Negative Space Spaced Out

These are the best sites and discussions that I talk about somewhere in Negative Space. They are the easiest to read and they contain information that you want to read. Some of these links are to software; in this case, the quality of the web site doesn’t matter: it’s the functionality of the software and the ease of use/presentation.

In all cases, content takes precedence. You won’t find any nice-looking web pages that have no use here, while you might find some useful web pages that aren’t particularly designed very well.

Don B. Kates, Henry E.Schaffer, and William C. Waters IV: Public Health Pot Shots
How the CDC succumbed to the Gun ‘Epidemic’ (Reason Magazine, April 1997) Can bad science make good policy? (last checked May 16, 2007)
Herk Harvey: Carnival of Souls
This is an awesome DVD package. It goes in-depth not only into Herk Harvey’s influential Carnival of Souls, but also the other kinds of movies he and his colleagues did. There are some great old construction safety shorts on here, for example. (last checked May 16, 2007)
Clea Saal: An Incomplete Guide to Print-on-Demand Publishers
This is by far the best site on print-on-demand/publishing services companies I’ve seen. I wish I had read this before making my choice! (last checked May 16, 2007)
Katie Schwarz: Vertigo FAQ
What do you want to know about the Vertigo line from DC Comics? A decent amount of news links here. Worth checking out. Getting a little old, however. November 1999? (last checked May 16, 2007)
Jeff Mason: indy magazine
Interviews with comics creators and reviews from 1994 to 2005. (last checked May 16, 2007)
Patricia Hill: Rec.Food.Recipes
Usenet newsgroup, featuring hundreds, if not thousands, of recipes every week. Go to DejaNews to search the archive of years of recipes! (last checked May 16, 2007)
John Bullough and Michael Rhode: Comics Research Bibliography
Includes bibliography of articles on both scholarship and marketing. (last checked May 16, 2007)
Walter M. Miller, Jr.: A Canticle for Leibowitz
“Canticle” is unquestionably the best story of mankind’s demise since revelation itself. Miller traverses a thousand years beyond the apocalypse, the “Flame Deluge”, as seen through the eyes of a small order of monks in the southwest desert of the United States. (last checked May 16, 2007)
George Orwell: Animal Farm
Animal Farm is billed as “a provocative novel”, but that just underestimates our ability to be completely blind when faced with uncomfortable ideas. (last checked May 16, 2007)
Norbert Wiener: The human use of human beings: Cybernetics and Society
There are works that come along once in an age and influence generations. Norbert Wiener’s Cybernetics is one of these works. Listen: “The dissemination of any scientific secret whatever is merely a matter of time. In this game a decade is a long time, and in the long run, there is no distinction between arming ourselves and arming our enemies.” Wiener shows a prophetic understanding of the nature of information, communication, and automated control of our environment. If you want a book that tells you about the future of the Internet, buy the one what was written in 1950. (last checked May 16, 2007)
John Landis: The Blues Brothers
The Blues Brothers is a brilliant comedy slash musical with great blues music. Director John Landis set out to include musical numbers covering all the possible musical number types. The DVD includes longer footage from some of the performances, as well as previously deleted scenes. This is a collector’s edition, not a director’s cut, and at least one of the scenes that is restored is also ridiculed by the director in the making of feature. (last checked May 16, 2007)
Richard Linklater: Dazed and Confused
This movie is an incredible tale of sound and fury signifying high school. Linklater has crafted a beautiful story of a bunch of high schools students in Texas on the last day of school in 1976. There is no plot to get in the way of characterization. The soundtrack consists of seventies songs chosen specifically scene by scene for maximum impact. If you were ever in high school, you should see this movie for nostalgia reasons; if not, you should see it as an education. Slow ride, baby. Watch it in English or French, or with English or Spanish subtitles. (last checked May 16, 2007)
Wendy Seltzer: Eldred v. Ashcroft
The Eldred v. Ashcroft copyright extension case is unfortunately a long-shot, but it is extremely well reasoned. (last checked May 16, 2007)
Herbert Asbury: The Great Illusion: An Informal History of Prohibition
