivotal scene from the iconic 1942 film Casablanca. In Bogart’s case, destiny had to do with the sudden arrival of Claude Rains and the gendarmerie at Rick’s Café Américain, with profound implications for his relationship with Ilsa. In my case, fate was more jejune, involving the failure of my PC’s power supply just as I was asking myself whether it was now time for my August vacation. The power supply left little doubt. Surely a sign from the cosmos that after all the recent work reconfiguring the site’s software, I should take some time off?
That’s how I plan to interpret it, in any case. In the meantime, I’ll get the PC problem resolved. As to the still developing work on the site, a couple of things to note:
1) I am all too aware that the mobile experience is problematic, depending on what phone you use. I find this bewildering, as many people see the site correctly on their phones, whereas people like me see a very skinny column of text with huge side margins. So that is right up there on the list, and I plan to work on it during my time off. Since I can’t travel anywhere right now, I will be staying put. I will be on the site each day, moderating comments and also trying to work out glitches. But I will not be posting new material under my byline for approximately two weeks.
2) Speaking of glitches, this one came out of nowhere. I’ve learned that older posts have comment sections that are not formatting correctly. This too needs to be fixed, and part of my time off will be spent in the quest for answers on that matter.
Otherwise, in the next couple of weeks, I plan to watch old movies and read the novels now at the top of my fiction reading stack. These include books by Richard Ford, Alastair Reynolds, Graham Greene and Emily St. John Mandel, although I have to finish up Alan Furst’s wonderful The World at Night before proceeding to the first of these.
One last thing: Every now and then I get a message from someone who has had trouble trying to leave a comment with the new interface. Here’s the method: To comment, what you need to do is click on the title of the post, which will open the same post with the comment section in place at the end of the text.
As I say, keep the comments coming, as I’ll be here to put them through. Thanks to all for your patience and suggestions re the site changes. More to come.
It’s still the best site I know of for provocative but science-based information on long distance and long-term voyages in space and eventual colonization of planets and moons or artificial orbiting sites. As a science fiction writer and space travel buff, I find it invaluable, glitches or not
Casey, many thanks! A real morale-building message. Much appreciated.
Have a good one, Paul! Don’t forget to post your best jet ski pics!
Jet ski photos in progress, John. Count on it.
You deserve a brea6@
It will be a welcome change of pace. Thanks!
May all the digits add up, the GO TO statements send you to desired destinations, and all columns be well justified!
Many thanks, Bill! Relying on those GO TO statements to point me in the right direction.
Hi Paul
Enjoy the break, and anything interesting I’m sure I’ll send a copy to your inbox.
Life has been rather busy for me too.
Cheers Edwin
I have to say I wish I could spend the two weeks in your lovely part of the world, Edwin. New Zealand would make the perfect vacation venue just now.
The durability of digital data is still problematic. Maybe General Artificial Intelligence may help solve the problem.
But until then, making digital durable will still demand much effort.
Recharge Paul. Website is great and you’re great.
Thank you.
Be careful, Jim. You’re giving me delusions of grandeur! But seriously, thank you. So glad you’re a reader.
Thank you Paul. Enjoy your vacation! Looking forward to reading you again soon. Etienne
Always a pleasure to hear from you, Etienne. All good wishes.
Enjoy the break Paul, get some sunshine in with that reading! :)
Will do, Mark. Thanks!
My head is buzzing from all the new ideas I read on here Paul. Have a great break and come back totally refreshed!
Will do my best! And thanks for your many contributions to the inflow of ideas, Gary.
“The power supply left little doubt. Surely a sign from the cosmos …”
I’ve always felt that a true sign from the cosmos would be the opposite of this: a reduction of entropy. For example, a broken power supply coming back to life or a web site suddenly working as intended.
Regardless of whether the sign’s true origin is the cosmos or Murphy, enjoy the break, Paul!
Well, if the power supply does come back and reverse entropy, I suppose that means I should not take the vacation, right? Must ponder the possible consequences. Right now it seems to be obeying entropy pretty well.
Hi, Paul.
Take your time. You need it. Galactic affairs will just have to abide for a while.
But mention of Alan Furst stories: Someday I hope there’s a sidebar on that too.
Kind of Fodor’s Europe for 1938-42. My favorite is “Night Soldiers”.
Yes, I thought Night Soldiers was brilliant. As was The Polish Officer. But really, I can find few I dislike. Furst is extraordinary!
Hi Paul
Enjoy the break. Have you read Stephen Baxter’s “World Engines” duology? Well worth a look. A Reid Malenfant tale.
Yes, I try to keep up with Baxter. A master of startling concepts.
Paul, your site is a treasure; one of my favorites. Godspeed, enjoy. We’ll be here when you come back.
Very kind of you, Peter! Glad you’re with us.