The Rodeo

I hope so…

RodeoClown: fingers crossed

My most humble apologies to the dozen-odd people who have been bugging me to write something - hopefully this post and the next will explain the ‘why’ and the ‘what now’ as to the content drought this little blog has been experiencing.

Why?
I don’t want to just be a link regurgitator - pointing out the novel and the amusing, there’s plenty of others who (among other things) are fantastic at pointing out the new and noteworthy, and they do a far better job than I.

I want to write things that provoke thought, or are of interest to me* and those who read my posts. Lately I haven’t had much in the way of interesting content to write about - I’ve had plenty of ideas, but haven’t output anything.

Work has been busy lately - the company I work for was acquired by one of the largest software companies in the world, and there have been… several… changes to requirements - most of which directly involve my team and I. Because of this I’ve been spending most of my brain power on work, and what’s left at the end of the week just wants to veg.

I’ve also started work on a side project that I’ll probably reveal at some point, but for now it will remain cloaked in secrecy (woooo… mysterious)! It’s taking up a chunk of my time as well.

I’ve also been playing frisbee with Matty, who is getting pretty decent at it.

So that’s why I haven’t been posting much.

RodeoClown: Drained

*I realise that those things that interest me may not necessarily promote thought, hence the distinction here.

I’ve outlined why I haven’t been posting much, and hopefully they are acceptable reasons. If not, boohoo for you.

I started blogging with the goal of being disciplined and writing something every day for 30 days. I accomplished that task, and kept going for another 21 months. During that time I’ve moved house, changed church service, had another kid, had a sister get married, and the other finish school, move to the US, move back, and start working with a good friend of mine in the city. My mum changed jobs too, dad started guiding tours at Jenolan Caves. And I’ve slowed my posting rate considerably - from once a day to once a week. Or month.

So it kept me disciplined for a while, but life got busy and I got lazy.

What Now?

I’ve got a steadily growing list of things that I want to write about, but I’ve been having trouble getting started on any of them, much less finishing the posts I’ve begun. So here’s the new deal:

Regular rhythms rock - so I’ll aim to get something written once a week - Tuesday sounds like a good day (not least because it gives me seven days to come up with something for the next post). If I don’t have a new post up come next Wednesday morning, feel free to hassle me about it*.

I’ll also try line up several posts, so I can have them appear in a timely manner. And I’ll work at keeping them interesting and not echo stuff that’s already in the ’sphere.

Again, this is for me, everyone else just gets to listen to my thoughts**.

RodeoClown: weekly.

*Or don’t, your call.

**Not literally (unless you’re an internet telepath - in which case, read this: “                              “)!

Etienne Deleflie has created a surround sound format that provides true three-dimensional sound (including height, something that normal surround sound doesn’t provide). As of this Friday, he will no longer sit at the desk opposite me, but will attempt to make a living by giving stuff away.

He has written two posts explaining why someone might want to purchase a CD of these ambisonic recordings, when they can download the contents for free (legally).

There is a growing trend to provide free goods and services and to make money from things secondary to the main business. Craig points to a rant by the retiring Science Fiction Writers Association president, blasting “web scabs” who publish content for free on the web and who are eroding the efforts of old-school writers who continue to sell in the traditional manner - ie, not giving their work away for free.

What must hurt them even more is that the current number one science fiction book on Amazon was made available 5 weeks before hand as a freely downloadable file.

John Piper gives away all his books for free - and still sees big sales of the dead-tree manifestations of the same works.

Often, as in the case of webcomics, the artist makes money from the sale of secondary items, posters, prints, clothing etc, and not from the comic itself.

I think that this trend can only continue to gain ground. Copying digital files loses nothing in the transfer process, and as fast as media companies can lock their content up, it will be unlocked and distributed on the web. When there is so much content around, having to pay before finding out whether I actually want to purchase something makes me far more likely to just look for something else that I can try first.

I’m currently listening to a CD my sister owns, and I’ll more than likely buy it myself - partly to support the artists, and partly because I want a copy of my very own. There’s something satisfying about exchanging money for a real, physical object. I like having CDs around (it also means that once I’ve ripped them to my PC, I have a backup around should I need it).

I would appear that free distribution has the potential to work wonders for media producers, and there is a good chance more people will want to fork out for someone who has given them something for free.

Also - go check out Ambisonia, especially if you have a surround sound system and are interested in good, free, sound.

What do you think about giving stuff away to promote sales?

RodeoClown: Trying, then buying.

A friend of mine (who happens to have a truly awesome name) worked at Disney for the better part of 20 years. When they decided to shut down all their two-dimensional animation studios, he found himself without a job.

So Ian (told you he had a great name) did what any lead animator in the same situation would do - started his own studio and set about seeking funds to create an animated series aimed at 9-12 year old boys.

The studio is located in Western Sydney and Ian and his crew are looking for $3,000,000 in funding to produce (initially) 13 episodes of Real Heroes. The show is taking Bible stories and putting them in a context that not-quite-teenage boys will respond to, with humour and modern themes. It’s not just Bible-bashing though - the stories also relate to common situations that these kids find themselves in.

You can purchase shares in Moving Word Pictures (click on the logo to visit the site, where you can find a prospectus and samples of the animation style they are aiming for). The Heroes project has received certification as an Australian Film, and there are tax deductions available for investors (although you’ll need to check those out for yourself).

The initial offer closes on May 31st, so if you are interested in investing in the company, you’ll need to apply before then. There are contact details at the site too, where you can contact Ian and his cohorts for more information.

Ian is a top bloke, I think he has a great idea for a show, and the animation looks great. Check out the site and the samples therein.

RodeoClown: not a financial advisor.