Programming in Tongues: Recent Episodes

Joel Anderson

...And I'm back! Heck, it's only been ..... four years!?!?

About that greeting....

nuqneH! tlhIngan Hol (Klingon)
kaltxi! Navi' (Avatar)
Su cuy'gar! Mando'a (Star Wars)

Building a Tiny Language Lab

What's new?! Have you heard of micro:bit? It is an amazing "bit of kit" as the saying goes. A computer powered by two AAA batteries, with light, gee force, angle, compass sensors. Two input buttons, audio output, A 5x5 matrix of LEDs and connectors for more input and ability to drive motors.

Using makecode.microbit.com you can program it with a block language or Javascript.

Well, my go-to when learning a new programming language or environment is to say "how can I connect this to alien languages?" So I created a simple program to play with vocabulary from tlhIngan Hol, Navi' and Mando'a.

I chose 13 English words that had equivalents in all three and built this program:

http://mrklingo.freeshell.org/xenolang3.html (links to micro:bit simulator)

Not sure how practical it is, but it will show you the alien language when you press the "B" button. The "A" button toggles between K(lingon), M(ando'a) and N(avi'). To move forward and back in the vocabulary you tilt the device left (back) or right (forward). Shaking the device jumps to a random entry in the list.

For another bit of fun I programmed Psalm 117 into the micro:bit -

http://mrklingo.freeshell.org/psalm117.html (links to micro:bit simulator)

Pressing A gives the Living Bible translation, B give (transliterated) Hebrew, and A+B shows my translation into tllhIngan Hol.

Next steps? I'm planning to adapt the xenolang3 program into a Scratch version with more features!

My experiments using Scratch continue! My new project is a simple word generator.

The project lets you set a list of "vowels," "consonants" and five rules, which are chosen at random. For every letter C a random consonant is chosen, every letter V, a vowel is picked. Note: you choose what the vowels and consonants are, and the number of each determines the frequency picked. You can give it a try - and if you sign up at scratch.mit.edu, you can remix it yourself

The Hour of Code for 2015 is over, but I'm still enjoying programming with Scratch (you can too! See scratch.mit.edu), so, to go along with The Force Awakens, here's a protocol droid programmed to know all kinds of words and phrases from the Galaxy Far, Far Away!

I'm planning to reinvigorate this blog - as a blog, not podcast - to go along with my two alien language podcasts, A Klingon Word from the Word, and A Mando'a Word for a Warrior. Stay tuned!

I've been getting ready to volunteer for the Hour of Code this week - and one thing I did was experiment with Scratch - the fascinating language for learning (and more!). So I have created a new version of the Universal Translator Assistant - click here to give it a try (note: requires Flash):

I'm still here, still practicing my curious form of xenolinguistics. The time has been found to blog (or podcast) but here's a stab at a bit of blogging.

I can see that the increased scrutiny on Java means that, for many, my Java applets may not easily function. I'd be interested in hearing if many use them and if that's a problem. The form based tools, and the VB downloads should still work fine. [Note: I'm in favor of the increased security - if my programs are a casualty, it's probably a good trade-off (not that there is anything insecure in my Java that I know of....)]

I'm playing with some fonts - I may add some Trek fonts to my miitkad program (or make a Trek version). I'd also like to make a simple Trek phrasebook program like the Star Wars one - that will definitely have Klinzhai and Vulcan. Here's Klinzhai font in miitkad

(click for podcast)

By this time, it would be surprising to find anyone who hasn't heard of James Cameron's new blockbuster, Avatar. The most exciting thing about it - at least to me is the Na'vi language!

The Na’vi language is the constructed language of the Na’vi, the sapient humanoid indigenous inhabitants of the fictional moon Pandora in the 2009 film Avatar. It was created by Paul Frommer, a professor at the Marshall School of Business with a doctorate in linguistics. Na’vi was designed to fit James Cameron's conception of what the language should sound like in the film, to be realistically learnable by the fictional human characters of the film, and to be pronounceable by the actors, but to not closely resemble any single human language.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Na%27vi_language

Even better, there is a terrific community already discussing and providing resources to learn the language at http://www.learnnavi.org - check it out!

