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Tech publishing’s new style?

March 17, 2010 by Paul Mayson · Leave a Comment 

Blogger, developer, and author Gina Trapani has been consistently working on a guide to Google Wave since it’s early release. What started as a wiki and later became a downloadable pdf, is now a print book ready for your order.

Say what you will about Google Wave, but the interesting thing here is that a well known web personality that has published through traditional channels in the past with great success is foregoing that route and taking the DIY track.  I speculate that this is by choice and her publisher would have jumped at the chance to do another book.  Instead, Gina was able to make the book a live work in progress online and do an early and inexpensive distribution by PDF.  And now, months later, is releasing it as a regular old book.

Is there a new Fugazi-style movement happening in the publishing world?  Might be a cool thing!

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Pick of the Week :: Rework from 37Signals

March 16, 2010 by Paul Mayson · Leave a Comment 

Last week, the guys from 37Signals put out their second book, Rework.  It’s one of those books that keeps the highlighter active and makes readers pause to figure out how to apply the ideas to their own work and business.  As a guy that builds websites and apps, I personally liked the first book, Getting Real, much better because it was focused specifically on software.  And, I thought the ideas were clear enough so folks in other industries could get their head around them and apply them.

Rework looks at a lot of those same ideas and makes them more generic for folks that work in any industry.  The style and language is clear and to the point.  You won’t find anything about ‘leveraging synergies’ here.  The usual business book smoke and mirrors has been left behind and the reader is left with non-stop info from guys that really built a fantastic business.  You get about 10 years of business experience in a high impact, under 300 page container.

The illustrations are really wonderful and show up great on the Kindle as well.  Here are some of my favorite highlights in the book.  If they move you, you should probably pick up a copy of Rework:

  • You can’t build on top of “We’ll decide later,” but you can build on top of “Done.”
    .
  • Remember, fashion fades away. When you focus on permanent features, you’re in bed with things that never go out of style.
    .
  • If I’d listened to customers,I’d have given them a faster horse. —HENRY FORD
    .
  • When you build an audience, you don’t have to buy people’s attention—they give it to you. This is a huge advantage. So build an audience. Speak, write, blog, tweet, make videos—whatever. Share information that’s valuable and you’ll slowly but surely build a loyal audience. Then when you need to get the word out, the right people will already be listening.
    .
  • You can advertise. You can hire salespeople. You can sponsor events. But your competitors are doing the same things. How does that help you stand out? Instead of trying to outspend, outsell, or outsponsor competitors, try to out-teach them. Teaching probably isn’t something your competitors are even thinking about. Most businesses focus on selling or servicing, but teaching never even occurs to them.
    .
  • So emulate famous chefs. They cook, so they write cookbooks. What do you do? What are your “recipes”? What’s your “cookbook”? What can you tell the world about how you operate that’s informative, educational, and promotional? This book is our cookbook. What’s yours?
    .
  • A lot of companies post help-wanted ads seeking “rock stars” or “ninjas.” Lame. Unless your workplace is filled with groupies and throwing stars, these words have nothing to do with your business.
    .
  • There are four-letter words you should never use in business. They’re not fuck or shit. They’re need, must, can’t, easy, just, only, and fast. These words get in the way of healthy communication. They are red flags that introduce animosity, torpedo good discussions, and cause projects to be late.
    .
  • And these words are especially dangerous when you string them together: “We need to add this feature now. We can’t launch without this feature. Everyone wants it. It’s only one little thing so it will be easy. You should be able to get it in there fast!” Only thirty-six words, but a hundred assumptions. That’s a recipe for disaster.
    .
  • You can’t build on top of “We’ll decide later,” but you can build on top of “Done.”
    .
  • Remember, fashion fades away. When you focus on permanent features, you’re in bed with things that never go out of style.
    .
  • If I’d listened to customers,I’d have given them a faster horse. —HENRY FORD
    .
  • When you build an audience, you don’t have to buy people’s attention—they give it to you. This is a huge advantage. So build an audience. Speak, write, blog, tweet, make videos—whatever. Share information that’s valuable and you’ll slowly but surely build a loyal audience. Then when you need to get the word out, the right people will already be listening.
    .
  • You can advertise. You can hire salespeople. You can sponsor events. But your competitors are doing the same things. How does that help you stand out? Instead of trying to outspend, outsell, or outsponsor competitors, try to out-teach them. Teaching probably isn’t something your competitors are even thinking about. Most businesses focus on selling or servicing, but teaching never even occurs to them.
    .
  • So emulate famous chefs. They cook, so they write cookbooks. What do you do? What are your “recipes”? What’s your “cookbook”? What can you tell the world about how you operate that’s informative, educational, and promotional? This book is our cookbook. What’s yours?
    .
  • A lot of companies post help-wanted ads seeking “rock stars” or “ninjas.” Lame. Unless your workplace is filled with groupies and throwing stars, these words have nothing to do with your business.
    .
  • There are four-letter words you should never use in business. They’re not fuck or shit. They’re need, must, can’t, easy, just, only, and fast. These words get in the way of healthy communication. They are red flags that introduce animosity, torpedo good discussions, and cause projects to be late.
    .
  • And these words are especially dangerous when you string them together: “We need to add this feature now. We can’t launch without this feature. Everyone wants it. It’s only one little thing so it will be easy. You should be able to get it in there fast!” Only thirty-six words, but a hundred assumptions. That’s a recipe for disaster.

