Here is an excellent interview (video) with Terry Pratchett. I like his insights into how literature and different genres work.
O, and it's funny too, which won't surprise you if you know his books.
Update: Here is another video. (Thanks to Through The Lens for pointing out that there are many on YouTube. Amazingly that hadn't occurred to me, just a day after I pointed out that you "can find anything on YouTube"...)
At the beginning of this video, you see Terry typing. He is using a tiny laptop. I hope that when he is home he is using a proper full sized keyboard (I love my TactilePro). But worse, he is typing with two fingers! One of the best decisions I made when I was young was to learn ten-finger typing (touch typing I think it's called in the English speaking world), and to keep it up. This makes the typing of, for instance, a blog entry a ten-minute job rather than the half-hour labor it could have been. It takes a while to get really good, but it is very much worth it.
12 comments:
Sadly it seems to be in "real" format only. (I prefer to keep that spyware, i.e. RealPlayer, out of my system.)
I looked for the video in YouTube. While there seems to be plenty of Terry Pratchett content there, I did not find this one.
It's brand new. It'll probably turn up.
"It takes a while to get really good, but it is very much worth it."
I learned on my own, and self-taught with pretty good results. So I really can't understand how come many regular PC users are still on two fingers. Feels like driving a car only in first gear.
Modesty aside, I believe if I can do it, anybody can. I mean, I'm catastrophic at piano playing!
ttl, luckily there is a reasonable Real Alternative to the RealPlayer. (As they say, there is a special place in hell, down the hall from Hitler, for RealPlayer.)
I'm an old dog you know, but I also learned touch typing a while ago. I'm not so much faster at typing now, but it fascinates me how one can always learn something new. I'm proud of it.
Doc, so what is a "wind rinser", is it what we'd call a pea counter in our country? Lol!
Monsieur Beep said...
"Doc, so what is a "wind rinser", is it what we'd call a pea counter in our country? Lol!"
Well, you can ask Terry Pratchett what his hero Rincewind's name means. :-)
Hey, I'm suddenly feeling poetic! Tell me if you like this one, "old dog":
Little Monsieur Beep
Was keeping his sheep
When down came a windy shower.
Without a peep,
They sheltered deep
In the basement of a tower
Soaked, rinsed, but wiser
About forecasting the Unseen Weather.
Was that splitting hairs?
Mine need a dryer.
I'm not used to counting peas, but in my country, I'm counting on peace.
Nice poem, well done.
Which one? The post-scriptum, or the nursery rhyme?
Peas, peace... yes, I think that was just *brilliant*. ;o)
Oh how lucky was I to re-check the comments on this post! Thanks, Pascal, for the nice poem! My sheep will be lucky for a shag any time, and donate all their wool to you in case it should get frosty in Lebanon! Shag isn't a 4-letter word mind you! I also am a peace counter!
May I transfer your poem to a) my "generation50plus" blog and b) to the wall of my appartment as an inscription based on the poem written by a valued online friend.
Beep! :-))
Monsieur Beep said...
"May I transfer your poem"?
You're most welcome, go right ahead!
You have the green light. :-)
"Beep! Beep!" - (Roadrunner, friendly animated bird)
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