Exploring the Kindle

Until today, I have largely ignored the Kindle and everything associated with it. I know a few people with them and I've casually asked if they like the devices. I've only heard positive comments about it so far. I've also seen the links to books offered in Kindle formats. I've participated in discussions of possible uses for the Kindle, too. Cookbooks are at the top of my list.

One of the reasons I have not taken to the time to investigate the Kindle is that I cannot figure out when or where I would use it (same goes for MP3 players). I simply do not have time to use these new devices. I read a lot as part of my day job. I read a lot as part of my freelance writing research. I do not have time for pleasure reading. Most likely a Kindle would become a very expensive storage device for reference material. In my mind, that equates to the Internet. All roads lead back to just using my computer and a browser for the same function. For the life of me, I cannot figure out why anyone who uses a computer regularly needs to buy a Kindle.

So, what happened today? I found out there are free Kindle reading apps for your PC and mobile devices. This opened an entirely new thought about the technology. I would be likely to purchase an electronic book to read on my computer or PDA. This is especially true because Kindle books tend to be cheaper than traditional books. So, my interest is peaked. I need to know if there's an app for Windows Mobile. I need to know what books of interest might be available in Kindle format. There is some writing research I could do offline using reference books.

So, I still don't actually want a Kindle device. But I'm going to explore the technology. I happen to have an Amazon gift card at the moment. Maybe I'll get myself a Kindle book. The jury is still out on MP3 players. So far, they are great storage devices for road trips or for shuffling music between work and home. Then there's the iPad. I can't even figure out how I would comfortably use such a device. I can rarely get comfortable with a laptop on my lap. Why would I want to hold up just a screen? Weird. Once again... the iPad may be useful in the kitchen for cookbooks and online recipes. Beyond that, why not just my laptop?

Poor Remote Control Design

The other night, I was lying in bed trying to use the remote control in the dark. This is not an unusual scenario in my household, but I realized that the particular remote I was using is poorly designed.

All designers of TV remotes should assume that users might use them in the dark. With that said, the button arrangement should be considered. Ideally the remote would be backlit, so you can see what you are doing. In the case that it is not (mine isn't), then the numbers should be arranged so you can feel around and push them successfully.

So what's wrong with my clicker (that's what we call it in my house)? The closed captioning button is located below the zero. The other clickers in the house don't feature this arrangement, so I am used to navigating to the bottom of the number pad and pushing the bottom center button to get a zero. When I do this on the clicker in question, I turn on the close captioning and enter a menu that requires multiple pushes to turn the feature off.

It's irritating. Maybe I'll get a new fangled flat TV and it will have a better clicker. Or I could just go get a universal remote... but of course, this clicker might just be one of those.

Writing for Demand Studios

It's been quiet on this blog lately. That's because I've been busy writing for Demand Studios. After all of my complaining about my writing slumps and the love-hate relationship I have with writing, I found another place to write.

For those who don't know, Demand Studios is an freelance writing website. It's like Textbroker, but with more structure and rules. The content created there is published on such sites as eHow, LiveStrong, GardenGuides, Trails and Answerbag, among others. When you start out, you can choose up to 3 articles to write at a time. Once the first 3 are approved, your limit moves to 10 articles. There are several well defined article formats to choose from, with varying pay levels. There are $3 tips and $15 How To articles. Each format has an editorial guide and there is a general editorial guide. Demand Studios prefers the AP Style overall. Once an article is written, it is put through a plaigerism filter and reviewed by an editor. The editor can request a rewrite or approve the article. Once approved, you get paid on the next payday. Demand Studios pays twice per week. So far, pay has been on time and reliable.

Some folks don't like Demand Studios because they say it's a content farm. Others feel that the application process and editorial process is too rigorous. I didn't find it difficult to be accepted. In fact I have qualified to write for GardenGuides.com. I don't really have an issue with the editorial process, except that I get irritated with rewrites. Luckily I don't get them often. I just don't like them because they slow my writing process and sometimes I disagree with the editor's comments.

It serves my purposes for now. I wanted to broaden the scope of my writing, get a wider variety of topics and get paid more. I have accomplished all three. Plus, I mainly write $15 articles. I like the structure. Each article is submitted in a web form, which guides you as you go along. I also like the rules. Having firm rules gives me guidelines and I can better determine if I feel like choosing a title or not. In addition, there is no penalty for unclaiming an article or abandoning a rewrite.

So far, I am working on increasing the number of articles I submit per pay period. In the beginning, I was lucky to submit two articles. They seemed to take at least an hour each to write. Now I do a better job of choosing titles that are easily writable. I am down to a half hour per article and up to submitting 1 to 2 articles per day. It's starting to pay off.

The best part about writing for Demand Studios is that I am learning about what life would be like as a full time writer. With the number of articles I am writing these days, I actually feel like a writer. Sure, I have days (like today) where I don't feel like writing articles, but I am going with the flow. Right now, I'll be content to get up to 3 articles submitted per day and continue to pay off my debts.