I received an iPad at work, which, of course, I've been using to read comic books. The device is near perfect - I'd like a slightly larger screen size to match up to the printed comics, but the iPad interface (zoom etc.) is more than adequate to handle the odd times the default full-page reading mode is not appropriate.
The only other "trouble" I've had is the odd comic does not display on the iPad. I'm using "Cloudreader" which recognized CBR and CBZ formats. These are simply jpg files zipped or rared into archives, where the extension is changed from zip to cbz or rar to cbr respectively - cb being "comic book" - this format allows the reader to decide on how to organize his/her collection - the default is one archive file per comic issue, but there are certainly examples of storylines of multiple issues collected into a single archive.
I suspect the issue is related to either the resolution of the jpg images (e.g. too high res x too many files = too big a file to be resolved) or perhaps a mismatch in the archive formatting (e.g. a file labeled cbr when it is actually a zip file).
Overall, the app (Cloudreader) and the device (iPad) both work excellently and provide a great reading experience - very easy to run through an entire run of comics in a few hours.
The only other issue I have with the iPad is not unique - I'm not happy to be "tied" to iTunes - I find is slow and clunky - I'd much rather have the option to connect the iPad to the computer an bulk copy my files to the device.
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Finished (Audiobook) - "Your Deceptive Mind - A Scientific Guide to Critical Thinking Skills" - The Great Courses
This course seemed to go very fast - the content was interesting, with lots of examples of mistakes in reasoning that people make, and an understanding of the arguments that sound persuasive to the "believers" in UFO-ology, astrology, Holocaust denial, global-warming denial and very polar religious believers. All are, to some degree, failures to understand statistics, and/or the scientific method. Confusion of scientific rigour (e.g. never accepting ideas/interpretations as 100% "solved", and keeping debates open and honest) with uncertainty.
The idea that having 99.9999% of all scientists believing something, and a small number disbelieving - how that is how science works - the onus becomes on the small group to illustrate (using scientific methods) how their unpopular idea is actually the correct interpretation. This fact of science does not alter the basic paradigm - the 99.9999% are telling the truth as understood at the given time, using current techniques, and building on all science up to the present - this is not the same as a random choice between the 99.9999% and alternatives, nor is it any sort of popularity contest, nor is it appropriate to display the "controversy" as a debate among equals (the primary argument of Intelligent Design - "teach the controversy" when there really isn't any "controversy" to teach).
Definitely a good commute listen.
The idea that having 99.9999% of all scientists believing something, and a small number disbelieving - how that is how science works - the onus becomes on the small group to illustrate (using scientific methods) how their unpopular idea is actually the correct interpretation. This fact of science does not alter the basic paradigm - the 99.9999% are telling the truth as understood at the given time, using current techniques, and building on all science up to the present - this is not the same as a random choice between the 99.9999% and alternatives, nor is it any sort of popularity contest, nor is it appropriate to display the "controversy" as a debate among equals (the primary argument of Intelligent Design - "teach the controversy" when there really isn't any "controversy" to teach).
Definitely a good commute listen.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Finished (Comic Book) "Batman - Earth One" - Geoff Johns, DC Comics
"Batman - Earth One" was very entertaining. It is a re-visioning of the classic Batman origin story. Alfred is re-cast as a war hero friend of Thomas Wayne (Bruce's dad), who is "stuck" with the young Wayne after the death of the parents.
I like the "new Batman" stories, where he is learning to patrol and fight - sometimes there's a tendency to make it too easy for him - this story remembers that he doesn't have powers, he's just well trained (and at this point, not that well trained).
The characterization of James Gordon was interesting as well - he has some worries about his daughter Barbara since he suspects the criminal element(s) in Gotham murdered his wife. This leaves him somewhat powerless to deal with the criminal element he feels has the upper hand.
A nice graphic novel, completed storyline, leaving you wanting more of that characterization, but all elements tied up nicely.
http://www.dccomics.com/graphic-novels/batman-earth-one
I like the "new Batman" stories, where he is learning to patrol and fight - sometimes there's a tendency to make it too easy for him - this story remembers that he doesn't have powers, he's just well trained (and at this point, not that well trained).
The characterization of James Gordon was interesting as well - he has some worries about his daughter Barbara since he suspects the criminal element(s) in Gotham murdered his wife. This leaves him somewhat powerless to deal with the criminal element he feels has the upper hand.
A nice graphic novel, completed storyline, leaving you wanting more of that characterization, but all elements tied up nicely.
http://www.dccomics.com/graphic-novels/batman-earth-one
Friday, July 6, 2012
Finished (Audiobook) "Games People Play" - The Great Courses - Scott Stevens
I found the game theory course "Games People Play" one of "The Great Courses" given by Scott Stevens to be very interesting.
I knew/know little about game theory other than tidbits (Kissenger was into game theory though the Nixon years, partially responsible for the Americans deciding it was in their best interest if the Soviets thought Nixon was nuts, so their nuclear deterrent strategy would be seen as credible), and the sub-text of the John Nash story from the book/movie "A Beautiful Mind".
As I was listening while driving, I lost a little of the detail from the video version, or through the written materials, however, I found the examples and models interesting and compelling. Stevens did a good job relating the very simple models that were under investigation to larger, real-world scenarios, which made the topic worthwhile. The models (prisoner's dilemma, chicken etc.) all sound so simple in the abstract, come alive with relevance given real examples.
I knew/know little about game theory other than tidbits (Kissenger was into game theory though the Nixon years, partially responsible for the Americans deciding it was in their best interest if the Soviets thought Nixon was nuts, so their nuclear deterrent strategy would be seen as credible), and the sub-text of the John Nash story from the book/movie "A Beautiful Mind".
As I was listening while driving, I lost a little of the detail from the video version, or through the written materials, however, I found the examples and models interesting and compelling. Stevens did a good job relating the very simple models that were under investigation to larger, real-world scenarios, which made the topic worthwhile. The models (prisoner's dilemma, chicken etc.) all sound so simple in the abstract, come alive with relevance given real examples.
Finished (E-Reader): "In One Person" - John Irving
I'm a fan of John Irving,and I think I've read all his works to date.
Not a huge fan of "In One Person". The topic material certainly had some potential - coming to grips with being gay/bisexual/transexual in a small town and private school setting. But the story never really went anywhere. The main character never really seemed to have any issues/problems or complications dealing with his bisexuality, the main "intriguing other", a student in the school lusted after by the main character and his close female friend was never either likable, nor particularly dislikable - it was hard to really care about him, even though his backstory had lots of interesting tidbits (odd mother, mainly), I never really cared enough about he character to be surprised/shocked/enlightened by any of the revelations.
The sadness of living through the first AIDS wave, when it was just being understood was touching, but as only marginally significant characters were involved, it lacked the "bite" that might have made the story more interesting.
Like all Irving books, there were quirks that made things interesting, but overall, not one of his best works.
Not a huge fan of "In One Person". The topic material certainly had some potential - coming to grips with being gay/bisexual/transexual in a small town and private school setting. But the story never really went anywhere. The main character never really seemed to have any issues/problems or complications dealing with his bisexuality, the main "intriguing other", a student in the school lusted after by the main character and his close female friend was never either likable, nor particularly dislikable - it was hard to really care about him, even though his backstory had lots of interesting tidbits (odd mother, mainly), I never really cared enough about he character to be surprised/shocked/enlightened by any of the revelations.
The sadness of living through the first AIDS wave, when it was just being understood was touching, but as only marginally significant characters were involved, it lacked the "bite" that might have made the story more interesting.
Like all Irving books, there were quirks that made things interesting, but overall, not one of his best works.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)