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2nd out of 18 books
—
7 voters
Timeline (Auto Series #2)
by
David Wailing (Goodreads Author)
NOW AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD FREE from the author's website: http://www.davidwailing.com/stories/t...
It’s always risky, meeting a strange man for the first time. But not for Joanna O’Donnell. Not in the year 2022.
Her auto – a digital assistant – has scoured his history, his entire timeline. Working for a detective agency, Joanna knows how to unearth secrets.
Joanna’s auto calc...more
It’s always risky, meeting a strange man for the first time. But not for Joanna O’Donnell. Not in the year 2022.
Her auto – a digital assistant – has scoured his history, his entire timeline. Working for a detective agency, Joanna knows how to unearth secrets.
Joanna’s auto calc...more
Kindle Edition, 29 pages
Published
May 16th 2012
by David Wailing
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Kindle Edition:
I plucked this and the author's other short story, Friend Request, off the free list yesterday and tore right through it.
I love the idea behind both of these short stories which take place in the not so distant future. In reality, though, many of his ideas are in the works. I recently read an article in a technology magazine about the development of special eyewear that eliminates the use of a hand-held smartphone, putting everything into a chip in fashionable eyeglass form. I al...more
I plucked this and the author's other short story, Friend Request, off the free list yesterday and tore right through it.
I love the idea behind both of these short stories which take place in the not so distant future. In reality, though, many of his ideas are in the works. I recently read an article in a technology magazine about the development of special eyewear that eliminates the use of a hand-held smartphone, putting everything into a chip in fashionable eyeglass form. I al...more
This was a free Kindle story. It's pretty short, but packs a lot of interesting extensions of today's technology into such a short tale. The story is set around 10 years in the future and the main character is using her latest technological marvel to do her job and to find a boyfriend. What should have been a simple meet and greet with a handsome fellow turns into a harrowing detective story as her digital assistant begins warning her that her date has an ever-escalating chance of being her murd...more
I enjoyed this short story immensely. The premise was new but not foreign - how would your life change if privacy and social connections were inescapable? How intrusive is social media now - how much information do we willingly and unwillingly share about ourselves? How is that information used, dispersed? Can that information paint the wrong picture of our personality and actions - or alibi us in case we are suspected in a crime.
Can that information be used to frame us for a crime we didn't com...more
Can that information be used to frame us for a crime we didn't com...more
It is 2022 and Joanna is going on a date with a man,her auto (a digital assistant) has scored at being 85% compatible with her. But there is also a 24% chance he will kill her. This is the intriguing premise to this short story.
Science fiction is not my genre at all, but I enjoyed this interesting andrather thrilling take on social media in the future.Is this science fiction or just reality for the future?! Whatever the answer, David Wailing draws a world that seems far-fetchedon the one handbut...more
Science fiction is not my genre at all, but I enjoyed this interesting andrather thrilling take on social media in the future.Is this science fiction or just reality for the future?! Whatever the answer, David Wailing draws a world that seems far-fetchedon the one handbut...more
I'm not sure I like all that "Auto" business... Really frighten me, this story did, even gave me a nightmare! It's another great story set in the not-so distant future where mankind has become heavily dependent on digital stuff to the scary point where (ok I'm exaggerating, but only a teeny weeny bit) the auto would tell people what they want to watch on telly (ok not the best example, but you get the idea). A future that is unlikely to happen? I don't think so...
What is great about this story,...more
What is great about this story,...more
This is another short story set in the same imagined future as Relationship Status. Technology is managing people's lives to such an extent that their 'autos' or on-line assistants can take care of all daily needs including making and updating friendships. I enjoyed both these stories for the way they make me think about our current penchant for sharing our lives through digital media. Some of David's ideas seem wonderful and some absolutely monstrous! I wonder how far we will go in ten years? C...more
I am not a reader of short stories usually but having enjoyed David's other work I couldn't wait to read this.
I assumed that with short stories you couldn't really get to know a character. But I was pulled in straight away. Started reading it before I went to work and then carried on at lunch time. I was nearly late down because I didn't want to put it down. I finished it the same day, which is not hard to do with a short story.
David's ideas in Timeline are great. I love the technology and the...more
I assumed that with short stories you couldn't really get to know a character. But I was pulled in straight away. Started reading it before I went to work and then carried on at lunch time. I was nearly late down because I didn't want to put it down. I finished it the same day, which is not hard to do with a short story.
David's ideas in Timeline are great. I love the technology and the...more
I'm not really a science fiction fan so was surprised to find that Timeline is my favourite David Wailing title so far. This short story is amusing, eye-opening and fills you with adrenalin.
