The Reading Vent & Rant Thread

[icallaci]

Originally Posted by ownedbycats

Is this referring to the robot itself? If so, I'd wonder that 'access' might just be some weird phrasing to make it seem more robotic.

Yes, "the Wonk" is the name of a robot. And your explanation makes sense. When I read it, I thought maybe I didn't know enough about robotics, but all my googling hasn't come up with anything about "access of motion" and robots. Lol, not a big deal, but puzzling. Thanks.

[theducks]

Access of motion might mean that it was previously restrained or immobilized?

[icallaci]

Originally Posted by theducks

Access of motion might mean that it was previously restrained or immobilized?

Oh, maybe! I didn't think of that, although the robot wasn't physically restrained. The robots in this location are all there to be diagnosed or decommissioned because of problems with their programming. Some of those problems do include physical dysfunction, so your suggestion makes a lot of sense. Maybe it wasn't a typo after all. I thought perhaps the author had dictated the book and the AI translation got it wrong.

[theducks]

Originally Posted by icallaci

Oh, maybe! I didn't think of that, although the robot wasn't physically restrained. The robots in this location are all there to be diagnosed or decommissioned because of problems with their programming. Some of those problems do include physical dysfunction, so your suggestion makes a lot of sense. Maybe it wasn't a typo after all. I thought perhaps the author had dictated the book and the AI translation got it wrong.

I've read a LOT of Science Fiction over the decades. Regaining mobility (after a long standby / shut down to conserve power) is a common theme.

[icallaci]

I think you solved the mystery. Thanks.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by icallaci

Since the topic of poor editing has arisen, I wonder if someone can help with the following: I am puzzled by a particular phrase in Adrian Tchaikovsky's Service Model, about a robot that kills its owner and goes on the run. Here's the sentence: "With a sudden access of motion, the Wonk leapt to the rail, bunched itself, and jumped the gap onto another platform..." What is "access of motion"? Or does he mean "excess of motion"? "Axis of motion"? I'm at a loss.

My guess is accessing it's motion functions for more speed.

[icallaci]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

My guess is accessing it's motion functions for more speed.

Could be, thanks. At least now I can stop wondering if it's a typo and get on with the story.

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Authors who use the same book title as an already existing book title by another author. Just pick an original title.

Which is why some authors use those helpful add-ons, like 'a gripping thriller with a plot twist that will make you sh!t your pants!'

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by DrNefario

The lit screens mean they don't look especially different to an LCD tablet screen. The reflective performance of eInk is wasted.

That hasn't been my experience. My first reader was the Nook Simple Touch with Glowlight in 2012. I've never mistaken an e-ink screen with an LCD. Maybe I have eagle eyes, which would surprise my optometrist.

As they make the interfaces more like phones/tablets then they need the sceen to update more often. Kindles used to page through the library, now they scroll, which means they need to update constantly as you move your finger. It's just a bad use of the technology.

Again, all that stuff you are talking about was on my Nook twelve years ago.

I think you reached a decision and are determined to find facts that support it.