Online life

Much discussion these past few days. Howard Hendrix, the current SFWA Veep, unleashed a bit of a firestorm with his post in the sfwa LJ, especially the comment that those who post free books/stories on the web are scabs:

A scab is someone who works for less than union wages or on non-union terms; more broadly, a scab is someone who feathers his own nest and advances his own career by undercutting the efforts of his fellow workers to gain better pay and working conditions for all.

Other writers took exception to this assertion. Given that I am planning to post the odd free short work on my website in the hope of drumming up interest in ENDGAME and the other Jani books, I felt the sting myself. Whether it's justified or not, an accusation of undercutting fellow writers hurts.

John Scalzi responded, among others. "Pixel-stained Technopeasant Wretch" has entered the lexicon, and there should be items available at CafePress even as I type.

In this, as in just about every other damned subject, I can see both sides, and my feelings abide in the grey between.

( Kris' Saturday afternoon ramble )

Online life

Much discussion these past few days. Howard Hendrix, the current SFWA Veep, unleashed a bit of a firestorm with his post in the sfwa LJ, especially the comment that those who post free books/stories on the web are scabs:

A scab is someone who works for less than union wages or on non-union terms; more broadly, a scab is someone who feathers his own nest and advances his own career by undercutting the efforts of his fellow workers to gain better pay and working conditions for all.

Other writers took exception to this assertion. Given that I am planning to post the odd free short work on my website in the hope of drumming up interest in ENDGAME and the other Jani books, I felt the sting myself. Whether it's justified or not, an accusation of undercutting fellow writers hurts.

John Scalzi responded, among others. "Pixel-stained Technopeasant Wretch" has entered the lexicon, and there should be items available at CafePress even as I type.

In this, as in just about every other damned subject, I can see both sides, and my feelings abide in the grey between.

( Kris' Saturday afternoon ramble )

Five

All jpsorrow's fault, by way of difrancis.

Who would I kill?

1) that person in the checkout line who doesn't pull out their checkbook until the checker gives them their total

2) drivers who do not use their turn indicators

3) drivers who wait to turn on their turn indicators until they are into the turn

4) other drivers, period. couldn't I just pick 'em off at random, just to keep the rest on their toes and off my ass?

5) female announcers with squeaky voices. Lauren Bacall learned to modulate, and so should you.

Five

All jpsorrow's fault, by way of difrancis.

Who would I kill?

1) that person in the checkout line who doesn't pull out their checkbook until the checker gives them their total

2) drivers who do not use their turn indicators

3) drivers who wait to turn on their turn indicators until they are into the turn

4) other drivers, period. couldn't I just pick 'em off at random, just to keep the rest on their toes and off my ass?

5) female announcers with squeaky voices. Lauren Bacall learned to modulate, and so should you.

Saturday afternoon at the vet's

Today was the annual OMG $$$ vet visit, consisting of physical exam, annual vaccinations, purchase of heartworm meds, etc.

Guess which puppy behaved? Let the vet do whatever was necessary? Remained calm and relatively collected? Let the vet look at his *teeth*, for crying out loud?

Now guess which puppy had a total meltdown? Dug in his heels and wouldn't let the vet take him in the back for shots and blood draw? Guess which puppy had to be muzzled for the first time ever, and expressed his own anal glands all over the floor, and generally behaved badly?

Saturday afternoon at the vet's

Today was the annual OMG $$$ vet visit, consisting of physical exam, annual vaccinations, purchase of heartworm meds, etc.

Guess which puppy behaved? Let the vet do whatever was necessary? Remained calm and relatively collected? Let the vet look at his *teeth*, for crying out loud?

Now guess which puppy had a total meltdown? Dug in his heels and wouldn't let the vet take him in the back for shots and blood draw? Guess which puppy had to be muzzled for the first time ever, and expressed his own anal glands all over the floor, and generally behaved badly?