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This article discusses a writer's pen name. For other uses of the term, see Gharlane of Eddore (disambiguation).

David G. Potter (1947-2001) was a Sacramento, California-based science fiction writer and critic in the late 20th century who was widely known for acerbic, scathingly humorous and knowledgeable postings to Usenet science fiction newsgroups. He assumed the name of Gharlane of Eddore (Fictional alien) as a Usenet pseudonym for Usenet postings and carefully guarded his true identity for many years before his death. His chief surviving non-fictional work is the Lensman FAQ and voluminous Usenet postings.

He passed into the next plane of existence on June 10, 2001 following a heart attack.

Reputation

He was well known for being a curmudgeon and pedant in Usenet science fiction newsgroups (rec.arts.sf.*), frequently pointing out scientific inaccuracies.

Some have claimed that he was one of the "greatest" and "most respected" science fiction experts of all time, with additional expertise in "SF writing, movies and television, as well as writing in general, general science and engineering, computers and USENET history and culture", and being "incredibly prolific" and "able to write about it incredibly well"

Described by the net.legends FAQ as a semi-master flamer.

The Register said "no one will doubt that he was not backward in coming forward, the fact remains that he was a witty, well-read, travelled and caring man. In short, a good human being."

He is known to have posted as Gharlane from gharlane@nextnet.csus.edu and gharlane@ccshp1.ccs.csus.edu. Up until 1992 he often posted as "potter@csusac.ecs.csus.edu (Carl Kolchak)". Gharlane made his first appearance Sep 25 1992 in a posting to rec.arts.sf.written about the movie Sneakers (see below). On May 7 1993 he announced his Lensman FAQ in rec.arts.sf.written.

Pseudonyms used in print publications include E. K. Grant and Gordon Schumway.

Personal life

Employed by California State University in Sacramento for many years prior to his death.

Education: Immaculate Heart College, Los Angeles, BA in English Literature and Mathematics; New York, SUNY, Buffalo, New York (Linguistics); California State University Sacramento (Graduated with a degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering). David Continued to to take graduate courses until his death. Upon his death he was still driving the 1966 Volkswagen he got for his graduation from High School.

Print Publications

This section needs further details, confirmation, links, etc:

story "The Man Who Hated Cadillacs" in The Mammoth Book of Comic Fantasy II

story "The Swords and the Stones" in the first The Mammoth Book of Awesome Comic Fantasy

He also wrote occasional scripts and short stories and adapted books for the TV, according to The Register.

Notable Usenet Postings

• First posting as potter@csusac: “HOGAN/Inherit The Stars”. May 23 1990.
• First posting as Carl Kolchak “Bradbury/Dark Star”. Nov 22 1990.
• First posting as Gharlane of Eddore: “Sneakers: Moral Confusion? (SPOILERS).” Sep 25 1992.
• Lensman FAQ: May 7 1993.
• On the correct spelling of Gray Lensman (see footnote). Mar 23 1996.

References

• Gharlane of Eddore 1998. Lensman FAQ http://www.outel.org/decomposed/goe/lensfaq.html.
• Obituary in the California State University, Sacramento Computing Services Department *newsletter, Fall 2001.
• Death announcement on Usenet with eulogies
• The Gharlane of Eddore RIP File
• In Memoriam page

Footnotes

1. Citations of his identity
2. Usenet posts.
3. Obituary and followup in The Register.
4. http://www.geocities.com/evilsnack/gharlane.htm
5. Personal reactions [http://www.geocities.com/naran500/gharlane.html ]
8. http://www.theregister.com/2001/06/25/reader_poll_the_gharlane_results/
9. His personal life, tersely written by his friend

• American science fiction writers
• Science fiction fans
• Usenet people