61
Howard Tayler / And they called the A.I.
« on: April 23, 2009, 05:40:34 AM »
Tagioalisa?
Tag-ee-oh-ah-lisa?
The song of the cicadas hums!
Tag-ee-oh-ah-lisa?
The song of the cicadas hums!
News:
Max is a Shadowblade, a supernatural--and supernaturally competent--warrior bound to protect her witch Giselle. As a Shadowblade, Max doesn't age. She is better, faster, stronger than any ordinary human being. And she hates it. Giselle betrayed her trust to make Max what she is, and though she is magically compelled to protect Giselle and follow orders, Max works against her witch in every way she can. Continue reading Bitter Night
Review by Silk
Discuss it in our forums.
Show Posts
This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.
62
Howard Tayler / Growpramming? Did I find the right reference?
« on: April 19, 2009, 04:34:36 AM »
growpram (v) or the more common growpramming -- given the use of emergent programming constructs, the classical programming approach of the late 21st century was replaced with modern growpramming work where designers select appropriate EP seeds, adjust parameters to match design requirements (a.k.a. guesstimation of desiremental extremes and satisfactoring), implant firmly, and then allow the development to proceed. This growth period is considered extremely sensitive, and good growpramming practice calls for close observation and adjustment to ensure optimal development. Many growprammers prefer to let the AI do its own thing, while they go have an orgy of fast food and carbonated sugar water. This often results in maladjusted AIs who will need professional help in their later lives, but that's what keeps the consultants busy. Also see mushrooms (keep them in the dark and feed them organic recycling materials) for another common pattern of development often used in corporate environments. Finally, check the urban myths files for an amusing connection between growpramming practice and a possibly mythical early story of a religious leader who cast his seeds in various development environments, with varied success. Modern growprammers try to avoid such risky approaches.
From The Idiot's Guide to Growpramming, published 2187 by BitsAreFree, a NanoSoft subsidiary.
From The Idiot's Guide to Growpramming, published 2187 by BitsAreFree, a NanoSoft subsidiary.
63
Howard Tayler / The Schlock Mercenary Secret Guide to Management?
« on: April 15, 2009, 05:15:01 AM »
I wonder if there are enough strips dealing with management issues that Howard could write a management book? I think there's good money in those books. The last few strips have made me think about Dilbert, and this one ... I think I wanna use it in a class I teach!
64
Howard Tayler / Is it just the light?
« on: April 09, 2009, 05:49:18 AM »
If he took the hard hat off, would Driggs bear a certain resemblance to a certain webcomic author, illustrator, and all-around good guy? Is he using a mirror to draw these?
65
Howard Tayler / What Would Schlock Do?
« on: April 04, 2009, 10:12:44 AM »
I think that deserves a T-Shirt? Or maybe a nice big button, suitable for convention wear?
So Pi (on his way to or at our favorite habitat) calls Thurl for advice, and learns that the proper answer to the question "What would Schlock do?" depends on just how much firepower one is packing? What do you suppose will happen?
Fireworks at Credomar? Video at 11?
So Pi (on his way to or at our favorite habitat) calls Thurl for advice, and learns that the proper answer to the question "What would Schlock do?" depends on just how much firepower one is packing? What do you suppose will happen?
Fireworks at Credomar? Video at 11?
66
Howard Tayler / And Schlock Mercenary is educational, too
« on: April 02, 2009, 05:45:52 AM »
You say material, I say materiel, let's call the whole thing off...
I'm glad I checked the dictionary before suggesting materiel might be misspelled. I learned something today. Now what about the other variant spellings? Materiil, materiol, materiul? Can't we find someone to claim those?
Hey, maybe we can start a spelling squatting race! Get those variant spellings now before they're all gone!
I'm glad I checked the dictionary before suggesting materiel might be misspelled. I learned something today. Now what about the other variant spellings? Materiil, materiol, materiul? Can't we find someone to claim those?
Hey, maybe we can start a spelling squatting race! Get those variant spellings now before they're all gone!
67
Howard Tayler / What will an experimental tailor find to do at the mall?
« on: March 29, 2009, 07:17:10 AM »
So Ventura has done some experimental tweaks to the tailor -- and he's tagging along with the mall security group? What do you suppose he'll find to do there?
68
Howard Tayler / Does any of these topics not sound funny together?
