[From the Archive] A Technology Post from 2009
This post was from 2009. Still figuring out ebooks. Still figuring out lots of things.
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As a writer, sometimes we have to embrace technology. That doesn’t necessarily mean technology has the obligation to embrace us back. I did a post similar to this on my blog in the last week or so when something went wonky — and believe me, when it comes to technology, something will go wonky. But now it’s progressed.
Hi, I’m Rhonda, and I’m a PC girl. I also use Microsoft Office products. (Hi, Rhonda). My challenge now is in finding technology for needs I didn’t know I had. My current project – for both self-promotion and delving into the New Frontiers – is researching Open Source (ie. FREE) or inexpensive programs to create eBooks that can be downloaded to more than one reader. You know – that’s not as easy as it seems. SHOCKER>/b>. I currently have two programs downloaded to my PC that I will play with this weekend. We’ll see who wins, me or the weasel. Because let’s face it – the technology is changing. I could put a story on my website. Some people would actually go there and read it. BUT, if I put it up on my website AND give people the option to put it on the eReader of their choice – Kindle, Sony, Stanza, whatever – then you have the option of reaching more people.
And, this experiment? If it doesn’t kill me first (because yes, technology can and will try), it will be free on the website. It’s a tool. It’s a tool that can have some nice statistics to show publishers. “You know, my story ‘X’ had Eleventy Bajillion downloads. That’s a built in fan base that would/could/ought to buy book ‘Y'”. And yes, ‘eleventy bajillion’ could happen – just ask John Scalzi and Wil Wheaton. 😎
But you don’t have to know analytics or all the technical jargon. You just have to be willing to try. When it comes to markup languages, I’m completely lost. But I’m willing to try, because I don’t want to be the “problem author” who can’t get with the times. I may not be completely leading edge – I still haven’t figured out Podcasting at all – but for what I CAN do, I will do. Because it matters.
If the whole figuring out eBooks thing works out? I’ll let you know. If you hear frustrated and freaked out screaming, then you’ll know the weasel won. But I’m taking on the challenge. I’m tilting my windmill. It’s time to move, kicking and screaming, into the new technological frontier. Wish me luck.