An interview with Ken St. Andre, venerable creator of the Tunnels and Trolls game.
Interview recorded on Sunday, July 18, for those who care.
Jack Mangans Deadpan #174: Trolls and Ken St. Andre
Note from the notes writer: I admit Kurt, that intro was too much for my little brain to research. Good on ya *tips hat*
Interview with Ken St. Andre creator of Tunnels and Trolls
Links related to the interview:
Ken St. Andre on Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_St._Andre)
Ken’s webpage (http://www.trollhalla.com/)
Tunnels and Trolls offical website (http://www.tunnelsandtrolls.com/)
Flying Buffalo Tunnels and Trolls Site (http://www.flyingbuffalo.com/tandt.htm)
Fiery Dragon website (http://fierydragon.com/dragonsbreath/)
Wizards of the Coast (Dungeons & Dragons Offical Site) (http://www.wizards.com/dnd/default.aspx)
Edgar Rice Burroughs Webzine (http://erbzine.com/)
Samurai Comics (http://www.samuraicomics.com/)
Send in content: 206-350-Tomi (8664) or e-mail: sphericaljackmatgmaildotcom
Closing music …
Once again a big thank you to special guest Ken St. Andre.
Van – I think I meant more that the type of person who would be interested and willing to play with new/different OSes on their netbook would be “adventurous” (aka nerd.)
Like … well, you, me and that Null dude. =)
Null – Beware the cloud… it may rain!
Which sounds neat and is sort of your point.
Does anyone use any of the used paperback exchange services?
I thought Everybody Loves Raymond was finished?
I would LOVE :ahem: love a good Stainless Steel Rat movie. I’d even go to the theater for that.
I’ve been to the Florida and Texas space centers. Both are highly recommended. I think the tour of the lab where they were building a module for the ISS was the best part. (By tour I mean a glass-walled walkway high above the working area.)
I don’t think I’ll ever pick up the BSG series. The ending can kill a story for me and frequently does.
Which is why I -need- more Spherical Tomi, dammit! NEED IT! Hehehe.
What is your favorite Stainless Steel Rat book? Mine was Stainless Steel Rat joins the Circus. lol j/k
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51K0995ZZ9L._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg
I played a wee bit of WarCraft 2 & 3. I preferred the dumbed down D&D version.
I was unable to beat the tutorial in StarCraft.
I am a lame ass strategist.
Sorry, Scry. I’m hoping (fingers crossed) to have my brain back soon.
It’s good to see a positive review from Danthol for Starcraft 2.
If I had to make a decision between a StStR movie and a Bil the Galactic Hero movie, I would have an aneurysm.
Harry Harrison is one of the greatest thieves of all time, right next to Alan Dean Foster.
I beat SC2 on the 29th. The end was pure win. “We all have choices to make.”
There is a lot more Rat than I knew about.
Mr. Mangan – It is usually a good thing to have our brains back. Back brains? Er…
Van – That jailbreak looks really simply, but… why? I don’t quite understand what it is for. It isn’t like I can install flash on my iPhone, or is it?
A Stainless Steel Rat is Born is a modern classic. It should be high school required reading. I just did some checking, and apparently there is a *NEW* StStR book coming out…Tuesday! OMFG!
–News break, I get to change my Chuck Norris calendar today– I had to endure a month of barechested Chuck for a month.
Hey, a new Stainless Steel Rat book is due out tomorrow.
http://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Steel-Rat-Returns/dp/0765324415/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1280729110&sr=8-1
Looks like Danthol and I share more than just a …
er. What do we share?
Lolscry! The original Rat was written in ’61. this is like, 50 years later. Incredible.
We share the bond of all paperback sci-fi geeks alive in the ’80s. Those of us that hung out in used book stores and libraries, with no concern actually being cool, but with an extreme interest in fictional characters who were capable.
Tales of Men who won every fight no matter the odds while we had nightmares of getting in a fistfight and our blows being in slow motion and completely ineffective.
Tales of Men who would never have to have a real job, while we went to school to prepare for cubicles or menial labor.
Tales of Men who got the girl who understood and appreciated a real man. Women who were incapable of making the hero feel insufficient or emasculated in any way, while girls confused us, and mothers mothered us.