Bonus links:

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‘Rework’ from 37 Signals Coming Next Week

March 3, 2010 by Paul Mayson · Leave a Comment 

I pre-ordered the Kindle version of Rework from the guys at 37 Signals.  As a Basecamp subscriber, and a general fan of the way they think, work, and ship, I’m really looking forward to the new book.  Chomping at the bit, I was Googling around and found this interview from O’Reilly TV.  Hope you enjoy and stay tuned for a review of the book:

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Publishers explain ebook pricing

March 1, 2010 by Paul Mayson · Leave a Comment 

The New York Times did a piece on how pricing works on an ebook.  The costs, who gets what, and the margins.  You can read those details here.  Plus they have a handy time-saving graphic:

It’s a good article but it stops before it gets to the good stuff.  What they don’t cover is the one start-up or company that’s going to have the guts to say, “we’ll make 30% of what we did last year, and we’re prepared to do that for five years.  By then we’ll have destroyed everyone holding on to their old pricing models.  We’re going to get to the real customers and we’re going to be bigger than any of today’s publishing companies can imagine.”

There’s a new publishing king.  I don’t know its name or where’s it’s located;  not sure if it will be one company or a few.  But, someone’s going to step up and do something drastic, and it’s going to shake the shit out of the pillars of today’s publishing world.

What do you think?

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Pick of the Week :: iMovie ‘09 & iDVD The Missing Manual

February 23, 2010 by Paul Mayson · Leave a Comment 

Spring is almost here and the window to edit down those video clips and movies your shot over the holidays is closing fast. If you don’t get to them now, Spring will spring and then your not so relaxing summer will arrive, followed by the beauties of Fall. Next thing you know, you have another round of holiday videos to shoot! Who has time to deal with that 2009 crap when 2010 is upon us?! Listen, everyone hates watching a 27 minute video for those 48 seconds of pure funny, bliss, or ‘moment’. You’re boring your friends and family with those other 26 minutes and 12 seconds. They may never tell you, but, well, you are. So if you ever want those videos to be anywhere other than a hard drive or a drawer, this pick is for you (plus, you’ll need a Mac).

iMovie ‘09 and iDVD: The Missing Manual is the pick. iMovie and iDVD are already on your Mac (unless you did something funky) and they’re quite powerful and ready to go. All you have to do is figure out how to use it. With this book, you’re not alone. I always say the right book is the most affordable training tool around, and this book falls into that category.

So what’s in the book?

  • First, it’s full color throughout (not a dopey 8 page ‘color insert’)
  • Some background on choosing a camera
  • The basics of getting your movie on the Mac and understanding project, events, and the iMovie workspace
  • Creating a movie by editing and arranging clips, cropping
  • Using transitions, themes, video effects, green screen and picture-in-picture
  • Even adding subtitles, credits, a sound track

So really from beginner to power user, the book takes you through the application.  There is a complete section on exporting your work so you can share it on your own website, YouTube, the iPhone, well, really anywhere you want it to be viewed.

