About the Author
I'm Stephan, a Linux user with a passion for open-source, UI/UX design, and exploring what makes fiction work.
In my spare time, I focus on (and write about):
- Programming (mainly in Python and Rust)
- Retrocomputing (mostly DOS but, as of January 2023, I also own a machine running Mac OS 9.2)
- Reading and Reviewing Fiction
- The odd bit of UI/UX design or literary theory
For notification of significant updates to existing posts, consider following me on Mastodon.
-
Category Archives: General
Designing a Better Rating Widget
After writing my previous blog post about calculating an average rating properly, it occurred to me that I’ve never really explained my views on rating systems and their relative merits. Now, first, let me say that I won’t be getting … Continue reading
Posted in Geek Stuff
2 Comments
Calculating and Sorting by Average Ratings: A Literature Review for the Lazy
TL;DR: Read Bayesian ranking of items with up and downvotes or 5 star ratings by Jules Jacobs. I’ll get back to you on how to tune the priors and utility values. Years ago, when I first had the idea that … Continue reading
Posted in Geek Stuff
Leave a comment
Fanfiction – Harry Potter & the Curse’s Cure
How about a Harry Potter fic that, despite being a blend of various clichés, was still interesting enough for me to re-read it? Harry Potter & the Curse’s Cure by Dragon-Raptor is a harem fic where Hermione and two other … Continue reading
Posted in Fanfiction
2 Comments
Fanfiction – Delenda Est
Aaand back to reviewing things I liked enough to re-read. Today’s review is Delenda Est by Lord Silvere and Claihm Solais, a Harry Potter fic that’s probably the only Harry-Bellatrix story which held my interest beyond the plot synopsis. It’s … Continue reading
Posted in Fanfiction
1 Comment
Fanfiction – Stupid Portal
Continuing on last week’s theme of decent Buffy the Vampire Slayer fics that I happened to be reading, this is another crossover incorporating Star Trek. Stupid Portal by elementalv However, this time, Buffy and Spike wind up on Picard’s Enterprise … Continue reading
Posted in Fanfiction
Leave a comment
Sneaking Around The Urge to Procrastinate
About four years ago, I wrote about an epiphany I had while learning Prolog. Well, now I’m learning Free Pascal as a more typesafe alternative to C for programming my DOS-based retro-gaming PC and a bit of supplementary insight came … Continue reading
Posted in Web Wandering & Opinion
Leave a comment
Fanfiction – Infinity Box
It’s been a busy week and I didn’t have time to do my usual “go back and re-read something which stuck with me as good” routine, so here’s something reasonably worthwhile from my fresh reads: Infinity Box by HMaxMarius It’s … Continue reading
Posted in Fanfiction
Leave a comment