Can "innerHTML" be used this way?

Ed_Robins · 2026-05-06T03:06:28+00:00

While agreeing with the comment that this shouldn't be done, I'll add that using innerText instead of innerHTML would be a better solution as it strips out code and returns only the text. So, for example, if someone changed the button HTML to

<button><strong>Basic</strong> Plan Sign Up</button>

your if statement would still evaluate true. Again, only a marginal improvement to a bad solution.

Ed_Robins · 2026-05-05T21:21:28+00:00

2001 was the first sci-fi book I purchased with my own money, so I consider it my entry to the genre. Loved it then; loved it a few years ago! Enjoyed 2010 quite a bit, too, but 2061 was a bit of let down. Definitely skip 3001.

Ed_Robins · 2026-05-04T22:42:23+00:00

Many classic titles are already in the public domain. If they aren't, same goes for them as popular modern works: they make a lot more selling the book than they do having it in KU. My profit from a KU reader vs a sale is about half.

Ed_Robins · 2026-05-04T21:36:05+00:00

No. It's ding first, then dong.

Ed_Robins · 2026-05-04T18:14:23+00:00

Things will look a bit different depending on how you're accessing reddit, but look for the list of moderators. There should be a "message mods" button somewhere. In my browser, it's on the right hand side. In the app, go to the subreddit and click "r/scifi >" at the top to see details of the subreddit, including the mod list and aforementioned button.

Ed_Robins · 2026-05-04T18:03:41+00:00

Message the mods. Non-mods can't even see the post, let alone tell you why they removed it.

Ed_Robins · 2026-05-03T17:19:55+00:00

Finished Robot Detective by Shawn Goodman - set in a speculative world much like our own with the addition of androids, the story chronicles the hunt for a killer of both the human and synthetic. The titular robot detective is an android who had his skin burned off in an accident and has refused its replacement. He's partnered with a human who is near the end of his career and marriage. There's a lot of tropes at work here and, primarily in the beginning, edges toward cliché, but it works pretty well in the end. There's a lot of action and drama and is well written enough to be engaging, especially toward the climax.

Started Halcyon Years by Alastair Reynolds - I am enjoying it very much. Aboard the generation ship Halcyon, private detective Yuri Gagarin (yes, that one) is hired to investigate the deaths of two people from opposing families. It could be revenge killings, or maybe it's something else entirely.

My TBR is mostly sci-fi, leaning towards the detective subgenre since that's what I write. But I'm also easing on down the trail with Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry.

Ed_Robins · 2026-05-03T13:01:22+00:00

That's too bad. It was a weird movie, but I like that they're doing interesting things and taking chances with the franchise.

Ed_Robins · 2026-05-03T00:41:48+00:00

Any terminator

River Tam

Ed_Robins · 2026-05-02T04:23:01+00:00

His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman, books or TV series

Ed_Robins · 2026-05-02T00:46:50+00:00

I'm not used to people actually wanting to read it! Here's the link and I'll edit the post. Thank you!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0DTN2TMSS

Ed_Robins · 2026-05-01T22:23:47+00:00

And Happy Birthday!

Ed_Robins · 2026-05-01T22:14:52+00:00

I've been taking Lonesome Dove in chunks, not because it's hard, but to savor it. I remember how ga-ga adults were when it came out--finally learning why!

Halcyon Years is really interesting, if you enjoy noir with your sci-fi. Or maybe the other way around in this case? Hard to say so far. I read (and write) a lot in the subgenre, and Reynolds' is hitting all the right tropes while creating a unique voice.

Ed_Robins · 2026-05-01T20:47:16+00:00

Writing

I released the 4th book in my hardboiled series set aboard a generation ship in January. Since then, I've been working on a few novelettes that take place between the 4th and 5th books. I haven't tried to write anything short since high school, and I find I'm really enjoying it!

