Steampunk "primer"?

[ssampier]

before steam

I don't mean to derail, but what is an accepted definition of what pre-steampunk is called? I have the Mechamacy book from EN Press and it calls it clockwork. I type clockwork into google and I don't get many relevant results.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

By my understanding, "clockwork" is about as close to a synonym as you're going to get to "steampunk"...but it does involve a little bit more of a fantastic take on the technology.

 

[ssampier]

Ah, okay. I should have paid more attention. In the Mechamancy book it also lists gearpunk and clockpunk as specific terms. Wikipedia indicates that clockpunk is a derivative of Steam Punk.

To me, I see clockwork being more 15th century tech of da Vinci style devices that are wide-spread. Steampunk I see as Victorian inspired; almost a 300 year difference. Granted da Vinci was a futurist, but so was Jules Verne.

Anyway carry on...

 

[TheAuldGrump]

Not that clockwork abominations are without their few small blemishes....

Images from Skin Horse, by By Shaenon K. Garrity and Jeffrey Channing Wells

The Auld Grump

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Funny thing- as I opened this thread tonight, this sponsor showed up:

Steampunk & Noir Almost forgotten stories retold by FringeLore

 

[TheAuldGrump]

Funny thing- as I opened this thread tonight, this sponsor showed up:

Steampunk & Noir Almost forgotten stories retold by FringeLore

Yeah, they have some very interesting stuff. If my girlfriend had any interest in steampunk, any whatsoever, I would have gotten her a couple of things, for Christmas and her birthday.

More, in a similar vein, by Pink Waterfairy. (From a bookmark. )

The Auld Grump

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

I'm miffed for 2 reasons:

1) I design jewelry as a hobby...and some of the stuff they have in those links resembles stuff in my sketchbooks.

2) I may have to spend money on some stuff! Both my Father and I wear cufflinks when we dress up, and the ones they have there really got my attention.

 

[TheAuldGrump]

Something that would have been nice to know a few months ago - GOG.Com licensed the rights to a bunch of Atari titles back in April - including Arcanum: of Steamworks and Magic Obscura.
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Arcanum is my favorite computer RPG of all time, and I have lost track of the number of times that I have played it through. Possibly the best representation of fantastic steampunk in any computer game.

A few months ago I purchased a replacement copy for $35 when my CD would no longer load - now I find out that I could have gotten the game as a download for six bucks US. And I did not consider myself shortchanged.

I am buying a download in any event - so I can have it on my laptop and play without needing the CD.

The Auld Grump