I’m bored. Of course, there’s really no such thing as being bored: Being bored is a choice. You choose to do something with your time and when you chose to do nothing, or piddle around, then you become bored due to your own actions.
Now some may argue that it’s easy to be bored when you’re not simply doing nothing. For example, you may work at a sucky job and be bored. But you’re not really bored: That’s just tedium. Don’t confuse tedium with boredom, because only you can bring boredom upon yourself.
So I’m not really bored, I’m just forced to shift into low gear for a while because I’ve suddenly found myself between projects.
Like, I mean: A lot of time between projects.
I’ve come off a very busy year. I did six books last year, which is the most I’ve done in a year for quite some time. I’m pleased, because I enjoy being busy with new books.
Suddenly, however, my reliance upon new technology has hit a dull spot. I’m basically waiting for the raft of 4G LTE phones to be released.
While I’m dillying and dallying waiting for the 4G phones, I’ve returned to two of my favorite pastimes: Writing fiction and programming.
Writing fiction is fun, and I enjoy it.
I hope someday to publish fiction. That possibility looks more and more likely now that the self-publishing model on eBooks, specifically the Kindle, is becoming more and more popular.
The prospects look bleak for self-publishing computer stuff on the Kindle, however. Until Amazon properly translates references to the eBook format, I’m not going to try. Besides, I like real computer books (references) because I can dog-ear the pages and write in the margins. I do a lot of that.
Programming. I love programming too, and I get more addicted to it than anything else. If I want to kill a few hours, I simply set my mind to some programming puzzle.
The other day I updated an old game I wrote. It’s the robots game, which was an original command line (text) game for Unix. I wrote my own version several years ago. So, being bored, I whipped out the source code and added routines to keep track of my high scores. It took me about 4 hours to do, but it was a worthy puzzle and I enjoyed the process.
Presently I’m teaching myself Java.
Java is a programming language used on the Web, but also on mobile devices.
I have a copy of Java in Nutshell. I bought it back in 1996. Obviously, it’s woefully out-of-date, as some of the code in the book doesn’t compile. So I ordered the newest version from Amazon. It will be nice to finally learn Java after 15 years. Expect to see some Java games on Wambooli in a few weeks as I hone my skills.
Well, that is, unless some 4G LTE phones get released in the next few days. If so, I’m back to being über busy writing books. Of all the stuff I do, I enjoy that the best.
Zlonk stepped forward, holstering his laser blaster. Obviously the weapon wouldn’t intimidate the human. That most likely meant that Earthlings were a more advanced species. He would have to be careful. The human just stood there and blinked.
or
Bush marveled at some more at the thing Stanton created. It was revolutionary, yet Stanton seemed to take for granted and with such casual awe. “Truly Dr. Stanton, what you’ve done here will change the world!”
or
I, Xoted
All of which were pulled from you 12 Years of Word Humor page. It might be interesting to read some of your fiction in full.
Comment by linuxlove — March 14, 2011 @ 5:42 am
hey Dan, what happened with the C and objC books, are they still in the works?
As for learning Java, if you dont know about “Head First Java”, you have to check out that book. That IS the best beginners Java book out there by a long shot, the Amazon reviews prove that. Its also the best book for learning object orientation, something that never made sense for me till I read that book. The author of that book also made a good Java resource site at http://www.javaranch.com which is really good. Java is one of the few programming languages that has a certification, so there are books on Java certification you might want to get for a thorough understanding of the language. The best intermediate Java book I have is “Developing Java Software” by Winder/Roberts.
Comment by BradC — March 14, 2011 @ 5:57 am
Thanks for the kudos and the recommendations.
No C++ or Objective C books in the works. I had an iOS book coming, but it looks like it’s been put on hold thanks to my old arch enemy, Market Research.
Comment by admin — March 14, 2011 @ 7:49 am
Dan- I just want to say that I really hope you use this time for learning programming, particularly mobile Java, so that you can write a programming book. There are a few books out on J2ME and Android programming for apps and games, but all those books are for people who are at a level where they are proficient at programming. For example I socialize a lot with people who are learning to program, and whenever the subject of learning C comes up, your C for Dummies book is always mentioned because it is the only beginners C book that breaks things down to hand holding level. I think you could do the same if you wrote a book on mobile Java.
Comment by BradC — March 15, 2011 @ 6:31 am
I fully understand, Brad. In fact, I could use a book like that right now!
Comment by admin — March 15, 2011 @ 9:09 am