Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition 2011

SI 2011 Swimsuit Edition cover

Today marks the launch of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition 2011 and, through the wonders of the Internet and the iPad, I already have my digital edition. No telling when the print edition will reach Philippine bookstores or when ABS-CBN Publishing will launch the local imprint, so I am thankful that I have the option to purchase the digital edition.

Connecting with the iPad Camera Connection Kit

I received a great gift from my wife today: a brand new iPad Camera Connection Kit. I’ve wanted one for some time now, so I was geeking out when we went to the Apple store this afternoon. Here’s a quick look at what’s inside the box.

Playboy to Release Entire Catalog on iPad

Playboy’s resident playboy Hugh Hefner very recently tweeted that his magazine will soon be available on the iPad in its full unexpurgated glory.  This includes recent and current issues as well as Playboy’s entire back catalog, which dates back to 1953.  Funny how this bit of news comes right after Apple’s Steve Jobs takes a leave of absence from the company for medical reasons, whose tight control over what is or isn’t allowed on the app store has caused many tongues wagging over Apple’s moral policing. Now I’m not saying there’s a causality, don’t get me wrong. I just think the timing is funny.

Having said that, I am glad that the robed rabbit is finding its way onto the iPad. Despite my apathy towards its current content, Playboy did have its time in the spotlight, and making those seminal issues available for download means I don’t have to go to my favorite used magazine stand to look for that elusive July 1989 Erika Eleniak issue.

I’m predicting, though, that we’ll be seeing Playboy on the standard Zinio platform, rather than a straight per-issue app like EVO, the back issues at least.  I don’t think Playboy would take the trouble to muster up apps for each of those 500++ issues, and a motion cover of Farrah Fawcett is just out of the question.

Publishing’s Future?

Earlier this week I renewed the predatorinchief.com domain name for another year.  Since I am spending money on this, I aught to really put more time and effort into updating the blog. Even short updates should do, as long as I post them regularly, and not once every three months. Here goes.

Last Christmas, I decided to hand money over to Steve Jobs by buying myself an Apple iPad.  Just the Wi-Fi 16GB model, not the fancier, larger-capacity 3G one, mind you. In the three weeks I’ve had it, let’s just say I’ve forgone many MANY hours of sleep.

The thing is just damn addictive, especially if you have the right apps, and Apple’s App Store makes it too easy to get a quick fix. Aside from the requisite Angry Birds and Cut the Rope, I’ve installed several media and news applications: BBC News, The Guardian Eyewitness, NPR, ComicZeal4 (can’t not have a comic book reader, you know?). I also have several versions of the Maxim app, the Travel + Leisure app, Wired, and, of course, the very popular Zinio magazine app.

I’ve purchased yearly subscriptions to Esquire US ($8) and Travel + Leisure South Asia ($4.48), I have a trial subscription to Dwell, and a single issue of Tokion magazine (which unbeknownst to me has transformed into Tokion Factory – a fashion mag) on Zinio. I also have an issue or two of the local Metro magazine.

For the most part, my experiences with these iPad edition magazines has been a joy. The photos pop out, stories are easy to find and (with zoom or text-only options) easy to read, and I get them before the printed issues hit the newsstand. As in real life, some magazines have better implementations than others.

Zinio editions are largely electronic versions of the print magazine. They hardly have enhanced content, if any at all. The editions are inexpensive but offer limited interactivity. Apps, on the other hand, have embedded videos and audio clips, motion covers (try Marie Claire’s Emma Watson Harry Potter-inspired cover), motion graphics and other tricks (some would say “gimmicks”). These go for about 5 bucks apiece.

After I’ve had the chance to sit down and read/experience these, I’ll take the time to write and share my thoughts on the matter, what magazines work for me, what don’t, what we all can learn from a particular edition, that sort. I do believe firmly in publishing’s future: it will prevail. But in what form or face, that we don’t know.

