Gizmodo posted information and pics of five different ideas for replacements for the Space Shuttle, et al. While NASA's Orion is among them, there are two Russian ideas and two coroporate ideas, too. The links in the Gizmodo story are worth following.

Kindle 2 and iPod Shuffle do a scene from Bladerunner. Video included. :-) Click the title of the story to view and hear how these devices actually perform.

J.G. Ballard died yesterday, 19 April 2009, at a bit over 78. Particularly known for dystopian fiction, it is unlikely that he will be forgotten any time soon. Click the title for more information, including links to his web site, an obituary/memory/farewell page, and the Wikipedia entry about him.

The April meeting went well with three new attendees, though few people had read the Nebula nominees. Those that did discussed them and why they liked or did not like them. We also discussed why people aren't reading the magazines the way they used to and what factors might be involved in spec. fic. readership. Click the title for more information.

Member Steve Carper posted this information to the R-SPEC Google group. Here it is with the table it contains in a slightly more readable format. Click the title to see it.

I have posts up for Piers Anthony, Isaac Asimov, and Greg Bear. Their names here are hotlinked to their posts.

March meeting went well. We have a list of recommended authors and works. Now we need your help.