« on: March 20, 2009, 05:02:29 AM »
Schlock, undercover, circus.
It was destined, I think. And I really, really hope we get to see it.
It was destined, I think. And I really, really hope we get to see it.
69
Books / Free Baen Webscription month?
« on: March 13, 2009, 08:02:57 AM »
Hopefully this is acceptable use of the time-waster's guide.
Baen Books has this deal where when I buy a month, I can give someone a free set.
I'll be getting the June 2009 webscription sometime soon.
Includes:
Overthrowing Heaven Mark L. Van Name
Of Berserkers, Swords and Vampires Fred Saberhagen
Rise of the Terran Empire Poul Anderson
Witch Way to the Mall Esther Friesner
Endless Blue Wen Spencer
Star Flight Andre Norton
http://www.webscription.net/p-992-w200906-june-2009-webscription.aspx
First person with an e-mail address that is not in the webscription database gets the free copies. I'm mbarker at computer dot org
Thanks.
Baen Books has this deal where when I buy a month, I can give someone a free set.
I'll be getting the June 2009 webscription sometime soon.
Includes:
Overthrowing Heaven Mark L. Van Name
Of Berserkers, Swords and Vampires Fred Saberhagen
Rise of the Terran Empire Poul Anderson
Witch Way to the Mall Esther Friesner
Endless Blue Wen Spencer
Star Flight Andre Norton
http://www.webscription.net/p-992-w200906-june-2009-webscription.aspx
First person with an e-mail address that is not in the webscription database gets the free copies. I'm mbarker at computer dot org
Thanks.
70
Howard Tayler / Don't ask for things you don't want?
« on: March 10, 2009, 05:05:47 AM »
Somebody warn Kevyn that when you hope in comicland, makes no difference who you are . . . your fears come through!
Pi without explosives? Nah . . .
71
Howard Tayler / Is that the tinkle of breaking paradigms I hear?
« on: March 03, 2009, 08:11:15 AM »
How can any story that starts with a breakdown in accuracy, efficiency, and the fourth wall be anything but amusing, eh?
I wonder if Howard's office has a small box with a glass front and a label that says "Break Fourth Wall in Case of Emergency"?
I wonder if Howard's office has a small box with a glass front and a label that says "Break Fourth Wall in Case of Emergency"?
72
Howard Tayler / All Hail!
« on: February 15, 2009, 06:38:25 AM »
Lota, Longshoreman of the Apocalypse, Hero of the Stationwaist, Foodlord of the Eatonrun, Portlord of the Poles, Grand Marshal, And King of the Second Age of the Free City State of Credomar.
Three panels long, and still going strong!
D'y'a think Credomar is worthy?
Three panels long, and still going strong!
D'y'a think Credomar is worthy?
73
Howard Tayler / Which cow are you going to kill?
« on: February 12, 2009, 08:58:14 AM »
At the end of http://www.schlockmercenary.com/d/20090212.html
When you make breakfast, are you going to kill off:
1. Holy cow!
2. More bull
3. Sacred cow
or some other flavor?
Enquiring minds want to know!
When you make breakfast, are you going to kill off:
1. Holy cow!
2. More bull
3. Sacred cow
or some other flavor?
Enquiring minds want to know!
74
Howard Tayler / Foreshadowing for the long stretch?
« on: February 03, 2009, 05:22:12 AM »
Hum - is Dec. 19 to Feb. 3 too long for a foreshadowing "we're getting ahead of ourselves" bit?
See the note on http://www.schlockmercenary.com/d/20081219.html
Although I have to admit, I vaguely remembered it. And found it without too much trouble.
See the note on http://www.schlockmercenary.com/d/20081219.html
Although I have to admit, I vaguely remembered it. And found it without too much trouble.
75
Howard Tayler / Lota is omni . . .
« on: January 30, 2009, 05:47:52 AM »
Omniscient because Lota knows all and thinks very, very fast.
Omnipresent because Lota has a built-in teraport (as long as the Teraport Area Denial system is offline)
Omnipotent? Well, at least very, very strong (and with built-in GUNS too)
Any other omni's in Lota's collection?
Omnipresent because Lota has a built-in teraport (as long as the Teraport Area Denial system is offline)
Omnipotent? Well, at least very, very strong (and with built-in GUNS too)
Any other omni's in Lota's collection?