Then there’s the iDVD section. This is likely one of the most under-used applications in the iLife suite. It’s very powerful and anyone can make remarkable DVD menus with this tool. It’s wonderful if you want to throw your parents a professional quality DVD instead of sending them to YouTube for a 3″ x 5″ look at your last adventure.

More? You got it. From The Missing CD ROM you can download additional content like:

  • Bonus appendix: The Basics of Lighting, Composition, and Camera Technique
  • Movies on Custom Web Sites
  • Bonus appendix: More Chapter Markers

And, how do we know David Pogue is the right author for the book? There are plenty of Mac maniacs around, but, before he did a deal with CNBC, he used to produce those clever weekly videos we watch on the NewYorkTimes.com all on his own using his Mac, iMovie, and some clever plugins.  So you have a guy that not only can explain things really well, but he has the hands on experience.  The perfect combo for  a topic like this.  Years ago he made a video about how he makes the videos. Unfortunately that one’s not available anymore. I was only able to come up with a broken link to a Real Audio archive (nice work NYTs).

[NOTE TO DAVID POGUE: If you still have that video, and I bet you do, how about popping it up on YouTube? Sure, it might be dated, but it was a good one.]

So there you have the pick of the week: David Pogue’s iMovie ‘09 & iDVD: The Missing Manual. Buy it, read it, and make your own awesome videos that won’t bore the life out of your friends and family!

TECHSHELF PICK OF THE WEEK ::

iMovie ‘09 and iDVD: The Missing Manual
by David Pogue & Aaron Miller
978-0-596-80141-0
$49.99 retail (don’t pay that much though)

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Benjamin Franklin :: Albert Einstein :: Steve Jobs

February 16, 2010 by Paul Mayson · Leave a Comment 

The New York Times is reporting that Walter Isaacson (author of two best-selling biographies, “Einstein: His Life and Universe” and “Benjamin Franklin: An American Life“) is working on a new biography.  However, it’s focus is not Abe Lincoln, JFK, or Leonardo Da Vinci.  It’s said to be Apple’s fearless leader, Steve Jobs.

The book, which is in the early planning stages, would cover the entire life of Mr. Jobs, from his youth in the area now known as Silicon Valley through his years at Apple, these people said.  Mr. Jobs, who will turn 55 on Feb. 24, has invited Mr. Isaacson to tour his childhood home, one person with knowledge of the discussion said.

This is exciting for a few reasons.  One, because Isaacson does fantastic work, and, two, it’s rumored that Jobs is cooperating on the project.  Three, because there is some history with Jobs and ‘unauthorized’ biographies.  For example, it’s a rumor that when Wiley put out iCon Steve Jobs: The Greatest Second Act in the History of Business, Jobs himself had the book removed from the Apple retails stores along with ALL they other Wiley books, including the ‘For Dummies’ series.

A search for ‘Steve Jobs’ on Amazon pulls up a list of everything from Jobs’ presentation ’secrets’ (geez, I hate ’secrets’ and ‘easy steps’) and his comeback to Apple, to his ’secret life’ and what’s inside his brain.  All of it unauthorized and at least once removed.  If Isaacson does the work that he’s known for, with the cooperation of his subject, this could be a real killer!

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iPhone Developers Dave Mark & Jeff LaMarche Interview

February 15, 2010 by Paul Mayson · 1 Comment 

Late last week I was lucky enough to hook up with superstar iPhone Development authors Dave Mark and Jeff LaMarche for an interview about their books, how Apress became so dominant on the Mac development side of things, and, of course, the iPad.  We talked for about 30 minutes and you can check it out here:

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Or, download the MP3.

I also learned that Dave & Jeff have started a company and now you can get them to build an iPhone or Android app for you.  You can get more details by contacting them direct:  daveandjeff at iphonedevbook dot com.

