The September Analog & SF for Linux Geeks

The September issue of Analog Magazine has just appeared--containing my novelette 'Helix of Friends'. And that means that in two months, I'll be able to e-publish (Kindle & Nook) my anthology entitled,

SF++  Science Fiction Stories for Linux Geeks.

I can't 'publish' earlier because the first story in the anthology, 'The Lycanthropic Principle' is due (I think) to come out in next month's issue of Analog and they have a one-month exclusive.

The book will be free.

Why this book is free

SF⁺⁺ has Linux in its title, and the Linux operating system doesn't cost anything. I thought then, to keep with the Linux philosophy, I'd make this book also not cost anything. And anyway, most of the stories herein have already paid for themselves—seven of them have appeared in Analog Magazine (the one SF magazine for Geeks).

However, if after you read the anthology you find you've enjoyed most of the stories, you might consider (hint, hint) e-hoofing it to Amazon or B&N (with your rooted Nook) and buying one of my other anthologies or novels.

Please visit my website, www.frithrik.com for information about my E-publications.

Preface

If you think the penguin on the cover represents the Penguin Publishing Group, then perhaps this anthology is not the book for you. On the other hand, if you fondly recognize Tux, the Linux penguin, then yes, you are among friends.

Annoyingly often in the science fiction movies of my childhood, one had the Evil Scientist and BSD (not what you might think) the Beautiful Scientist's Daughter. In the public mind, this arguably defined scientists as evil (but having pretty daughters) — whereas we paleogeeks more likely redefined the word 'evil' (evil = wicked, good, spiffy, way out, etc.).

Then, a generation later, geeks and nerds were lumped together and, with their stereotyped pocket protectors and thick, black-rimmed taped glasses, were thought of as smelly hapless misfits.

Not any more. Now, though the wuggies (see story 01) might not realize it, at long last, geeks rule!

I wanted to assemble an anthology for geeks—smart, independent, science and computer savvy geeks with a sense of humor. And, for me, that pointed to Linux. Linux types are smart—they have to be to use Linux well. They're independent enough not to use that other operating system. And finally, there's a tradition of humor and word play in the Linux community: PINE Is Not Elm, if you knew Suse, and all that.

And so, SF⁺⁺ (Note: the anthology is not distro specific—except for one case where Ubuntu is assumed). ++ does not indicate a new object oriented language like c⁺⁺. The first + indicates that in addition to stories, there's a science fact article (Challenge of the Anthropic Universe). The second plus indicates an experiment—a story (Roblocks) that can't be done in dead-treeware. It requires an html capable reader. And indeed, this collection is intended for Kindles, Nooks, or for any Grub (GRand Unified Book Loader).

Most of the 10 works in this ninety three thousand word collection have appeared in pro SF magazines. Many also appear in my earlier anthologies. (If words were kilo-miles, this anthology would stretch from the Earth to the Sun.)

We are Linux!

                        Resistance is...measured in ohms.