Gharlane of Eddore

David G. Potter (April 3, 1947 – June 13, 2001) was a computer technician at California State University, Sacramento who was known on Usenet science fiction newsgroups for his acerbic, scathingly humorous and knowledgeable postings. He used "Gharlane of Eddore", taken from a character in the Lensman series, as a Usenet pseudonym, carefully guarding his real name. He is also known for authoring the Lensman FAQ. He died on June 13, 2001, following a heart attack.

Reputation

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

Up until 1992 he posted as "Carl Kolchak", a name taken from the TV series Kolchak: The Night Stalker. "Gharlane" made his first appearance September 25, 1992, in a posting to rec.arts.sf.written about the movie Sneakers. On May 7, 1993, he announced his Lensman FAQ in rec.arts.sf.written.

His pseudonyms in print publications included "E. K. Grant" and "Gordon F. Shumway" (the in-series real name of TV character ALF).

Fantasy author Tom Holt dedicated two books to him. Alexander at the World's End (1999) is dedicated to "Gharlane My Imaginary Friend." Falling Sideways (2002) is dedicated "In memory of David Grant Potter (1947-2001) —And thanks for all the fish."

In 2001, after Gharlane's death, Holt wrote: "A request for information usually produced an immediate and definitive answer. As for his opinions, he fired them like cannon-shells; they were incendiary, capable of piercing the toughest armor, and they scattered their shrapnel right across the group, often starting flames that would flicker on for weeks after the original salvo. A point-blank broadside from the Eddorian was devastating. Return fire seemed to glance harmlessly off him, or else it overshot the mark and sailed harmlessly into the distance. [...] he lives on in the minds he opened, the people who came to fight and stayed to debate, listen and learn. Correspondences that started with anger and outrage from some victim of Eddorian grapeshot mellowed into long, fruitful correspondence. Hundreds of people swapped mails with him, part of a network of friendship that reached right across the world. The centre of that network is silent now, we can no longer draw from it the information, wisdom and joy we've become accustomed to. But Gharlane survives in each member of that network as a perspective, a way of seeing things, an ability to notice things of value that previously were overlooked or not recognised for what they are. We are no longer one, but at least we're many."

Personal life Potter earned a BA in English literature and mathematics from Immaculate Heart College of Los Angeles; and another in linguistics from the State University of New York at Buffalo; and a degree in electrical and electronic engineering from California State University, Sacramento. Potter continued to take graduate courses until his death.

Potter was employed by CSU Sacramento as a computer technician for many years prior to his death.