They have the vocabulary, and linguistic background - even simple phrases:

I've also created a simple lookup tool at http://navi.mrklingon.org

In other news - I've rebuilt a number of my pages using Google pages:

http://www.mrklingon.org
http://klv.klingonword.org
http://mndbible.klingonword.org

In addition, you'll now find the complete Mando'a vocabulary available, as well as a Mando'a version of the Universal Translator Assistant!

Back to the Cantina!

(click for podcast)

UTA - the classic VB3 program
**Classic UTA for Windows updated to include the Galactic Phrasebook!****

miitkad - a minimalist Windows text editor with alien language font support
http://miitkad.mrklingon.org

Cantina: The next generation UTA program:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Language_and_Linguistics_in_Frank_Herbert%27s_Dune

Frank Herbert's novel Dune, and his Dune series in general, incorporates a number of different themes related to language or linguistics, both in the techniques Herbert used in the actual writing itself, and more obviously, in the plot and characters. This is consistent with a broader theme of these novels, specifically, the nearly limitless power inherent in the human mind and body, and the power of training and discipline to enhance both physical and mental performance.

Accordingly, heightened language skill and linguistic power are among the traits explored by Herbert in his works.

Look at your library for Net Library! A great way to get free linguistic education!

Net Library: http://www.netlibrary.com

(click for podcast)

Reflecting on the popularity of "Empires" in Science Fiction stories.

CoDominium (Niven and Pournelle
Barrayar (Lois McMaster Bujold)
Manticore (David Weber)

Do it yourself - build your own space empire with a Free "4X" (eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, and eXterminate) game:

FreeOrion - www.FreeOrion.org

Music - from the Cylinder Preservation Project:
The US Marine Band - Emperor's Manoeuvre

(click for podcast)

Wermo (wer moh) n. 1. A stupid person, an idiot. 2. One who is pitiable, contemptible, or weak-willed. 3. Worm. 4. slang Boy.

http://www.completewermosguide.com/

Welcome to Summer, the creator of the Complete Wermos guide.

From MentalFloss.com - the world's geekiest crossword puzzle: worksheet_conlang.pdf

(click for podcast)

How to hack your way into spacehttp://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2007/08/how-to-hack-you.html

Way up there!

You can also find the video at http://www.archive.org/details/OrigamiAerospace-TestFilm

Play / Download (help)

64Kb MPEG4 (1.2 MB)
256Kb MPEG4 (2.9 MB)
Windows Media (6.7 MB)

Here's my first attempt at creating a film using Air Rockets. I used a snippet from NASA's Columbia Anthem Gets Grammy Nod, and two flights put together.

http://www.sciencetoymaker.org/airRocket/index.html

I recently showed off model rockets for some neighbor kids this week, and I built one of these to show off some almost free rockets that you can blast off.

I tested it indoors (big mistake) then had to work to clean the smudge off the ceiling. These are more powerful and fast than you'd expect. Out doors it disappeared (almost) higher than the trees. After two launches it was lost in the trees. No matter - a little paper and tape and I've got two more ready for flight.

More Rocket Fun!

Googling around and I found a terrific rocket simulator/design tool at NASA!
http://exploration.grc.nasa.gov/education/rocket/rktsim.html

This amazing thing does simple ballistic, water, and solid engine rockets. Even better - it does AIR ROCKETS! (pictured). Clicking on the links, it turns out there is some pretty sophisticated information and math for rocket scientists.

-----------------------
MUSIC: "Way Up There" Columbia Anthem Gets Grammy Nod

(click for podcast)

Building a spaceship, and exploring a new universe.

http://www.delta7studios.com/

The new universe.....

http://podiobooks.com/title/quarter-share

http://podiobooks.com/

Bonus! Klingon software!

http://www.twobrotherssoftware.com/tlhaq/

Music, "The Lucky Black Cat" by James Curran, from Archive.org
http://www.archive.org/details/jamescurranluckyblackcat

(click for podcast)

Wouldn't it be FUN to have a plastic pal - your very own robot - well you CAN!

Of course... not all robots are fun...

