Sci-Fi Storm

I’m slowly making progress on Storm 2.0, in between various interruptions of life. Mostly I’ve gotten some theming done, with a combo of CSS and XSLT. Take a look at the Beta Site: the default theme is now dark blue, but grey, maroon, and black will also be available. IE users will get black by default for now to get around PNG transparency issues, but the will be a separate theme for IE (probably only one). I’ve also put in a feathered effect on all the title bars. Backengine work still needs to be done – you can’t actually register yet, but the beginnings of the cookie authentication is in place. Comments? Suggestions?

The other shoe finally fell. UPN and Paramount have announced the cancellation of Enterprise, effective at the end of the season, where the finale will air on May 13th. This marks the first Trek series since the original to end prematurely since the original, and it will also be the first time since the debut of Star Trek: The Next Generation in 1987 that there isn’t a Trek series in production. I’m actually sorry to see it go – I didn’t think it was as bad as some made out. What will we do? Update 2/4: Berman doesn’t understand why Enterprise didn’t get the ratings – perhaps putting it up against SCI FI Friday was a bad idea, hmmm? I sense a clue-by-four is needed. And he also adds that the show won’t be shopped to another network.

I mentioned in my review of the Crusade DVD Box Set that JMS was miffed that they had edited the commentary track he did, against his agreement. Well, as part of a larger post, JMS says he and WB came to an agreement that all future pressings of the Crusade DVDs will no longer have the commentary track in question, as per their original agreement of “…use it all, including the explanation of what happened, or use none of it.”

The official Star Wars website has put up the text of the opening scoller for Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. The opening word: “War!” See the rest of the crawlers as well and compare…

Seems they still want to boost ratings somehow with gimmicks. TrekToday reports that the season finale may include Star Trek: The Next Generation stars Jonathan Frakes (Cmdr. William Riker) and Marina Sirtis (Counselor Deanna Troi), reprising their roles somehow. The info was first reported via Marina’s official web site, but has not been confirmed by the producers.Update: Looks like the announcement has been removed, and there are reports that Sirtis is denying it in person.

The International Astronomers Union announced that they have named the asteroid 2001 DA42 after the late Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy author Douglas Adams. When the IAU asked for suggestions for future namings, one person mentioned Mr. Adams, the IAU found an asteroid that seemed proper – it was found the year of his death, and already bore his initials, and the Answer to Life, The Universe, and Everything, 42. He was semi-immortalized previously with another asteroid named Arthurdent.

OK, here is something new to try. Something reminded me of a movie from when I was a kid – it had to have been produced in the 70s, but precisely when I don’t know. I remember seeing it on TV a number of times, but I have no idea what the title was. I’d like to see if anyone can remember it from my description. Read More for the description, and then post your ideas.

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Here is a short review of the Farscape: Peacekeeper Wars DVD that was released earlier this week. I’ve already reviewed the feature in November, which you should read first if you are not familiar with it.

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Couple of tidbits: David Yates (British miniseries State of Play) has been selected as director for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, which will begin production next January, and Stephen Fry (the various Blackadder productions) has agreed to be the voice of the Guide in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.

Anonymous Coward writes “Scifi are up with the ratings for Battlestar Galactica – it did very well. Second best premiere only bested by Stargate Atlantis (it also beat Enterprise for the evening)” A 2.6 houshold rating for a cable show ain’t bad – it ranked second among all cable programming.