It starts as a romance and quickly becomes an exciting crime thriller. Wailing makes use of the same intrusive, futuristic technology introduced in his earlier short, Relationship Status, to tell the tale. Once again, this provides a witty commentary on modern technology, which I enjoyed as much as the storyl...more
It starts as a romance and quickly becomes an exciting crime thriller. Wailing makes use of the same intrusive, futuristic technology introduced in his earlier short, Relationship Status, to tell the tale. Once again, this provides a witty commentary on modern technology, which I enjoyed as much as the storyl...more
An interesting short story that I enjoyed even more so than the first in this 'world' Relationship Status !
This book had an advantage from the start. We already knew the world it was set in and there wasn't as much explaining to do, this made for a very smooth and well laid out short story that packed a real punch.
I especially enjoyed the added bits of information of somewhat improved technology from the last short.
The idea of it was quite terrifying. How can a computer know something that major...more
This book had an advantage from the start. We already knew the world it was set in and there wasn't as much explaining to do, this made for a very smooth and well laid out short story that packed a real punch.
I especially enjoyed the added bits of information of somewhat improved technology from the last short.
The idea of it was quite terrifying. How can a computer know something that major...more
This left me a little disappointed. The build-up is terrific, but the end is a bit of an anti-climax. On the positives- the plot about over dependence on technology may lead to undesirable results, is interesting. I am not a huge fan of Internet based social media, and the primary reason for that is loss of privacy. The way the author has juxtaposed that issue in this story is commendable. The language and the narrative style is simple, contemporary and relatable.
Overall though, the story does...more
Overall though, the story does...more
Great Read! I've read all the stories in the Auto Series so far. I'm hoping there will be more in the near future. These stories really makes one wonder about Social Media in the not so distant future.
As disturbing as some of these stories may be, you can't deny that they have you wanting to know what will happen next. It's not horror, it's entertainment. Although, the thought of something like that happening is horrible. I surely wouldn't want my friends, colleagues, neighbors, etc... knowing...more
As disturbing as some of these stories may be, you can't deny that they have you wanting to know what will happen next. It's not horror, it's entertainment. Although, the thought of something like that happening is horrible. I surely wouldn't want my friends, colleagues, neighbors, etc... knowing...more
Fast paced story that keeps you reading. Makes you think what could happen....
This was fantastic! It takes where we are going - with Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, etc and zips you into a possible future. Wonderful exploration of the unknown - or, at least, hinted at in the present - future. Wailing's writing grabs you and pulls you with it, assuming you know some of the technology/basis for the technology while creatively explaining others. (I.e. indirect explanation) I'm impressed with Wailing's skill with words and ability to convey new concepts while not losing plot de...more
I am not usually a fan of short stories, but any thing by David Wailing is an exception to any rule in my book! He has an ability to create characters that are not only believable but loveable too. Even in his short stories you glean enough information on each character to feel that you 'know' them.
With 'Timeline', and indeed 'Relationship Status' his vision for how technology will evolve, in the next decade or so, is genius. I can absolutely imagine us all walking around with our own Autos.
Time...more
With 'Timeline', and indeed 'Relationship Status' his vision for how technology will evolve, in the next decade or so, is genius. I can absolutely imagine us all walking around with our own Autos.
Time...more
Timeline is another short story set in the same world as Relationship Status.
I suppose it is similarish to Relationship Status in that the autos are taking over a human's life choices. I felt this one had more tension I read it in one sitting (well one lying as I read it in bed lol) and I was on the edge of my proverbial seat as Joanna was racing across London.
It was a decent length for a short story. Just short of 1k locations translates to about ten thousand words. The length was perfectly sui...more
I suppose it is similarish to Relationship Status in that the autos are taking over a human's life choices. I felt this one had more tension I read it in one sitting (well one lying as I read it in bed lol) and I was on the edge of my proverbial seat as Joanna was racing across London.
It was a decent length for a short story. Just short of 1k locations translates to about ten thousand words. The length was perfectly sui...more
Engrossing, very quick read. Set in the somewhat near future, where an "auto" (a cyber assistant) manages your social media life, even to the point of responding to routine messages as "you."
In the story, the main characters give each other an appreciative glance as they pass on the street and their autos quickly determine that they're compatible, so they start "dating" online. All goes well until the point where they're supposed to meet in real life. Then Joanna's auto informs her that there's...more
In the story, the main characters give each other an appreciative glance as they pass on the street and their autos quickly determine that they're compatible, so they start "dating" online. All goes well until the point where they're supposed to meet in real life. Then Joanna's auto informs her that there's...more
Entertaining short story about a Londoner in the future initially excited about a forthcoming date. Except her gadget tells her some information that makes her start panicking...
