Archive for September 2009

Despite the “3″ in the name, Farm Frenzy 3 is the fourth game in the Farm Frenzy series. Farm Frenzy Pizza Party wasn’t worthy of a number despite its success. Anyhoo, Farm Frenzy 3 brings more of the same while adding international locations and heavy-duty graphics that slow down the game’s performance.

In the latest incarnation, you take care of animals, store the goods, produce other goods and sell them. Cows, chickens and ostriches make it back in this one as do the bears and dogs. This one adds llamas, yaks, penguins and walruses. The international part comes in when Scarlett travels to Africa and other faraway locations to help with the farms as a step toward her goal of becoming president of the farmers union.

Scarlett has different goals to meet for every level. The goal could be earning a set amount of cash, collecting X amount of products or making X amount of products. Sometimes you have one goal and sometimes four. Anything goes.

She also has to buy and upgrade equipment for managing her farm including transportation, product making machines and defenses like cages to trap the bears. Many of the levels require you have certain upgrades before you can play them, so you’ll have to play other levels or replay them until you collect enough cash to upgrade.

The strategy and planning aspect of Farm Frenzy 3 remains one of its strengths. You can’t always play the next level and you’ll have to experiment with different strategies to earn the gold or silver star. This approach prevents boredom and predictability while boosting replayability.

One of the flaws in the game is the graphics. Oh, they’re gorgeous, but too much for the game’s performance. When clicking bears to cage them, the game jerks and the graphics flake. This happens too often. I’ll take performance over graphics every time.

Farm Frenzy 3 has a couple of strange features. For one, the dogs that keep the bears away from the animals now roll off the screen with the bears. I like that the bear gets out of my way instead of just stands there while the dog barks. But the way the dog rolls off freaks you out. The other problem is the African farmer who looks like an inappropriate stereotype. I appreciate the developers try to reflect the African culture — but it’s not the best representation of Africans.

Despite the performance issues, Farm Frenzy 3 keeps you hopping and never bores. The game comes with 95 levels, 30 animals of which 5 are the enemies, and 33 products to produce. Because of its diversity in game play, animals and scenes, you’re more willing to try reaching for the gold though it means replaying levels many times.

Download and try the game.

On the original 9/11, I was in my corporate job in Richardson, TX. I could not believe what people were telling me about airplanes and World Trade Center. Of course, the Internet was overloaded with everyone wondering the same thing. Took hours before we got the full story. I hope the survivors and the families of those who passed are doing OK and carrying on as their loved ones would want them to.

• Reuters Handbook of Journalism: You know… a style guide [Link: Smashing Magazine].
• Writer Unleashed 25 Best Writing Blogs 2009
• How to Develop into a Leader on Twitter
• Case Study: Can You Launch a New Site with Twitter Alone?
• Must See SEO Guide for All WordPress Bloggers: Must find time to ensure this site follows these recommendations.

And for fun because we’re allowed…

• Do you leave your USB drive in your pants and wash them often? Hubby has MANY times (dryer, too) and his Kingston USB still works!
• This Is Photobomb: Hilarious photos.
• Official Seal Generator
• Icon Finder: Search solely focused on icons.

My favorites that I haven’t posted here from CNN 10 Humor Sites…

• My Life Is Average: It only took six days before my first grader forgot his take home folder. Five for my 5th grader.
• My Parents Joined Facebook: My mom did, but I’m cool with that. Daughter not so happy about me on FB.
• Laser Portraits: Think Star Trek light sabers in the background.
• Historical Tweets: Taking famous scenes and tweeting them. Star Trek’s Trouble with Tribbles: “@Spock Would you consider investing in a powder puff export business?” Written by: Heather Turner of Forfeng Designs
• GraphJam: Charts, charts, charts, baby!

Facebook defines Facebook Pages as “A public figure, business, or brand can create a Facebook Page to share information, interact with their fans, and create a highly engaging presence on Facebook.” Facebook confuses many with its “Facebook pages” because of how it uses the word “fans” on those pages.

