Re: TOS: The Rings of Time Review Thread
About 3/4 of the way in -- I'm really enjoying it!
About 3/4 of the way in -- I'm really enjoying it!
Spoilers TOS: The Rings of Time by Greg Cox Review Thread
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Re: TOS: The Rings of Time Review Thread
Just finished it. Really enjoyed it. I love these time-bending stories, and I enjoyed the twists even though I figured out two of them ahead of time. What I didn't expect was...
Random side note: the book I started reading after this was Aaron Allston's last entry in the Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi series, Conviction. I was mildly amused to learn both Cox and Allston had the same agent (uness there's two guys named Russ Galen who are agents for writers).
Just finished it. Really enjoyed it. I love these time-bending stories, and I enjoyed the twists even though I figured out two of them ahead of time. What I didn't expect was...
The implication - unless I totally misread it- that Qat / Zoe was a Q.
Random side note: the book I started reading after this was Aaron Allston's last entry in the Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi series, Conviction. I was mildly amused to learn both Cox and Allston had the same agent (uness there's two guys named Russ Galen who are agents for writers).
Re: TOS: The Rings of Time Review Thread
As far as I know, there's only one Russ!
Random side note: the book I started reading after this was Aaron Allston's last entry in the Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi series, Conviction. I was mildly amused to learn both Cox and Allston had the same agent (uness there's two guys named Russ Galen who are agents for writers).
As far as I know, there's only one Russ!
Re: TOS: The Rings of Time Review Thread
Just got to Kirk being arrested and in the airlock.
Just got to Kirk being arrested and in the airlock.
Re: TOS: The Rings of Time Review Thread
I voted Above Average.
A pretty decent book, though to be honest I found myself enjoying the 2020 storyline more than the 2070 one. I'm not saying there was anything wrong with the 2070 story, it's decent enough. I just found the 2020 one better.
It's probably because the 2020 one is essentially creating a new world (Earth a decade from now) so it was fun exploring this setting and learning about a world which is so similar but noticeable different to the one we live in.
My only real complaint was that the revelation about a connection between two particular characters was far too obvious as soon as both were introduced.
That was the impression I got as well.
I voted Above Average.
A pretty decent book, though to be honest I found myself enjoying the 2020 storyline more than the 2070 one. I'm not saying there was anything wrong with the 2070 story, it's decent enough. I just found the 2020 one better.
It's probably because the 2020 one is essentially creating a new world (Earth a decade from now) so it was fun exploring this setting and learning about a world which is so similar but noticeable different to the one we live in.
My only real complaint was that the revelation about a connection between two particular characters was far too obvious as soon as both were introduced.
That was the impression I got as well.
Re: TOS: The Rings of Time Review Thread
My impreesion is the same as the spoiler and The Wormhole. I figured out before the end that it was necessary to switch minds to resolve both missions successfully. I am uncertain how much that detracts from the rating of the story. Another full reading may help.
My impreesion is the same as the spoiler and The Wormhole. I figured out before the end that it was necessary to switch minds to resolve both missions successfully. I am uncertain how much that detracts from the rating of the story. Another full reading may help.
Re: TOS: The Rings of Time Review Thread
That, unfortunately, drew me out of that facet a bit more than I would have liked.
I guessed at the connection early, because I couldn't help but see
Zoe Saldana's name shared between them
That, unfortunately, drew me out of that facet a bit more than I would have liked.
Re: TOS: The Rings of Time Review Thread
^^That I didn't catch onto. Just that the two characters shared the same initials and therefore assumed they had to be related.
^^That I didn't catch onto. Just that the two characters shared the same initials and therefore assumed they had to be related.
Re: TOS: The Rings of Time Review Thread
I finished reading it yesterday and loved it, I actually learned something about Saturn, since I didn't know there were a strange storm on its surface. The fact that we can see actual photographs of the phenomenon makes the story strangely real.
And besides
I finished reading it yesterday and loved it, I actually learned something about Saturn, since I didn't know there were a strange storm on its surface. The fact that we can see actual photographs of the phenomenon makes the story strangely real.
And besides
So is Zoe/Qat a Q ? I wondered about this too but the book is not clear about this. Her behavior and the Q in her names would imply it but ...
Re: TOS: The Rings of Time Review Thread
That's the implication, but
That's the implication, but
since canon forbids Kirk-era characters from knowing about the Q, there's no way for it to be confirmed in-story. Well, there could've been a scene from her point of view confirming it, but that might've violated the TOS-era flavor. Greg is the one to ask, of course, but I figure he was being deliberately ambiguous so that 24th-century fans could go "Okay, she's a Q" whereas pure TOS buffs could just accept her as another of the wide range of superbeings encountered in TOS.