Here's Marvin, everyone's favorite paranoid android, with genuine people personality!

http://www.boingboing.net/2007/10/19/boing-boing-tv-tanks.html

https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/BEAM_robotics
BEAM robotics

The word "beam" in BEAM robotics is an acronym for Biology, Electronics, Aesthetics, and Mechanics. This is a term that refers to a style of robotics that primarily uses simple analog circuits, such as comparators, instead of a microprocessor in order to produce an unusually simple design (in comparison to traditional mobile robots) that trades flexibility for robustness and efficiency in performing the task for which it was designed. ...

he basic BEAM principles focus on a stimulus-response based ability within a machine. The underlying mechanism was invented by Mark W. Tilden where the circuit (or a Nv net of Nv neurons) is used to simulate biological neuron behaviors. ... Other rules that are included (and to varying degrees applied):

Use the lowest number possible of electronic elements ("keep it simple")

Recycle and reuse technoscrap

Use radiant energy (such as solar power)

http://www.streettech.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1618
Boing Boing tv: Tanks-A-Lot / Mark's Vibrobot Posted by Xeni Jardin, October 19, 2007 10:21 AM | permalink

http://www.boingboing.net/2007/01/15/howto-make-a-vibrobo.html
http://boingboing.net/videos/vibrobot.mov

PROMO: http://www.spacecasey.com/

Music:

| Title: | I played my concertina | | Performer: | Arthur Osmond. | | | |

(click for podcast)

NEW! Try the Star Wars Phrasebook in Java!(https://swlanguages.mrklingon.org)
(http://members.aol.com/jpklingon/uta/GALDict.html)

http://www.panicstruckpro.com/revelations/

http://mashup.starwars.com

http://origamiaerospace.blogspot.com/

http://origamiaerospace.blogspot.com/2007/10/flight-of-paper-x-wing.html

Music
Corellian Shipyards - From "Revelations" soundtrack http://www.chrisbouchard.co.uk/

(click for podcast version)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_jordan
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wheel_of_Time
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Tongue

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Obit-Jordan.html
Author Robert Jordan Dies

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: September 17, 2007

Filed at 3:23 p.m. ET

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) -- Author Robert Jordan, whose ''Wheel of Time'' series of fantasy novels sold millions of copies, died Sunday of a rare blood disease. He was 58.

Jordan, whose real name was James Oliver Rigney Jr., was born and lived in this southern city most of his life. He died at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston of complications from primary amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy, his personal assistant, Maria Simons, said Monday. The blood disease caused the walls of Rigney's heart to thicken.

He wrote a trilogy of historical novels set in Charleston under the pen name Reagan O'Neal in the early 1980s. Then he turned his attention to fantasy and the first volume in his Wheel of Time epic, ''The Eye of the World,'' was published in 1990 under the name Robert Jordan.

Jordan's books tells of Rand al'Thor, who is destined to become the champion who will battle ultimate evil in a mythical land....

**LANGUAGES!

http://www.wotmud.org/game/glossary.html
http://www.wotmud.org/directory/oldtongue.php

WOTMUD IV
Wheel of Time MUD**

http://wotmud.org/

http://cylinders.library.ucsb.edu/

Title:
The armourer's song

[Robin Hood. Selections]

Performer:
Frank C. Stanley.

Issue Number/Label:
8074: Edison Gold Moulded Record

Year of Release:
[1904]

The armourer's song

(click for podcast)

http://www.lostinspacerobot.com

Guest: Karen Traviss

Here's some information from Karen's website at www.karentraviss.com

MANDO'A LANGUAGE RESOURCE - the Mando'a to English and English to Mando'a dictionaries plus the grammar guide are here . Updated November '06. Next update: March '07. Oya!

Site updated November 3 2006

NEW - REPUBLIC COMMANDO - HARD CONTACT will be available in Polish translation from Amber Books in December.

Russian editions of CITY OF PEARL and CROSSING THE LINE coming next year. More details later.

OUT NOW

MATRIARCH, book four of the wess'har wars, from HarperCollins. (Yes, this is a six-book series - it didn't end in book three! Plenty more to come yet...)

BLOODLINES - New York Times bestseller! Also available in a hardcover special edition from the Science Fiction Book Club.

A PRACTICAL MAN - a Boba Fett e-novella available from Random House, Diesel e-books and Mobipocket. You can also get it (and my other e-stuff) from Fictionwise and most other e-book sellers.

Coming in 2007/08

Book 5 of the Wess'har Wars - ALLY April 2007: book 6, JUDGE, Fall/ Winter 2007. LEGACY OF THE FORCE: SACRIFICE - June 2007. REPUBLIC COMMANDO #3 - August 2007. LEGACY OF THE FORCE #8 -March 2008. REPUBLIC COMMANDO #4 -August 2008.

http://www.karentraviss.com

Heading back to Mars!

