A new online magazine has hit teh interwebs, and it’s called Space Lifestyle. Oddly, it’s not about what spacesuit to wear after Labor Day; it’s actually for enthusiasts of space and space travel. The first issue is breezy and fun, with articles about Yuri’s Night, Gliece 581C, and oh yeah– me.
Seriously, journalist Nancy Atkinson (who also writes for Universe Today) called me ages ago to do an interview with me, and it’s in the premier issue. I like it! It’s sycophantic without being too sycophantic, which appeals to my humble vanity.
Overall it looks like a promising magazine. For the most part the writing is enthusiastic without being cloying (my one complaint is the new window it launches which is difficult to navigate). They also encourage your feedback, so if there is something you like, or something you don’t, let them know. Incidentally, they are giving away a seat on a "zero-g" parabolic flight to their 60,000th subscriber. I imagine they’ll get a lot of takers for that, but I won’t be among them: despite my now-legendary ability to not get seasick, I still get woozy on a kid’s swing set, so the inevitable throwing up constantly for an hour is not my idea of a dream date.
I think that in time the magazine can shape up to be a really good read for people interested in space and space travel, so check it out. Leave comments here if you’d like; I’m sure they’ll make their way back to the folks at the magazine.
September 10th, 2007 at 4:56 pm
I’m not sure that “humble vanity” is a valid utterance. Still, great that there’s a magazine for that community.
At Dragon*Con this weekend (from which Dr. Plait was conspicuously, but excusably absent) I had the chance to ride in the Orbital Commerce Project’s sub-orbital flight simulator. THAT was a good time, almost as good as skydiving.
September 10th, 2007 at 5:02 pm
Well, well, we’ve still got Gliese 581c being hailed as a poster child for extrasolar habitable planets, even after this analysis which concludes it is too hot to be habitable (though assuming the planet is terrestrial is somewhat dubious in my opinion). Anyone who can do basic physics and is interested enough to find out the relevant parameters can calculate that the planet receives more radiation than Venus does.
September 10th, 2007 at 6:35 pm
Is there anything in there about the flying spacecar that was promised to us back in the 50’s?
It seems like a neat little magazine. I do agree that it’s a little tough to navigate. Still, it’s their first go, and I’m sure they’ll hammer out the kinks.
September 10th, 2007 at 8:44 pm
A white space suit *is* acceptable afer Labor Day if you will be working in direct sun.
September 11th, 2007 at 2:14 am
Congrats!!
September 11th, 2007 at 3:08 pm
Very, very “kewl”. Antarctically cool, actually. Will they make a kid’s version anytime soon. (Just, ’cause I’m bad with technical stuff, y’know.)
September 11th, 2007 at 4:55 pm
If these guys are serious, they might try and make the online version of their magazine readable online. I clicked on the magazine cover and they spammed me with a HUGE window that took the entire screen. I managed to shrink it to a reasonable size, then I started reading their instructions page. Honest, it was like the space toilet in 2001. I gave up and closed the window about halfway down.
What on earth are they thinking? Do they seriously expect everyone who is interested in their magazine to learn YET ANOTHER INTERFACE?
I’m still curious about the interview. Do you think you can post it online?
September 11th, 2007 at 6:22 pm
The article says the Bad Astronomer was a professional NERD.
…
September 11th, 2007 at 6:24 pm
@Kaleberg - I had no problem.
I read it using Explorer in full-screen mode, having opened the link in a new tab and… just used the interface.
No biggie, no hassles.
September 13th, 2007 at 7:14 pm
Lame proprietary interface… why don’t they just distribute it as a PDF?