News and Analysis

We’ve got plenty of i-enthusiasm for e-books, today, but just how enthusiastic are comic companies?  Here’s the geek news you need to know!

Career:
Is Gen Y failing at University Life? A Gen Y member is concerned about the possibility that universities aren’t being taken as seriously as they should be.

Monster.com buys HotJobs.com from Yahoo – Which doesn’t impress me as both are lousy. Maybe this is a good sign and something will come of this, but I’m not hopeful.

Economics/Geekonomics:
You’ve heard about people who, when their home’s value is less than the owe, they just walk away and let the bank take it? Well in some states they can be on the hook for the difference between the mortgage price and the sale price. This varies by a lot of factors, from the state one lives in to various legal agreements – and a bank may not come after the former homeowner for years. The impact of this can’t be understated, as people often walk away from a home when they can’t make payments anyway. This will ruin more people, continue to depress home prices (less buyers), depress home-related businesses (construction), and of course keep ramping up people’s hatred of the banks.

Have I mentioned that right now I would not work at a large bank or the credit card industry? Well I just did – if finance or finance tech is your geekery take a look at local banks, smaller banks, reliable investment companies, e-commerce, and credit unions. At some point the big banks and other institutions will get hit hard with worse reps, lawsuits, and new regulation – and that’s those that still survive.

Alan Particof on Venture Capital – Namely, it’s tougher to raise right now. He knows what he’s talking about, so keep his words in mind.

Comics:
Comics publishers react to the iPad – Forward-thinking, somewhat positive, is my take. We know e-comics will be bigger, we just don’t know how much or how it’ll be pulled off.

Publishing:
Major textbook publishers strike deal with ScrollMotion to make e-versions of textbooks – Details are a bit sketchy, so my guess is this was going on before the iPad, but knowledge OF the iPad was a driver. This fits the predictions that e-reader devices and e-reader capable devices may find a place in the classroom. If things go that way – and I imagine they will (have you BOUGHT a college textbook lately?) – it’s good news for Apple, e-reader companies, and ScrollMotion. Come to think of it it might be worth tossing them a resume at their website.

Border’s future? Probably consolidation with Barnes & Noble over bankrupcy says William Ackerman. That idea surprises no one – but then we know it’ll be one big brick and mortar store versus Amazon. What of the smaller bookstores then?

Social Media:
Mashable’s Social Media Job Roundup.

Technology:
Hackers steal carbon credits? I include this for the sheer geekery of all of it – environmental science, geekonomics, AND technology? Of course I had to!

Video Games:
Video game sales fall 8% worldwide in 2009 – A variety of factors seem to be involved, not just the global recession – including PS2 decline, portables, and more.

Star Trek Online has some virtual goods – I’m hearing a bit of annoyance on this – it’s unlockable species basically

Question of the Day: So, do you think e-comics will be successful in the near term? The far term?

– Steven Savage

Come get a nice meal of news! We've got hot economic statistics, with a yummy obscure dish! Anime studios are serving up next year's menu! Open wide, it's a full course of can't-miss news for progeeks, profans and working otaku!

Career:
Thoughts on new career paths and surprises. This article might help give you some ideas and inspiration on figuring your career path.

Economics/Geekonomics:
An in-depth review of what financial reform is needed – And when I say in-depth, I mean it. For those with hardcore economic interests, here's a detailed idea of how to reform the US financial system, with plenty of juicy information to boot.

The GDP is up which is a nice change. However if you're an econogeek, you might want to observe what you can learn from a more obscure statistic, The Chicago Fed National Activity Index which seems to measure the financial health of America a lot better. If this is to be believed, we're in a recession more like the mid-70's that's lasted as long as the recession of the early 80's . . . which sounds about right.

Anime and Manga:
What are major anime studios up to? Sounds like a lot of new stuff, but not necessarily original. What goes on now will quickly affect things in America, and I'm sure Crunchyroll and Funimation have their eyes open.

