A bunch of months back now, my girlfriend got us tickets to go see a documentary at the Silver Docs film fest called Winnebago Man. It was an amazing movie and I immediately told lots of people about it. The problem was this project was still touring festivals, and was not yet open to the public.

Flash forward to ROFLcon a few weeks ago, where they were having a showing of the movie as well as Q&A with the creators. I was at one of the nightly meet-ups telling people they should make sure to attend, and who taps me on the shoulder but one of the movie’s creators (I think it was Joel Heller, one of the Producers and of course one of the stars, Ben Steinbauer). We spent the next 20 minutes talking about the movie, some behind the scenes, ROFLcon and what-have-you, during which they mentioned the film would soon be released to a wider audience.

Here is that day, that post, and the trailer for the movie. The short premise is this: Ever see the viral video “Winnebago Man” featuring Jack Rebney, the Angriest Man In the World? If you haven’t, you should (there it is above). Some film makers tracked him down, informed him of his fame (it was news to him as the original vid was made a great many years ago) and became his friend, convincing him to meet some of his fans at the San Francisco Found Footage Festival. This is the story of both of them, viral videos, and the people who wind up in them. A complete and utter must see.

As BoingBoing was the first to write about the film, they now feature an exclusive trailer (seen below). You can read the article with more information here.

Having talked with the filmmakers, I can tell you that your interest directly helps them out. The more you read about them on BoingBoing, visit their official website and generally help them promote the project, the more likely it will make it to theatres outside of 3 or 4 major cities.

A bit of a change of pace from yesterday, I know, but file this under true story, Kyle.

For those of you still sticking around from Slashdot, thanks! Topics around here tend to vary around maths, biking, offices, graphic design, coffee and general sarcasm. While you’re waiting for more mathy things, here’s some ways you can get involved in the site:

• Send me cool stuff! I’m always looking for things to post about in the blog section. There’s a running series called System in the Wild where if you spot images like those seen in the comic you send them my way, for for that matter anything cool you find. Systemcomic at gmail dot com or via my Twitter account (@Rosscott) or the comic account (@Systemcomic).
• Comment on things! There’s no official forum here, but the posts have become a bit of a community. My mom posts more often than not (under the name Rossmom), and so do a bunch of other cool people. Share your thoughts, ideas, and whatever else you feel like. Just remember the old addage best known as the Wheaton Rule: Don’t be a dick.
• Buy stuff! Sounds capitalistic, I know, but the store helps keep the comic up and running. It’s better than donating and not getting anything more for it (because you are getting the comic for free after all). There’s prints, shirts, and soon to be more. So check out the HilariAwesome.com store.

Greetings, Slashdot-ers!

We here at Rosscott, Inc. glady welcome our new Slashdot overlords. Seriously though, look around! There’s plenty of comics in the veins of flying cars, charts, and other things that I would consider Slashdot-approved. If you really love the comic (this one, or in general) there’s even the HilariAwesome store where I sell prints of the comic, shirts and hopefully more soon. Finally, so you never have to actually look at the site again, there’s an RoSS feed of the site. Subscribe.

After 140 years, the Boltzmann Equation has been solved. the Boltzmann Equation has been verified, “by solving the equation for all types of collisions, including the type of small-angle collision never previously included in the analysis.” (Thanks, Heath!) Sure, it’s about gaseous behavior (heh) but I’m guessing any guys that can solve that might as well be hooking up a flying car. Why they didn’t just look in the back of the book for the answer to the Boltzmann Equation decades ago is beyond me.

Site Update: There’s now alt texts with comics. Only the last few, but I may go back and add some here and there, just to keep you guys on your toes. Oh, and the comic images? Just click ’em and it’ll take you through the archive. Quick and easy!

For those best represented by the last panel:

Apple doesn’t show anything made in Adobe Flash on the iPhone or iPad, and Steve Jobs released a statement all about it. Adobe has shot back with an ad campaign marked “We <3 Apple” linking to their take on Flash. Meanwhile every designer I know feels like their parents are fighting (after all, this site is brought to you by Adobe Illustrator on a MacBook Pro) and everyone else out there doesn’t give a crap and doesn’t fully understand why some sites aren’t loading on their shiny new iPhone.

What’s made in Flash?  What is it on the web that such users are missing out on?  I asked RossMom if she knew what Flash was one time, and she asked me “you mean on the camera?”  I explained that I meant on the computer, and she had no idea what I was talking about. Her and the millions of casual users out there like her just want things to work, they don’t care if it’s a crazy glitzy website for a movie or a video embedded on a website.  Reminds me of the whole Ikea changing their font thing.

I just get the theme from Flash Gordon stuck in my head any time someone mentions Flash.

UPDATE: If you’re viewing this post in Google Reader, there’s some issues seeing the comic. It’s on the site in the meantime, so you may have to just click through.  Or, here’s the image itself.

Hey Systemics! How many of you are in the tri-state area? Come to Wild Pig Con this weekend! I’m going to be joining my Super Art Fight crew for an amazing show at 4pm on Saturday, but there will also be tables to buy and meet people such as myself and a ton of comic friends including:

• Ami from Glass Urchin
• Danielle from Girls with Slingshots
• Joe (and I’m hoping the rest of his gang) from Digital Pimp / Joe Loves Crappy Movies
• Dern from Hello With Cheese
• Kev and Blondie from Caf-Fiends
• Caldwell Loldwell Tanner
• James from In His Likeness

and a bunch of others that, while worthy of your time, are not people I’ve met and can claim to know. But they’ll be there too. Here’s the guest list.

Details? Oh, okay.

WHEN: Saturday, May 15th from noon to 8 PM, and Sunday, May 16th from 10 AM to 5 PM

WHERE: The Springfield Holiday Inn on Route 22 West in Springfield, NJ.

HOW MUCH: Only $5 to get in. That’s really cheap!

Here’s their website for any more info. Let me know in the comments if you plan on attending! Mention the secret phrase when you come by my table and I’ll give you FREE STUFF. What’s the secret phrase you say?

Jimmy is out to get me.

What’s the free stuff? You’ll have to come by the table and find out. Also, a special guest! RossMom from the comments (yknow, my mother) will be coming by too. See her and me and my dad too! See you this weekend!