Dune Book Discussion

[Omphalos]

A library in Miami is sponsoring a discussion forum about Dune in April, 2008. It looks like its set up for kids and teens, but I think participating looks pretty fun.

[Freakzilla]

It looks like its set up for kids and teens, but I think participating looks pretty fun.

This invitation will be open to everyone and we do mean everyone.

[Omphalos]

I'm pretty sure I'm going to join up. It looks like its gonna be great.

[Freakzilla]

You know I'll be there... if I can remember.

[Omphalos]

You know I'll be there... if I can remember.

Ill try to put up reminders.

And the guy who is sponsoring it is going to join here today or tomorrow.

[monster7of9]

Hi everyone,
I wanted to say the I'm the person who will be hosting the event both at the library as well as virtually. While I have read the book some time ago and have seen and own both director's version of dune, I am still amazed by how relevant this book remains to our times. I would like to read and learn from your insights on the material.

You can contact me at lopezm@mdpls.org or nextgenlibrary08@gmail.com

Click the link for my blog http://nextgenlibrary.wordpress.com/200 ... c-library/

Check me out on myspace.com/monsterscifishow

[Omphalos]

Hi Monster!

I still have a question about how this thing is going to be organized. Will it be a free-for-all kind of thing were everyone in meatspace and on-line will be participating in the same talk, or will there be different forums, or what? From the page provided it seems like its going to be a mass IM party. How will that be moderated, and who will be running the show?

[monster7of9]

Hi Omphalos,
The program will be moderated between myself and two other people. Depending on the participation level, we will be discussing the book - themes, characters, setting and compare the book to the two movie versions Lynch and Scifi Channel.

What I am hoping is to have a greater interaction of those who are online and those who are in the library. For example, if we are talking about a specific point about the book in the library, I will post the point online for someone online to comment and vice versa. For example:

Me: DUNELOVER1 posted that Dune mirrors the current state of the Iraq War. (I would read this out loud to the patrons)
Patron 1: I would agree with DUNELOVER 1... (I would type this online)
Patron 2: I disagree with DUNELOVER 1... ( I would also type this online)
ME: CHANI agrees with Patron 2 because... (I would read this out loud to the patrons)

I want to keep this platform as flexible as possible. Also, I would like to have a podcast of the group to be done as well but I will look at that option later. The live chat will be hosted on Meebo which can record the transcripts which I will post on the blog and on Google Groups. I want to record our thought and insights several different ways for future groups to enjoy.

If you have any further thoughts, please feel free to let me know. I am very open to suggestions to make this a great book group.

[Omphalos]

*bump*

This thing is coming up at the end of the month. I remembered it today, but knowing my brain, I'm unlikely to remember it when it really is about to happen. Just FYI.

[monster7of9]

If you are joining the book group in April, that’s great. There several options you may want to consider which depends on much or little work you want to put forth. I will list all three options from the easiest to the more involved progressively in that order.

First, the chat room for the book group is listed below:

http://www.meebo.com/room/monsterscifishow/ or

www.myspace.com/monsterscifishow


These two links are the least amount of work for people to join the book group. Click on either links above and you are all set. There’s not even a need to sign in as you will be deemed as a guest automatically on both sites using Meebo.


Second, moving up the ladder. Let’s say that you want more traffic on your MySpace page, you can embed the Meebo chat room right on to your page. Go to the Meebo chat room I set up, click on the embed link and place it in your profile. I have mine listed under Books but you may want to move this higher up on your page.


The next, the third and last option is to do a podcast of the book group in your library or meeting area. If you are new to podcasting or never did a podcast before, you can go here to read more about it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podcast


The audio software that I am planning to use is Audacity - http://audacity.sourceforge.net/. This is a freeware program that you can download to your computer. The only thing you need is to get a microphone which can run about $20 from Radio Shack or other electronics store near you. Once you have the software installed, mic plugged in, hit record and you are podcasting. You may want to play around this before the actual date but you will have lots of fun doing a podcast.


Another option, using Odeo @ http://odeo.com/ can record your podcast online. There are limitations with this when it comes to editing but there is no software to install.


If you have any questions, comments, suggestions, please email me: monsterscifishow@gmail.com.

See you virtually on April 29 starting @ 7:30pm Eastern Standard Time.

[SandChigger]

Did anyone take part in this?

I kinda forgot about it.