–Typing all this is taking time away from StarCraft…and the more I write, the less it makes sense–
The dreaded slow-mo wobble punch. Blech.
Dan, I had the same experience last month with my Ernest Borgnine calendar.
OK, wish me luck. Tomorrow is the first day of the rest of my life.
Goodnight :M*A*S*H:
In regards to SSR this is my next purchase:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_8_5?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=stainless+steel+rat+graphic+novel&x=0&y=0&sprefix=stain
All the SSR comic adaptations that appeared in 2000AD…ooooh tingly..and yes the Rat does look like James Coburn…
As for the books, my personal fav is The SSR for President, the Rat takes down a dodgy version of a Latin American dictator, great stuff.
Oh and was really great about the Rat series, was an atheistic hero who did his damnedest not to take life even at a great risk to his own life.
NS, jailbreaking gives you access to programs that Apple won’t allow you to use, including emulators, wifi syncing with iTunes, and tethering that you won’t get charged extra for…
Oh and if you have the older 3G iPhone, you can get programs that allow mulitasking.
Why is it time seems to evaporate when I’m on vacation. How can it be Monday already?
“we had nightmares of getting in a fistfight and our blows being in slow motion and completely ineffective.”
GET OUT OF MY HEAD!
Vanamonde: Yeah, but there was some concern put out in regards to Skype that were never answered to my satisfaction. I’ve heard Gizmo has been going through a lot of changes, but I’ve yet to actually follow up on it.
I would take a SSR movie over BtGH. Though I enjoyed both, I preferred the snark in SSR. Plus, imagine the terrible CG to create someone with two right arms. Or was it left?
Thanks everyone for the congrats. I am glad to finally make it to the parsecs this year… wait this makes the second time… and against the FuMP…
Well I am happy to be nominated – Since I did not nominate myself it is great to be recognized by fans and friends of the show. And some arbitrary judge deemed me good enough to make the finals… Woohoo!
Used hair I believe I can answer your questions about the Parsecs. In the nomination process a show has to be released through the RSS feed Between May 1, 2009 and April 30, 2010. For the show to be considered.
Infected was rewritten (re edited) for print release when Scott Sigler went to Crown. There are major differences in the 2 stories. When he re-released it for the Hard cover release (boy this is confusing) the podiobook was completely redone. Hence it qualifies. (although my opinion doesn’t count – I know of several good books that didn’t make that cut that should have but oh well)
Jack,
You deserve to have your life back, big time. Crossing fingers, toes, eyeballs… whatever it takes.
Good luck today Jack. Youve got the world (sans a few crazy people) behind you
Finished the directors cut of Dark Star last night. Was what I thought it was…either youre gonna get it and love it or not get it and hate it. This should be an interesting palooza…
*sobs rainbows*
Hello?
Hello.
Hi there.
Hi I’m WNDRWolf and I am a podcaster…
Hi, Im Lo Pan and Im a Pisces.
Something smells fishy here.
Well this is a hairy situation.
< Drive-by >
Just a drive by. Much like last week, no time to catch up.
News on Mom… all tests negative. They got the cancer.
< /Drive-by >
excellent news LJ.
Wow, I’m way behind on comments.
LeJon: Great news!
WNDR: I will reply to your email tonight (I didn’t make the finals this year. rats)
Good to hear, Lejojo. Damn fine
JR – Currently looking like Saturday night.
Do you think people who have to work weekends really hate that Loverboy song?
Lejon: Most excellent!
I think that even people who don’t work weekends hate that song, babe.
Oh….. yeah that too
“Loverboy”
Picture the discussion that went into that band name decision.
CP: The Ballad Of A Ladyman — Sleater-Kinney
Ah yes, Gizmo5 was bought up by Google. I’ll get right on using that . . .
Picturing…..not liking….
I have this vision of JN ending up like the Gene Hackman character in ‘The Conversation’.
This weeks episode of True Blood was gnarly..in a good way.
We saw Inception yesterday. The previews were fascinating:
Tron
Wall Street 2 (Electric Boogaloo?)
Something that looks funny with Robert Downey Jr (swooooooon) and that insipid Zach G. person
Haven’t seen this week’s episode yet, Van. That show is so skinimax.