Thanks to NASA and the Planetary Society, we'll soon be heading back to Mars on the Phoenix Mission, see? You can come, too!

MUSIC: www.chrisbouchard.co.uk
From Star Wars Revelations Soundtrack.

The Final Reflection(click for podcast)

by John M. Ford

Ah - I had to re-read this this week, for you see, John M. Ford, passed away this week. A fine writer and highly regarded by friends and readers - if you've not read his books - do it today! This is an example - maybe the best - of what a great writer can do with Star Trek.

In this he created a fascinating view of the Klingons - AND provides us with the first written Klingon dialect! Don't miss it!

What a great writer! Thank you, Mike!

``` http://nielsenhayden.com/makinglight/archives/008033.html

http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/John_M._Ford

http://www.khemorex-klinzhai.de/Hol/klingonaase.html
http://web.archive.org/web/20050213044240/http://www.pinette.net/chris/startrek/klinaase.html ```

Here's a table of Klingonaase as revealed in "The Final Reflection"

| Klingonaase | Federation Standard | | Kahlesste kaase! | Kahless' hand,'' an oath referring to the story of the EmperorKahless, who died with his hand tied to the controls of his shipin a battle against Romulans.[k] | | Klingon | Klingon. Noun only, I think.[k] | | Klinzhai | The Klingon homeworld -- not called 'Klingon'![k] | | epetai-zana | Honored and exalted one.[k] | | fedegonaase | UFP standard language, whatever that is.[k] | | federazhon | The United Federation of Planets.[k] | | g'daya | to ''damned,'' but probably stronger.(swearing)[k] | | g'dayt | Undefined adjectives (gerunds?), roughly equivalent (swearing)[k] | | gagny | Damned.(swearing)[k] | | hum zha | The Human game, chess.[k] | | humanai kuvest' | Either ''human slave'' or ''slave of the humans.''[k] | | kaase | Hand.[k] | | kai kassai | The same, emphasized. ''Kai kassai, Klingon!''[k] | | kai | Hail, or ''long live''. Used often, as ''Kai ''.[k] | | kherx | A screw-up.(swearing)[k] | | khest | To screw up.(swearing)[k] | | khest'n | roughly equal to ''damned.''(swearing)[k] | | khest't | roughly equal to ''damned.''(swearing)[k] | | khesterex thath | Screwed up situation.(swearing)[k] | | khesterex | Literally, ''the structure which dies.''[k] | | kleon | Enemy, or opponent. Same, to a Klingon.[k] | | klin zha kinta | The Klingon game with living pieces.[k] | | klin zha | The Klingon game (in several variations).[k] | | klin | That which is Klingon. One can be 'full of klin,' i.e., a worthyKlingon.[k] | | klingonaase | The Klingonese language.[k] | | komerex Klingon | The Klingon Empire.[k] | | komerex tel khesterex | This was an interjection, probably ''grow or die.''[k] | | komerex zha | See 'zha' below.[k] | | komerex zha | The perpetual game -- life. See 'komerex' above.[k] | | komerex | Literally, ''the structure which grows.'' Overtones of ''path,''or even ''Tao.''[k] | | kuve | Servitor; alternative translation is slave.[k] | | kuvekhestat | Worthless slave(s). See 'khest' above.[k] | | kuveleta | Half-slave; an insult. Klingons mix races freely, but have culturalprejudices against some.[k] | | kuvesa tokhesa | I serve willingly.''[k] | | nal | Negating word -- as, ''Nal komerex, khesterex.''[k] | | parkhest | Damn!(swearing)[k] | | rom zha | The Romulan game, latrunculo.[k] | | sa tel'ren | Two out of three. One can't assume sa=2 and ren=3.[k] | | straave, straav' | Slave.[k] | | tai | Worthy, honored.[k] | | tai-kleon | Worthy opponent. See 'kleon' above.[k] | | teskas tal'tai-kleon | Compliments to a worthy opponent.[k] | | teskas | Compliments, praise.[k] | | tharavul | Vulcan servitor, lobotomized to remove the Vulcan's telepathic powers.This is done voluntarily.[k] | | tharkuve | Deaf slave, unable to overhear secret conferences.[k] | | tokhe straav' | Willing slave. Just about the worst insult one can call a Klingon.[k] | | tokhe | Willing. See 'straave' and 'kuve' above.[k] | | tokhest' | From context, ''if he is willing or not.'' Your guess is as goodas mine how much of that is in the -st', and how much is implied.[k] | | vird'dakaase | Disruptor. Literally, ''shake-till-falls-apart tool.'' Note the-aase (or -kaase) suffix.[k] | | zan | Neutral title of respect; roughly equal to Mister.[k] | | zha riest'n | It was a] pleasant game.[k] | | zha | Game.[k] |

Music Escape from Quorran III, Revelations Soundtrack by Chris Bouchard

