Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Hypertext - old style

I could almost feel the chunks of information in my head sliding into new constellations as I went through this essay by SBJ. Just fabulous.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

IanVisits » Huge Panorama of London in 1845

Well this, IanVisits » Huge Panorama of London in 1845, could be useful for those scenes in the novel I've not yet written about London which involves an aerial battle, or the view from an airship gondola. Might have to change it slightly to include the ways I'd like to remake London but, hey, it's a start.

Monday, August 02, 2010

Checking Gibson

Every Gibson book I've read has had details in it that have made me turn to the web to check them out. Loden was one and in Idoru I came across one exchange that mentions the "stich count" in Brooks Brothers Oxford shirts. I've encountered bed sheets are sold by thread count in the past but not shirts. It's not that I doubt Mr G but I wanted to know more.
I had no idea that, in some cases, the size of the thread used in the weave determined the name of the garment. It's actually pretty complicated working out which is better when dealing with single and two-ply yarns. Poplin is no longer a mystery to me.
The only query I have is about whether it is possible to spot the right stitch count. I guess you can if you are a tailor or know what you are looking for. Would that be a way to spot the fakes - the stitch count in their shirts? At a high society do? Hmm

IEEE Spectrum: The Future of Social Networking is the Surveillance State

Anything that mentions PKD is bound to catch my eye. This IEEE Spectrum: The Future of Social Networking is the Surveillance State looks interesting too. Not just getting a sense for what is about to happen but also helping with the social sciences. 

Polyvore Taps Users' Passion for Fashion | Kara Swisher | BoomTown | AllThingsD

I'm reading Idoru which is why this Polyvore Taps Users' Passion for Fashion | Kara Swisher | BoomTown | AllThingsD got me thinking. What if fashion trends were based on what people do online - in this case put outfits from different designers together.