Comments on: Beautiful Red http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/08/26/beautiful-red/ News from the Staff of Podiobooks.com Tue, 02 Dec 2008 13:56:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3 By: Cryptocrat http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/08/26/beautiful-red/#comment-227078 Cryptocrat Sat, 20 Sep 2008 15:30:57 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/08/26/beautiful-red/#comment-227078 Only about half way through but wanted to check in and say: Wow! Is this really a debut novel? As a computer scientist, one of the rants my friends get tired of hearing me talk about centers around the question: What happens when we have the next paradigm shift in user interface? When you think about it, we still basically interact with computers the same way we have since the 1970s. Computers continue to (almost) follow Moore's law, but the interface remains the same. This novel explores this question in a most satisfying way. Engaging fiction with enough scientific validity to not break suspension of disbelief (at least for this geek). 12:00 Only about half way through but wanted to check in and say:

Wow!

Is this really a debut novel?

As a computer scientist, one of the rants my friends get tired of hearing me talk about centers around the question: What happens when we have the next paradigm shift in user interface? When you think about it, we still basically interact with computers the same way we have since the 1970s. Computers continue to (almost) follow Moore’s law, but the interface remains the same.

This novel explores this question in a most satisfying way. Engaging fiction with enough scientific validity to not break suspension of disbelief (at least for this geek).

12:00

]]> By: Robo http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/08/26/beautiful-red/#comment-127310 Robo Wed, 16 Jan 2008 04:46:23 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/08/26/beautiful-red/#comment-127310 Darusha- Thank you for the incredible podcast. I loved your voice, the plot, and am very sad the book has ended. I am looking forward to your next podcast and hope it comes quickly. Thanks again for sharing the story with us. Darusha-

Thank you for the incredible podcast. I loved your voice, the plot, and am very sad the book has ended. I am looking forward to your next podcast and hope it comes quickly. Thanks again for sharing the story with us.

]]> By: Evo http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/08/26/beautiful-red/#comment-126483 Evo Mon, 14 Jan 2008 00:48:11 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/08/26/beautiful-red/#comment-126483 Zevick, I just clicked the link for Episode nine. Works like a champ. If you can get through that "tehcnorunaround", I'd like to hear more about the issue you are having. Evo Zevick,

I just clicked the link for Episode nine. Works like a champ. If you can get through that “tehcnorunaround”, I’d like to hear more about the issue you are having.

Evo

]]> By: zevick http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/08/26/beautiful-red/#comment-125159 zevick Fri, 11 Jan 2008 05:57:03 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/08/26/beautiful-red/#comment-125159 Episode 9 does not download. First of all, I must thank you for a wonderful story--so far. Episodes 1 - 8 have been great, and I've already downloaded episode 10, but when I tried to download E09 (repeatedly) I only get a few KB. I tried to "Report a problem with an episode" but got some kind of TechnoRunAround. Sorry to bother you with maintenance, but it's your fault for making your story so addictive. Good job, and Thanks, Zevick siegel@jct.ac.il Episode 9 does not download.

First of all, I must thank you for a wonderful story–so far. Episodes 1 - 8 have been great, and I’ve already downloaded episode 10, but when I tried to download E09 (repeatedly) I only get a few KB. I tried to “Report a problem with an episode” but got some kind of TechnoRunAround. Sorry to bother you with maintenance, but it’s your fault for making your story so addictive.

Good job, and Thanks,

Zevick
siegel@jct.ac.il

]]> By: Evo http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/08/26/beautiful-red/#comment-122695 Evo Sun, 06 Jan 2008 18:14:01 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/08/26/beautiful-red/#comment-122695 The good news, Zippy, is that those are easily corrected. I notice these as a listener from time to time and make it a point to let the author know what episode had the error, and the approximate time stamp of when it happened. So far, they've all been very good about getting me a new episode uploaded quickly so that no others hear the mistakes. Use the "report a problem with an episode" link right above where you make new comments, and we'll make sure to get it to Darusha right away. The good news, Zippy, is that those are easily corrected. I notice these as a listener from time to time and make it a point to let the author know what episode had the error, and the approximate time stamp of when it happened. So far, they’ve all been very good about getting me a new episode uploaded quickly so that no others hear the mistakes.