This history of the rise and fall of alcohol prohibition is a great source of arguments against modern prohibition. Herbert Asbury has written a fine history of alcohol prohibition that, in its section about the twenties, could just as well be describing the errors of modern prohibition. (last checked May 16, 2007)
Edward M. Brecher: Licit & Illicit Drugs
You can also purchase a copy used; as one reviewer wrote, “I learned more in one night from this book than I did in 18 years of being a youth in the Drug War.” I can’t stress enough just how amazing this book is. (last checked May 16, 2007)
Grant Morrison: Animal Man: Origin of the Species
The first volume ends just as it starts getting weird. The second volume really brings a restrained Grant Morrison ethos out into the open. This is where I started picking up the series, on a recommendation from a friend. This was one of those series that kept me coming back into the comic book shop every month; it wasn’t just a love of the story but the stories clear love of superhero comics that sucked me in. (last checked October 19, 2007)
John H. Kim: John H. Kim’s Role-Playing Game Page
A very comprehensive listing of all role-playing games ever available, free, published, out-of-print. Also, intelligent musings on game design and role-playing theory. A very useful site. (last checked January 6, 2008)
indyworld: indyworld
Originally a great print magazine, Indy has become the best site out there for getting information Independent and self-published titles. Also includes the “Industry Addresses” compilation for professional use. (last checked September 23, 2006)
Glenn Carnagey: Crazed Ferret
The Crazed Ferret quicktime/avi movies! Must sees! Getting a bit long in the tooth, and what’s with the Star Trek trailer on each one? Nice examples of early multimedia from the Carnageian era of the net. (last checked August 11, 2007)
John Gaushell: WasteLA
Waste L.A.: Descent; the photo-comic to begin photo-comics. And you can order it right here. Or read it right here. Descent is one of the best series I read in 1996, and I strongly recommend you check it out. (last checked January 22, 2007)
Mike Meyer: COMICS-PRO
Comics-pro is a mailing list directed at comics professionals, including writers, artists, colorists, letterers, editors, self-publishers, distributors, and retailers. The FAQ alone is worth reading! (last checked September 23, 2006)
Randall W. Scott: Comic Art Collection
Michigan State University library’s Special Collections. Includes the Library and Scholar Directory. (last checked May 16, 2007)
Gilly Rosenthol: The Shot Heard Round the World
Schoolhouse Rock. With the original lyrics from the seventies. (last checked May 16, 2007)
William J. Walton: The Escapist
Part of (or all of?) The Committee for the Advancement of Role-Playing Games. You can’t join by paying money, only by doing something useful. Also includes one of the best collection of RPG advocacy links on the net. (last checked January 1, 2008)
Steve Jackson: Steve Jackson Games
Includes the GURPS FAQ among a multitude of other SJG gaming info pages. Look for far more than GURPS stuff on these pages. Look too deep and you might never come back. “When you gaze into the warehouse, the warehouse gazes back.” (last checked January 17, 2008)
Peter McWilliams: Ain’t Nobody’s Business If You Do
Peter McWilliams died in defense of freedom: this book, an incredibly well-written and well-researched book about “the absurdity of consensual crimes in a free society” was probably his death warrant. (last checked November 6, 2006)
Daniel D. Polsby: Treating the Second Amendment as Normal Constitutional Law
“The modern American legal profession has been thoroughly acculturated to Max Weber's conception of the modern state as the monopolist of all legitimate force--a principle in tension with the private keeping of arms for self-defense.” (last checked September 30, 2006)
Grant Morrison: The Invisibles
With Invisibles, Grant Morrison is going off in a similar direction to his work on Doom Patrol and Animal Man. This is a search for reality where everyone wears great clothing! Grant takes on Michael Moorcock, Eastern Philosophy, and Sixties Fashion, and weaves them into a philosophical treatise so deep you’ll need to wear rubber pants. (last checked May 16, 2007)
Andrew Weil & Winifred Rosen: From Chocolate to Morphine
The subtitle is “Everything you need to know about mind-altering drugs.” Philosophically this is true: everything you need to know is that you should understand what you are using. This book is not an in-depth discussion of drugs, however; it is a general guide to recreational drug use, effects, and warnings. The book is designed for teen-agers, and should be in the home of every parent and teacher. “Education based on truthful information is the only solution to the drug problem.” (last checked November 26, 2006)