Re: TOS: The Rings of Time Review Thread
I am reading this one as we speak, concluding it actually as the only thing left to do is get Kirk and Christopher back to thier bodies. So I'mma finish this up then post some more thoughts, but it was nice easy read, and it was fun! Only nitpick Lady Gaga will be considered classical music. Um how could a type of pop music ever be considered classical. Classical music was orichistral music written from the mid 1700s unitl 1900. (Well the classical period anyway there are other periods as well...that go back much earlier...Renaissance 1400 to about 1600 then Baroque ..) There is a distinct style of this music, which in itself differs from orichistral music, which often can be heard in soundtracks to many films. The common misconception with orchistral music is that it is all classical music which it is not. But to hear someone refer to the dribble of Lady Gage as classical music stikes me as total absurdity. Why would this character think this? I am at a total loss. Besides this is supposedly 8 years in the future. Let me think roughly 10 years ago who were pop aritist who are no longer relevant? Christina Agulera, Britney Spears, the Spice Girls. I'm not certain that this Lady Gaga would even be remembered in 10 years from a mainstream media p o v. (roughly).
So not only would it be like saying that in tfuture the Rolling Stones will be refered to as Rap. Or in the future Pearl Jam will be considered Jazz, or the rap guys Run DMC would be considered HEavy Metal, of Led Zepplin would be Dubstep.... its just wrong. Inaccurate.
Other than that i really enjoy the tale~ and can't wait only 8 years unitl the impulse engines are done! Horray I thought that Obama would destroy NASA for good! But it seems the program will surivie after all~ yay!
I am reading this one as we speak, concluding it actually as the only thing left to do is get Kirk and Christopher back to thier bodies. So I'mma finish this up then post some more thoughts, but it was nice easy read, and it was fun! Only nitpick Lady Gaga will be considered classical music. Um how could a type of pop music ever be considered classical. Classical music was orichistral music written from the mid 1700s unitl 1900. (Well the classical period anyway there are other periods as well...that go back much earlier...Renaissance 1400 to about 1600 then Baroque ..) There is a distinct style of this music, which in itself differs from orichistral music, which often can be heard in soundtracks to many films. The common misconception with orchistral music is that it is all classical music which it is not. But to hear someone refer to the dribble of Lady Gage as classical music stikes me as total absurdity. Why would this character think this? I am at a total loss. Besides this is supposedly 8 years in the future. Let me think roughly 10 years ago who were pop aritist who are no longer relevant? Christina Agulera, Britney Spears, the Spice Girls. I'm not certain that this Lady Gaga would even be remembered in 10 years from a mainstream media p o v. (roughly).
So not only would it be like saying that in tfuture the Rolling Stones will be refered to as Rap. Or in the future Pearl Jam will be considered Jazz, or the rap guys Run DMC would be considered HEavy Metal, of Led Zepplin would be Dubstep.... its just wrong. Inaccurate.
Other than that i really enjoy the tale~ and can't wait only 8 years unitl the impulse engines are done! Horray I thought that Obama would destroy NASA for good! But it seems the program will surivie after all~ yay!
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Re: TOS: The Rings of Time Review Thread
^ In my defense, it should probably be noted that that was just a throwaway wisecrack on Shaun Christopher's part and wasn't to be taken too literally. It's not like we actually saw a 23rd-century orchestra performing the classical works of Lady Gaga!
But will Gaga still be popular a mere eight years from now? That struck me as plausible, but I guess we'll have to wait and see . . . .
^ In my defense, it should probably be noted that that was just a throwaway wisecrack on Shaun Christopher's part and wasn't to be taken too literally. It's not like we actually saw a 23rd-century orchestra performing the classical works of Lady Gaga!
But will Gaga still be popular a mere eight years from now? That struck me as plausible, but I guess we'll have to wait and see . . . .
Re: TOS: The Rings of Time Review Thread
In one of her novels (probably The Wounded Sky or My Enemy, My Ally), Diane Duane has Mr. Athende refer to Devo as classical music. Sure, "classical" is used today to refer to a specific period, but words can change meaning over the centuries. Especially if vernacular usage differs from formal, technical usage, as it does with "classical" today.