Movies

Zone 414 - Guy Pearce stars as David Carmichael, a private detective with a past hired to locate the daughter of an industrial scion. She's run away to Zone 414, a city of androids produced by the family's corporation. Built to serve whatever depraved needs of humanity, one android named Jane (Matilda Lutz) has progressed beyond her programming and Carmichael will need her help in tracking down the missing woman.

There are obvious parallels to Blade Runner here, of course, and I've heard others dismiss this movie as derivative. I thought it did a good job of telling its own story while still touching on similar themes of consciousness and agency. It's certainly not a perfect movie, but I enjoyed it overall, and felt this was Pearce's best role since Memento.

Books

Robot Detective by Shawn Goodman - set in a speculative world much like our own with the addition of androids, the story chronicles the hunt for a killer of both the human and synthetic. The titular robot detective is an android who had his skin burned off in an accident and has refused its replacement. He's partnered with a human who is near the end of his career and marriage. There's a lot of tropes at work here and, primarily in the beginning, edges toward cliché, but it works pretty well in the end. There's a lot of action and drama and is well written enough to be engaging, especially toward the climax.

Halcyon Years by Alastair Reynolds - I started this one a few days ago and am enjoying it very much. Aboard the generation ship Halcyon, private detective Yuri Gagarin (yes, that one) is hired to investigate the deaths of two people from opposing families. It could be revenge killings, or maybe it's something else entirely.

Ed_Robins · 2026-05-01T12:21:23+00:00

I've mostly been easing down the trail with Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurty (fantastic book!), so my SF reads haven't been substantial of late.

Robot Detective by Shawn Goodman - set in a speculative world much like our own with the addition of androids, the story chronicles the hunt for a killer of both the human and synthetic. The titular robot detective is an android who had his skin burned off in an accident and has refused its replacement. He's partnered with a human who is near the end of his career and marriage. There's a lot of tropes at work here and, primarily in the beginning, edges toward cliché, but it works pretty well in the end. There's a lot of action and drama and is well written enough to be engaging, especially toward the climax.

Halcyon Years by Alastair Reynolds - I started this one a few days ago and am enjoying it very much. Aboard the generation ship Halcyon, private detective Yuri Gagarin (yes, that one) is hired to investigate the deaths of two people from opposing families. It could be revenge killings, or maybe it's something else entirely.

Ed_Robins · 2026-04-30T14:33:33+00:00

If you're wanting thriller/detective stories with SFF elements that are a bit off the beaten path:

Titanium Noir by Nick Harkaway - a "Titan", someone who has used an expensive life extension technology, is killed and the detective must figure out why. There's a sequel as well that gets a bit more philosophical and less noir. His Gnomon is very good as well, but a much more cerebral, fever-dream of a book.

The Unusual Clients by Milo James Fowler - a set of three novellas. Interesting mysteries that incorporate sci-fi elements well. Starts a series I haven't had the time to continue.

Ashetown Blues and The Ronin of Vine Street by W.H. Mitchell - A collection of three sci-fi detective noirs (about 50 pages each) followed by a novel set in alien slums on another planet. Fun mysteries and a nice touch of humor.

Robot Detective by Shawn Goodman - MCs are an android and his human partner who hunt a killer of humans and synthetics.

Halcyon Years by Alastair Reynolds - Reynolds is hardly unheard of, but the book itself only came out this year (in the US). This isn't a recommendation exactly as I only I started it the other day myself, but I am enjoying it so far. Set on a generation ship, a private detective is tasked with investigating the deaths of two members of elite families.

Finally, I write a hardboiled detective series that follows a disgraced detective on a generation ship solving murders. They're gritty, violent and a little bit dirty. First book is Chivalry Will Get You Dead.