J.R.R. Tolkien: The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings
The best fantasy books I have ever read. “In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit…” I found the animated movie to be marvelous as well. And the new movies by Peter Jackson are awesome! Great, great stuff. (last checked January 6, 2008)
Digital Equipment Corporation: Altavista Babelfish
If you want to read a web page whose language you can’t understand, try passing the URL to the Babelfish. It works amazingly well for a stupid computer. (last checked December 28, 2007)
Elliot S! Maggin
Fan info on Elliot S! Maggin, including descriptions of his contributions to the Superman mythos. Also including samples from “Last Son of Krypton” and “Miracle Monday”, two brilliant novels. This is a must stop site, folks. Find out why he uses the exclamation!!!!!! (last checked May 16, 2007)
Paula Katherine Marmor: Legends
Robin Hood, the Three Musketeers, and other heroes of legend explained. Pirates and more! Wonderful site. (last checked January 13, 2008)
Michael Curtiz: Casablanca
Ah, Play it, Sam! If this isn’t the most-quoted movie outside of Macbeth, you’re in the wrong country. This is a beautiful DVD. The movie is presented in the original full-screen format. Languages are French and English, both spoken and subtitled. It also includes a nice documentary hosted by Lauren Bacall. (last checked May 16, 2007)
Stephan Elliott: The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
Wild outfits, ping-pong balls, ABBA, and not a single kangaroo in sight. Priscilla involves three drag queens from Sydney driving a huge bus across some great Australian desert to a three-week gig at a tourist trap. Beautiful views of the desert. Wonderful costuming. (last checked May 16, 2007)
George Cukor: The Philadelphia Story
Cary Grant, Katherine Hepburn. Suave at its best. James Stewart runs away with it. The movie was originally a play, and Katherine Hepburn got the movie rights and got George Cukor to direct. What’s to tell about the story? Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn play an upper-crust ex-couple, and James Stewart and Ruth Hussey play the working class reporters covering their story. (last checked May 16, 2007)
John H. Kim: Free RPGs on the Web
This is by far the best listing of downloadable role-playing games on the web. Judging from the descriptions of my two games, the author has actually read every game to write the description. Well organized. (last checked January 6, 2008)
Robby Reed: Ira Schnapp: The Visionary
“Ira R. Schnapp was an eyewitness to the first-ever appearance of the Man of Steel. He also saw the debuts of the Caped Crusader, the Scarlet Speedster, the Emerald Gladiator, and the Amazing Amazon... in person. He was there the day Barry Allen raced across the bridge between the earths and became the Flash of Two Worlds. He saw the mightiest heroes of comics’ Golden Age unite for the first time to form the Justice Society of America. And he witnessed the unforgettable first meeting of the JSA and Justice League of America with his own eyes.” (last checked October 8, 2006)
Prosper Montagné: The New Larousse Gastronomique
This big old tome is a fascinating browser. It covers the gamut of European foodstuffs; this out-of-print version includes some things you’ll be unlikely to make today, such as Zabaglione à la kola. This dessert includes coca extract. (last checked November 14, 2006)
Eric Partridge: Origins
Eric Partridge’s etymological tome is a tour-de-force. It is the must-have for amateur etymologists. “Simply the best.” (last checked May 16, 2007)
Django
“The Web framework for perfectionists with deadlines.” (last checked April 2, 2007)
Firefox
I personally like Safari a lot, but when I can’t use Safari, Firefox is my browser of choice. It’s a great web browser. (last checked May 19, 2007)
Shamus Young: DM of the Rings
Shamus Young’s epic retelling of The Lord of the Rings movie from the perspective of the player characters is absolutely hilarious, and, fortunately for you, now available in its entirety. If you’re a gamer or a Lord of the Rings fan, this is required reading. (last checked October 8, 2007)
Ron Edwards: The Forge
“This site is dedicated to the promotion, creation, and review of independent role-playing games. What is an independent role-playing game? Our main criterion is that the game is owned by its author, or creator-owned.” Don’t miss the article links arrayed across the top of the forums. (last checked January 27, 2008)