Tron Re-Watch

[Pike]

Good choice. This was another movie that was seminal at the time, but hasn't seen much attention since. I do remember being disappointed after the fact when I learned how much of the effects were NOT done on a computer. But then I was a geek.

[Yorick]

I found this very easy to install free game re-creating the light-cycle race: glTron. It works on Windows, Max OS and Linux. Pretty cool.

[Hybrid Master]

My God, Jeff Bridges is such an idiot in this movie! And the high rise pants! Really brought me back - I was a teenager when this came out. At any rate, that talking desk is very cool, and the 1984 overtones interesting. I never got a chance to see it during the original release - there weren't even VCR's then!!! (or at least we didn't have one).

[Jason]

Doesn't the Hybrid in BSG say "end of line" during her ramblings? Reference to Tron?

[Gryper]

I recognized Barnard Hughes (Dr. Gibbs/Dumont) and cracked up laughing....Grampa from The Lost Boys! "One thing about living in Santa Carla I never could stomach, all the damn vampires."

[Chuck]

We recently took some time to re-watch a sci-fi classic that inspired many young boys and girls to become programmers (and artists!) — Tron. Join us as we discuss the movie and related themes plus take a call and discuss Chuck’s new Transformer toy. Highlights: we hear about how Sean is soon to become the Rev. Sean (though not the *good* Rev. Sean because he’s too cheap), consider building a real light cycle, reminisce about early computers, note how a programmer’s personality really does show up in his or her code, get a kick out of the Dumont turret (or “Lay-Z-Bot” as Sean calls it), remember how back in the day we all thought if computers just got powerful enough they really would start to seem human, wonder why everyone in the ’80s work Buckaroo Bonzai glasses, love the fact that Flynn saves his butt with his knowledge (the mark of any true geek movie), and mourn the now-lost Arcade Hero.

http://www.galacticawatercooler.com/...-to-archive-3/

[dxf]

Would you rather have...

- a light cycle
- a light saber
- a flying car
- a robot (includes Cylon)

I'm torn between robot and lightsaber. To really make a decision, I'd need some more information about the circumstances under which I could get one.

If you'd press me to make a decision now, I'd have to go with a robot. I think it would be more functional. It could actually do things for me. As opposed to a lightsaber, which would generally just be another toy to play with. Yeah, robot would do more to improve my quality of life.

Lightsaber would be great, but as they say, "You'll cut your arm off, kid."

ps. Personally, Wargames* was more of an inspiration to program than Tron was. But I'm sure Tron planted the bug, no doubt. Once Macs came along, though, it was like I heard the big Handel "Hallelujah" chorus, accompanied by big giant beams of heavenly light. Like, "You mean I don't have to program any more? I can just USE the computer?"

But learning to program was a totally valuable experience that helped set up a lot of my subsequent mental infrastructure.

* Wargames' Eddie "Mr. Potatohead!" Deezen, better known as the Eugene from Grease and also Midnight Madness, most underappreciate actor ever.

[Lucky]

Would you rather have...

- a light cycle
- a light saber
- a flying car
- a robot (includes Cylon)

I'm torn between robot and lightsaber. To really make a decision, I'd need some more information about the circumstances under which I could get one.

If you'd press me to make a decision now, I'd have to go with a robot. I think it would be more functional. It could actually do things for me. As opposed to a lightsaber, which would generally just be another toy to play with. Yeah, robot would do more to improve my quality of life.

Lightsaber would be great, but as they say, "You'll cut your arm off, kid."

Can I choose Larry the light saber wielding cylon, who is riding in his flying car that transforms into a light cycle?

If I could only pick one, it would be an old school centurion as seen in the new school BSG.

[Chuck]

Dxf, it's funny how intuitive you can be sometimes. Sean and I have an ongoing discussion very much like this, but including all sorts of other items and powers. It's ongoing because we often change our minds, then challenge each other by offering the items in different combinations.

Some of the items on our list (off the top of my head):

• The Millennium Falcon
• A Wookie
• The Ability to Fly
• Matrix-Like Powers (bend reality, kick ass, etc.)
• Various Sci-Fi heroines (for us) and heroes (for Audra)
• A Viper
• An X-Wing
• A Light Saber
• A Cylon
• A Heavy Raider
• Wolverine-like Healing Capacity
• The Ability To Create Fire With Your Mind (You know, like little Drew.)
• A Cool Alien

The list is way, way too big to print here, and we're constantly adding to it. And yes, we do realize that some of these are inclusive of each other. For example, Matrix-like powers encompasses the ability to fly. But what if you got a light saber and could fly? Better than Matrix-like powers?

Seriously, this is a way addictive discussion. Maybe I should create a thread for it.

[John from Monon]

Dxf, it's funny how intuitive you can be sometimes. Sean and I have an ongoing discussion very much like this, but including all sorts of other items and powers. It's ongoing because we often change our minds, then challenge each other by offering the items in different combinations.

Some of the items on our list (off the top of my head):

• The Millennium Falcon
• A Wookie
• The Ability to Fly
• Matrix-Like Powers (bend reality, kick ass, etc.)
• Various Sci-Fi heroines (for us) and heroes (for Audra)
• A Viper
• An X-Wing
• A Light Saber
• A Cylon
• A Heavy Raider
• Wolverine-like Healing Capacity
• The Ability To Create Fire With Your Mind (You know, like little Drew.)
• A Cool Alien

The list is way, way too big to print here, and we're constantly adding to it. And yes, we do realize that some of these are inclusive of each other. For example, Matrix-like powers encompasses the ability to fly. But what if you got a light saber and could fly? Better than Matrix-like powers?

Seriously, this is a way addictive discussion. Maybe I should create a thread for it.

Originally Posted by dxf
Would you rather have...

- a light cycle
- a light saber
- a flying car
- a robot (includes Cylon)
Personally, I would prefer a # 6 because I think it's simply amazing what she can do using a couple of napkins as wardrobe!