I have a habit of trying to guess the twists/endings of books before I've finished reading them and this one was no different, except I guessed incorrectly which I was very happy with.
Regarding all the futuristic gadgetry and the reliance on them, I'm so glad we're not at that stage yet in real life!
I have a habit of trying to guess the twists/endings of books before I've finished reading them and this one was no different, except I guessed incorrectly which I was very happy with.
Regarding all the futuristic gadgetry and the reliance on them, I'm so glad we're not at that stage yet in real life!
A fabulous short story that really had the adrenalin going! I had no idea how it was going to end. Again the whole auto thing kind of freaks me out, especially when it comes to the deceased still being able to communicate with the living. The whole idea always has me wondering if this is the way our society is heading and will we one day not really socialise with our colleagues friends and neighbours? A great thrill of a read.
This was a quick read. Although I enjoyed the story, I was waiting for that "twist" ending. It never came. I know, I didn't write the story, but I could see a couple different endings, instead of the one the author decided upon. Plus, I didn't like the main character. She was a little too "stuck-up, money-hungry, I'm too cool" for my tastes. I should mention this story takes place in the future. I thought that was a neat idea.
Returning once again to the world established in "Relationship Status," Timeline focuses briefly on the character of Joanna O’Donnell, a data analyst living in London. When her auto, (an automated personal assistant that sorts out every aspect of her life), reveals that the man she's due to meet may be trying to kill her, Joanna experiences an evening she will never forget...
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Thought provoking stuff!!
I really enjoyed this. The story is actually very thought provoking and alludes to the "big brother" technology which we're all aware of; but are we really???
The tension is built expertly and I never saw the ending coming at all. It's written really well with a careful hand and I'll be reading more of his work.
I really enjoyed this. The story is actually very thought provoking and alludes to the "big brother" technology which we're all aware of; but are we really???
The tension is built expertly and I never saw the ending coming at all. It's written really well with a careful hand and I'll be reading more of his work.
I really enjoyed this short story. It was thrilling and exciting, and it had me sitting on the edge of my seat while I read as fast as I could to find out what happens next! I have read Wailing's short story Relationship Status and enjoyed it, and am looking forward to reading the rest of Wailing's stories in the Auto Series!
In creating the world of Timeline and Relationship Status, Wailing obviously has thought hard about how technology might evolve and the result is plausible... often disturbingly so.
Timeline is everything a short-story should be - fast-paced, exciting, imaginative and insightful; with a unexpected denouement.
Timeline is everything a short-story should be - fast-paced, exciting, imaginative and insightful; with a unexpected denouement.
Read this (short) story very quickly as I found myself racing through the pages to find out what happened next! I think the subject matter of autos is actually a good one, and probably not as far fetched as you might imagine! I hope this gets developed into a full blown book which the story truly deserves.
I loved this short story sent in 2022. it is so well written that I felt I was in London with the main character going through all the emotions she did. Very clever plot and use of technology had me gripped throughout. I definitely want to read more by this author.
As a short story it's generally quite good, though I feel it falters at the end with its anticlimax. I liked the author's realistic vision on the use of social media in the future though as it comes across as prophetic and somewhat worrisome!
A great short story. It combines innovation, imagination and humour. I Googled the author after reading it and, because the story is centred on social networks, I kept feeling as if I was in the story... one to remember, definitely.
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Compelling reading. And with Google Specs / Project Glass already well into development and street testing, it's not that far from being entirely plausible.
And somehow I find that rather disturbing. Blink. Send.
And somehow I find that rather disturbing. Blink. Send.
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More realistic than many would like to admit, this story really makes one sit back and consider today's social media world... and how we all fit into it like puzzle pieces. Kinda scary.
This is another gripping tale set in the future where "autos" control people's lives through social networking. I found this to be very well written and full of suspence. A very enjoyable read.
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I was born in Nineteen Davidey-Dave (all the best people were born that year) and live in London. I write contemporary fiction, a blend of mystery, thriller and humour.
The key theme of all my novels is 'identity' - I am fascinated by people pretending to be something they're not. I bet you're doing that right now, with somebody. Go on, admit it. (I know I am. But that can be our secret.)
I have two...more
More about David Wailing...
The key theme of all my novels is 'identity' - I am fascinated by people pretending to be something they're not. I bet you're doing that right now, with somebody. Go on, admit it. (I know I am. But that can be our secret.)
I have two...more
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Jun 25, 2012 02:44pm