Archive for the 'Reading' Category

Scott Berkun used to work for Microsoft on the Internet Explorer web browser. So if there is anyone around who can appreciate the machinery behind the web browsing experience, it’s him. Scott recently switched to using Firefox as his primary web browser (his article explains why he made the change). But more interestingly, he provides several things he sees wrong with Firefox. Several of his points are right on target (there is some broken-ness in the Firefox world), and several of his points are a little off the mark (a few of his problems can be solved with extensions).

But Scott has class. He recently posted a followup article, clarifying a number of questions raised by the first one. In it, he admits that after he heard from a number of Firefox users, he saw that some of his views warranted another look. And he also (correctly) points out that there is still inherit broken-ness in the browsing world as a whole. Thanks for an insightful post, Scott. And here’s to your switch to Firefox: you won’t regret it.

I just won 10 more Prince Valiant books at eBay, bringing my library to a total of 27 titles out of the available 50 (the auction I won was actually for 14 books, but I already have four of them). The price per book in this auction was fairly reasonable: only $11.75 each! I’ve found that buying the books in bulk is the only way to get them at a reasonable price.

Unfortunately, this lot of books was listed in “fair” condition and the picture provided didn’t fully show their actual state (at least the spines look to be in decent shape). I guess I’ll see what condition they are in when I get them. The beautiful thing about eBay is that I can always turn around and sell them to someone else if I don’t like them.

Interestingly enough, I’m still awaiting my order of volume #2 from Amazon. They apparently don’t have any, so they have delayed my order for some time (up to November if I recall correctly). But I’m willing to wait - the early volumes are hard to get, especially at the low price of just over $11.00!

I have recently come across two computing articles that I highly recommend:

Code Craft: Freedom Languages
Author Kevin Barnes discusses the differences between the “safety” programming languages (C++, Java, etc.) and the “freedom” languages (Perl, Python, etc.). His points are well organized, his argument well written, and the article highly insightful.

The Six Dumbest Ideas in Computer Security
Recently featured on Slashdot, this article points out exactly what’s wrong in computer security. Allow the following quote to provide a taste of this excellent work:

“…if the conventional wisdom was working, the rate of systems being compromised would be going down, wouldn’t it?”

As I previously promised, I have created a web page that conveys my humble Prince Valiant book collection. (This page has been removed, since I now own the entire collection.) There are a total of 50 volumes in the Fantagraphics line, and I have but 11 of them (4 more should be arriving by mail in the next 2 or 3 weeks). Adding on to this sort of collection is part of the fun, and is a bit like hunting for Easter eggs. I’m just amazed at how much the early volumes sell for on eBay. I have seen several of the earliest volumes (1-7) go for as much as $70 a piece recently, so obtaining this entire collection will eventually cost me. However, I suppose it’s good for a man to have some sort of hobby, and these books have certainly been an enjoyable way for me to spend my time. And it’s a welcome departure from programming and computer gaming!

I received my Prince Valiant books in the mail yesterday, and they are fantastic! The book paper is high quality, the colors are unbelievably vibrant, and each one is in surprisingly good condition (I bought them used on eBay). Being the geek that I am, I plan to create a little web page; a table listing all of the available books and the ones I currently own. Then I (and anyone else who takes a look) can keep track of the volumes which I still need to buy. Yes, these books are that good.

The Prince Valiant Sunday comic has recently become a favorite of mine. I sadly ignored the comic for a number of years, considering it too “wordy” a read. Had I known how elaborate the story lines are, I would have followed them much more closely. I recently came across a collection of Fantagraphics books, cataloguing the entire strip history. I was amazed to learn that the strip started in the late 1930s, and continues today (obviously not by the same artist). If you enjoy swashbuckling adventure and superb artwork, I highly recommend checking it out.

This story over at CNN reminded me of the following passage from C.S. Lewis’ The Horse and His Boy:

“Don’t you think it was bad luck to meet so many lions?” said Shasta.

“There was only one lion,” said the Voice.

“What on earth do you mean? I’ve just told you there were at least two the first night, and …”

“There was only one: but he was swift of foot.”

“How do you know?”

“I was the lion.” And as Shasta gaped with open mouth and said nothing, the Voice continued. “I was the lion who forced you to join with Aravis. I was the cat who comforted you among the houses of the dead. I was the lion who drove the jackals from you while you slept. I was the lion who gave the Horses the new strength of fear for the last mile so that you should reach King Lune in time. And I was the lion you do not remember who pushed the boat in which you lay, a child near death, so that it came to shore where a man sat, wakeful at midnight, to receive you.”