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Random Assortment of Things to Say
Aug. 9th, 2008 09:19 amSpybot Search & Destroy warning. If you use this, upgrade to the latest version before you ever run it again. A mismatch between an older version and a new definitions file makes it ring up a false positive for a bit of malware called Hellz-something and it tells you to delete a registry key for userinit.exe. When you do that and next turn your computer on, you get stuck at the Windows Welcome screen. No amount of booting in Safe Mode or trying to log in as various users, including Administrator, is going to work. There's a fix for it. I used http://www.pcregedit.com/. It's a linux boot disc that brings you to the registry to make changes. The interface was very touchy with my laptop touchpad, but eventually I was able to make the change. Fingers still crossed about whether it worked permanently, as I have yet to dare to shut down again. In short, this bit of spyware removal software caused me more worry and trouble than any bit of malware ever did.
Make Room! Make Room! by Harry Harrison. I finished reading this a few days ago. I was disappointed at the complete lack of cannibalism. And shocked to realize about halfway through that I was reading a detective novel. One of my least favorite types of novels, detective novels. Plus, there's three writing rules Harrison broke in this novel. The book starts with the main character waking up. And looking in a mirror. And another char is fond of spouting off infodumps and the author's thoughts. Though at least it's amusing that the char isn't always right. Witches were never burned in Salem. Here I thought he was using it as a bit of foreshadowing, as the text even mentions 'cooking' the witches. Alas. I do wonder why if these women aren't using birth control (heaven forbid the men ever even consider it) the main female character, who clearly has lots of sex, never worries once about getting pregnant.
Torchwood: Border Princes by Dan Abnett. Yea, from a classic sci-fi novel to a trashy one. That's how I roll. This book's main plot is quite similar to an episode from series 2. Perhaps I would've enjoyed it more if I hadn't seen the series 2 ep. But perhaps not. It was _okay_, but there were a lot of action scenes and none of them very interesting. I usually find action scenes boring to watch unless someone's taken the trouble to make them different. Reading about them is even less fun. Yea, yea, so and so gets hit, so and so is chased, so and so just smashed up such and such. Whatever. My main issue with it is that Jack makes like one offcolor comment the whole book, and he never flirts with anyone. I didn't feel like Abnett knew who Jack was. Not all of Jack anyway. Oh, but I looooooove the look and feel of the book. That's the only reason I bought the thing. It looks so cool on the shelf, and it was so very very nice to hold while reading it. US publishers need to adopt this style.
Olympic Opening Ceremonies. Awesome. Just. Awesome. I think London's going to have to go low-key for theirs just in self-defense. Don't even try to top this one.
Make Room! Make Room! by Harry Harrison. I finished reading this a few days ago. I was disappointed at the complete lack of cannibalism. And shocked to realize about halfway through that I was reading a detective novel. One of my least favorite types of novels, detective novels. Plus, there's three writing rules Harrison broke in this novel. The book starts with the main character waking up. And looking in a mirror. And another char is fond of spouting off infodumps and the author's thoughts. Though at least it's amusing that the char isn't always right. Witches were never burned in Salem. Here I thought he was using it as a bit of foreshadowing, as the text even mentions 'cooking' the witches. Alas. I do wonder why if these women aren't using birth control (heaven forbid the men ever even consider it) the main female character, who clearly has lots of sex, never worries once about getting pregnant.
Torchwood: Border Princes by Dan Abnett. Yea, from a classic sci-fi novel to a trashy one. That's how I roll. This book's main plot is quite similar to an episode from series 2. Perhaps I would've enjoyed it more if I hadn't seen the series 2 ep. But perhaps not. It was _okay_, but there were a lot of action scenes and none of them very interesting. I usually find action scenes boring to watch unless someone's taken the trouble to make them different. Reading about them is even less fun. Yea, yea, so and so gets hit, so and so is chased, so and so just smashed up such and such. Whatever. My main issue with it is that Jack makes like one offcolor comment the whole book, and he never flirts with anyone. I didn't feel like Abnett knew who Jack was. Not all of Jack anyway. Oh, but I looooooove the look and feel of the book. That's the only reason I bought the thing. It looks so cool on the shelf, and it was so very very nice to hold while reading it. US publishers need to adopt this style.
Olympic Opening Ceremonies. Awesome. Just. Awesome. I think London's going to have to go low-key for theirs just in self-defense. Don't even try to top this one.
