Year: 2010

Revising my HTML and CSS Skills

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Just purchased a number of books for work, on statistics and HTML from Amazon.com. The sad thing is not only did the books get to me quicker then if I had order it through the local book store (about 20 days) but it was over half the price!

The HTML / CSS book I am reading is part of the Head First series. These books are fantastic because they tackle dry boring subjects in an entertaining way. For example in the book on statistics they use an example of a woman who loves high heels who will only date men who are taller then her when she is wearing her high heels.

The book on HTML and CSS is Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML

Again, a dry subject, but very well done.

Cheapest price in Australia was $55, Amazon.com price – $35

Forever War [BOOK]

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One of my favourite books of all time, Joe Haldeman’s “The Forever War“. I first read it 25 years ago

When it was first published over 25 years ago, Joe Haldeman’s novel won the Hugo and Nebula awards and was chosen Best Novel in several countries. Today, it is hailed a classic of science fiction that foreshadowed many of the futuristic themes of the 1990s: bionics, sensory manipulation, and time distortion.

William Mandella is a soldier in Earth’s elite brigade. As the war against the Taurans sends him from galaxy to galaxy, he learns to use protective body shells and sophisticated weapons. He adapts to the cultures and terrains of distant outposts. But with each month in space, years are passing on Earth. Where will he call home when (and if) the Forever War ends?

Narrator George Wilson’s performance conveys all the imaginative technology and human drama of The Forever War. Set against a backdrop of vivid battle scenes, this absorbing work asks provocative questions about the very nature of war.
http://www.wholestoryaudio.co.uk/catalogue/title/the_forever_war/5476

Now I am practising to be an old man, so I listen to the audio book version at just over 9 and a half hours.
A good contrast to this book is Robert Heinleins “Starship Troopers” and I don’t mean the funny fascist gory movie from the nineties, but the novel which is much more interesting.

Both these books are about war in space, each taking a different take on the subject. Well worth the read, especially since they are very short.

Australia Day Long weekend

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At the moment I am Mum’s place. Until two days ago I had to be back at work on Monday.

That was a bit of a nuisance because Tuesday, is the Australia day public holiday.

Fortunately every three months at work you can ask for a flex day off and they must give it to you.

At the moment it looks like I will be riding back to Melbourne tomorrow afternoon (Sunday).

On the way up I encountered some strong crosswinds, well over 30km per hour. I nearly gave up on the ride because it took me a while to figure out how to deal with them (counter-steer)

On December 29 last year I order some book from Amazon.com and they have been sitting here at mum’s place for over a week. I am quite impresed at the speed of delivery from Americia.

I am happy with the order because I saved over $150. The books if I purchased in an Australian book store would have cost me around $260 which I find somewhat depressing.

By order from halfway around the world you can save a substantial amount of money. No wonder all the big non chain bookstores in Melbourne that I knew and loved have gone out of business.

From now on I will be ordering direct from the states, as long as our dollar is over 90 US cents of course!