Snippets of poetry from the Imperium; a sample folk tale from the Oral History; brief biographies of over a dozen Duncan Idahos; two differing approaches to Paul Muad'Dib himself and to his son Leto II; Fremen recipes; Fremen history; secrets of the Bene Gesserit; the songs of Gurney Halleck -- these are just some of the treasures found when an earthmover fell into the God Emperor's no-room at Dar-es-Balat. Out of print for more than two decades, disavowed by Frank Herbert's estate, and highly sought-after by fans, the legendary Dune Encyclopedia is now available online as a fully illustrated and searchable PDF [direct link].
posted to MetaFilter by Rhaomi at 4:30 PM on September 1, 2010 (55 comments)

"In Japan, animation is not seen as the exclusive realm of children's and family films, but is often used for adult, science fiction and action stories, where it allows a kind of freedom impossible in real life. Some Hollywood films strain so desperately against the constraints of the possible that you wish they'd just caved in and gone with animation." -- Roger Ebert on anime, with this excerpt being related to Tokyo Godfathers. Ebert has been a fan of anime for a while, especially the works of Hayao Miyazaki. Ebert has reviewed 6 of the 18 Studio Ghibli films released to date, and even interviewed Miyazaki with a bit of fanboy glee. More reviews and videos inside.
posted to MetaFilter by filthy light thief at 7:46 AM on August 30, 2010 (92 comments)

What do good but not great restaurants (2-3 star) do to make their flavors so intense that I don't do in my kitchen? Can I replicate some of those tricks in my kitchen, or is that something that can't be reproduced without mass equipment?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by philosophygeek at 11:21 AM on October 7, 2008 (28 comments)

May of 1662. Thence to see an Italian puppet play that is within the rayles there, which is very pretty, the best that ever I saw.. The story changes a bit over the ages and is still definitely not PC.
Amongst the puppets is a hangman, a policeman and a crocodile.
Some videos; some galleries 1; 2; and a hall of fame. (First introduced to Metafilter by thomas j wise).
posted to MetaFilter by adamvasco at 3:47 AM on August 27, 2010 (6 comments)

"The Japanese Tradition" was a series of nine short, parody "How To" videos that gently mocked the formality of Japanese culture, from comedy duo Rahmens (ラーメンズ) and Japan Culture Lab. They're available on DVD, but nearly all of them can be seen on YouTube, including Sushi and Ocha (tea).
posted to MetaFilter by zarq at 4:26 PM on August 25, 2010 (54 comments)

The man who walked around the world. SLYT of actor Robert Carlyle advertising scotch whisky, elegantly and entertainingly done in a single take.
posted to MetaFilter by wilful at 9:17 PM on August 16, 2010 (89 comments)

I've been really enjoying "lifehack"-type AskMe posts lately - questions about how to change one's own habits to be better at day-to-day life situations and challenges (How do I become one of those people who makes everyone they talk to feel great? from Chrysalis is a good new one). What are some of your favorites?
posted to MetaTalk by l33tpolicywonk at 10:49 AM on August 15, 2010 (33 comments)

Raising Chicago: An Illustrated History. Lilli Carré takes a look at an unusual civic project: 'Mid-19th-century Chicago was an emerging titan of agribusiness, a burgeoning transit hub, a potential star of the Midwest—and a disease-infested swamp in danger of being reclaimed by Lake Michigan. By 1855, with roads knee deep in sludge, city hall faced a massive undertaking: hoisting Chicago out of the muck by raising the streets and structures as much as 14 feet.' More about the raising of Chicago. (via)
posted to MetaFilter by shakespeherian at 10:33 PM on August 14, 2010 (12 comments)

Tips for creating a comic book?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Kirk Grim at 2:21 PM on August 3, 2010 (21 comments)

The United States was engaged in the largest two-front war of its, or any nation's history. Though victory was not yet certain, there were discussions on a multi-national level regarding the future peace, and on the President of the United States was looking to the post-war prospects for the nation. With that in mind, the annual address of the President to Congress and the nation was summed up in one word: Security. "And that means not only physical security which provides safety from attacks by aggressors. It means also economic security, social security, moral security -- in a family of nations." This was Franklin D. Roosevelt's third-to-last Fireside Chat, presented on Tuesday, January 11, 1944, which included what he proposed to be the Second Bill of Rights.
posted to MetaFilter by filthy light thief at 3:06 PM on July 16, 2010 (66 comments)