The Meaning behind Fan

Many of us writers and small businesses don’t like the connotation that comes with the word “fan.” I’ve also talked to some folks who aren’t bothered by it — I think the whole “Fan” name is split in the middle. Half hate it. Half have no problem with it.

If you want to join a Facebook page, its button says “Become a fan.” Even Facebook’s Q&A about Facebook pages uses the term “fan” often.

Most Popular Pages

The following people have the most fans as of this writing. With names like this leading the pack, some writers fear they’ll send the impression they’re known enough to have fans of their own. Not all of us feel this way. We just want to share our knowledge and information outside of our individual profiles.

1. Michael Jackson
2. Barack Obama
3. Vin Diesel
4. Facebook
5. Megan Fox
6. Starbucks
7. Coca-Cola
8. Adam Sandler
9. YouTube

Not one writer in that list. Stephen King has 60,000+ fans. Not even close to the pages with the most fans. How’s this for comparison? Ferrero Rocher (candy) has over two million fans.

Furthermore, when creating a Facebook page and sending an email — see below screen shot —  encouraging others to join, the note says, “So ‘n so became a fan of Mr. Hotshot on Facebook and suggested you become a fan too.” With a message like this, many especially freelance writers and one-person businesses — will shy away from creating Facebook pages because of what it implies.

Pages vs. Groups

“Pages can only be created to represent a real public figure, artist, brand or organization, and may only be created by an official representative of that entity. Groups can be created by any user and about any topic, as a space for users to share their opinions and interest in that subject. Pages can be customized with rich media and interactive applications to engage Page visitors. Applications can’t be added to groups.”

People tend to choose Pages over Groups because they have more features and capabilities. Facebook only allows you to send email up to 5000 members in a group. Search engines index Pages, but not Groups. Admins of Groups have more control than those managing pages.

Mashable explanation on two features: “Groups are great for organizing on a personal level and for smaller scale interaction around a cause. Pages are better for brands, businesses, bands, movies, or celebrities who want to interact with their fans or customers without having them connected to a personal account, and have a need to exceed Facebook’s 5,000 friend cap. ”

Softening the Fan Blow

Most of us including freelance writers have individual profiles. Only you can have that profile and it must represent you. Rather than creating Facebook pages for a person’s name or business name, perhaps consider setting up a fan page for the topic in your area of expertise. It’ll be easier to share valuable information and people may be more likely to join when it’s about a topic than an individual or company.

A Facebook page already exists for your topic, you say? Join and participate that page. When people see you interacting, they’re more likely to check out your profile or request a connection. Still want your own? Think of another angle or approach for yours.

You can certainly set up a page for your product or service with the idea of sharing tips on how to do things faster or more effectively. Just take care not to come across as salesy or promotional.

You can create a page or create a Group whenever you’re ready. .

Facebook, Dump the “Fans”

Why don’t we just do away with every mention of “fan” and replace it with “pages.” “Join this Facebook page” instead of “Become a fan.” The email could say, “So ‘n so has joined the [name of pages] on Facebook and suggests you join too.”

What do you think of Facebook Pages? Or how do you use Pages vs. Groups?

It’s been two years since Michael Stelzner published the fabulous top 10 books for writers, most of which I own. Why do this when the list he has is on target and it’s only two years old? Several reasons:

1. A couple of good books have come out since then.
2. To reach a broader audience with social networks as Twitter has grown a lot since 2007.
3. To expand the list to 25 books. How many of you can honestly say you have 10 or fewer books on writing? (Me not raising my hand.)
4. We may have gotten around to reading more books since then — goodness knows I have a lot still waiting for me to read.

The books can include references such as Flip Dictionary, cover any kind of writing genre — anything that would help writers in our careers.

To keep things simple, nominate ONE book in the comments. If someone nominates a book you love, you might want to nominate a second favorite as the voting will come later.

ShortURL to this post: http://bit.ly/1c7k45

What is your favorite book that helps you in your writing career?

