Weird: Apparently Tasers were named for a Tom Swift invention, as in “Thomas A. Swift’s electric rifle.”
Category: Entertainment
Kindle DX: A Digital Comics Platform?
Amazon has announced the Kindle DX, a new version of their e-book reader with a 9.7-inch screen. Unless I’ve got my numbers wrong, that makes it larger than the standard manga page, though not quite as big as the standard American comic book page. And it’s only 1/3 of an inch thick, comparable to a typical trade paperback.
This could be the first e-reader device suitable for simply taking comics formatted for the printed page and transferring them to a tablet. No need to break it down and show one panel at a time like most iPhone or Android comics. No need to zoom and pan. Just transfer the whole page.
Sure, it’s only black and white, but there are plenty of comics produced in B&W, or reformatted for printing in cheap collections like Marvel Essentials or DC’s Showcase Presents series.
Imagine 30 years of Justice League of America or Spider-Man in the space of the latest trade.
The only drawback is the steep price tag: at $489, I’m not picking one up anytime soon.
Satellite Market, Fast Food Options, Ada and More
- Last night I learned that the Satellite Market near Disneyland is still there, but the Sputnik-style sign has been replaced. Old & new photos.
- Side salad vs. fries study: Adding a healthier option caused people to choose the unhealthy option more often. It’s made me a lot more aware of what I order for lunch.
- Spam apparently advertising speed bumps: “Women won’t hide their excitement when they see your bulge in the street”
- Funny webcomic: Ada Lovelace: The Origin! (via @johannadc)
Wolverine in 6 Words
Heals fast, super-sharp claws, grumpy.
Ringworld Manhattan
Name That Flu!
Some ideas for the #namethatflu event on Twitter (on the idea that swineflu isn’t quite right, but H1N1 is too clinical).
- Total Flunacy
- OMGWTFBBFlu!! (Though I have to admit #hamthrax is a good one)
- Looks like Hamthrax has been chosen by the Masters of the Fluniverse
Vienna Teng Observation & Concert
Lunchtime observation: Why is it that whenever I put Vienna Teng on random on the iPod, “Passage” always seems to come up when I’m driving?
Evening: Just saw Vienna Teng in concert at the Roxy. Fantastic! Opening act The Paper Raincoat was good too.