Use the “report a problem with an episode” link right above where you make new comments, and we’ll make sure to get it to Darusha right away.

]]> By: Zippy http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/08/26/beautiful-red/#comment-122485 Zippy Sun, 06 Jan 2008 08:33:46 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/08/26/beautiful-red/#comment-122485 I quite enjoyed the story and I hope you write more stories based int his universe, however I did feel compelled to give a low rating for the audio quality when you made the extremely newbish mistake of neglecting to remove your editing fingerclicks. Keep up the good work ^^ I quite enjoyed the story and I hope you write more stories based int his universe, however I did feel compelled to give a low rating for the audio quality when you made the extremely newbish mistake of neglecting to remove your editing fingerclicks.
Keep up the good work ^^

]]> By: jon http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/08/26/beautiful-red/#comment-120523 jon Wed, 02 Jan 2008 00:04:28 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/08/26/beautiful-red/#comment-120523 I've really enjoyed listening to Beautiful Red and i'm kind of disappointed it's over. The world Darusha created is vivid and detailed, and more importantly, one of the more plausible futures i've come across in recent years. For me, humanity's casual acceptance of technology and all its intrusions seemed disturbing and comforting at the same time. The monotone reading also suited the mood well. Plotwise, I felt Jack leapt to some pretty wild conclusions that were always 100% right, and every investigation she made produced a significant lead. I wouldn't have minded a few dead ends and a longer story overall, just to hear more details of the world Darusha created. If her next story is in a similar vein i'm looking forward to it. one (minor) complaint: some of the episodes were disappointingly short at 10-12 minutes. I'd prefer to immerse myself in it for at least half an hour. I’ve really enjoyed listening to Beautiful Red and i’m kind of disappointed it’s over. The world Darusha created is vivid and detailed, and more importantly, one of the more plausible futures i’ve come across in recent years. For me, humanity’s casual acceptance of technology and all its intrusions seemed disturbing and comforting at the same time. The monotone reading also suited the mood well. Plotwise, I felt Jack leapt to some pretty wild conclusions that were always 100% right, and every investigation she made produced a significant lead. I wouldn’t have minded a few dead ends and a longer story overall, just to hear more details of the world Darusha created. If her next story is in a similar vein i’m looking forward to it.

one (minor) complaint: some of the episodes were disappointingly short at 10-12 minutes. I’d prefer to immerse myself in it for at least half an hour.

]]> By: Chris http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/08/26/beautiful-red/#comment-120330 Chris Tue, 01 Jan 2008 15:11:07 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/08/26/beautiful-red/#comment-120330 Just finished this book and really liked the way it ended. Darusha has a pretty monotone voice but it works OK. I liked the futuristic world and technology that was created. Like others have commented the author does a great job in developing the characters as well. Just finished this book and really liked the way it ended. Darusha has a pretty monotone voice but it works OK. I liked the futuristic world and technology that was created. Like others have commented the author does a great job in developing the characters as well.

]]> By: Jim http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/08/26/beautiful-red/#comment-114876 Jim Thu, 20 Dec 2007 22:23:05 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/08/26/beautiful-red/#comment-114876 I'm afraid I have to disagree with the previous poster. I am quite enjoying this book, and have had to hold off on listening until the last chapter comes out, because I hate being left in suspense like this. _Beautiful Red_ describes a dark future that, not unlike _Max Headroom_, is not so far distant from our own time... and the alienation described is the natural outgrowth of our disconnected culture. Admittedly, the early chapters include a lot of exposition, but I didn't find it got in the way of the story. To me, it feels like _Blade runner_, _The Big Sleep_, and _Brazil_... and that's just mentioning the B's. I’m afraid I have to disagree with the previous poster. I am quite enjoying this book, and have had to hold off on listening until the last chapter comes out, because I hate being left in suspense like this. _Beautiful Red_ describes a dark future that, not unlike _Max Headroom_, is not so far distant from our own time… and the alienation described is the natural outgrowth of our disconnected culture. Admittedly, the early chapters include a lot of exposition, but I didn’t find it got in the way of the story. To me, it feels like _Blade runner_, _The Big Sleep_, and _Brazil_… and that’s just mentioning the B’s.

