CBC Spark: Fantasy user interfaces

SFFaudio Online Audio

CBC Radio - SparkSpark is my current favourite CBC podcast. The latest Spark episode, #101, talks about “Fantasy User Interfaces.” I’ve been a fan Nora Young‘s since summer 1994 when she hosted a similar (but less computery) CBC Radio show called Brand X. Sez Nora Young:

“I just interviewed Mark Coleran. Mark is a visual and interface designer. Part of his work has been in designing ‘fantasy user interfaces’: the computer interfaces that you see in movies. He’s designed interfaces for films that include Mission Impossible 3, The Island, The Bourne Identity, and Children Of Men. There’s been a bit of a stir about Mark’s work lately, though Mark is keen to point out that he’s hardly the only person doing this work. I wanted to find out how you design computer visuals that are more dramatic than, well, actually using a computer.”

Here’s the show |MP3| or if you’re looking for the unexpurgated version check out the raw interview |MP3|.

Regular podcast feed:

http://feeds.feedburner.com/cbcradiospark

Added content podcast feed:

http://feeds.feedburner.com/cbcradiosparkblog

Added content iTunes 1-Click |SUBSCRIBE|

Posted by Jesse Willis

P.S. Apocalypse Al, a radio drama series, is being suppressed by CBC.

Recent Arrival: Halo Evolutions

SFFaudio Recent Arrivals

Science Fiction Audiobook - Halo EvolutionsHalo: Evolutions
By Tobias S. Buckell, B.K. Evenson, Jonathan Goff, Kevin Grace, Tessa Kum and Jeff Vandermeer, Robt McLees, Eric Nylund, Frank O’Connor, Eric Raab, Karen Traviss, and Fred Van Lente
Read by Steve Downes, Holter Graham, Frank O’Connor, and Jen Taylor
12 CDs – 14 hours – [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Published: 2010
ISBN: 9781427207869

When humanity expanded beyond the safety of Earth to new stars and horizons, they never dreamed what dangers they would encounter there. When the alien juggernaut known as the Covenant declared holy war upon the fragile human empire, millions of lives were lost—but, millions of heroes rose to the challenge. In such a far-reaching conflict, not many of the stories of these heroes, both human and alien, have a chance to become legend. This collection holds eleven stories that dive into the depths of the vast Halo universe, not only from the perspective of those who fought and died to save humanity, but also those who vowed to wipe humanity out of existence.

I love this idea. A Halo short story collection. I agree with Frank O’Connor (Franchise Development Director, 343 Industries), who says:

The chance to explore corners of the Halo universe, whether obscure or popular, is something we are always excited to do, but the chance to shine light on these dark corners with the talents of these wonderful luminaries is a pleasure indeed!

Yup! A great way to approach this. Looking forward to it!

Posted by Scott D. Danielson

Recent Arrivals: Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter

SFFaudio Recent Arrivals

Horror Audiobook - Burnt Offerings by Laurell HamiltonBurnt Offerings (An Anita Blake Vampire Hunter Novel)
By Laurell K. Hamilton; Read by Kimberly Alexis
11 CDs – 13 Hours – [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Published: 2010
ISBN: 9780143144076

In Burnt Offerings, Anita Blake has her hands full when an arsonist’s fires begin taking out St. Louis’s un-dead, and Jean-Claude, her rival and lover, faces dire accusations from a visiting delegation of vampires.
 
 
Horror Audiobook - Bloody Bones by Laurell HamiltonBloody Bones (An Anita Blake Vampire Hunter Novel)
By Laurell K. Hamilton; Read by Kimberly Alexis
10 CDs – 12.5 Hours – [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Published: 2010
ISBN: 9780143144052

Follow Anita Blake as she travels to Branson, Missouri, to put an end to a series of supernatural murders and disappearances in Bloody Bones, fifth in the #1 New York Times–bestselling series.
 
 

Horror Audiobook - The Killing Dance by Laurell HamiltonThe Killing Dance (An Anita Blake Vampire Hunter Novel)
By Laurell K. Hamilton; Read by Kimberly Alexis
11 CDs – 13.5 Hours – [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Published: 2010
ISBN: 9780143144069

In The Killing Dance, vampire hunter Anita Blake finds herself the victim when a $500,000 price is put on her head, and the two men in her life-a vampire and a werewolf-aren’t helping the situation.
 
 
Posted by Scott D. Danielson