Tuesday, 21 July 2015

Karnak Temple - Luxor - Egypt

This is the second largest ancient religious site in the world, after the Angkor Wat Temple of Cambodia.

It's a vast site full of decayed temples, chapels, pylons, and other buildings.
Most of the extant buildings date from the New Kingdom.

These are pillars of the Great Hypostyle Hall from the Precinct of Amun-Re.










Dune Timeline

BG = Before Guild
AG = After Guild
Dune uses the Universal Standard Calendar.(USC)
When converting The USC to the Anno Domini or Common Era Calendar we assume that the Dune chronology actually uses Earth years.

19,000 BG = 2800 BC ??
Early Humans are living on the planet Earth (Terra).
Second Dynasty wars in Ancient Egypt. (2775 BC – 2650 BC)
 

16,400 BG to 16,000BG
Roman Empire ??
House Atreides traces it's ancestry to Ancient Greece & Rome.
The Imperial Seat is Rome.

This is interesting, as the Dune universe records the movement of the "Imperial Seat" .
Imperial Seat is a concept of humanity. The Seat is the center of government and rule of humanity throughout all history. It changed various positions during the passing of the millennia, both on Terra and beyond. (Dune Encyclopedia)

16,200BG = BC 0 (Birth of Christ)

15800 BG
Imperial Seat moved to Byzantium on Earth in retreat before provincial rebellions and minor jihads.


14608 BG
The New World (America) is discovered.
Madrid attains the status of the "Imperial Seat".


14512 BG = 1588 AD
London became the Imperial Seat in 14512 BG (Battle of the English Channel).
This of course is the date of the defeat of the Spanish Armada.



14255BG  (14155?) =  1945 AD
End of WWII
Washington becomes the Imperial seat after first "atomics".
Atomics refers to Nuclear weapons of course.

14,100 BG -13600BG
The solar system starts to be colonized by humans.
This is the end of the 20th century and early 21st.
14,100 BG = 2000 AD ??
THE LITTLE DIASPORA.
The population of Terra is eventually outnumbered by 20 to 1.
One of the first planets colonized during the Diasporia was Ceres.


13402BG = (2698 AD Approximately)
Ceres gains the Imperial Seat after a planetoid strikes Terra (Earth).
Planetoid = Asteriod ???



13002 BG
Terra re-seeded and set aside (by Imperial edict) as a natural park.

12200BG
Empire of 10 Worlds.
These 10 interstellar colonies were ruled by a single Emperor.
Communication between these worlds was difficult due to the huge distances.

11200 BG
THE EMPIRE OF A THOUSAND WORLDS
(an empire in name only, because Imperial power was so diffuse as to be nonexistent).

11,105 BG
Rebellion Destroys Imperial Seat of Power on Ceres.
Thus begun the Age of Pretenders.
Eventually many small empires & Emperors emerge.
This is the beginning of the "Dark Ages" and the age of 10,000 Emperors.
This age would last nearly 4,000 years.

7,600 BG: Thinkers Rebellion

7,593 BG
 Ibrahim Vaughn Holtzman born on Liesco II.
Holtzman is the discoverer of the "Holtzman Effect" .
Thus ends the Dark Ages.
The "Holtzman Effect" was a way to communicate instantly between worlds.
This also led to the invention of the Holtzman drive and the beginning of the "Wars of Reunification"
These wars lasted 2,500 years.

7,565 BG
Holtzman almost killed in a ornithoper accident.
His brain is removed and he is turned into a cyborg.
He was the only such thinking machine to survive the Butlerian jihad.

7562 BG
Holtzman disappears into space and secretly orbits a comet 9 light years away.
While in orbit he discovers the "Holtzman Effect"
This method of instant communication is the nucleus which starts off the "Wars of Reunification".

5694 BG
Holtzman returns but decides to remain hidden.
The war would not end for another 672 years.

5022 BG
The end of the Wars of Reunification.
THE EMPIRE OF TEN THOUSAND WORLDS united under Ladislaus the Great.
Mankind is united into a single Empire.
Thus starts the First Golden Age.

5022-3678BG - THE FIRST GOLDEN AGE.
Sand Trout are introduced to Arrakis - transforming it from a wet planet to a desert.
Sandtrout were the larval form of sandworm.