I am reading the latest Sookie book (Dead In The Family). So far, not too good. Doesn’t seem like she made much of an effort, and I bet it’s her best seller so far!
Inception = pure win.
That road movie with Robert Jr and Zach is called Due Date and it looks wonderful so far.
Great, now I can’t shop at Target.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100727/ap_on_bi_ge/us_corporate_donations_backlash;_ylt=AqCSxIDPgJI1RcirUpMoLI.s0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTQzbGtjMDc4BGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwNzI3L3VzX2NvcnBvcmF0ZV9kb25hdGlvbnNfYmFja2xhc2gEY2NvZGUDbW9zdHBvcHVsYXIEY3BvcwM5BHBvcwM2BHB0A2hvbWVfY29rZQRzZWMDeW5faGVhZGxpbmVfbGlzdARzbGsDdGFyZ2V0Y29ycHNw
Yes, that looks pretty dang funny. I was laughing pretty hard and getting looks in the theater.
Vanamonde: You’re too damned perceptive. ;-)
Caffeine + nicotene GUM.
WNDR: That should work.
I remember going to a Loverboy concert at a local casino a few years ago. This chubby (I’m being nice here) guy gets on the stage and starts singing. I asked my friend “Who’s that?” “Oh, the lead singer put on a few pounds over the years” He does still sound the same though.
Haven’t we all . . .
Shut up skinny guys, Jack & Lo Pan and you others who are skinny and might say something.
EssBee: That link is dead.
It works for me, JN, but here it is as a tiny:
http://tinyurl.com/37xgfoh
Wakka.
Oh good…. so glad corporations can now back candidates
I don’t call myself skinny but I know I haven’t been this light since I was a in 8 grade. I was quite fat for a while. It helps that I’m lucky enough to work for a company that will reimburse me for a gym membership.
reaper, what part of “SHUT UP” did you not comprehend, my brother?
Boom goes the dynamite
Just kidding, of course.
My dad is one of those skinny guys who can eat and drink whatever he wants. I’m one of those not skinny guys who gains 2 pounds when other people eat a bagel with butter and cream cheese on it.
Youre a guy?
Sometimes . . .
Me too
EssBee: Going back, I’m actually being warned of a XSS possibility. But poking around, I found the story on another site. That’s pretty crappy. Too bad, I used to really like Target.
XSS sounds serious.
I’ve been told I look like a sparrow in winter
EssBee, I was using my silent keyboard.
I just make and stuck to certain choices.
I don’t drink soda ever. I don’t go back for seconds till I have waited about 10 minutes. I very rarely eat more than 1/2 of what I get at a restaurant.
If it weren’t for the gym membership I would cut back more like no heavy beer or skip the cheese more often.
If I don’t watch it I will blow up like a blimp. I have lots of self control when I feel like using it or I know I have to.
Van, LOL
reap, sounds totally awesome, but I will say that I often witness fuller figured women especially being given advice on “cutting down” and “making good choices” and “exercising.” I know you’re not doling out advice, so don’t get me wrong. But as someone who was a college athlete with an injury that benched me, I know about nutrition and metabolism and all that jazz. For some folks, I think it is a lot easier to make some choices and stay slim. For me, working out and eating a sensible diet is not a combo that = slim. My metabolism hates me (or just likes me with giant boobs and junk in the trunk). I think to be “skinny” I’d have to eat less than 800 calories a day. Then I’d be a skinny bitch. I like it better this way.
“Bitch.”
I could also snort a lot of coke and be super skinny. Or so I’ve heard.
cough
*wheeze*
I think the
just axed my comment.
BOOBS BOOBS
EssBee, I wish it were awesome. I like soda and I love to eat. and eat out. Food makes me happy but not in the “I’m fat because I eat and I eat because I’m fat” way or “this is my escape” way I just love food
I didn’t look a that different at 210 as I do at 170 I just feel way better.
I don’t think I could live happily if I had to cut much more out. I know I could cut out beer but than I would be down to Tea and water to drink. *shutter* at that point I would just have to learn to be larger and happy with that also.