In one of her novels (probably The Wounded Sky or My Enemy, My Ally), Diane Duane has Mr. Athende refer to Devo as classical music. Sure, "classical" is used today to refer to a specific period, but words can change meaning over the centuries. Especially if vernacular usage differs from formal, technical usage, as it does with "classical" today.
Re: TOS: The Rings of Time Review Thread
Or I'll just concede that neither Shaun nor I were being terribly precise in our musical terminology!
(Hey, he's an astronaut, not a music critic.)
Or I'll just concede that neither Shaun nor I were being terribly precise in our musical terminology!
(Hey, he's an astronaut, not a music critic.)
Re: TOS: The Rings of Time Review Thread
I remember Diane Duane saying in one of her books...she said the classics. Devo is widely conisdered to be "classic alternative" so that is in fact an accurate prediction of the future, as they were so unique in style, sound, song structure, just doing that were so far ahead of thier time in the late 70s early 80s.....That is different than saying classical. There is classic music in all genres.
I realize that was probably the intend of the author to have the astronaut think this. Yes words to change over time, and its no big deal, it just that music and art are something that i enjoy very much, and it bothered me thats all. And to think that of all the quality artists out there Christopher would think of Lady Gaga, and auto tuned pop star could be considered a classic, well ...lets just say it could be insulting to many repectable artists, composers, and skilled musicians. And I realize that the arugument of how can anyone judge art can be made, but of all the generic, manufactured, aritsts that lack substance of depth, .... I wish that astronaut Christopher had thought of someone else. Anyone else almost that is not so repulsive. Even if it was an artist that hasn't acheived great sucess yet, that would be more acceptable than Lady Gaga. Well, i guess there is a reason why some people are more drawn to art that than science, and they are on opposite ends of the spectrum.
And its no big deal, i get the pop culture reference that was intended, and I very much enjoyed the book! As i have enjoyed all of Mister Cox's novels which i have read and purchased which include Eugenics Wars Book I hardcover, Voyager Number 13: The Black Shore (lovely images of the planet in my mind still what a wonderful mental picture he painted with this one, wow. The Exile of Kahn Singh (i used to have had to sell to help pay for my girlfriends tutition a few years back, a mistake now...I tried to help her, but the drugs have her too strongly, and Dragon's Honor...) I loved them all! Also I saw him speak one of those STAR TREK DVDS specials that came out in the early 2000s and thought his segment and insights were enjoyable too. That was the reason i got this book, I remembered this fellow writes good ones..... So place do not take my criticims the wrong way. i am just as my girlfriend says a music snob. 
Oh and i finished reading the Rings of Time novel 3 and a half popcorns- great fun. I was waiting for the payoff with the sneaky one from the beginning pages and finally got it! Horray! A fun little mission for the Federation starship Enterprise. Man they did a lot of stuff in 5 years!
BTW, why the hell does this site log me out in between the time i start typing and submit my replys. I loose so many posts this way? its very frustrating.
I remember Diane Duane saying in one of her books...she said the classics. Devo is widely conisdered to be "classic alternative" so that is in fact an accurate prediction of the future, as they were so unique in style, sound, song structure, just doing that were so far ahead of thier time in the late 70s early 80s.....That is different than saying classical. There is classic music in all genres.
I realize that was probably the intend of the author to have the astronaut think this. Yes words to change over time, and its no big deal, it just that music and art are something that i enjoy very much, and it bothered me thats all. And to think that of all the quality artists out there Christopher would think of Lady Gaga, and auto tuned pop star could be considered a classic, well ...lets just say it could be insulting to many repectable artists, composers, and skilled musicians. And I realize that the arugument of how can anyone judge art can be made, but of all the generic, manufactured, aritsts that lack substance of depth, .... I wish that astronaut Christopher had thought of someone else. Anyone else almost that is not so repulsive. Even if it was an artist that hasn't acheived great sucess yet, that would be more acceptable than Lady Gaga. Well, i guess there is a reason why some people are more drawn to art that than science, and they are on opposite ends of the spectrum.
And its no big deal, i get the pop culture reference that was intended, and I very much enjoyed the book! As i have enjoyed all of Mister Cox's novels which i have read and purchased which include Eugenics Wars Book I hardcover, Voyager Number 13: The Black Shore (lovely images of the planet in my mind still what a wonderful mental picture he painted with this one, wow. The Exile of Kahn Singh (i used to have had to sell to help pay for my girlfriends tutition a few years back, a mistake now...I tried to help her, but the drugs have her too strongly, and Dragon's Honor...) I loved them all! Also I saw him speak one of those STAR TREK DVDS specials that came out in the early 2000s and thought his segment and insights were enjoyable too. That was the reason i got this book, I remembered this fellow writes good ones.....
