“In addition, even while our hardcover sales continue to grow, the Kindle format has now overtaken the hardcover format. Amazon.com customers now purchase more Kindle books than hardcover books–astonishing when you consider that we’ve been selling hardcover books for 15 years, and Kindle books for 33 months.”

Jeff Bezos, Founder and CEO of Amazon.com

I know that quote is old, but still – wow!

eBooks will only going to grow and grow(state something obvious). I’m guessing that this holiday season will be an accelerator for the Kindle and Nook due to their lower pricepoints and as acceptance grows(state something that can be quantified with whatever the sales figures will be).

Now that we have the way to read the eBooks comfortably and afford-ably, we need to create the content for them. Step one is to convert the content and there are a few different ways to do that. Use an online conversion service, code it yourself, or find a conversion shop to do it – like me .

If you are planning on doing yourself, keep in mind that where you start is where you’ll finish. Meaning the original file will either make this a pleasurable experience or a pain. Here are a few things thoughts that come to mind when I begin a project in no particular order:

• Optimize the file, it is worth it.
• Validate.
• Set images correctly.
• Consider how having sidebars and tables could change how you create your ebook.
• Have special characters?
• Is there reference material?

In the coming weeks I’ll be expanding and providing more information about eBooks/ePublishing in general, content creation and considerations and anything else that comes to mind.

At www.highdefguy.com it uses your personal criteria to give baseline information that can be used to talk to a sales guy at the electronics store or used to direct research into other areas. Areas like: screen size vs sitting distance; resolution vs sitting distance; what type of television, i.e. plasma, lcd, dlp(not so much anymore) should be looked at and so on.

I like this resource and wished that there had been something like it when I first started looking. Please note that this is undergoing some modifications and there is still much more that I have visioned for this tool, but you may find it useful now so go ahead and take a look.  Check back because the information will only get better and the features of the tool will be expanding as well.

If you in the electronics retailing industry and interested in a customized version drop me a line. I’d love to discuss how this could build relationships via your site and offer more information, quality of information and useful information to your patrons.

While the positives given for switching to a CFL bulb on the box or in TV advertisements are accurate, I don’t think they really do a good job of hitting home how much you can really save if you switch to using an CFL bulb.

Really, what does save XX% a year with this bulb. Or if ‘each house used one CFL bulb, the energy save is equal to [SOMETHING]‘ matter to us personally? (Being honest not sarcastic and not implying that we’re all selfish, but I don’t think that is a compelling argument to shell out a few buck instead of a few cents when purchasing a light bulb)

Awhile ago I wanted to calculate how much I could save if I used nothing but CFL bulbs in my home and developed this app:

CFL Calculator

This calculates, very general, not actual figures the approximate savings of using a CFL calculator over the lifetime of the bulb. Unlike other saving figures that you have seen this goes a couple steps further.

You’ll see:

• Energy savings of the CFL bulb compared to conventional bulb for the first year.
• Energy savings of the CFL bulb compared to conventional bulb over the lifetime of the bulb.
• Cost savings of purchasing one CFL bulb compared to the number of conventional bulbs that you would have had to replace.
• Combined savings of all the above.

I hope that this sheds some new light (really, not intended to be a lame pun) on how much these bulbs can save.

SKYJdesign does customize this tool and will do it for your site. Contact us today for more information.

With the economy occupying the nightly news, it’s easy to become concerned with the future. While the challenge of surviving a downturn can consume most thought, it is important to take a step back and evaluate your marketing strategy.

While the market presents a challenge, it is also presenting an opportunity, nearly forcing the issue, to evaluate communication to prospective customers and current customers.

• Does it stand out enough to grab the attention of a discerning consumer?
• Does it present trust and/or stability?
• Does it enhance the value of your goods or services, or simply state the features?

Adapting to the environment and preparing clear, concise and effective communication now can be the difference between hard earned dollars showing up at your doorstep instead of your competitors.

Show success with the ability to adjust to current marketing conditions quickly and the foresight to convince a contingent of consumers growing more hesitant to spend.

Contact SKYJdesign for more information.