]]> By: Jim http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/08/26/beautiful-red/#comment-112083 Jim Thu, 13 Dec 2007 20:53:45 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/08/26/beautiful-red/#comment-112083 Quite simply I didn't like this one. I did try to ignore the reader's downbeat montone and not allow it to influence my opinion of the book, but even so it was still rough going. I really laboured through the first three chapters before giving up. I was a little unsettled by this becasue actually the story isn't that bad. I eman it's not what I consider bad writing per se. The author clearly has a vivid perception of the world he/she describes (in great detail) and I think herein lies the problem. Noting really happens. The first chapter is simply a massive information dump that quite frankly goes nowhere, and subsequent chapters are nearly as bad. As said, the descriptions of the main character and how she integrates with her existence are quite good, but sadly even that is so extensive, it quickly becomes bland and unpalatable. Quite simply I didn’t like this one. I did try to ignore the reader’s downbeat montone and not allow it to influence my opinion of the book, but even so it was still rough going.

I really laboured through the first three chapters before giving up. I was a little unsettled by this becasue actually the story isn’t that bad. I eman it’s not what I consider bad writing per se. The author clearly has a vivid perception of the world he/she describes (in great detail) and I think herein lies the problem. Noting really happens. The first chapter is simply a massive information dump that quite frankly goes nowhere, and subsequent chapters are nearly as bad. As said, the descriptions of the main character and how she integrates with her existence are quite good, but sadly even that is so extensive, it quickly becomes bland and unpalatable.

]]> By: darusha http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/08/26/beautiful-red/#comment-97258 darusha Fri, 23 Nov 2007 02:31:59 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/08/26/beautiful-red/#comment-97258 Hi, Milo and all. Generally, I send podiobooks the files at the beginning of the week and they are usually available to subscribers Wednesday or Thursday. Specifically, I understand Episode 17 is going to go live today or tomorrow. There might be some delays due to the US Thanksgiving holiday. ~Darusha Hi, Milo and all.

Generally, I send podiobooks the files at the beginning of the week and they are usually available to subscribers Wednesday or Thursday.

Specifically, I understand Episode 17 is going to go live today or tomorrow. There might be some delays due to the US Thanksgiving holiday.

~Darusha

]]> By: milo http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/08/26/beautiful-red/#comment-97239 milo Fri, 23 Nov 2007 01:51:36 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/08/26/beautiful-red/#comment-97239 I'm quite enjoying the story and looking forward to its continuation. Can Darusha and/or Evo give the listeners an idea about when the next update will be? Thanks, Milo I’m quite enjoying the story and looking forward to its continuation. Can Darusha and/or Evo give the listeners an idea about when the next update will be?

Thanks,

Milo

]]> By: darusha http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/08/26/beautiful-red/#comment-88852 darusha Thu, 15 Nov 2007 06:41:40 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/08/26/beautiful-red/#comment-88852 Hi, all. Just a quick not to let you know that Beautiful Red now has its own page on Facebook. Let the world know you're a fan by visiting here: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=6070034793 ~Darusha Hi, all.