I hear you should stick to speedballs because you don’t get the sunken eyes or something like that.
ooo and it’s quitin’ time. Later all
“eat out”
“BOOBS BOOBS”
EssBee, yeah that to…
SBOOB!
All sizes welcome!
cough
One size slits all…
LOL
My LOL was for Van’s!
Oh, this job . . .
Well, we certainly appreciate your efforts to keep Lo Pan in line. Certainly a tough job if ever there was one.
Ed, you should know better than to say “Lo Pan” and “job” in the same post.
Okay, DP. I’m done for the day. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.
Jack, I hope that you have had a really great day today!
OMG they used the an old line about working with customers in Mad Men.
The public transport version:
The job would be perfect except for one thing…the punters.
The truth can be so painful….but so funny.
http://comixed.com/2010/07/31/4-koma-comic-strip-its-complicated/
The lighter side of the issue:
http://xkcd.com/768/
The darker side of the issue:
My daughter actually needs one of the stupid things for her 9th grade Math class. The cheapest I can find is a used one for $65 (with shipping). Aren’t there any real alternatives to paying into TI’s monopoly on calculators for Math class? And just who the hell did they have to sleep with to be the ONLY calculator that math books list instructions for? Oh wait… TEXAS Instruments, and the school board that sets the standards for text books is in… TEXAS. %#$@ you Texas! (Sorry Ed)
Ah, yes. That one goes way back. Though, to be fair, HP owned the market before TI fought their way in.
I remember back during my senior year, we were given TI-83′s to use in our Calculus class that year. We had to give them back at the end, but sure enough, I bought a TI-85 when I started off to college. Back then, I was thumbing my nose at the HP RPN crowd. And the TI’s were much cheaper than what HP was offering.
Sadly, it seems the market it too much of a niche to have meaningful competition. I’m surprised there’s not a bunch of Chinese knockoff TI compatible calculators out there if they’re becoming required for schools.
so… Lo Job? Pan Job?
maybe Lo Job Pan?
reaper <====== missing something?
Did I just learn Lo Pan middle name?
Don’t have time to get caught up on comments, but I just wanted to say: Everyone, thank you so much for the well-wishes! The singing gig is tomorrow night. Today I went to the copy shop and printed out copies of all the music. It turns out that four of my mom’s friends are planning to be there. I’m looking forward to it.
I think Loverboy’s original bandname was “That Band With The Cheesy Singer Guy Wearing That Ridiculous Headband”. They just shortened it.
Now to get caught up. Before I do, of course, I need say OMGThank you to Cj.
:googles:
Wait, Loverboy is actually a group!?
That’s stupid.
Re: TI
CASIO!
Arrrgh. Casio calculators actually do the math the way that you’d do it on paper, and they are ridiculously cheaper, and they look better.
I haven’t had to use a graphing calculator in ten+ years and I’m still angry about TI. Casio is the better product.
:rant rant rant:
“This is a hot button topic. Beware”
http://www.antipope.org/charlie/blog-static/2010/08/space-cadets.html
Gene Hackman was brilliant in the Conversation. Very cool, quiet little 70s Coppola movie. Though not as good as The Lives of Others.
BTW, saw The Girl Who Played With Fire Saturday night after returning kids to mom. Not as gut-wrenching as the first, but also not as good………….. altho Ebert says it sets up the third film nicely.
This has been movie talk.
I’m not mocking Chelsea, but I am mocking the person who wrote this:
http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/panelists/sally_quinn/2010/07/chelsea_clinton_and_marc_mezvinsky_our_national_joy.html
The Girl Who… those are the Seig Larson stories? Are they as “all that” as the hubbub is making them seem?
Luxor is free for today on the app store:
http://www.freeappaday.com/napp.php?id=293
Not a great fan of marble shooters myself but for free it’s worth a look.
I’ve read the books can be hard to get through because of the padding, but really enjoyed the first film.
Of course I’m now jealous of Jack getting to see the second film..better break out the ointment.
btw – I haven’t used a graphing calculator in a good 10 years since my last one broke. Even then, I don’t know that I ever actually graphed anything with it. I do have a calculator on my desk and work for quick numbers, but I couldn’t even tell you what the brand is.
I tend to go to Excel if I really need to generate a graph.