3832
Holtzman reappears at Liesco, and presents the theory for construction of
 the DEFENSIVE SHIELD.

3678
THE SILICON PLAGUE: the “Death of the Machines.”

1800 BG to 200 BG
The Rise & Fall of the Second Golden Age. 

1287 BG
Start of the Titan Conquest. There were 20 original Titans.
Titans were human but some became cyborgs (called Cymeks).
The cymek's human brain was held in a preservation canister  
The brain could live for tens of thousands of years and 
could control interchangeable robotic bodies

1192 - 1183 BG
Walgis Rebellion

1182 BG 
Omnius (a super computer with Artificial Intelligence), gains control
It makes servants of the Titans.

400BG 
Bene Gesserit begin their breeding program for the Kwisatz Haderach 
(a super being - "one who can be many places at once").

221 BG
Birth of Serena Bulter


201 - 108 BG  = 6,041 AD
Butlerian Jihad.
A crusade starts against thinking Machines.
The 10,000 systems who had not fallen to the machines joined together
to form the league of nobles.  The league of nobles used nuclear weapons on Earth to destroy
the machines.

198 BG
Jihad moves to Bela Tegeuse

195 BG
Honru Massacre.
Omnius uses robotic ships to kill 500,000 humans


 88 BG
Battle of Corrin
Omnius is finally defeated.
But before he is defeated he broadcasts a copy of himself into outerspace

86 BG
FOUNDATION OF HOUSE ATREIDES when Demetrios Atreides is
made Baron Tantalos in reward for aiding the Corrinos.

84 BG
Discovery that the Spice Melange aids Space travel.

5 BG
C.H.O.A.M company is founded.
Combine Honnete Ober Advancer Mercantiles
It's the single biggest source of wealth in the universe.
It controls all economic activity in the universe, but it needs the Guild
for faster than light travel.

0 BG
THE LION THRONE, THE SPACING GUILD, and CHOAM unite
to form "The Imperium".

1234 AG
The Order of Mentat is created.
Mentats are human computers.

1244 AG
The Order of Mentat moves to planet Tleilax

3367 AG
The first war of Assasins

6600 AG
First Wild Reverned Mother

7193 AG
Fremen populate Arrakis

8677 AG
House Atreides moves to Caladan

10119 AG
Shaddam IV born

10140
Leto I born (Paul Atreides)

10156 AG
Shaddam IV becomes Emperor

10175
Shaddam IV begins the Great Spice War

10190 AG
House Atreides moves to Arrakis (Dune)


10196 - 10208 AG
Paul's Jihad

10209
Leto II Born.
Also known as the God-Emperor, was the second son of Paul Atreides and
his Fremen concubine Chani Kynes,


10219
Leto II's reign began.
He rules for 3500 years.
Travel between planets is banned. People aren't free and progress is restricted.
People had peace but no freedom

11745 AG
THE ORDER OF MENTATS is suppressed by Leto II.

12335 AG
The execution of THE NINE HISTORIANS. 

13724 AG
(13728 AG according to the original saga)
Death of Leto II.
Humanity plunges into Famine but is now free.
Many flee the old empire and head into outer space.
Thus begins "the Scattering".
The Scattering of the Human race would increase it's chance of survival in the long run.

14702
Ruins found on Crompton

15200 AG
Lost ones return out of the scattering.

15525 AG
Leto's journals are discovered.

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sci Fi Index

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Function Generator - LZX Industries build pics & notes

 These are my build notes for  the Function Generator of LZX Industries. It's a nice easy build. The kit is only $99 (including components).

The FG  is a non-linear amplifier that produces an output which is an arbitrary function of the input signal.
It's great for solarization & waveshaping.

The input signal is split into three regions - Light, Mids, and Dark. These outputs can be amplified or inverted. This module was adapted from one built in the 1970's by Dan Sandin at the University of Illinois at Chicago

His Sandin Image Processor is a classic.
ETC (The Experimental Television Center) has a wealth of info about this synthesizer.
http://www.experimentaltvcenter.org/descriptions-image-processor

Muffs also has lots on this module.
And LZX's build notes and schematics are here:

The virgin PCB & faceplate.

 Resistors, diodes & ferrite beads first.

 IC headers, & caps next.
*** Ammendment : I may need to remove these IC scokets. Video circuits apparently are very sensitive to stray capacitance... this may occur in the ICsockets****

 These pots go in next:


Next mount the switch & jacks:
Install the power header:

Wire it all up & you're done :-)

--------------------------------------
I'm slowly building up a Modular Video Synth.
This comprises mainly LZX & Brown Shoes Only Modules.
Dave Jones is another manufacturer who deserves to be mentioned.
I've been waiting for his new Video Synth to appear for ages.

