Big Finish Week
Throughout this week Big Finish is offering many of their early Doctor Who audio plays at a huge discount. One day only for certain stories, plus a month long sale for collections. CDs for US$10.96 (includes shipping), which, according to their blog, should come with a digital download, and download only for US$5.
Big Finish produces an entertaining and polished final product. It is not uncommon for me to stop whatever I’m doing and just listen. If you haven’t heard one of their audio plays, now is the time!
Among what they’re offering are many of my favorite stories. I was going to detail a number of them, but decided I should just focus on one. If you’ve never listened to a Big Finish before, go with Spare Parts (on sale June 9th). It stands alone well and is superbly terrifying and heartbreakingly sad.
I’d also be remiss in not mentioning that on the 10th they are offering The Pirates which features Colin Baker singing Gilbert and Sullivan parodies (and managing to rhyme something with “Rassilon”, if you can believe that). And I’d like to plug the oft neglected story Omega, also on sale in the 10th, which features some of the cleverest dialog and is a great show of the kind of stories you can tell with audio.
-> Big Finish Summer Sale Page
-> Complete Calendar of Sales
Your Last Chance to Get Pokedroid for Android
Pokedroid, the excellent talking Pokemon app for Android got it’s last update today. This was to simply relay the message to users that Pokedroid, which has continued to be updated with new features, was ceasing development and is soon to be taken of the market.
After a DMCA takedown notice caused the donation version of Pokedroid to be removed, creator Nolan Lawson contacted The Pokemon Company about the future of Pokedroid and was told he would have to remove all Pokemon apps from the market.
It’s a pity Nintendo and TPC feel they need to block the creation of celebratory works, which enhance their own product, to protect their copyright.
-> “Nintendo used Takedown! It’s super effective!”
Edit: If you’re looking for Pokedroid and the Pokedroid Extras, here’s one place you can find it.
Happy Towel Day Hoopy Froods!
Quick Heads Up: Streaming TV and Movies for Amazon Prime Members
Amazon is now including free access to all their streaming videos for Prime members. The catalog is somewhat limited, but includes Batman Beyond and some classic Doctor Who. Not worth the subscription alone, but if you are already using Amazon Prime to stock your house with heart-shaped bento egg molds and peanut butter, it’s a nice bonus.
Remember, you can get a year of Prime for free with a .edu email, 3 or more months free if you are a caregiver of a child, and that Amazon has periodic free trials for everyone. You can also share a Prime account among a household.
Update: Turns out you need a paid Prime account, not a free trial, to take advantage of streaming video. Booo.
[via: Gizmodo]
Oh, That Old Thing
“…h2g2 isn’t what it could have been. And that’s everyone’s fault.” -Andrew Nattan
The BBC attempts to sell off h2g2, the internet community created by Douglas Adams.
Some people have said Wikipedia is The Hitchhiker’s Guide. While the vast and comprehensive online encyclopedia is useful, it will not tell you such things as: how to behave at a LAN party, how to make a bra out of a plastic bag, not to feed a mistress’s dog, that, sure, sex on the beach is nice but there is one really important thing to be aware of, how to cure a hangover, whatever happened to Christopher Marlowe, and, of course how to hitchhike.
Don’t panic. Community organization to save the guide: The Guide Entry, Google Group
Quick Heads Up: Dirk Gently
December 16th. I’ve heard good things, but I can’t form much of an opinion from this trailer (which I think makes Dirk look like 2010 Sherlock‘s “special” cousin).
If the sofa makes an appearance, I’ll be satisfied.
Quick Heads Up: Lemony Snicket Will Buy You Ice Cream
…If you are in New York this Saturday. I’d say “you lucky bastard,” but that doesn’t seem quite appropriate.
Edit: This post also contains a video of Mr. Snicket describing his new book. Unfortunately the video player doesn’t show up in the RSS feed, so you will have to click through. Trust me, it’s worth it.
[via: Neil Gaiman]
PBS, October 25th
Quick Heads Up: Just a Minute, Season 57
Picture unrelated. But it was this or Nicholas Parsons.
Season 57 of Just a Minute has just begun and episodes are available weekly on the BBC Radio 4 website.
For those unfamiliar with Just a Minute, it’s a panel show where guests must speak for 60 seconds without “repetition, hesitation, or deviation.” I’ve been a fan of the show since listening to my first episode where the lovely chairman Nicholas Parsons warmly welcomed listeners, including those around the world listening online. I listened to more than 40 hours of Just a Minute while grinding in World of Warcraft. Although I eventually left Warcraft behind, Just a Minute was a addiction I couldn’t kick.
[via: Just-a-Minute.info, the most complete fansite I've seen for anything, anywhere. The amount of work it must take to compile all this information and keep it up to date is staggering. Dean, you are a god among men.]
Quick Heads Up: Free Amazon Prime for Students
With a .edu email address you can get one year free of Amazon Prime. That means free two-day shipping on books and an unthinkable variety of other goods. It seems like you can even get a year refund if you already subscribe to Prime. Not sure if this is a permanent program or limited offer.
I’m off to order a case of instant miso soup…
[Thanks Derek!]