Just a quick not to let you know that Beautiful Red now has its own page on Facebook. Let the world know you’re a fan by visiting here: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=6070034793

~Darusha

]]> By: darusha http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/08/26/beautiful-red/#comment-83215 darusha Thu, 08 Nov 2007 02:14:41 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/08/26/beautiful-red/#comment-83215 Episode 14 has been fixed, and episode 15 is up as well. Sorry for all the issues lately. ~Darusha Episode 14 has been fixed, and episode 15 is up as well.

Sorry for all the issues lately.

~Darusha

]]> By: Geordon VanTassle http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/08/26/beautiful-red/#comment-82174 Geordon VanTassle Mon, 05 Nov 2007 21:36:58 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/08/26/beautiful-red/#comment-82174 Oh, the HUMANITY! I tried to download the file a bunch of times and different ways when I saw that I was having problems with iTunes getting it. I'm well and truly hooked on this story. Thanks for thr update, Evo! Oh, the HUMANITY!

I tried to download the file a bunch of times and different ways when I saw that I was having problems with iTunes getting it. I’m well and truly hooked on this story.

Thanks for thr update, Evo!

]]> By: Evo http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/08/26/beautiful-red/#comment-82097 Evo Mon, 05 Nov 2007 19:02:34 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/08/26/beautiful-red/#comment-82097 Yep. Something very wrong. Requested new file from the author. Have suspended the episode for now. E. Yep. Something very wrong. Requested new file from the author. Have suspended the episode for now.

E.

]]> By: emitime http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/08/26/beautiful-red/#comment-81881 emitime Mon, 05 Nov 2007 09:10:35 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/08/26/beautiful-red/#comment-81881 Episode 14 won't complete downloading. iTunes says that the file "may be corrupt or a format iTunes does not recognise". Please can you check and adjust the feed? Thanks Episode 14 won’t complete downloading. iTunes says that the file “may be corrupt or a format iTunes does not recognise”.
Please can you check and adjust the feed?
Thanks

]]> By: Milo http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/08/26/beautiful-red/#comment-79895 Milo Thu, 01 Nov 2007 02:03:07 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/08/26/beautiful-red/#comment-79895 Darusha, I'm quite enjoying the way you weave elements of cyberpunk, film noir, and mystery into a cautionary tale for our wired times. I find myself identifying with the "Red" faction that blocks off dead zones from the constant intrusion of the Net. I refuse to carry a cell phone for similar reasons. In any case, thanks for the story and please keep writing! Fellow listeners, if you've followed the story so far, please contribute to the PayPal link to make it easier for Ms. Wehm to keep the chapters coming. Regards, Milo Darusha,

I’m quite enjoying the way you weave elements of cyberpunk, film noir, and mystery into a cautionary tale for our wired times. I find myself identifying with the “Red” faction that blocks off dead zones from the constant intrusion of the Net. I refuse to carry a cell phone for similar reasons. In any case, thanks for the story and please keep writing!

Fellow listeners, if you’ve followed the story so far, please contribute to the PayPal link to make it easier for Ms. Wehm to keep the chapters coming.

Regards,

Milo

]]> By: Evo http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/08/26/beautiful-red/#comment-79795 Evo Wed, 31 Oct 2007 17:14:37 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/08/26/beautiful-red/#comment-79795 Episode 13 has been corrected -- in theory. If you can, please make sure that your file name ends with -013.mp3, and not -13.mp3. If it doesn't, delete that file and then download the new file directly from the books page on the site. E. Episode 13 has been corrected — in theory. If you can, please make sure that your file name ends with -013.mp3, and not -13.mp3.

If it doesn’t, delete that file and then download the new file directly from the books page on the site.

E.

]]> By: darusha http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/08/26/beautiful-red/#comment-79794 darusha Wed, 31 Oct 2007 16:46:39 +0000 http://www.podiobooks.com/blog/2007/08/26/beautiful-red/#comment-79794 I believe that the error in Ep 13 is fixed - try re-downloading (and please post back if it's still wonky). Thanks! I believe that the error in Ep 13 is fixed - try re-downloading (and please post back if it’s still wonky).

Thanks!

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