Hey - if you're going to learn a language - especially an alien one - you need to remember it!

(click for podcast)

http://remember-pi.mrklingon.org

Click to download EasyAsPi

http://www.pseudonumerology.com/

The Memory Book

Music - from Revelations Soundtrack, by Chris Bouchard http://chrisbouchard.co.uk/

(click for podcast)

http://mndbible.mrklingon.org/

The Mando'a Language Version of the World English Bible

http://mndbible.mrklingon.org/why.html One church at a time....

Why A Mando'a Bible? The Mando'a language is (c) Lucasfilm 2006. http://www.starwars.com

Mando'a language references at http://www.karentraviss.com/

Once anyone hears of a project to make something like a Mando'a Bible, the question that comes up is "why?" Certainly there is no need for such a version, as there is a need for a Bible in English, Spanish, German, or any other "real" language. There is no person who would only be able to access the scriptures in Mando'a.

But in the study of artificial languages, translating standard works of literature like the Bible is often done, and for two reasons. First, it is a way to exercise and develop the language, and second, it helps to develop a body of literature in that language. This literature can then be used and referred to by people learning and using the language.

For some, there can be other benefits. Though this kind of translation might seem frivolous, the work of producing such a translation can have devotional value even if the translation is never used. The effort of reading the scriptures and considering their meaning for a translation cannot fail to benefit the translator by helping him or her develop a deeper understanding of the text.

For example, the Klingon language community has produced at least three efforts in this direction. The Klingon Language Institute (http://www.kli.org) organized a long-term project to translate the Bible. Currently on hiatus, this project has yielded only a few books, for example, the Gospel of Mark. In addition, the Rev. Glen Prochel published a book, Good News for the Warrior Race, which presents the gospels and other selected scriptures in parallel with a "Star Trek" English paraphrase. Finally, I've created a simple Klingon Language Version, http://klv.mrklingon.org. The software used to create the KLV was adapted to create this Mando'a text.

The project presented here, the Mando'a Language Version, is actually a relexification of the World English Bible (WEB) and serves as a demonstration of what a complete Mando'a Bible would look like. When developed by Karen Traviss, the Mando'a language had a large vocabulary of common words that could be mapped to English. These were used to transform the WEB into Mando'a. Though it may not be a grammatical Mando'a text (actually it is more of a pidgin-Mando'a, mixing English vocabulary and grammar with Mando'a) it does provide vocabulary which can be used in doing a proper Mando'a translation.

By the way, the designation of this project, the MND, may appear to be a mere contraction of "Mando'a" - but I prefer to think it stands for Mando'a Naak Dajun, Mandalorian Peace Plan.

Joel Anderson / joel@mrklingon.org

Note: I've placed a shuk'orok, a Mandalorian Crushgaunt, on the cover because it seems an appropriately brutal analog to the cross. According to the Completely Unofficial Star Wars Encyclopedia:

a specialized, armored glove created in the Mandalore System, the Crushgaunt was first developed by the Mandalorian Mercs. Each crushgaunt enhanced the wearer's ability to crush objects, such as hands or other body parts, allowing them to do considerable damage with minimal effort. The use of crushgaunts was outlawed by the Mandalorian government many centuries before the Galactic Civil War, but their use was later revived by the Mandalorian Death Watch. It was also rumored that one of Darth Vader's gloves was a crushgaunt, and that the being who recovered it after the Battle of Endor would become the next ruler of the Empire. It was later learned that this was a ruse that was perpetrated by the so-called Church of the Dark Side.

Back to the Mandoa Bible

MND: Mando'a Language Version of the World English Bible The MND Bible is a free to distribute version of the WEB using a Mando'a relexification vocabulary.

The Mando'a language is (c) Lucasfilm 2006. http://www.starwars.com

For Mando'a language references see

http://www.karentraviss.com/html/cont_newmandoa.htm