There is also the option to use modules not designed for video.
Here is a useful link:
https://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=34122

Audio Oscillators with the LZX Visionary
(WMD Gamma Wave Source, Wiard Oscillator, MakeNoise QMMG, and the Toppobrillo TWF) 
Roland V-Synth XT as a Video Oscillator (waveforms)
What the Malekko Wiard Anti-Oscillator looks like and what the LZX VWG sounds like
Moddemix VS. LZX
Cwejman SPH-2 demo as a video module
LZX + Doepfer A137-2 Wave Multiplier
A-136 Solarization Tests
Colors of Shadows
WMD - Synchrodyne - LZX VIDEO

("Lovely filter that makes video look awesome. Syncs to verticals and horizontal.")

Livewire AFG ??
anti oscillator
Doepfer A-111 - VCO 
Doepfer A-110 VCO - I'm using this . Works well.
Doepfer A137-2, A196, A126 ???
Doepfer A- 170 - slew limiter.
PEG - pingable EG
Intellijel Planar
Malekko Envelator and Maths - yes !!!
Malekko Borg ("pretty for smearing out video") 
Cwejman S1
Harvestman oscillators - Piston Honda,- Hertz D 
Intellijel Dr Octature II 4 Pole Low Pass Filter & Octature Sine Wave VCO
Dr Octature 1
A envelope follower and quadrature lfo ??
Doepfer A143-9 Quadrature VCLFO 
MATHS 
Doepfer A-151 V2 Quad sequential switch
Doepfer Sample and Hold  
4ms Rotate Clock Divider
Morphing Terrarium

Intellejel planar  
Intellejel Spock ("cool stuff to video via its logic magic")  

 ----------------------------------------------
A replacement for the LZX Audio Frequency Decoder might be a attenuator 
like the Doepfer A-183-3 to reduce modular level voltages to LZX levels (0-1Vpp).
Normal line levels (like out of a DJ mixer) might work un-attenuated. They are around 1.4Vpp
Some sort of BP filter that splits the frequencies would prob be a good addition
-----------------------------------------------
Pressure points/Brains MODDED FOR 1V VIDEO WILL WORK WITH LZX
--------------------------------------------------
Syncing the visual cortex.
 "I would add since having the VSG as the main SYNC out that I just use the RCA out's of the Color Video Encoder as my Genlock signal for both of my external TBC's. The Color Video Encoder is connected with the same custom cable from the VSG and then to the VC. It works great as the main Genlock source.
........

 BTW if anyone is curious as to the cable configuration all you need is the first pair from the 14 pin connector(marked in red), those are the ground signal, and the last pair as that seems to be the sync signal. Take those wires and solder them to a male rca plug and then plug it into the 'sync in' of the VC and then switch the dip switch to slave." (DSC).


Links:
1. Frame Generators Vs TBC
2. MFB VD-01 to LZX
3. Audio Frequency Decoder
4. syncing the Visual Cortex 

 

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For more Euro DIY builds click here:
http://djjondent.blogspot.com.au/2017/12/diy-index.html
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Monday, 20 July 2015

R.I.P. Dieter Moebius

R.I.P. Krautrock Pioneer Dieter Moebius.

It's a sad day. The world has lost one of the pioneers of electronic music.

Dieter Moebius was born 1944 in Switzerland. He first studied art in Brussels and Berlin and it was there that he met Hans-Joachim Roedelius and Conrad Schnitzler of Tangerine Dream. They also founded the band Kluster in 1969.

Later Moebius and Roedelius founded the band Harmonia with Michael Rother (Neu!), which also collaborated with Brian Eno.

 https://youtu.be/vNgAhr0aEho

Dieter is survived by his wife, Irene.

 

Dune - Chronological order

The Dune universe is huge and can be a bit daunting to someone who has never read any of the novels.
I think chronological order is the best way to read the Dune novels. However, if you are not sure if the huge investment in time to read all these books is for you, I suggest reading the original 1965 Dune novel first. Then if you enjoyed it, get the Butlerian Jihad (Trilogy 1: Legends of Dune) next and work your way through them.

Frank Herbert, wrote 6 main books. I've classified them as belonging to Trilogies 4 & 6. These are not official classifications and I may change it in the future as the Dune universe is constantly being added to. The most recent novel  "Navigators" was published in 2016. It was co-written by Brian Herbert & Kevin Anderson. Brian Herbert is the eldest son of Frank Herbert.

