Rob’s Comments (group member since Jul 06, 2012)

Rob’s comments from the The Sword and Laser group.

I somehow missed this thread last month. I went to a school primarily known for engineering, science and business (Clarkson University). I finished my undergrad in 2004.

The ratio of men to woman on campus was typically 4:1 or 5:1. The most common STEM fields for women when I was there: Biology (often pre-med from what I could tell), chemistry and civil engineering.

I think the Electrical and Computer Engineering department I was part of had like 3 or 4 total. Most were computer engineers IIRC.

Most of the projects I've been on as a professional software engineer for the last 15 years have had very few women developers. Typically either 1 or 0.

But the last few contracts that seems to be on the rise. My current contract has 4 out of about 25 (or so. We keep growing so I've lost count).

So even if it's changing, it's been a slow change still. Most of the women developers I work with are younger than me though, so hopefully that's a good sign for the next way of computer science.

I do work with several other women, including one of my 2 bosses (the non-technical one) and both of our business process people who are invaluable to actually determine what the hell our requirements are supposed to be and being able to translate my ideas into something non-technical people can follow (something I suck at).

Trike wrote: "Synergy, it’s not just for breakfast any more.


...no one under 40 is going to get that. It was just for me."

I'm under 40, and I get it..but I'm closer to 40 than 30 at this point..

Dara wrote: "The My Age thread made me think of this question but I was worried it would be too off-topic and the fuzz would be displeased..."

It's not nice to call Tassie Dave the fuzz..

Tassie Dave wrote: "Rob wrote: "That was forever ago..how should I remember? lol.."

It's good that you have me as your "Remembrall" :-)"

Yeah, I organize. Your remember things..

That was forever ago..how should I remember? lol..

Belated welcome to Theodora.

Also welcome Adva (being a massive nerd will do well around here) and Mark.

Crazy about the old set. I'll have to make sure Tom and Veronica know. They actually Kickstarted a second season of the show without the set.

Voting participation in round 1 was closer to 300 than 100. That is down by about 50 from last year.


But yeah the participation on Goodreads had always been low. Hell, they have over 500 patrons and not even all of them are participating.

Tassie Dave wrote: "Shad wrote: "Tassie Dave wrote: "the Susan Lucci of Sword against the Susan Lucci of Laser! "

or the Buffalo Bills v Peter O'Toole

Susan Lucci eventually won ;-)"

Man Dave, I'm a Bills fan too. Why do you have to be so mean!

I loved Red Sister..but there can be only one, so I'll keep voting for Theft of Swords as long as it survives..

Anne wrote: "Rob wrote: "I feel like all of these are going to be close, except maybe Martian Chronicles."

I don't know, I've already read The Martian Chronicles and After Atlas se..."

Yeah. I'm not betting. Just a guess. My guess about which vote was a blow-out was in round 1 was totally wrong...

Theft of Swords is actually a 2 book omnibus: The Crown Conspiracy and Avempartha

You can no longer get them individually.

Round 1 is in the books!

Check out my: breakdown of the results

Round 2 has begun! Voting ends Tuesday March 12th and 11:59PM EST

Checkout the matchups and go vote!

Looks like I went 6-2 in round 1. Pretty good!

Round 2 is going to be tough for me. There are a lot of good books going against each other that I want to read.

Results from Round 1:

View the full bracket here


Round 1 Statistics
Total Votes Cast: 2,369
Average Votes Cast: 296
Book With Most Votes: Theft of Swords (208 Votes)
Match-up With Most Votes: TIE! (305 Votes)
The Poppy War vs. Black Leopard, Red Wolf
AND
The Martian Chronicles vs. Infomocracy
Largest Win: Theft of Swords (117 Votes)
Smallest Win: Nexus (3 Votes)
Average Win: 42 votes

Sword Bracket
---------------------------------

(1) Theft of Swords by Michael J. Sullivan (208 Votes)
vs.
(16) Dangerous To Know by K.T. Davies (91 Votes)

Winner: Theft of Swords
Total Votes: 299
Margin of Victory: 117

---------------------------------

(8) The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang (171 Votes)
vs.
(9) Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James (134 Votes)

Winner: The Poppy War
Total Votes: 305
Margin of Victory: 37

---------------------------------

(4) Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse (158 Votes)
vs.
(13) NPCs by Drew Hayes (137 Votes)

Winner: Trail of Lightning
Total Votes: 295
Margin of Victory: 21

---------------------------------

(5) Red Sister by Mark Lawrence (172 Votes)
vs.
(12) The Ruin of Kings by Jenn Lyons (118 Votes)

Winner: Red Sister
Total Votes: 290
Margin of Victory: 54


Laser Bracket
---------------------------------

(2) The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Claire North (155 Votes)
vs.
(15) The Quantum Thief by Hannu Rajaniemi (142 Votes)

Winner: The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August
Total Votes: 297
Margin of Victory: 13

---------------------------------

(7) Nexus by Ramez Naam (145 Votes)
vs.
(10) Year One by Nora Roberts (142 Votes)


Winner: Nexus
Total Votes: 287
Margin of Victory: 3

---------------------------------

(3) The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury (175 Votes)
vs.
(14) Infomocracy by Malka Ann Older (130 Votes)

Winner: The Martian Chronicles
Total Votes: 305
Margin of Victory: 45

---------------------------------

(6) After Atlas by Emma Newman (169 Votes)
vs
(11) The Stainless Steel Rat by Harry Harrison (122 Votes)

Winner: After Atlas
Total Votes: 291
Margin of Victory: 47

Well I don't like my chances for Theft of Swords making it out of this round, despite its landslide victory in round 1.

Poppy War has had a lot of buzz this last year too. I actually own the book and haven't read it, but I can't vote against my own nomination!

I feel like all of these are going to be close, except maybe Martian Chronicles.

The Bracket is set!


Voting for round 2 will be March 6th 12:01AM EST - March 12th 11:59PM EST

See below for the round breakdown with links to each poll

Sword Bracket

Sword Match 1:
(1) Theft of Swords by Michael J. Sullivan

vs.

(8) The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang

Vote Here

Sword Match 2:

(4) Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse

vs.

(5) Red Sister by Mark Lawrence

Vote Here


Laser Match 1:

(2) The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Claire North

vs.

(7) Nexus by Ramez Naam

Vote Here

Laser Match 2:

(3) The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury

vs.

(6) After Atlas by Emma Newman

Vote Here

lol

Just a few hours left to vote in round 1!

William wrote: "Rob wrote: "My guess for the blowout is After Atlas over The Stainless Steel Rat"

I'm rooting for the Rat.... sigh.... I'm used to disappointment I guess..."

I could be wrong! Only Tom gets the see the results early. I have no idea.

Joseph wrote: "Now that Disney owns Fox, I keep hoping they'll go back and put the 20th Century Fox fanfare at the beginning of the new Star Wars movies. It always feels slightly incomplete not to start there."

Agreed. I had kind of forgotten about it until I read an article on it last year.

I guess we'll find out if they add it back in before episode 9. Although I can't imagine them showing the 20th Century fox logo anymore.

Would they make a new version of it with the fanfare but the Disney Logo?