Alex Jay Berman (2:27 AM on Sat Feb 16, 2008)

If I remember what I heard correctly, that was taken when Harlan was decidedly under the weather, and swollen something fierce.
A better--and I believe more recent--pic can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/2qpm3d

If you contact the photographer, Steve Barber (barbergallery@verizon.net), and tell him I sent ya, he'll probably be happy to let you use the picture.

Marilee J. Layman (6:09 PM on Sat Feb 16, 2008)

I saw Harlan several times a day at that con, and he definitely didn't seem sick. He groped the usual number of young women.

Alex Jay Berman (7:15 PM on Sat Feb 16, 2008)

Well, I can't speak to his comportment, but I DO remember a posting on his message board a couple years back in which he said he had had some kind of illness or reaction to something which caused his face to swell badly, and that picture would seem to confirm it.

It was temporary, though; the man simply doesn't look like that.

Rick Marshall (9:53 AM on Sat Feb 16, 2008)

I like the picture I chose for this article, to be honest. If we were providing a news report about an actual event Ellison attended or such, I would certainly want a more current photo (preferably of him at the event), but since the image is simply providing a reference point for the letter, this photo is one of the more widely recognized of Ellison and, by my judgment, provides greater potential for readers to connect the man to his words.

I hope this explains why that image was chosen.

Mike Gold (10:23 AM on Sat Feb 16, 2008)

I think this is an interesting picture; Harlan sort of looks like Zorak from Space Ghost Coast-To-Coast.

Marilee J. Layman (6:12 PM on Sat Feb 16, 2008)

Mike, is everybody having to sign in once a day or is it just me? This started a few days ago, at roughly the same point that I got a new update of Firefox. My cookies look fine.

Mike Gold (6:19 PM on Sat Feb 16, 2008)

First I've heard of it. I haven't used Firefox since the last Safari update, but -- as Brian keeps telling me -- every browser update carries with it its own unique problems.

Check us out with another browser, just for giggles. Then email your problem, your browser and version number, and your operating system and version number to us via the "Contact Us" button at the bottom of the page.

Two Post Toasties box-tops would help.

Marilee J. Layman (6:39 PM on Sat Feb 16, 2008)

I'll try it tomorrow. I've been able to post as much as I want once I'm signed in until the next day. Not the next opening of Firefox, I just tried that between my post and this one.

Alan Coil (7:29 PM on Sat Feb 16, 2008)

First time I noticed the Sign Out link. Observant cuss, ain't I?

I'm using the old Firefox; haven't updated to the latest because this old computer (Windows 98se) is on its last legs anyway, so why bother. Not every day, but frequently, the site doesn't recognize me, and I have to click on 'Existing Member' if I decide to post.

Marilee J. Layman (12:27 AM on Sun Feb 17, 2008)

Hmmm, I didn't have this happen until just a few days ago. But it sounds like it's not the new Firefox. I'll wake up IE tomorrow and try it then.

Glenn Hauman (5:02 PM on Sat Feb 16, 2008)

I think Harlan explained quite well what he didn't like:
* 17 day window's too long (which I agree with, I know what traffic numbers look like after that long).
* No concurrent expiration date with SAG.
* No addition control of their writing, possessory credits, etc.
* Neglecting the animation and reality writers.
The interesting question is whether this changes the final equation.

Mike Gold (6:20 PM on Sat Feb 16, 2008)

Don't the animation (and maybe the reality) writers negotiate their own deals?

John Ostrander (10:03 PM on Sat Feb 16, 2008)

Good points. Re-read it. I was wrong. I got distracted by the rant ) which is always part of the fun.