In addition to these 5 main trilogies there are other short novels and stories to fill the gaps even more.

Trilogy 1.
This is known as Legends of Dune.  (Brian Herbert & Kevin Anderson)
The story takes place over 10,000 years before the events of the first Dune novel.

1. The Butlerian Jihad.
     This takes place about 10,000 AD  (or 10000 years before Dune)
     The rise against the machines.
2. The Machine Crusade
3. The Battle of Corrin


Publication date: September 2002 
Print (hardback & paperback)

The first edition will say:
"First Edition: September 2002"
0987654321




 

Publication date 2003

Print (hardback & paperback)

ISBN0-7653-0158-X






Publication date 2004 
Print (hardback & paperback)

 ISBN0-7653-0159-8

Printing identification statement for this book:
"First Edition: August 2004 / ... / 0 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1" on copyright page.




Trilogy 2.
Known as "Great Schools of Dune:"
This story is a sequel to the Legends of Dune trilogy and takes place nearly a century after the events of Dune: The Battle of Corrin.
  
4. Sisterhood of Dune
5. Mentats of Dune
6. Navigators of Dune

 Brian Herbert

Print (hardcover & paperback)
Publisher:     Tor Books
Release Year:     2012
Publication Year:   Jan 3,   2012
Number Of Pages:     496





 Brian Herbert & Kevin Anderson
 Published:  March 11, 2014
Publisher Tor Books
Print (hardcover & paperback)
 ISBN978-0-7653-2274-6






 Brian Herbert & Kevin Anderson
 Publisher Tor Books
 Publication date September 13, 2016
 ISBN978-0-7653-8125-5








Trilogy 3
This is known as "Prelude to Dune".
These 3 books lead to the 1st dune novel

7. House Atreides
8. House Harkonnen
9. House Corrino


 Brian Herbert & Kevin Anderson
 Published:  1999
Publisher Spectra
Print (hardcover & paperback)
 ISBN0-553-11061-6








 Brian Herbert & Kevin Anderson
 Published: 2000
Publisher Spectra
Print (hardcover & paperback)

 ISBN 0-553-11072-1



 




 Brian Herbert & Kevin Anderson
 Published: 2001
Publisher Spectra
Print (hardcover & paperback)
 ISBN0-553-11084-5





Trilogy 4

10. Dune
11. Dune Messiah
12. Children of Dune



Author; Frank Herbert
It's the first in his Dune series of six novels
Published:  August 1, 1965 (Chilton Books)
(Hardcover & Paperback)


Author; Frank Herbert
It's the second in his Dune series of six novels

Published    1969
Publisher    Putnam Publishing
Media type    Print (hardcover & paperback)
Pages    256
OCLC    32595

A shorter version appeared in Galaxy Magazine July-Sept, 1969

There are 9 printings of the first edition
First printing: There is no date on the title page other than the 1969 date, and the copyright page indicates no other editions. The book boards are a medium cafe brown color which was unique to the first edition, first printing. Library of Congress catalog card number on the bottom of copyright page, price $4.95 on the front flap. 256 pages

Later printings and book club editions had black or red boards. 
Second impression has a $14.95 price. 220 pages.
3rd printing: 'third impression' on copyright page, price $17.95, brown boards.
 eighth impression has an $18.95 price.220 pages




Author; Frank Herbert
It's the 3th in his Dune series of six novels
Published:  April, 1976 (Putnam)

It was originally serialized in Analog Science Fiction and Fact in 1976,
and was the last Dune novel to be serialized before book publication. 
ISBN0-399-11697-4

First Edition, First printing: There is no date on the title page other than the 1976 date, and the copyright page indicates no other editions.