So place do not take my criticims the wrong way. i am just as my girlfriend says a music snob. Oh and i finished reading the Rings of Time novel 3 and a half popcorns- great fun. I was waiting for the payoff with the sneaky one from the beginning pages and finally got it! Horray! A fun little mission for the Federation starship Enterprise. Man they did a lot of stuff in 5 years!
BTW, why the hell does this site log me out in between the time i start typing and submit my replys. I loose so many posts this way? its very frustrating.
Re: TOS: The Rings of Time Review Thread
You're taking it too seriously. As Greg said, it was just a wisecrack. The line was: "[H]e had to wonder what constituted easy listening in the twenty-third century. Lady Gaga was probably considered classical music these days." That's not saying he seriously believed she should be considered that; if anything, just the opposite, because what he was thinking was that 23rd-century musical tastes were probably radically unlike his own.
You're taking it too seriously. As Greg said, it was just a wisecrack. The line was: "[H]e had to wonder what constituted easy listening in the twenty-third century. Lady Gaga was probably considered classical music these days." That's not saying he seriously believed she should be considered that; if anything, just the opposite, because what he was thinking was that 23rd-century musical tastes were probably radically unlike his own.
Re: TOS: The Rings of Time Review Thread
Not having read the book yet, the quote actually sounds more like it can be understood to disparage Lady Gaga by suggesting, with a wry smile, that a pop-queen-of-the-day act might unexpectedly wind up to be regarded as a classic later. Those crazy future humans.
But lacking context I have no idea whether that interpretation would be in-character. It's pretty cynical after all.
Not having read the book yet, the quote actually sounds more like it can be understood to disparage Lady Gaga by suggesting, with a wry smile, that a pop-queen-of-the-day act might unexpectedly wind up to be regarded as a classic later. Those crazy future humans.
But lacking context I have no idea whether that interpretation would be in-character. It's pretty cynical after all.
Re: TOS: The Rings of Time Review Thread
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However, the forum software cannot keep track of the active not-cookie-based sessions indefinitely, due to data build-up and also for security reasons (for example, someone else might eventually wind up using the same IP address you were using originally, e.g. when you close your internet connection and the ISP dynamically assigns it to a different connecting customer from its pool of available addresses). So the data structure used to track sessions includes a timestamp of the most recent activity, and a session is evicted from the data structure if that activity is past a certain age - colloquially, the session "times out". Afterwards it's no longer possible to re-recognize you based on the session id, since the forum no longer knows about it. And this is what happens when you take a long time between page loads due to writing a long post. Logging back in then starts a new session.
Older versions of the vBulletin forum software also had an option to explicitly disable the use of cookies in the User Control Panel, although I can't find it here at a quick glance.
(I apologize for the wildly off-topic post, but I'm sure you're used to the odd interruption by a technobabble monologue - we engineers can't resist a good question.
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You might have disabled "cookies" in your browser. Cookies are a way for a web server to store data in the client, which is commonly used to store authentication tokens there, i.e. to re-recognize you as a particular user on later page loads by your browser uploading the cookie data to the server.
Now, if cookies cannot be used, a forum software such as this resorts to including session ids in the link URLs it generates and embeds in the pages it serves up. The forum then uses the session id included in the link URLs used to contact it to re-recognize the user instead of an uploaded cookie. The session id is usually derived from the IP address of the client and other information uniquely identifying a client, to make it impossible for someone else to pretend to be the user just by acquiring the right URL.
However, the forum software cannot keep track of the active not-cookie-based sessions indefinitely, due to data build-up and also for security reasons (for example, someone else might eventually wind up using the same IP address you were using originally, e.g. when you close your internet connection and the ISP dynamically assigns it to a different connecting customer from its pool of available addresses). So the data structure used to track sessions includes a timestamp of the most recent activity, and a session is evicted from the data structure if that activity is past a certain age - colloquially, the session "times out". Afterwards it's no longer possible to re-recognize you based on the session id, since the forum no longer knows about it. And this is what happens when you take a long time between page loads due to writing a long post. Logging back in then starts a new session.
Older versions of the vBulletin forum software also had an option to explicitly disable the use of cookies in the User Control Panel, although I can't find it here at a quick glance.
(I apologize for the wildly off-topic post, but I'm sure you're used to the odd interruption by a technobabble monologue - we engineers can't resist a good question.
)
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