Sci-Fi Storm

The nominees for the Saturn Awards, the Oscars/Emmys of the Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror genres, have been announced. No suprises here: Harry Potter and The Fellowship of the Ring are up for top Fantasy Film, along with Shrek, Monsters, Inc., Spy Kids and The Mummy Returns. And plenty in the TV arena as well.

I finally have managed to take the time and update the site code to Slashcode 2.2.5. What was holding me back was the fact that they changed the templates, which give the look and feel, and I remember how long it took me to to create them in the first place. Fortunately the changes were relatively minor, and even those that changed still had some compatibility so I could cut and paste. Read More to find out what’s new.

Update: Of course, you can only see the changes when the internet connection is up. Not sure what the instability is yet.

(continue reading…)

OK, I’ve worked out the bug that caused comment posting to break last time I tried this, so I’ve turn4ed it back on – now Sci-Fi Storm should load MUCH faster – the transfer of the bulk of the HTML has been reduced by 90%. For the technically-minded, I’m using the mod_gzip plugin to Apache to achieve this. Assuming a recent browser, all compressible content will be compressed on the server and transmitted. Let me know ASAP via e-mail to storm @ scifistorm.org if there are problems.

Seems there a new web site dedicated to the Star Wars universe, but in a slightly unusual manner. HoloNet News is a look at the goings-on in the Republic, including Senate proceedings, what the Jedi Council has been up to, and even “Click the nuna, win a credit!” banner ads. And I’d hate to compute the odds on that lottery…

TNN is yet again planning a Star Trek: The Next Generation mini-marathon on April 14th from 2-7pm. Viewers will be able to vote for 5 best episodes on the TNN Online Website, starting April 1st through the 6th. In addition, there will be a sweepstakes starting at the same time to win a trip for two to Paramount Studios in Hollywood, Picard’s uniform from Star Trek: Nemesis, and a copy of the new Star Trek: Bridge Commander game.

Just got wind of this – JMS’s own comic brand, Joe’s Comics, which publishes through Top Cow, is apparently coming to an end. This would happen with the last issues of Rising Stars (#24) and Midnight Nation (#12). Although nothing has been confirmed yet, it may be for JMS to spend more time in the Marvel Universe, as well as other projects such as Jeremiah.

The MSN board The Landsraad has a notice (picked up on by AICN) that James Watson, who played Duncan Idaho in the Dune miniseries, is being recast…but I have my doubts as to the authenticity. In a letter claiming to be from Mr. Watson himself, it states that “The new head of the Scifi Channel has decided that he wants an American actor to continue in the role.” As far as I know, Bonnie Hammer is still in charge, and still female. Doesn’t mean it didn’t happen, or she didn’t order it. At least James got more screen time Richard Jordan’s “cameo” appearance in the David Lynch/”Alan Smithee” 1984 production.

Caught this on Slashdot: Fernandes Guitars has an official license and is producing Star Wars Retrorocket and Nomad guitars, along with accessories. These look really cool, and the Retrorockets apparently use a computer controlled painting process.

I didn’t realize it until JMS himself pointed it out in rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated, but Showtime is releating the Jeremiah premiere, “The Long Road”, Friday (3/8) at 10:45pm during its permanent time slot, after Stargate SG-1. And don’t forget – Friday starts the new SG-1 episodes…

OK, it’s around that time when I start to question whether all the effort is worth it. Precious few stories have been submitted to me, making me scour the web for stories – usually as just a regurgitation of SCI FI Wire and Coming Attractions, and anything else I hear about the shows I personally watch, which takes time I seem to have less and less to spend. I can turn around stories that are submitted faster than I can type them in myself, if a few of you are willing to do some of the work. Although readership is slowly going up, it isn’t going up very fast, and in fact has dropped a little last month. So, leave some feedback, and SUBMIT THOSE STORIES!!!!