1st: price $8.95 (the same for at least 11 printings), color of the boards is also the same for at least printings 1-11, no indication of first edition or printing
2nd: only difference - second impression on copyright page
3rd: third impression on copyright page
4th: fouth impression and additional SBN number (399-11697-4) on copyright page
5th: fifth impression and additional SBN number ( 399-11697-4) on copyright page
6-10th - I don't have those, but trend is obvious
11th: eleventh impression and additional SBN number on copyright page


Heroes of Dune.
This was initially planned to be a tetralogy, but ended up with 2 books:
1. Paul of Dune
2. Winds of Dune


Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson

Published August 2008 (Tor Books)
Hardcover & Soft C.
ISBN 0-7653-1294-8
It covers events between Dune (1965), Dune Messiah (1969),
and Dune: House Corrino


Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson

Published August 2009 (Tor Books)
Hardcover & Soft C.
ISBN 0-7653-2272-2

This novel chronicles events between Dune Messiah (1969)
and Children of Dune (1976)



Trilogy5

13. God Emperor of Dune
14. Heretics of Dune
15. Chapterhouse : Dune

Author; Frank Herbert
It's the 4th in his Dune series of six novels
Published:  1981
Publisher: G. P. Putnam's Sons
Binding: Hardcover
Illustrator: Brad Holland(Cover Artist)
Original $12.95 price on flap.  
ISBN 10: 0399125930 / ISBN 13: 9780399125935
 
 
 
 

The first printing of the first edition also included a limited edition...
 limited to 750 numbered copies & signed by the author.
no dust jacket. With slipcase . Octavo, cloth
 



Author; Frank Herbert
It's the fifth in his Dune series of six novels
Published:  1984 (G. P. Putnam's sons)
ISBN 0-399-12898-0
  There was also a Limited Edition of 1500 numbered copies signed by author;  


Author; Frank Herbert

Published: April 1985

 ISBN 0-399-13027-6 (hardcover)

First UK Edition  Gollancz, London (1985).




Frank Herbert died in 1986, with the series unfinished.
Brian Herbert & Kevin Anderson published two sequels based on notes left by Frank Herbert.

16. Hunters of Dune
17. Sandworms of Dune



Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson

Published August 2006 (Tor Books)
Hardcover & Soft C.
ISBN 0-7653-1292-1

Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson

Published 2007 (Tor Books)
Hardcover & Soft C.
ISBN 0-7653-1293-X...






----------------------------------------------------
Analog Magazines

Before any of the novels were published, much of the Dune "opera" appeared in the Analog series of magazines. These were edited by John W. Campbell.
"Dune World" and "The Prophet of Dune" were combined to form the first book edition, published in August of 1965.  

In total there were 8 magazines:



DUNE WORLD 
December 1963 ***



















DUNE WORLD  
January 1964 ***




DUNE WORLD  
February 1964 ***









THE PROPHET OF DUNE 
January 1965***



















THE PROPHET OF DUNE  
February 1965 ***






THE PROPHET OF DUNE 
March 1965 ***
















THE PROPHET OF DUNE  
April 1965 ***

















THE PROPHET OF DUNE 
 May 1965 ***
















---------------------------------------
The second novel, Dune Messiah
appeared in Galaxy Magazine July-Nov, 1969. 5 editions.
It was a shorter version.

July 1969
***

















August 1969
Vol. 28, No. 6. 
***

The volume number is incorrectly listed as 128 in the table of contents.













Sept 1969
***
Oct 1969
***

Nov  1969
***


















------------------------------
The third novel in the Dune Saga, Children of Dune also was serialized in Analog Magazine (Analog: Science Fiction/Science Fact).
The novel was published in April, 1976
The magazine versions came out before the novel. 
January 1976, February 1976, March 1976, and April 1976 / Vol. XCVI, Nos. 1-4)




Analog: Science Fiction/Science Fact 
 January 1976 ***



Analog: Science Fiction/Science Fact
February 1976 ***

Children of Dune (Part 2 of 4)

















Analog: Science Fiction/Science Fact
March 1976 ***

















Analog: Science Fiction/Science Fact
April 1976 ***









--------------------------

Identifying a dUNE first edition, First Printing. (August, 1965)


 

 The jacket has a pictorial dark red and blue desert scene.


The true first will read "First Edition" on the copyright page, with no subsequent printings.
Published in Philadephia .. Toronto Ambassador Books, Ltd


 The book has blue cloth boards. 


 

 

 


The rear panel has a map. 

 & grey endpapers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
The price on the jacket flap should be $5.95  



The rear flap should have the Chilton address across four lines.
This indicates a First Issue dust jacket.  This was later changed to two lines in the second printing.
 
First Edition, Second Printing
April 1968. $5.95 (green boards) (Publisher: Philadephia, Ontario) - Second printing is sometimes stated below first edition text, but this is not always the case.
 2 lines on the bottom of back flap. Sometimes No ISBN number???  I have seen copies with an ISBN. Between 2000-4300 copies 

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sci Fi Index

+ Dune - Pink Floyd song explained 

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