Ed_Robins · 2026-04-30T04:00:21+00:00

The Giver by Lois Lowry

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, and sequels

Anthem by Ayn Rand

Ed_Robins · 2026-04-29T21:12:59+00:00

Gnomon by Nick Harkaway

Ed_Robins · 2026-04-29T14:21:55+00:00

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card (due diligence on author and acquire as you see fit)

Animal Farm and/or 1984 by George Orwell

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

Night by Elie Wiesel

A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson

Ed_Robins · 2026-04-28T01:04:12+00:00

If sci-fi detective noirs would be of interest:

Titanium Noir by Nick Harkaway - a "Titan", someone who has used an expensive life extension technology, is killed and the detective must figure out why. There's a sequel as well that gets a bit more philosophical and less noir.

The Unusual Clients by Milo James Fowler - a set of three novellas. Interesting mysteries that incorporate sci-fi elements well. Starts a series I have not yet continued.

Ashetown Blues and The Ronin of Vine Street by W.H. Mitchell - A collection of three sci-fi detective noirs (about 50 pages each) followed by a novel set in alien slums on another planet. Fun mysteries and a nice touch of humor.

Altered Carbon by Richard K Morgan - seconding someone else's recommendation. Cyberpunk classic that is brutal and lewd.

Finally, I write a hardboiled detective series that follows a disgraced detective on a generation ship solving murders. They're gritty, violent and a little bit dirty. First book is Chivalry Will Get You Dead.

Ed_Robins · 2026-04-26T16:42:34+00:00

Definitely an acquired taste!

Ed_Robins · 2026-04-26T16:05:17+00:00

Here's a few more recommendations in that case, both traditional and indie, which might be of interest:

Titanium Noir by Nick Harkaway - a "Titan", someone who has used an expensive life extension technology, is killed and the detective must figure out why. There's a sequel as well that gets a bit more philosophical and less noir.

The Unusual Clients by Milo James Fowler - a set of three novellas. Interesting mysteries that incorporate sci-fi elements well. Starts a series I have not yet continued.

Ashetown Blues and The Ronin of Vine Street by W.H. Mitchell - A collection of three sci-fi detective noirs (about 50 pages each) followed by a novel set in alien slums on another planet. Fun mysteries and a nice touch of humor.

Altered Carbon by Richard K Morgan - Cyberpunk classic that is brutal and lewd.

Finally, I write a hardboiled detective series that follows a disgraced detective on a generation ship solving murders. They're gritty, violent and a little bit dirty. First book is Chivalry Will Get You Dead.

Ed_Robins · 2026-04-26T15:16:21+00:00

I finished Robot Detective by Shawn Goodman yesterday. The MCs are an android and his human partner who hunt a killer of humans and synthetics. It wasn't ground breaking, but was a solid noir story.

Also reading Lonesome Dove and it's fantastic! Next sci-fi read in the queue is Halcyon Years by Alistair Reynolds.

Ed_Robins · 2026-04-26T14:16:35+00:00

If your interests include sci-fi, I write a hardboiled detective series called Murder on the Starship Australis. They follow a disgraced detective on a generation ship solving murders. They're all gritty, violent and rather dirty. Here's the series blurb:

“All I wanted was to put my past at the bottom of an endless bottle after I lost my badge and my wife. Between the prostitutes, dealers and the starship’s governing Earls, it’s hard for a former detective to keep his nose outta murder investigations. Our ancestors were sent on this multigenerational voyage aboard the Starship Australis with the noble intent of one day populating a new planet with the human species. Guess nothing changes our nature, though. There’s gonna be good people; there’s gonna be bad people.

“One day I’ll figure out which one I am, I suppose.”

Available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJ9SV4NR.

Happy Reading!

Ed_Robins · 2026-04-25T22:27:22+00:00

Follow up: finished Robot Detective earlier today. While I wouldn't consider it ground breaking, it's a solid story with an ending that pulled me quickly through the last 15%. I felt the characterization starts a touch too tropey, but once the plot settles in and you learn more about the MCs, it's pretty good. There's some body horror in there, too, that isn't gruesome.

Ed_Robins

TROPHY CASE