Category Archives: Geek Culture

San Diego Comic Con 2018 (Images)

July 25, 2018comics, geek, Geek Culture, geeks, Movies, Photography, Star Wars, Toys, TVbatman, comics, DC, magic wheelchair, marvel, movies, san diego comic con, sdcc, sdcc2018, star warsMat Luschek

Universal FanCon has been Postponed

April 23, 2018Geek CultureUniversal FanConJenThorpe

Universal FanCon has been postponed “until further notice”. The announcement came about a week before the event was to be held. No official reason was given.

According to its Facebook page, Universal FanCon celebrates diversity and inclusion in our fandoms. The inaugural Universal FanCon was to be held on April 27-29 in Baltimore, Maryland. Their Kickstarter (which is still up) describes Universal FanCon as “First multi-fandom Con dedicated to inclusion, highlighting Women, LGBTQ, the Disabled and Persons of Color.”

On April 20, the Universal FanCon Twitter posted a tweet that said the event would be “postponed until further notice”.

It is with a heavy heart that we must announce that FanCon has been postponed until further notice. We deeply apologize for the disappointment, anger and feelings of lost trust due to this decision. We are taking the steps to reschedule the convention & will provide an update
— FanCon (@UniversalFanCon) April 20, 2018

An FAQ followed on the Universal FanCon website. The first question is: “Why are you postponing FanCon?” The answer: “Currently we are in a financial deficit that will not allow us to operate the convention within budget. Accordingly, we have made the decision to postpone and reschedule FanCon so we can put forward the type of event our fans deserve.”

The FAQ indicates that the organizers do not know how long the event will be postponed. They are going to fully assess their options and then make an announcement after that. The FAQ states that the event is not canceled.

There is information on the FAQ that might answer some questions from people who have already taken days off of work, booked a hotel room, or paid for a flight to the event. Those who were scheduled guests, or on a panel, or who were going as a vendor may want to contact Universal FanCon for more details.

Farewell Peter Botwright

October 29, 2017Geek Culturefilm, Indiana JonesAndrew

Sadly Peter Botwright has passed away last week after a lifetime of providing leather costumes and goods to the film and entertainment industry. Hard-core Indy fans will know of his work, but for the rest, Peter made Indiana Jones’ iconic leather jacket for Raiders of the Lost Ark and Last Crusade.

Designed by Deborah Nadoolman, Peter made up fourteen jackets for Raiders based on a modified James Dean pattern. There’s a good write-up of the full circumstances around the jacket over at IndyGear, with some additional background at TheRaider. Peter’s company Wested Leather continued to make replica jackets but the website is down as a mark of respect. In addition to Indiana Jones, he’d worked on Das Boot and both the Bond and Mission Impossible franchises.

Peter’s passing was announced on Wested Leather‘s Facebook page and the business hopes to continue once affairs are in order. I’ve personally bought a few leather items from them (not an Indy jacket!) and I can thoroughly recommend them.

Star Wars Celebration Orland – Day 1

April 14, 2017Comic Cons, comics, geek, Geek Culture, Star WarsMat Luschek

Before Ive, There Was Rams

July 7, 2016Geek Culture, Moviesdesign, Dieter Rams, documentary, film, kickstarterAndrew

Asked to name an industrial designer, most Apple lovers will come up with Sir Jonathan “Jony” Ive, designer of iconic products such as the iMac, iPod, iPhone and iPad. Go back a few decades, and it was Braun and Dieter Rams that were synonymous with industrial design. From coffee makers and toothbrushes to calculators and radios, there’s a good chance that you’ve seen or used one of his designs.

Rarely seen in the public eye, there’s a fantastic opportunity to learn more about this great designer, famous for his “Ten Principles for Good Design“. Film director, Gary Hustwit, is recording a feature-length documentary about Dieter Rams which is currently looking for funding on Kickstarter. The director has previously produced Helvectica, a documentary about typography and Objectified which looks at the relationship between objects and the designers behind them..

The project has already reached its target of US$200,000 with another two weeks to go. There’s some cool rewards (including your own private screening with the director at $5,000) but a $15 digital download is more reasonable.

To underline Dieter Ram‘s significance, there’s a trail that goes from mid-century modern straight through his work to today’s designs from Apple and Ikea. If you want to understand the consumer products you buy now, this is a must-see documentary….though you’ll have to wait until 2017.

Superman Tops McAfee’s Toxic Avenger List

July 15, 2014Geek Culture, malware, phishing, spyware, VirusMat Luschek

With San Diego Comic Con quickly approaching, everyone is jumping on board the superhero bandwagon.

Today even McAfee has joined the hype. (The company, not the man, however, we’d love to see a comic book based on John McAfee!)

In a press release, the anti-virus company released its second annual list of superhero searches that lead to bad links, viruses, malware and sites containing malware.

Here’s the list of suspicious superheroes:

McAfee’s Top 10 Most Toxic Superheroes:

1. Superman, 16.50%

2. Thor, 16.35%

3. Wonder Woman + Aquaman (tie) 15.70%

4. Wolverine, 15.10%

5. Spiderman, 14.70%

6. Batman, 14.20%

7. Black Widow, 13.85%

8. Captain America, 13.50%

9. Green Lantern, 11.25%

10. Ghost Rider, 10.83%

*% indicates chance of landing on a website that has tested positive for online threats such as spyware, adware, spam, phishing, viruses or other malware.

GNC #963 – Guest Host Mike Dell

July 10, 2014geek, Geek Culture, Informationappstore, Aviation, Drone, Google Glass, smart watch, Tech Company, USAFMike Dell

Todd is still out for one more show, enjoying his Vacation somewhere in the lower 48, I’m Mike Dell, from Podcast Help Desk, former Geek of the North and I will be your host for tonights show. Most of you don’t know me unless you have been around podcasting a long time. I used to do a show called Geek of the North which was a Tech Show. I have since Podfaded that show and I now do a relatively new show called Podcast Help Desk at podcasthelpdesk.com where I talk about the geeky techie side of podcasting and help people get setup and going with their podcast.

It’s great to be back with the GNC listeners! I last hosted this show on November 10th 2008 Show #415. A LOT of water has gone under the bridge since then!

NO VIDEO Today. I have a Face for Radio :) g

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