February 14, 2002

10:32 AM

MissingMatter.net- this is how Slashdot started out. Relatively technical weblog that deals with everything from nano to CS and quantum, to design and the occasional "popular" news items (ex. praying achieves pregnancy). Been up for a year and a half I think but still doesn't have the user base. But the stories posted there are worth it. You can search the whole archive since day one, by category.
posted by Why (12 comments total)

I love the Quantum Programming with Perl item, with the quote This still leaves us with plenty of ways to make Perl behave in a thoroughly unpredictable fashion.

Good link Why, you got them another user.
posted by iain at 10:51 AM on February 14, 2002

Interesting site. The first story it links is really groovy: Using ZIP compression to identify the language used in any text as small as 20 characters. It also has applications for identifying the author of an anonymous text.
posted by rcade at 11:12 AM on February 14, 2002

I've been reading MM for a while, mostly because he posts things that make my head hurt. The commenting is nonexistent but the articles have always made it worth visiting.
posted by tankboy at 11:35 AM on February 14, 2002

i post there fairly frequently (i'm lopati :) the last interview hasn't gone so well, but if you have any questions you want to ask an "AI Expert and Game Developer" feel free!

also check out the music in this thread.
posted by kliuless at 12:28 PM on February 14, 2002

excellent site. I'm signed up there and plan to drop by daily.

I used to read a site with a similar focus that unfortunately ended up shutting down a couple years ago. I can't find the URL any more but I think its name was similar to Geek News (but not GeekNews.net - which is too l33t for me).

thanks Why for the link!
posted by jazon at 12:50 PM on February 14, 2002

tankboy hit it on the nail. You won't find any discussions going on at MM just the bare link. I faintly remember missingmatterboy (owner and main contributor) posting his opinion of the site and how it lacked users; at that point they had ~250 users I think.

Occasionally though you'll have 10 comments/questions when there's an interview. Overall a cool corner for sci/tech/R&D stories. I'm actually surprised it hasn't taken off! Wonder if Matt was aware of the site.
posted by Why at 1:34 PM on February 14, 2002

well, what they need are a few good frost pist's and a natalie portman haiku or two. i'll be right back....
posted by quonsar at 3:15 PM on February 14, 2002

There's also Bottom Quark, which is more focused on science news, and has been around for two years now. Most of the stories still have few, if any, comments, though.
posted by Potsy at 9:31 PM on February 14, 2002

It would take a bit of knowledge to add comments to these sites. I've been noticing lately that it's a lot easier to express personal opinions than thought-out positions or new content. Neat sites, thanks!
posted by sheauga at 6:41 AM on February 15, 2002

Does anyone know of a directory of Bottom Quark/MissingMatter style weblogs? There's plenty of "personal" weblog dirs out there, but I have yet to find one that categorises sci/tech blogs.
posted by Why at 11:58 AM on February 15, 2002

a good start might be the google or dmoz directories.

some other ones i like that aren't listed are:

simcoe,

honeyguide,

scitech daily

and future energies

eurekalert! is also pretty great, too btw :)
posted by kliuless at 12:41 PM on February 15, 2002

Thx* for the links kliuless. Honeyguide will keep me busy for a while.

*George, please don't sue me for using your Lucasfilm logo.
posted by Why at 6:11 PM on February 15, 2002