News of the Day 1/12/2010

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Cuts by Warner Interactive?  Problems with the Nexus One?  Wal-Mart trying video distribution?  So much news I can't think of a witty lead in, so its Geek News Time!

Career:

Follow trendsin your job search. Good advice.

Economics/Geekonomics:
A look at 16-19 year old unemployment over the years – It's also pretty ugly now (37.1%) and is apparently at some kind of record . . .

Media:
Some thoughts on saving news – by having more sponsored events? An unusual idea at least that plays into some of the issue-based and possibly hyperlocal concepts. Not sure I agree, but it's stimulating.

Publishing:
Some thoughts on the e-reader situation that mirrors our own senses here – a lot of odd stuff, potential shakeouts, etc.

Why it's so hard to get foreign books published in the United States – A nice, broad look at an interesting phenomena. With the success of some Japanese properties, this certainly does make one think. A good read if you're in publishing.

Technology:
Google Office now lets people upload most any doc – Easy storage and access. A simple addition, but this adds a lot more usefulness to the google suite and makes them more competitive. Of course the upcoming Chrome OS probably has something to do with this . . .

Is the Tech spending downturn over? – Not sure myself. However it's been down awhile so I'd expect some increase soon anyway.

Technology-Mobile:
Google's Nexus One is having some issues – I get the feel it was a bit rushed.  Still this makes Google look bad.  I don't think it devalues other Android products, but it's not an auspicious launch.

Video:
Wal Mart trying to be like Netflix -again?
– Possibly via Vudu. This'd be the 3rd time they've tried something
like this. Of course they are glad to horn in on other markets, but
this one seems a tad crowded. If you work in video and delivery, keep
this in mind just in case.

Video Games:
Big Fish Games partners with PlayFirst in a team-up that seems to leverage both companies' strengths. This also probably helps Big Fish in a tough economy – Big Fish seems to be very open to different partnerships, from PlayFirst to Harlequin, and very savvy. They may be worth a resume . . .

The Most anticipated videogames of 2010 – According to wired. I agree on some of this. A good read to remind you of what's coming up, especially in a weird economy and an erratic industry.

SyFy and Trion's game/show partnership gets funding – It looks like it's still going – a game that will include content from a related show, One Earth. Not much to say except I'm glad the experiment is going.

Cuts to game companies and studios – Studios at Warner Interactive. There's been 11,500 job cuts in gaming since 2008 according to M2 research

An acquistion as well: Chinese game company Shanda acquires Mochi Media.

Writing:
29 places to find freelance writing jobs – Updated from awhile ago.

Carol Tice spells out what habits freelance writers need. Carol speaks – you listen.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: So, will Wal-Mart manage to get into video distribution, or will this be another failed attempt?

-Steven Savage

Finding your Ideal Pace

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Ever know someone who works slower than you (and drives you crazy?) or faster than you (and drives you crazy?).  Do you look at these people and wonder if you're overworking or underworking?

Let me put your mind at ease – we all have our ideal work pace.  We just have to find it.

I myself like to keep up constant activity, punctuated by breaks, with a decently full plate.  I know other people who ONLY work in huge, long, multi-day bursts of insane effort.  I know others who like slow and steady.  Everyone's different.

If you want to be a success, in your hobbies or your career, you need to find your ideal pace.

Read more

Book Update 1/12/2010

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Awhile ago I complained about no updates to the Warhammer 40K MMO.  Time to make sure I post updates on the Fan To Pro book.

I've been working on this since the summer – it got delayed as, when 80% complete, I decided my design didn't work.  So I sat down and rewrote the whole thing.  Frankly it's much better.

So here's the update, and I'll have new ones every now and then until publication.

  • The contents of the book are mostly done.  I want to add a bit more, especially a few more resource sections for "best resources."  I have best books and best online resources, but I want to think over if I need more.
  • The intro needs to be rewritten.  Oddly, its the part I'm least happy with.
  • The book is edited otherwise.  All the additions are new sections.  I fansourced the book editing out.
  • There will be an intro from my co-blogger, Bonnie, who has been through all of this with me.
  • 'm debating if the book needs an index.  The chapters are very clearly organized and differentiated, and I don't know if the book needs an index.
  • The cover is proving to be a pain to come up with.  Since I expect most sales to be online, that actually changes the kind of cover one wants to use.
  • I realized I need to develop a better plan to make people aware of the book, and have been researching that.

Here's what I've learned:

  • The archetypal book you think of doesn't exist in reality.  Books vary based on many factors.  I, loving indexes, find it odd that I'm thinking of leaving one out.
  • It's actually easy to write a book if you come up with a detailed outline first then write that to flesh it out.  It's a lot like good fiction.
  • There's quite a few self-publishing options.  Lulu.com managed to be a best-of-breed type.  Their success, however, also acted as a beacon to others to figure out how to make their self-publishing work.
  • Covers are a pain.  There's really no formula or plan to them.

The current publication date will be somewhere late March/early April 2010.  The unsurety comes from how fast I can get my proof.  I am using Lulu.com – so expect a review out of that.

So that's where I am.  A few more months and we're there.

– Steven Savage