wee doors banging

Omega is typical McDevitt, but one of his better efforts.

I referred to Chindi, the previous novel in the series, as an “action movie of a book” and Omega is no different. Expect a fun read, filled with mishaps and adventure, but with a certain lack of depth.

On the other hand, who has time for chat when a civilisation is at stake?

Elite, the groundbreaking space trading and combat game created by Ian Bell and David Braben, was released 25 years ago on September 20th 1984. In celebration of this milestone, Frontier Developments have launched a new website dedicated to Elite.

I’ve released an updated WHDLoad patch for an Amiga game that nearly wasn’t, Expose’s platformer No Buddies Land. This release updates the installer script and fixes a lurking access fault in one of the Synthdream module replay routines. Credit is again due to Don Adan of Wanted Team for helping identify and explain the problematic sections.

PRONI, the Public Records Office of Northern Ireland, have launched a searchable archive of Belfast Street Directories dating back as far as 1819.

Street Directories are books containing a listing of the names, addresses and occupations of the inhabitants of Belfast as well as lists of commercial establishments operating in the city, and so are a vital resource for historical and genealogical researchers. Having them easily searchable online is a big step forward.

I’ve released an updated WHDLoad patch for Binary Asylum’s 3D helicopter’em’up, Zeewolf. This is a minor release to bring the installer script up to date.

Matter is Iain. M. Banks’ latest novel set in his much lauded Culture universe, an advanced, interstellar society of (mainly) humans, operating in a scarcity free economy and protected by benevolent artificial intelligences. I’ve very much enjoyed Banks’ previous outings into science fiction and the Culture, and Matter is his first Culture novel for eight years and his first science fiction novel since 2005’s The Algebraist, so I was eager to find time to read this latest offering.

Markus has released an updated version of the open source Amstrad CPC emulator package, JavaCPC. JavaCPC powers the Amstrad CPC Online Arcade at one of my other websites, girv dot net.

I’ve released an updated WHDLoad patch for Kaiko’s insecty shooter Apidya.

This release removes self modifying code in the TFMX 7 voice music replay module used in the introductory menu and end credits.