Drawn: The Painted Tower tells the story of Iris, who has the ability to restore the light in the midst of darkness. She’s imprisoned high up in a tower with darkness making its way there. Iris draws pictures to help you unlock each floor of the tower to make your way to the top where she waits. This point and click adventure game contains breathtaking scenes and mesmerizing music.

You interact with the game picking up objects, using them together and on the scene and solving many mini-games where no two are alike. Franklin’s portrait provides you your latest tasks to advance in the game. He also gives hints when you need it. When you use one, his picture goes gray and must refill before you can use it again. You can use hints for help, but the hints aren’t always enough.

Some of the mini-games make no sense even as you try to move things around. After so much time passes, you can skip then mini-game when it drives you up the wall. Before skipping them, be warned! You can’t revisit them later unless you play the whole game again and not everyone has patience to do that. Drawn could’ve used a second mode that allows you to replay any of the mini-games.

The stunning and captivating scenes and cutscenes tell the not too exciting story with out using too many words, something some games overdo. The simple story doesn’t play a major role in the game other than you’re trying to rescue Iris with help from her drawings that come to life. That’s enough to make sense of the game play and enjoy it without feeling bogged down by too much text or story. However, some may become frustrated with the fact the game won’t let you skip or back up in any of the story — not even during the credits unless you press ESC.

Drawn: The Painted Tower is a massive download, probably due to its rich and detailed graphics. The larger download file is not a big deal, but it slows the game’s performance. The game lasted longer than expected considering every puzzle and every scene pays a lot of attention to detail. It runs about four to five hours.

Return to Ravenhearst fans will likely compare the two games. Nonetheless, both entertain and Drawn: The Painted Tower offers fans a new high quality game to play as they await another Ravenhearst release.

Talented writer Thursday Bram presented me with a Proximidade Award, on the condition that I pay it forward to eight bloggers. According to the rules of the Award, I am to chose bloggers who are “exceedingly charming, blogging friends who aim to find and be friends” and include the following text in my post.

“I am grateful for an opportunity to award this to a few bloggers who are very special people. I include the following bloggers who may have received this award in the past but I’m sure won’t mind receiving it again.”

My eight choice are as follows:

1. Christina Katz, and her blog The Writer Mama
2. Karen Swim, and her blog Words for Hire
3. Brad Shorr, and his blog Word Sell
4. Joanna Young, and her blog Confident Writing
5. Tim Beyers, and his blog The Social Writer
6. Robert Hruzek, and his blog Middle Zone Musings
7. George Angus, and his blog (yes, I know he received it — but notice we can do it again!) Tumblemoose
8. You, and your blog [your awesome blog]

• 10 Guidelines for Social Media Participation at (Company) [pdf file]: Steal this policy to easily implement one in your company. No more excuses for not having a policy. A company that tries to control too much of social media will choke in its SM efforts. Also see how to create a winning corporate social media policy and Publicity Hound blog.
• The Power of Continuous Improvement: This applies to everyone including a small company and a one-person show.
• Big List of B2B Marketing Blogs: About time. It’s been tough to find b2b-specific blogs and contacts [Link: Valeria Maltoni].
• 10 Successful Facebook Business Pages: Like to see some that target businesses. All of these target consumers.
• Screenr: Easy to create screen casts!

And for fun because we’re allowed…

• Wordoid: “Wordoids are made-up words. They look nice and feel great. They are good for naming things.”
• 10 Weirdest College Mascots: Aw, Fort Worth’s TCU is on there. I went there over 10 years for speech therapy and attended my freshman year in college there. The mascot costume is a little weird, but not the mascot itself. While growing up in Fort Worth, I’d see many horned frogs. Unfortunately, they’re scarce now. Nonetheless, the list shows stranger ones than froggies.
• 10 Coolest Pens: I love finding pens that write smooth without the squeakiness of a fine pen.
• Q-Block: Create 3D Pixel Art [Link: makeuseof]
• Printer Choreography: Who knew printers could dance? Warning: Lots of trees involved [Link: makeuseof].
• 12 Steampunk Gadgets and Designs: Ooh, cool looking PC.