40 Things You Need to Know About the Next 40 Years For it's 40th anniversary issue, Smithsonian magazine asks experts in various fields for insights into our future and compiles a list of 40 predictions about the future of science, nature, the arts and technology. The feature essay is by President Obama, in which he explains why he's optimistic about America's future. (VIA)
posted to MetaFilter by mondaygreens at 6:01 AM on July 15, 2010 (46 comments)

Order of Tales has ended. However, you can read it in its entirety from the beginning. This follow up to Rice Boy (previously, previouslier) has gorgeous art and an epic story. Action, adventure, beautiful hand-drawn typography. Now we wait for Evan Dahm's next project.
posted to MetaFilter by cthuljew at 4:00 PM on July 6, 2010 (12 comments)

Dead Wrestler Of The Week. Every week, the Masked Man, Deadspin's pro wrestling correspondent, honors the sport's fallen and examines their legacies — famous and obscure alike.
posted to MetaFilter by The Card Cheat at 7:56 PM on July 1, 2010 (22 comments)

Grow It Eat It - food gardening videos courtesy of the University of Maryland. (Lots more on offer from them as well.)
posted to MetaFilter by Wolfdog at 5:43 AM on July 1, 2010 (9 comments)

Ever notice how people texting at night have that eerie blue glow? Or wake up ready to write down the Next Great Idea, and get blinded by your computer screen? During the day, computer screens look good—they're designed to look like the sun. But, at 9PM, 10PM, or 3AM, you probably shouldn't be looking at the sun. F.lux fixes this: it makes the color of your computer's display adapt to the time of day, warm at night and like sunlight during the day. It's even possible that you're staying up too late because of your computer. You could use f.lux because it makes you sleep better, or you could just use it just because it makes your computer look better.
posted to MetaFilter by crunchland at 3:38 PM on June 22, 2010 (60 comments)

Joe Janes is a writer, director and teacher for the Second City Training Center and Columbia College Chicago. While in the classroom, Janes always had advice for what his students should avoid. His best advice on how to be a better writer? Write. Every. Day. And that's what he decided to do starting January 19, 2010, for 365 days.
posted to MetaFilter by twintone at 11:22 AM on June 16, 2010 (24 comments)

Hayaku: A Time Lapse Journey Through Japan
posted to MetaFilter by bwg at 12:06 AM on June 7, 2010 (17 comments)

John Wooden has passed away at the age of 99. Did he teach you how to put on your socks and shoes? Some say he got a lot of things wrong. But he had a boatload of achievements. There was the Pyramid of Success. The Seven-Point Creed. And he was married to his beloved Nell for 53 years, and after her death in 1985, he still wrote her a love letter every month and set it on her side of the bed.
posted to MetaFilter by Cool Papa Bell at 8:00 PM on June 4, 2010 (37 comments)

What are some books / comics that explore how an apocalyptic event would realistically play out on earth? Or: how do you think it would go down?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by TimeTravelSpeed at 1:57 PM on May 17, 2010 (35 comments)

A Moment in Time: On April 8, the New York Times Lens photography blog asked their readers and students to take a photo at a particular date and time: Sunday, May 2, at approximately 15:00 (U.T.C./G.M.T.), then submit it for an upcoming interactive online gallery. 13,000 images were submitted, 10,000 have now been posted online.
posted to MetaFilter by zarq at 6:46 AM on May 11, 2010 (24 comments)

For those who might be unaware: One of the great basketball games concluded last night in thrilling fashion during triple overtime. It is only par for a series that has gone into overtime for the fourth time in games in six games (one of which was double OT, and last night's aforementioned triple OT). The heroic moments and failures of players are too numerous to count at this point, but five of the six games have been decided by 11 points... TOTAL. On Saturday 8PM EST, what is arguably one of the greatest series ever, will conclude with the final game 7.
posted to MetaFilter by Lacking Subtlety at 10:55 AM on May 1, 2009 (56 comments)

"For toDAY third of MAY twenty-TEN ManhatTEN reports mild spring-type weather under the Fuller Dome. Ditto on the General Technics Plaza. But Shalmaneser is a Micryogenic (R) computer bathed in liquid helium and it's cold in his vault."
posted to MetaFilter by shii at 10:59 PM on May 2, 2010 (32 comments)