Well, today I’m going to be on a road trip to a job site. Often times, the solution is easy once you know the question. The hard part is determining what the question actually is. Sometimes, that just doesn’t work well over the phone or email and you’ve just got to put eyes on it for yourself.
Today is one of those sometimes.
On the road again….
And getting the right question is circuitous at best when dealing with users. Or operators, in my case.
Master Vanamonde, do you have a Jolicloud account or is this particular Vanamonde not the you Vanamonde?
I do NS, and that is me on Jolicloud.
Shatner does Palin:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mF_t1A8LGzg
Then I am following the right dude. =)
Morning, EssBee.
Ed said: “I tend to go to Excel if I really need to generate a graph.
”
That’s the saddest part. School is supposed to prepare children for life after school. Nobody really uses graphing calculators, let alone $165 graphing calculators. We use computer programs that we already own or cheap applications on smartphones that I could probably get for 99 cents.
Well that was disappointing I was expecting Michael Palin and a Shatner version of ‘I’m a Lumberjack’..
Morning Pan
Had a nice, relaxing long weekend. Didn’t want to come back.
Under the “small world” category, we ran into a couple of John’s students while we were in Canmore.
Morning!
EssBee: Sorry, Lady J always chides me for speaking in initialisms. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross-site_scripting
Nomad Scry: Totally agree re: graphing calculators.
Some interesting apps
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2366292,00.asp
So are they saying we should raise our taxes $30b dolors and eliminate porn, bottled water, and psychic’s?
http://www.wellhome.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Alt_Energy_Research1.png
How much is the private sector (like most utility company’s in the US) spending on alt energy. or is government the only entity that counts when doing something progressive.
Makes me wonder how much of the government money actually makes it to research and not just paying non research staff.
Sorry for ranting on such a heavy topic this early.
*Jumps off soap box*
Good morning to my favorite peoples!
2nd day of training on my social media job – for the record, I’ve been in action and you can see me on twitter.
It’s pretty exciting for me – even if it seems silly to other people!
Oh and one more thing (maybe 2 things)
Jack – anytime
And now for a PSA – ahem…
Migraines are sucky and should be outlawed.
that is all.
reaper: The government is about the government and looking like they’re doing something. It’s a sad fact that they just want more of our money to keep looking like they’re doing something. Doesn’t matter if you’re Republican or Democrat, our Government is about as screwed up as it can get. It’d be nice to see someone get in there and ACTUALLY clean house instead of saying they’re going to change things and then things just stay the same (or get worse)
GOOD MORNING PAN! No for something lighter. My podcast novel Billy Barbarian is DONE! WOO! http://jrmurdock.com if you need something lighter to listen to :)
I’m pretty sure the numbers spent on Psychics were significantly higher while the Reagans were in office.
I knew you’d say that.
HEY! Be nice to Nancy. :) I still remember the controversy when she kept all the designer dress she’d been ‘loaned’ over the years she was in the white house. Oh the scandal!
Johnny Null: next you’ll tell me my bike is in the basement of the Alamo.
Did Ozzy pee on that too?
Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo
Deadpan deadpan Deadpan deadpan deadpan deadpan Deadpan deadpan
it makes sense to me!
Ok, The hubby’s doing his thing in the other room, I’ve got my snuggie on, my netbook in front of me and a diet Coke beside me… it’s movie time
DJ: “The hubby’s doing his thing in the other room”
uh….. ok. TMI?
and what’s the movie today DJ Snuggie Bunnie?
The rules (for those who don’t know already):
Heavy spoilers;
As I’m writing while watching, spelling will not be a main concern
Actually, nothing will concern me except the silliness that is a B horror.
Oh yes, there will be at least one break for me to check on work and probably go to the washroom (It’s a large pop).
Don’t leave us in SUSPENSE!!! What movie!!! GAH!!!!!
Today’s movie is called Donkey Punch.
The DVR writeup: This terrifying, sexually charged horror film concerns three friends enjoying a Mallorcan vacation when they meet up with some young studs looking for fun.
I wonder if Mallorcan is a typo for Moroccan? I guess we’ll find out.
Pushing play now…
Violence and nudity. I could have guessed that from the writeup.