Related & useful links:

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Linchpin Review – Godin’s Best Yet

February 6, 2010 by Paul Mayson · 1 Comment 

I just finished reading Linchpin for the second time.   Linchpin, however, is different from Godin’s previous books.  For one, it’s bigger — bigger in size (check out our ‘unboxing‘) and delivers bigger ideas.  Second, the ideas Seth shares are complete and interlocked.  Where books like The Dip and Tribes covered a specific idea, Linchpin brings them all together in a cohesive work that, in your hands, could change the way you work, what you do, how you do it, and why.

The book opens with a look at where we are and how we got here.  The shift that’s happening moving us away from the factory and back to artistry.  Why the role of an easily replaceable cog/worker is dying, and, for you, is probably already dead.  Quote:

“Wait!  Are You Saying That I Have to Stop Following Instructions and Start Being an Artist?  Someone Who Dreams Up New Ideas and Makes Them Real?  Someone Who Finds New Ways to Interact, New Pathways to Deliver Emotion, New Ways to Connect?  Someone Who Acts Like a Human, Not a Cog?  Me?”

Yes.

So, what do we do next?  Since bloggers have discovered that posts like “7 Ways to Supercharge Your Meetings” and “Change Your Life in 28 Days” work wonders with search engines and in receiving link love, many readers now look for specific, step-by-step lists to complete a task, a project, family life, or a career.  Linchpin doesn’t provide lists, or how to’s.  There are no specific instructions on how to be an artist, or a leader.  Godin gives good reason (page 187):

Telling people leadership is important is one thing.  Showing them step by step precisely how to be a leader is impossible.  ”Tell me what to do” is a nonsensial statement in this context.

There is no map.  No map to be a leader, no map to be an artist.  I’ve read hundreds of books about art (in all its forms) and how to do it , and not one has a clue about the map, because there isn’t one.”

One of the tell tale signs of a book that shakes my foundation is the number of dog-earred pages.  Usually, if I hit 10, it’s a good sign.  I think in Drive, I hit around that number.  Here are a couple of shots of Linchpin:

Bottom Corners

Top corners

The book also goes into an area that’s usually reserved for guys like Tony Robbins.  Something covered wonderfully by Steven Pressfield in The War of Art.  That is conquering things like procrastination, fear, and “resistance”.  Godin not only credits Pressfield for his work, but adds his own angle by giving these barriers their own organ:  The Lizard Brain.  Seth says it’s in all of us, and it will bury us if we let it (see video below of a talk covering just this topic).

It’s only February, but this could be the most important business book of 2010 and maybe 2011 for that matter. The timing is dead on with everything that is happening in major industries like publishing, music, & technology.  Plus, people are still getting canned from their jobs everyday.  Those people could look at that as a gift.  Linchpin doesn’t come with rose colored glasses, but it certainly will help readers frame exactly what’s happening, what can be done, and point them in a direction to contribute more than they ever imagined.

For you guys that LOVE summaries and lists, here’s a final shot of the summary at the end of the book.  Choose your Ven diagram.  Where are you?  Where do you want to be?

More on the web:

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Ihnatko on the CBS Morning Show

January 24, 2010 by Paul Mayson · Leave a Comment 

Internationally beloved tech writer, Andy Ihnatko was on the CBS Early Show on Saturday (1.23.10).  It was pretty early, so in case you missed it, I caught it with the trusty El Gato. Speculating on what Apple is going to announce/release this week, Andy is in the camp that this will revolutionize the publishing industry.

“This could be as big as the original Macintosh.”

Here’s the clip:

More from Andy:

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Jeff Jarvis & the King of All Media

January 20, 2010 by Paul Mayson · Leave a Comment 

Many of us know Jeff Jarvis from his book, What Would Google Do?, and from This Week in Google from the TWiT network, but today, worlds collided.  I was listening to the 1/14/10 Howard Stern replay and I heard a very familiar voice.  Sure enough, it was Jeff Jarvis on the Stern Show!  I pulled the clip for you:

LISTEN

Who knew Jarvis was such a Stern fan?  Very awesome.  And if you don’t subscribe to Sirius, you should!

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