Every single Calvin and Hobbes strip ever made, ever, all in a slick AJAX interface with instant full-text dialog search. Highlights: Stupendous Man - Spaceman Spiff - Tracer Bullet - The Thinking Cap - The Transmogrifier (and the Transmogrifier Gun) - The Duplicator (and the Ethicator) - The Wagon - Calvinball - The Get Rid of Slimy Girls Club - Procrastination - Camping - Valentine's Day - Leaf Collecting - The Haircut - Rosalyn - Summertime - Wordless (search for "No text" to find others) - Smock Smock Smock - Not to mention all those snowmen.
posted to MetaFilter by Rhaomi at 11:52 AM on May 1, 2010 (69 comments)

Recipe Filter: We have over a pound of smoked salmon in our fridge. Looking for suggestions on what we can do with it!
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Conrad Cornelius o'Donald o'Dell at 3:54 PM on April 25, 2010 (26 comments)

Big Trouble in Little China: the history, the cult, the complete soundtrack, the RPG, the video game, the comic book, the geopolitical metaphor.
posted to MetaFilter by Joe Beese at 9:05 PM on April 20, 2010 (101 comments)

Hanafuda (Koi Koi) is a flash game that plays with the hanafuda deck of cards. (As a trivia side note, hanafuda cards were the beginning of Nintendo.) Once you're familiar with the deck, you can play Minhato, a java game that uses the same cards.
posted to MetaFilter by klangklangston at 12:39 PM on April 16, 2010 (19 comments)

I've decided to buy a new PC, mostly because I want to upgrade before the next WoW expansion.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Vindaloo at 9:10 AM on April 12, 2010 (16 comments)

I grow weary of hard games and/or games that require massive investment of time and energy for any payoff. Please recommend easy, casual video games for me.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by AugieAugustus at 7:52 AM on March 29, 2010 (26 comments)

Gimme some podcasts about the seedy underbelly of society - sex, drugs & rock n roll all welcome.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Anonymous at 3:13 PM on February 26, 2010 (8 comments)

The Kitchen Garden Planner allows you to create a customized plan for a Square Foot Garden. They also have designs for pre-planned square foot kitchen gardens, such as the high-yield garden and the salsa garden.
posted to MetaFilter by mudpuppie at 12:53 PM on February 24, 2010 (17 comments)

When we reach these, the bleakest and coldest days of winter, my mind inevitably turns towards the warm days of summer and one of America’s favorite pastimes: Barbeque.
posted to MetaFilter by shiu mai baby at 8:23 AM on February 17, 2010 (74 comments)

I want to learn more about how Japanese bureaucracy handles Japan-born kids registered with "double-barreled" given names (like MIYASHITA Jamie Shizu 宮下ジェイミー静). If you have personal stories, please share.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by No-sword at 8:15 PM on February 7, 2010 (9 comments)

How do you like your snow white pillow? How do you like your sheet?
And how do you like the fair young bride that's lying in your arms asleep?

What banks, what banks, are those, my love,
that rise so dark and cold?

And every jow that the dead bell gave
Cried: Woe to Barbara Allen.
posted to MetaFilter by Countess Elena at 12:35 PM on February 6, 2010 (30 comments)

In the 1980s, the creative team of Jim Henson and Brian Froud, together with Frank Oz and George Lucas, collaborated on two ambitious film projects: The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth. While Labyrinth (incredibly exhaustive fan site here) was more lively and featured actors as well as puppets, The Dark Crystal embodied a darker vision and featured only puppets. Rumors have circulated in the last few years that a sequel to The Dark Crystal, entitled The Power of the Dark Crytal, is in production. While the status of the film is still up in the air, there is a blog for the project that contains a video of new concept art.
posted to MetaFilter by (Arsenio) Hall and (Warren) Oates at 8:04 AM on February 5, 2010 (78 comments)

The Fan History Project documents the history of science fiction fandom. The site covers it all: local histories, professional art, fan art, fanzines, and photos. Yes, the photos. Lots more inside.
posted to MetaFilter by marxchivist at 4:19 PM on February 4, 2010 (20 comments)

What are your favorite pulled pork recipes?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Blazecock Pileon at 12:47 PM on February 2, 2010 (40 comments)

Do you have a Killer Buffalo Chicken Wing Recipe?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by lifeonholidae at 1:05 PM on February 2, 2010 (20 comments)