Movies:
Disney shuts Mirimax, distributes remaining films

Publishing:
Amazon thinks its quarterly sales may accelerate after the recession ends – Considering their position, the increase in e-readership, and recent performance this seems logical. May be good for the job scene as well if they have to hire to keep up with any expansion.

Book bash in India shows growing book culture and influence – Which makes me wonder two things. One, how much Indian lit may make its way to other countries, and secondly what inroads other publishers could make here with certain products (oh, say, Manga . . . ). I see it going both ways – and frankly if you haven't seen some of the amazing stuff coming out of India, Thailand, and other countries in South Asia, you're missing out.

It's an online world, especially for young readers and publishers need to keep that in mind. Read this to find out how they're doing it – and remember lessons here apply elsewhere.

Technology:
Apple has a very closed app store and environment, but others are going the opposite route. A showdown between more open and more closed development? Well, we've been having that for years. What's interesting is that it's happening in an age of larger-scale adaption of technology. What's going on here may affect you and your job in the future, or at least the tech you use.

Chrome OS to have touch capability? Would it surprise ANYONE if it was added? Yeah, I thought not.

Find a bug in Chromium, earn money? Apparently. OK you geeks, go for it. Imagine being able to put that on your resume . . . and an interesting bit of public-relations building on Google's part.

How to hate the iPad. Also competitors keep piling on.

Meanwhile, some thoughts on how the iPad will Chagne the App Store, and indeed, Apple. Some good points here that by making this new product, Apple is setting themselves on a path to some changes, like it or not.

And if you're trying to figure out why there's no Flash on Apple mobile devices, a primer on theories why.

Television:
NBC wants a slice of the TV superhero money? Sounds like it. Sounds like superheroes are considered legit mainstream media subjects.

Question of the Day: With it's large population and growing technology footprint, what are the markets for "geekonomic products" in India – and coming FROM India?

– Steven Savage

The Apple Bomb has dropped – but a few people aren't impressed.  Superheroes are going to act heroic again – but how long will it last?  I've got news, you've got questions – it's geek career news time!

Career:
101 Ways to find a job – MUST READ for job seekers.

How well are you evaluating progress towards your goals – Another good read from Career Success. Measuring goals is important for success, this should give you some things to think about.

Economics/Geekonomics:
Ben Bernake reappointed as Chief of the Fed – A lot of economists I follow aren't happy with this, but there you go. I'm not sure he has the imagination and fortitude to really deal with the crises, and I'm not sure about his connections.

Comics:
Marvel to shift comics to a more heroic, swashbuckling feel? Sounds like it – and DC's 'Brightest Day' seems to be the same thing. I'm sure some people will blame Disney, but frankly comics has played out the grim and gritty thing for far, far too long. I also suspect competition from manga has played a part of it. So how long will this shift carry . . .

More sneak peak of the Twilight Manga. I'm no Twilight fan, but I'm curious about the synergy, and I do rather like the art.

Publishing:
Amazon has a pretty good 2009. If I haven't said it before, I consider Amazon a viable employment option for people interested in Geeky jobs.

Borders is eliminating positions. 164 of them. I think with their recent issues, I'd take Borders off an 'ideal company list' until their future is sure.

Social Media:
How Pepsi got Social Media Marketing right – A must read for anyone using social media for marketing – or working in Social Media.

Technology:
OK, the Apple iPad Announcement is done, so a little back to reality:

• 5 reasons not to buy an iPad that are probably going through people's minds.
• An investor looks at the impact of the iPad.
• An author concerned about what the iPad means for book culture.
• Mashable is not impressed – Though it's a nice device, the closed nature is a big turn-off to me.
• TechCrunch thinks the iPad will kill the Kindle.
• Remember, there is no Flash on the iPad right now.
• Random house is not involved in what is partially a big e-reader . . .

The National Science Foundation is researching ways to improve the internet – No, really. In all seriousness if the research yields useful ideas and technologies, it'll be important to technical careers.

Question of the Day: Is the iPad already being regarded too cynically?

-Steven Savage