Music - Repcom Medly from Republic Commando http://blogs.starwars.com/ywingempress/23

The Mando'a Language Version, MrKlingon.org and the Universal Translator Assistant Project are in no way affiliated with Lucasfilms. Mando'a, and Star Wars in all its various forms, is a trademark of Lucasfilms. Mando'a-language resources presented here are for the edification and enjoyment of hobbyists, not for profit.

(click for podcast)
Prologue The mystery would never be solved. It would simply join others, like the Tunguska event or the Square Crater on Callisto, in the catalogue of unexplained occurrences. The initial worldwide excitement waned within a few months, as it became clear that no quick answers would be found. For a few years grieving relatives would, with some success, press officialdom to maintain the studies and inquiries. But there were no lawyers to keep the fires stoked. The courts ruled soon enough that the Grantville Disaster was an Act of God, for which insurance companies were not liable. Within ten years, the Disaster had devolved into another domain of fanatics and enthusiasts, like the Kennedy Assassination. Thereafter, of course, it enjoyed a near-eternal half-life. But few if any reputable scientists in the world held out any hope for a final explanation....

Welcome to the Year of Our Lord 1632
Get your pickup truck and deer rifle -- We're joining the Thirty Years' War!

In May of the year 2000, a six-mile sphere, centered on Grantville, West Virginia, was displaced in space and time to Germany and 1631. When the inhabitants of Grantville decided to start the American revolution early the nobility of Europe were not amused.

This story, by Eric Flint, is the basis for a great deal of lively discussion on Baen's Bar on the Baen Book web site since 1999.

The 1632 universe has spawned sequels including an anthology, Ring of Fire, 1633, 1634: The Galileo Affair, and continuing issues of the 1632 universe's magazine The Grantville Gazette both as electronic and print editions. More books and magazines are coming soon including: 1634: The Baltic War, 1634: The Ram Rebellion, 1635: The Cannon Law.

Check it all out at:www.1632.org

The books (at least three of them) are free to download at the inestimable Baen Free library: http://www.baen.com/library

MUSIC: Bucketboy Bluegrass Band
Bucketboy Bluegrass Band's Newsletter

Genre: Country (Bluegrass)
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois

Bucket boy Bluegrass is a two piece street band seasoned by the sites and sounds of Michigan Avenue.

(click for podcast version)

http://www.starwarsontrial.com/

Now here's an interesting looking book - I've got
it on order - I'll let you know what I think.

Karen Traviss's next book is on the way - August 29th:
**You can preview LEGACY OF THE FORCE: BLOODLINES - the prologue, in audiobook format , read by Marc Thompson.(Sounds Terrific).

http://www.randomhouse.com/delrey/starwars/sw_legacy.html**

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**Meanwhile, I'm listening to the audio versions of the prequel trilogy - I have to admit, though I read the books when they came out.... the audio experience is outstanding, maybe better than the movies!

Check out the Random House Audio podcast, It's a Big Universe!**

iTunes URL (sorry it's the only one I have)

Don't forget SQPN.com's "Secrets of Star Wars" - been a while since a new episode, but still good!

http://www.sqpn.com/scripts/starwars.php

http://www.atomfilms.com/af/spotlight/collections/starwars/
AtomFilms

MUSIC FROM: www.chrisbouchard.co.uk

(click for podcast)

MiitKad - Word Sword - a Minimalist Editor

http://miitkad.mrklingon.org
This is a dead-simple editor, in the vein of DarkRoom and WriteRoom. I'd be very surprised if it is of interest to many people, but it is a fun little thing to play around with for me.
It is an ALIEN text processor, because if you install Aurek-Besh (see below) you can
edit just the way Luke Skywalker would!

For all your alien font needs - Aurek-Besh and MORE:

http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/4965/sffont.html

BE sure to visit http://www.karentraviss.com
for the latest about Mando'a and all of Karen's excellent books!

(click for podcast)

http://spoonfulofrussian.com/

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| Korolev: How One Man Masterminded the Soviet Drive to Beat America to the Moon | | | | James J. Harford |

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An amazing book:

A mysterious figure, virtually unknown even in his own country, Sergei Pavlovich Korolev masterminded not only the historic launch of Sputnik and the first intercontinental ballistic missile, but Yuri Gagarin's epochal space flight, and, ultimately, the Soviet attempt to beat America to the moon. Who was Korolev? Where did he come from? Why is so little known about him?

This is a great entry into the world of the Soviet space program, a fascinating history and an amazing man - recommended!

While it is common to consider the "Space Race" in terms of "US won, USSR lost," The Soviet space program was filled with triumphs. I think my favorite is their exploration of Venus -

Read about it HERE: http://mentallandscape.com/V_Venus.htm

Launches To Venus

http://www.worldwindcentral.com/wiki/Venus

NASA's free WorldWind program lets you expore Venus!
http://www.worldwindcentral.com/wiki/Venus
http://www.worldwindcentral.com/wiki/NASA_World_Wind_Download

To learn more about the Russian/Soviet Space program - past and future, visit this excellent site: http://russianspaceweb.com/

If you'd like to build your own "table of languages," or "translator" take a look at this page for material in many many languages:

http://www.elite.net/~runner/jennifers/

**Jennifer's Language Page!****

Music: Russian kamarinskaja

Setting our sites on new worlds - and MAKING THEM!
(click for podcast version)

http://www.l5news.org

http://www.nas.nasa.gov/About/Education/SpaceSettlement/
Space Settlementsspreading life throughout the solar system

Horizons! Gone, but not forgotten! A dream of the future, now gone, that lived in Epcot from 1983-1999.

http://www.horizons1.com

To ride Horizons again - watch this video

Take a journey back in time and ride Horizons (14:52)
http://intercot.com/themeparks/epcot/futureworld/horizons/default.asp

The Language of space: From Stargazers to Starships

| - Astronomy of the Earth's motion in space. - Newtonian mechanics. - The Sun - Spaceflight and spacecraft - and .... A word of caution! |

Here's the language part: http://www-spof.gsfc.nasa.gov/stargaze/Sgloss.htm

Mission Space

A few good words:

http://www.spacequotes.com/
Arthur C. Clarke once wrote that new ideas pass through three periods:

"It can't be done."
"It probably can be done, but it's not worth doing."
"I knew it was a good idea all along!"

And the good Doctor Asimov says a few things, too:
Our Future in the Cosmos--Space

(click for podcast)

http://www.cuswe.org

Welcome to
The Completely Unofficial Star Wars Encyclopedia
compiled and written by Bob Vitas
Wednesday, June 07, 2006

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| Star Wars: Legacy of the Force: Betrayal | | | | Aaron Allston |

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When a mission to uncover an illegal
missile factory on the planet Adumar
ends in a violent ambush -- from which
Jedi Knight Jacen Solo and his protégé
and cousin, Ben Skywalker, narrowly
escape with their lives -- it’s the most
alarming evidence yet that sparks of
political unrest are threatening to
ignite into total rebellion. The
governments of numerous worlds are
chafing under the strict regulations of
the Galactic Alliance, and diplomatic
efforts to enforce compliance are
failing. Fearing the worst, the Alliance
readies a preemptive display of military
might in a bid to bring the rogue worlds
in line before an uprising erupts. The
designated target of this exercise:
planet Corellia -- renowned for the
brash independence and renegade spirit
that have made its favorite son, Han
Solo, a legend.

! Very good! I'm impressed (as I noted in Triple Zero) how the SW books manage to deal with contemporary themes, without being literally ABOUT Iraq and such.

Lots of interesting plot lines, and action (Allston is good at that). Like the Return of the Jedi, there are many quick cuts between scenes and locations. A very good SF story, that just happened to be a Star Wars book!
**Following that in the series will be Karen Traviss's entrant - guaranteed to have more Mando'a!

See her pages at www.karentraviss.com for Mando'a!**NEXT UP:

LEGACY OF THE FORCE: BLOODLINES - US/ UK September

Set your podcasts FREE!!!!!
(click for Podcast version)

Broadcast Your Podcast: http://broadcastyourpodcast.com

Heinlein Concordance
Specifically, the Rolling Stones

(thanks, Amazon!)

Music - Leah Martensen
http://www.joyfulsoundrecords.com/music.htm