How can I tie a necktie so that it doesn't create the usual dimple just below the knot? See Michael Bublé in this SNL photo or video from this weekend's Hamm and Bublé sketch. Contrast to John Hamm standing next to him with a dimple in his very similar tie. Is it the knot, the technique, the fabric, the tie width, something else?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Askr at 9:30 AM on February 1, 2010 (16 comments)

What's the easiest way to recover data from a hard drive in a long-dead computer? I only have immediate access to a laptop; so I guess what I'm asking is if there's any easier method than bothering a friend to let me install it in their box.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by nicolas léonard sadi carnot at 6:03 AM on February 1, 2010 (10 comments)

I'm unemployed until march. I find myself spending hours on the internet for lack of anything better to do. What can I do that is either extremely cheap, or preferably free, to fill up my time until then?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by pintapicasso at 1:02 PM on January 24, 2010 (30 comments)

I want to start a taco truck. How?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by c:\awesome at 12:13 PM on January 21, 2010 (7 comments)

Interested in making the Best Fried Chicken Ever? You'd start with a brine, perhaps the one Thomas Keller uses, which has lemon, honey, herbs and peppercorns. Harlem's master chicken fryer Charles Gabriel prefers a dry brine and the legendary Edna Lewis would have you brine the chicken a second time in buttermilk.
posted to MetaFilter by AceRock at 3:38 PM on January 19, 2010 (47 comments)

After David Letterman signs off and the Worldwide Pants production logo fades, viewing audiences are oftentimes treated to a cold open of an empty talk show set... one that quickly becomes the impromptu dance floor for a shameless Scot making an absolute giddy fool of himself while lip-syncing pop songs alongside a menagerie of puppets (and a couple of scantily-costumed stagehands). Now on YouTube for your viewing pleasure, the complete collection of Craig Ferguson's Late Late Show musical numbers: "Say Hey (I Love You)" by Michael Franti and Spearhead - "White Lines" by Duran Duran - "Wonderful Night" by Fatboy Slim - "Istanbul" by They Might Be Giants - "Oops!...I Did It Again" by Britney Spears - "MMMBop" by Hanson - "In the Navy" by Village People - "Fireball" by Don Spencer - "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz - "The Lonely Goatherd" from The Sound of Music - "She Taught Me How To Yodel" by Frank Ifield - "Fire" by The Prodigy - "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head"
posted to MetaFilter by Rhaomi at 4:51 PM on January 18, 2010 (128 comments)

Cook-once-a-week round 2: What low-GI, high-protein food can I cook on Sunday night and then reheat for lunch/dinner Mon-Fri?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Vorteks at 11:52 AM on January 15, 2010 (28 comments)

Recommendation Filter: I'm looking for a great Indian cookbook!
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Planet F at 2:01 PM on January 15, 2010 (24 comments)

I want to become a better writer. Is there a place online where people can critique my writing, and I can critique theirs? How would I get involved in that?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by rebent at 10:42 PM on January 10, 2010 (9 comments)

BBQfilter: Like many people, I use my (charcoal) BBQ to grill vegetables and meat, but I'd like to move on to the "smoking, indirect heat" type of cooking. While the technique seems simple enough, I'd like recommendations for simple recipes to get started.
posted to Ask MetaFilter by bluefrog at 4:54 PM on June 14, 2006 (13 comments)

What titles should be on a "Personal MFA in Creative Writing Fiction" reading list?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by thepalephantom at 11:05 AM on December 22, 2009 (18 comments)

I recently bought a share of a pig from a farmer, and it came wrapped in various cuts. One of the cuts is a large, meaty, bony one called "chine end roast." How should I cook this?
posted to Ask MetaFilter by Miko at 9:33 AM on December 22, 2009 (4 comments)

Donald Barthelme’s Syllabus: I was given secondhand a list of eighty-one books, the recommendations of Donald Barthelme to his students. Barthelme’s only guidance ... was to attack the books “in no particular order, just read them.” Two of the books, Knut Hamsun’s Hunger and Flaubert’s Letters (numbers 15, 40), were written in the twentieth century, most in the past thirty years. And all have that dizzying sense of otherness and surprise common to great books, an affluence of vitality. There’s not a dull read in the group.
posted to MetaFilter by geoff. at 7:14 AM on December 22, 2009 (50 comments)