mikal – Page 47 – Made by Mikal

Cally’s War

Post author:mikal
Post published:March 22, 2011
Post category:Book

Let's be honest, this book has not reviewed well over the years. However, I had a long flight, and figured I'd give it a go. It wasn't actually all that bad, and was certainly massively better than some other share cropped books I have read. The writing is competent and the plotting reasonable. I think the biggest problem is that the start of the book would be quite shocking to some people (it certainly bothered me), and Cally's character is so out of line with where I wanted her to be 40 years after the last book. I can see how it would be possible for her to end up like she is in this book, but it was a disappointment to me. The pretty much constant shagging is distracting from the rest of the plot too. Overall, I am left wanting to know more about the Darhel plot, and the book did help further that story line, if only a little. I don't regret reading the book, even though it isn't the strongest in the series. [isbn: 141652052X;9781416520528]

East of the Sun, West of the Moon

Post author:mikal
Post published:March 18, 2011
Post category:Book

This book didn't review well, but I thought it was ok. Its not the best book in the Council Wars series, but it is readable and has an interesting story. It doesn't wrap up the story line completely though, so I guess I'll have to wait for the next one to be written. [isbn: 1416555188;9781416555186]

Against the Tide

Post author:mikal
Post published:March 10, 2011
Post category:Book

This is the third book in the Council Wars series. This book covers the long promised invasion by New Destiny forces, as well as Megan's continued life in the harem. This book has a theme of incompetence in command, which is quite similar to some of Ringo's other books, such as A Hymn Before Battle and Gust Front. It is not fine literature, but it is a fun read and the characters are likeable. [isbn: 1416520570;9781416520573]

Books read in February 2011

Post author:mikal
Post published:March 2, 2011
Post category:Book

Rendezvous With Rama There Will Be Dragons Being Geek Emerald Sea

Emerald Sea

Post author:mikal
Post published:March 1, 2011
Post category:Book

This book is really a book (Emerald Sea) and a novella (In a Time of Darkness) both of which follow on from There Will Be Dragons. Emerald Sea is more self-indulgent than the previous book, and isn't as strong as the first. It is still quite readable. In a Time of Darkness has a very awkward set of subject matter (the keeping of a harem girl against her will), which will make many readers uncomfortable, and isn't as strong a story as either of the first two stories in this series. [isbn: 1416509208;9781416509202]

Being Geek

Post author:mikal
Post published:March 1, 2011
Post category:Book

This book by long time Apple engineering manager, as well as startup employee, Michael Lopp is a guide to how to manage geeks. That wasn't really what I was expecting -- which is sort of the inverse. I was hoping for a book about how to be a geek who has to deal with management. This book helps with that, by offering the inverse perspective, but I'd still like to see a book from my direction. The book is well written, in a conversational and sometimes profane manner (a comment I see others make about his other book "Managing Humans"). I think that's ok in this context, where it feels as if Michael is having a personal conversation with you the reader. An overly formal tone here would cause the content to be much more boring, and its already dry enough. I'm not sure I agree with everything said in the book, but the first half resonated especially strongly with me. [isbn: 9780596155407;0596155409]

Margarita Mix

Post author:mikal
Post published:February 12, 2011
Post category:Cooking

I've had trouble sourcing an acceptable Margarita Mix now that we're back in Australia. You can get the Jose Cuervo stuff, but it is $10 for a liter bottle. Instead, I've been making my own, which is nicer than the store stuff and cheaper to make as well. It is also ultra simple to make. Here's how: Put two cups of white sugar in a pot with four cups of water. Heat on the stove stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves. Turn this mix off and let it cool down slowly on the stove. It should be quite thick when cooled, and there should be no visible sugar crystals any more. When the liquid is cool, add a cup of fresh lime juice and a cup of fresh lemon juice. Stir thorough. Pour the result into a bottle and stick it in the fridge. It should store for a couple of weeks, and I am told it freezes ok as well.

Canberra officially expresses interest in hosting LCA in 2013

Post author:mikal
Post published:February 9, 2011
Post category:Conference

For those playing along at home, you will have noticed that there is a pretty keen group of people in Canberra who intend to bid for LCA 2013. Linux Australia has now called for formal expressions of interest, and I just sent ours in. I wont repost it here, but instead will suggest you checkout the thread in the mailman archive. [btags:]

There Will Be Dragons

Post author:mikal
Post published:February 7, 2011
Post category:Book

I bought this book randomly when I saw it at a charity book sale. While the title is kid of odd, its actually quite a good read. The book is sort of a science fiction fantasy novel, set in the far future with a reasonably plausible plot line. There are a few elements that I feel could be explained a bit better, but overall the book is quite good. I'll be buying the next one in the series. [isbn: 0743488598]

Rendezvous With Rama

Post author:mikal
Post published:February 7, 2011
Post category:Book

This is a classic book, so I expected a lot from it. I was a little disappointed to be honest. The book is slow, although interesting. There chapters are all very short as well (around four or five pages), which is a little odd. There is a lot of potential with this concept, and I feel this book could have gone a lot further.