Contemplating the dangerous alternative

I have long believed that our educational system is broken, lacking, and utterly stifling of the innovation and creativity that inspires people to drive themselves to greater things, to push the envelope, and perhaps more importantly to be happy in their chosen careers. So when I was told that, amongst other things, I cannot reasonably expect to get a job in my field of choice at the time (Software Development) without a degree from a recognized college, I was filled with despair. For me this meant that if I was to pursue my dream, I had to endure a system once again which I had abandoned and for all intents and purposes had abandoned me long ago.

So after four and some years, I will soon be released on my on recognizance for my misdeeds from a system that I have grown to despise even more than before, and the question that I ask myself on leaving is “is taking a risk worth it?”. This question worries me on many levels, not least because merely asking the question means that I’ve grown more cynical about my abilities.

Everyone surely has asked themselves at one time or another whether they should take a big risk and throw caution to the wind to risk something for the chances of something so much greater but how prepared are you to risk it all, and could you live with the consequences?

My thoughts are more and more consumed with such questions, is it worth taking a big risk for the chances of something potentially life changing? I think its a valid question regardless of what your particular “big idea” may be. On the face of it, the chance to win big can be incredibly alluring, so much so that it may make you wonder if it is really a question of “if I should?” and not “when should I?” without adequately considering the consequences.

I suppose that everyone has a fear of failure to some degree, worrying that they may not live up to their full potential, or the expectations of others. The problem with taking big risks is that not everyone wins at the game of life, sometimes people lose their way, sometimes not always due to circumstances under their control.

The question that occupies my mind most is whether it is best to leave college and bust my ass like every other poor sod on this blue planet working for a company where I am likely little more than a number, or to take the plunge and start my own technology startup. For years its been ‘the dream’, but after nearly 7 years of being ‘educated’, I’ve fallen out of the habit of being the risk taking optimist.

No doubt I will do it sometime, but whether that time is now… well, the jury is still out.

Independant Game Developer book

I’m looking for feedback:

Readers who don’t religiously follow my twitter are likely unaware of the current discussion surrounding a ‘Homebrew/Indie Game Development’ book.

Ever since my first foray into programming with ClickTeam Klik N’ Play back in ‘99, I’ve just stumbled into situations where I’m surrounded by independent game developers. Over the years I’ve grown a great respect for what they do, and admittedly a little jealousy for what some have achieved with dedication (*cough* James Silva *cough*); I was never really that ‘into’ game programming, just programming in general, after all making apps can often be far simpler than creating an entire game with little reward for your hard graft.

I’m thinking its about time to give back a little to those who give so much, and all just for the love of it.

For the past 3 months (give or take) I’ve been spending most of my time researching console development and much of that time was concentrated on finding out as much as humanly possible about Developer Kits (SDK’s, DevKits), which are the cool magical boxes from which awesomeness springs (video games mostly). The difficulty being the sparse information available without a publishing deal and various non disclosure agreements (NDA’s) being signed.

So the book idea is basically a compilation of all the information I’ve gathered, and will continue to gather, about how independant developers can get the tools required to develop games on the Xbox360, Wii, PS3 and so on. Of course, I’d likely want to interview independant publishers who’ve survived and continue to develop indie games.

So what I’m looking for is feedback from people, I’m totally at concept phase now, so I’m taking on board all opinions people have. Please contact me with your comments or suggestions using the forms on this website.

Make Courage Wolf Speak!

Courage Wolf (YouTube, Kyle Brady’s Blog) is an internet meme which follows the formula:

1. Background image of a snarling wolf, starburst background behind it.
2. Two lines of text, one at the top and one at the bottom
3. ????
4. PROFIT!!

So I created an object-oriented PHP script which you can use to customise your own Courage Wolf images for… profit? or forums, blogs and/or random internet stuff -whichever comes first.

Its just a basic GD script using PHP, but I needed to brush up on my PHP skills.

Make your own [Courage Wolf images] or [download the script]

First time we’ve had Snow Balls in years!!

Somehow I’ve managed to avoid most of the weather that Ireland has been experiencing recently, whether by shere bone idle laziness or because we’re just that bit closer to the coast, snow around here has been little more than a light dusting. That was until today, that is!

Singularity University

The Singularity University is a cutting edge university, with a multi-dicipline facaulty and curriculum, its possibly the best example of the ultimate learning environment. An environment where the smartest and most passionate people from around the world join to learn from some of the best minds on various subjects.

The Singularity University aims to assemble, educate and inspire a cadre of leaders who strive to understand and facilitate the development of exponentially advancing technologies and apply, focus and guide these tools to address humanitys grand challenges.

I’d love the oportunity to be a student at Singularity-U, but the entrance requirements are necessarily strict, with only 30 students permitted in the first year and 120 the year after.

If your interested in making the world a better place, and working with some of the brightest minds of our age, you might consider the [Singularity University]

Geek Social Aptitude Test

How much of a geek are you? do you even know?

Jason Hummel created The Geek Social Aptitude Test (GSAT) 2.0, to test just how much of a geek you really are.

My score was 27/50, what was yours?

[The Geek Social Aptitude Test (GSAT)] via [Gizmodo]

Vote for Google’s St. Patricks Day Logo

Past to Present
Ireland is represented by the two chimneys of Dublin Bay which are a great symbol of Dublin, our capital city. The Luas represents the new and modern Ireland while the horse represents the famous Irish horse fairs that have been on for hundreds of years – it is a symbol of our past and future.

• Name: Kelly Kiernan
• Age: 16
• School: St. Paul’s Secondary School
• County: Dublin

Google are taking public votes for which logo it’ll display on Saint Patricks Day 2009.

The entries are from junior 1st/2nd, 3rd/4th/5th & 6th class, 1st/2nd/3rd year and transitional/5th/6th year students respectively from all over Ireland. The images are categorised by their revelant classes, and the images reflect this.

My personal favourite, shown to the right here, by Kelly Kiernan (Age 16) was in the transitional/5th/6th year section.Ironically, perhaps from a school I went to for a sum total of one day, back in days of old. Perhaps not, it’s still an awesome picture though!

vote for your favourite at [Google]