Fan To Pro - The Blog of Professional Geekery

Some Analysis of Harlequin

As you're doubtlessly aware, Bonnie and I have been enchanted by Harlequin lately.  Their venture into computer games and emanga intrigues us, their many lines show good differentiation, and let's face it - they're making a lot of money.  Our fascinating is understandable as we two progeeks want to know what they're doing right and what we can learn from it.

So let me say from the start they seem to be a company bloody well worth studying up on.  You'll probably see more analysis of them in the future since there's probably a lot we can learn.  Yep - we've got a new Crush Object here at Fan To Pro.

So as I read up on what they've done and how they've succeeded, one of the first things that comes to mind is that they chose a good subject matter.

Weekly Challenge - Your REAL business card

So it's your weekly challenge, that chance to get your progeek brain juices flowing.

This week, we're talking business cards.

Imagine you're making a business card - only it's not for your current job or even your ideal career.  It's for you.

If you had that small slip of cardboard, what would you put on it to help communicate who YOU are to people:

• Would you give yourself a title ("Lady of Fangirls", "Datamage", etc.)
• Would you put on a website, a Facebook page, what?
• What would you say about yourself?
• What design would you use to communicate who you are.
• Would you have a photo of yourself?  A portrait?  A symbol?

Give yourself ten minutes to think over what kind of business card represents "you."

Now for that matter, why not get one made? It's a fun way to network . . .

- Steven Savage

Interview With Brad Kinne of Seek Books

Ever want to own your own bookstore?  Brad Kinne of Seek Books actually went and lived the dream by opening his own bookstore in West Roxbury Massachusetts, about 7-8 miles from Downtown Boston.  Brad was willing to let me interview him despite his busy schedule, and he'll fill you in on his experiences living one of the ultimate geek dreams.

You can visit Seek Book's website, or the Seek Books Facebook Group.

And now, to the interview . . .

Advice: Keep people informed

Last week I noted that I was surprised to find out that there was development of a Warhammer 40K MMO . I recalled vaguely the past that there had been some development, but I'd completely forgotten about it.  Of course as I looked back on it, I realized there had been so little news on it I'd pretty much forgotten about it or figured it was gone to Duke Nukem territory.

This is a big reminder to people working in or with the geekosphere: awareness.  This applies to your business, your fannish products, and even yourself.

Go Farther: DateSims?

Datesims have a rather creepy reputation in the US.  The ones we see from Japan often contain questionable content.  By questionable of course I mean soul-searing horror that would make Cthulu call for his mommy and curl up in a blanket.  Yes I know there are Datesims that don't have objectionable content, you just don't hear about them that much.

Except I'm thinking Datesims may have more of a future.  I'm not talking that people will begin playing them instead of Modern Warfare 2.  But I'm thinking that the time may be right for more of them in  . . . well places that aren't Japan.  Oh, and datesims that aren't of a prurient nature.

Before you get scared, let me explain my logic.

• Datesims are casual games.  Casual gaming has obviously been on the increase.
• Their relatively simple nature would let them take advantage of the increased use of Downloadable content - reducing the cost, reducing the investment.
• Let's be honest, the standard Datesim is not overly complex as a piece of technology.
• Romance is always a big genre, and companies doing romance novels (Hey, Harlequin, want ANOTHER initiative?) could jump on the bandwagon.
• Their multimedia nature may tie-in well to people's interests.

So the reason I think Datesims have a future could be summed up as, I think they're viable because you can deliver them fast and cheap, they'd have good appeal, and you have audiences that would be interested in them.  If anything, I see the marketing being a bit troublesome - you'd probably have to call them "interactive romance novels" or something.

I don't see them as being big business (though I see the "interactive novel" idea having more of a future), but I think they may be a viable product for some companies, and a valuable addition to publishers of romance novels and products.  After all, if you got a modern anime-style artist to do a Datesim/romance with hunky vampires, and it cost $10 with the purchase of a novel, and maybe had unlockable desktops and themes - yeah, I think it'd sell.

- Steven Savage

Avoid the Peter Principle

The Peter Principle is a famous idea that, simply, people get promoted until they're in a position they're simply not good at.  Too many people are promoted to their level of incompetence.

This is often used in many jokes, but it's actually something I take seriously.  I take it seriously as I've seen it in action.

I also take it seriously because it scares me, as it is even more important to career geeks and profans like us.  We, yes we, the cool and creative and hip and obsessive people are in even MORE danger of the Peter Principle affecting us.  We are, in short, in more danger of being promoted far beyond our level of competence.

The danger is that we often like what we do and can miss when we're bad at it.

Book Review: The Management Myth

The Management Myth: Why the "Experts" Keep Getting it Wrong
by Matthew Stewart

ISBN-10: 0393065537
ISBN-13: 978-0393065534

PROS: Witty, intelligent, and well-written.  Has an excellent sense of history and cause-effect.  Personal anecdotes mixed in with historical reference help illustrate points.

CONS: At times difficult to read for anyone not acquainted with business and management processes.

SUMMARY: A must-read book for those of you in management, dealing with management, and interested in business theory.

Superheroes, SF, nostalgia - and no one caring

As soon as the whole Disney/Marvel mess was announced, there was talk of Fox doing a new Fantastic Four film.  Of course I suspect that was a case of wanting to assert their current rights, but it has had me thinking.

The second recent Hulk film was sort of sequel, sort of reboot.  There's talk of a new origin-of-Superman film.  A new Fantastic Four Movie doesn't seem unlikely.  We just had a GI Joe movie.

I've wondered if the recent rush to superheroic/SF-ish movies, the desire to maximize properties, and the fact only some of the big superhero/SF/nostalgia properties have big name recognition means that past a certain point people will stop caring.

Book Review: Escape from Cubicle Nation

Escape from Cubicle Nation: From Corporate Prisoner to Thriving Entrepreneur
by Pamela Slim

ISBN-10: 1591842573
ISBN-13: 978-1591842576

PROS: A good, friendly book that covers the process, psychology, and issues of starting one's own business.  Many personal and general insights are provided.

CONS: Occasional odd metaphors and "pop-culture" elements can distract.  The book does not cover everything about your own business in depth - but does advise where to go for in-depth information.

SUMMARY: An excellent, broad guide mixing psychology, encouragement, and advice for starting your own business.

Thoughts on Fast-Food Fun

Does the internet allow for us to have more simple/fun/cheesy entertainment.  Think of it as "fast food" entertainment.

I reflected on this lately for several reasons - simple but fun online games, LOLcats, available content online I'd never otherwise read or watch, etc.  I can spent a lot of time doing enjoyably shallow things, indulging my love of hilariously bad translations, or just surfing.

I've wondered if that's made easier by the internet - and yes, this is relevant to geeky careers since many of us are interested in technology or content.