Capability

News Roundup 7/26/2013

by

EDUCATION:

College appears to be in a kind of peak, which should affect colleges. The for-profits (which seem to be the worst deals) look to be taking a hit as well. Let’s see how/if colleges adjust to this reality.

http://gawker.com/the-college-boom-has-peaked-921579798

MEDIA:

Sharknado is getting a theater release. No, really. As for what this says . . . well, yeah. No I’m not sure, but I’m sure someone will try and imitate this success and fail.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/sharknado-theaters-aug-2-594051

TECHNOLOGY:

Google has shown another Living Room device – a kind of meeting system. It looks like the living room really is the site of the next big battle. Be ready for it – if you’re in any form of IT it’s going to affect you.

http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2013/07/25/google-has-showed-another-living-room-device-sources/

Is Microsoft on a long, slow decline? Is it getting irrelevant? Here’s some numbers to think about. Also consider this in light of the Google announcement and the XBox One – is the living room a must-enter market for them? Keep this in mind if you work in technology, a Microsoft decline is going to change the landscape.

http://ben-evans.com/benedictevans/2013/7/20/the-irrelevance-of-microsoft

UK Prime Minister David Cameron thinks he can have a hackhaton to create a porn filter, missing many, many points. Note however that the “hackathon” idea is now in the heads of reactionary panderers.

http://boingboing.net/2013/07/26/no-mr-cameron-you-cant-sol.html

Also Mr. Cameron’s dream filter would censor plenty of other things: http://torrentfreak.com/uk-porn-filter-will-censor-other-content-too-isps-reveal-130726/

Video Games

One game developer gives up on the industry. Food for thought?

http://gamasutra.com/blogs/HaroldLi/20130725/196924/My_Game_Design_Exit_Interview.php

– Steven

A Quick Look at Chromecast

by

Yes, Google’s got it’s new dongle/gizmo Chromecast out.  It’s a wireless HDMI gizmo that lets you stream to your TV.  So really, it’s using your TV as a second monitor, which some of us do anyway.  However the Chromecast is also $35.00

Consumer reports does a great analysis.

To me, it’s interesting as it seems to:

  • Speak to an audience who is computer, not TV centric.  I’m that audience, and I get it – that TV is a big monitor.
  • Be remarkably restrained.  This is a small gizmo, not a big device.  If Google is going small, this opens up many opportunities.
  • Completely confuse and conflate TV, web, streaming, and TV.  Which may be the point and is kind of inevitable.
  • Would be REALLY interesting if paired with Steam.

Sounds like Google has some interesting plans.  Let’s watch this.

– Steven

Link Roundup 7/25/2013

by

A huge, huge list of writing resources. It just keeps going and going.

http://cannonbarrage.tumblr.com/post/56442195378/massive-writing-resource-database

What comics freelancers got paid in the 70’s. This may make you feel better . . . or worse. I’m not sure wish.

https://twitter.com/JimZub/status/360407411703566336/photo/1

What is known – and unknown – about XBox Indie development. Lots of unknowns, I’m afraid, but it’s not entirely dismal.

http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/196948/What_we_know_and_dont_know_about_Xbox_One_selfpublishing.php

A book on Superman’s creators sounds like a great read for comics, fans, writers, and historians. May be worth picking up.

http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/173240-super-boys-by-brad-ricca/

Skillbridge is trying to be a freelancing site for serious high-level stuff. This should be interesting to watch – and may provide some opportunities, or start a crash of pay rates.

http://techcrunch.com/2013/07/25/skillbridge-dorm-room-fund/

Facebook stock surges. By 25%. I certainly didn’t see this coming.

http://mashable.com/2013/07/25/facebook-stock-ipo-price/

Blackberry lays off 250 people. It may be time to give up. Finally. Again.

http://techcrunch.com/2013/07/25/blackberry-lays-off-250-employees-from-its-new-product-testing-and-rd-department/

For you makers, a dress made from a book.

http://boingboing.net/2013/07/25/dress-made-from-a-book.html

– Steven Savage