In the meantime, here’s an article that makes for interesting reading:

Too Many Magazine Apps Are Still Walled Gardens

Cheers!

Samson’s Word for the Day: POWER OUTRAGE

POWER OUTRAGE noun A mixed feeling of despondence, helplessness, depression, futility and overpowering emotional rage manifested in emphatic swearing, loud groans, girly shrieks or other audibly loud instinctive reactions. Occurs when the power goes out while you’re working on a critical task at your PC and haven’t yet pressed CTRL-S.

The power outrage that pierced through the unexpected darkness could only have come from the lips of one Jason Marges, who, one second ago, had been hard at work on his article, trying desperately to beat the deadline imposed upon him by his Editor-in-Chief.

Stephen Fry on Language Use and Misuse

Stephen Fry is a brilliant wit, an observer who dares to voice his opinions to anyone who may care to listen. Here he is at his best, talking about language and the use (and misuse) of it.

Thanks to my sister-in-law Waya who dredged this up from the bottomless pits of YouTube.

Passing Up Beijing

And, once again, I’ve turned down an assignment to travel abroad for an article. This time  it’s a four-day trip to Beijing for a travel magazine.  Thing is, while I would really like to visit China all expenses paid, I do know my own bandwidth. Taking time off to go on this trip means I sacrifice time and effort from some of my current projects, and the opportunity cost is a bit too high.

From Wikimedia Commons ©Allentchang (squared by Juan Pablo Arancibia Medina)

I’ll be going there anyway with my wife in October. We’re tagging along with her dad’s office trip. That one will be a vacation, not a working trip, and that’s certainly a better way to enjoy a strange land.

Now I have a month and a half to decide which of my many film cameras to take!

Wisdom Trumps Tyranny of Neglect

Alas, dear blog, I’ve been neglecting you.

Just too much has been going on lately and the opportunity to write here, a non-profit blog, has yet to emerge from the economic labyrinth of supply and demand. The realities of urban life dictate that I focus all my energies on tasks that, ultimately, put food on my table, film in my cameras, and pretty dresses on my wife.

So, just a few choice words to tide you over. Something picked off that wonderful source of reliable information called Facebook. I offer no context, save that this gem was written by beloved food critic and author, the late Doreen Gamboa Fernandez. Here you go:

“Write in white heat, edit in cold blood.”

Stella Kalaw © 2002

Thanks, Kage!

Forever On Managing Editor Mode

Despite being “officially” outside the publishing world, I can’t seem to shake being a managing editor.

See, one of the major duties of a managing editor is to hand out assignments to writers, photographers and other contributors, based on their particular strengths and specialties. I’ve been doing this professionally since, hmm, the turn of the century (seems so distant haha).

Over the years, I’ve built up a considerable network of talent, people whose work I am familiar with, folks I can trust to deliver, creatives who are easy to work with. I’ve got them all listed on my phone and telephone directory (yes, I still keep a physical one, black and compact and full of numbers of famous people). Whenever someone asks if I know, say, a writer who can do a quick restaurant review or a photographer who can cover an adventure race, I’ll give a recommendation.

It’s a three-way win situation. The folks I recommend – the freelancers and the career folks who sideline – they’re quite appreciative when I throw work their way, especially when the job is exciting. The publishers and editors are happy they’ve got one less thing to worry about. I get karma points with everyone. Good vibes everywhere.

In the last month, through recommendations I’ve indirectly farmed out writing assignments to Bali, Vietnam, Thailand and India to some of the folks in my black book. They assure me I’ve got their votes for Managing Editor of the World.

Now if only someone organizes such a competition…

On the Demise of the Phone Booth

Good point.

Other sentiments on the state of publishing, funny eavesdroppings and industry chitchat at the website Overheard in the Newsroom, which I just discovered today. It’s a lovely place to spend a few minutes when you’re wondering how to start an article on finding work outside the publishing industry.

Via the always excellent Boingboing blog.