Archive for November, 2010

Nov-30-2010

Windows 2008 Server Review - An Example of Tech Reviews

Here’s a brief sample of a basic technical review for seo copywriting. It should include plenty of keywords, but not be stuffed. Also, the writer should have done enough research to convey this technical information so the writer appears knowledgeable of the subject, even if he/she is not:

Windows 2008 Server is Microsoft’s most powerful and advanced server to date. It has new functionality, tighter security, and a user-friendly operating system. This server easily handles all modern workloads, and is prepared for the next-generation of applications and networks.
Windows Server 2008 has several updates to increase the user-experience, as well as ease of server management. Administrators will experience simplified interfaces and new functions, such as automating system administration tasks and unified management across multiple servers. Other upgrades include a new Server Core installation feature, and updated failover clustering wizards.
A cost-saving feature of the new Windows 2008 Server is the virtualization of centralized applications. Now, using Terminal Services Gateway or RemoteApp, administrators can give remote access to basic Windows-based programs located on a terminal server. This eliminates the need to host on the client computer as well as a VPN.
The security of the new Windows 2008 server is tight. It is designed to stop unauthorized network connections or access to user accounts. The server also utilizes an Identity and Access Solution (IDA), a Read-Only Domain Controller (RODC) and a BitLocker Drive Encryption. This is the most secure Windows server created.
The Windows 2008 Server is optimized for web hosting. It utilizes Internet Information Services 7.0 (IIS 7.0) plus greater control, management and troubleshooting features. It can also combine platform technologies such as ASP.net, Windows SharePoint, and Windows Communication Foundation Web services.
Overall, the Windows 2008 Server is exponentially advanced from its previous version. The new tools and features allow for optimum management and deployment, and will work cohesively with your current infrastructure.

Posted under SEO Writing Tips
Nov-23-2010

In Defense of the Frey Fiction Factory - Full Fathom Five

James Frey has been getting railed in the press lately, about his fiction factory, “Full Fathom Five.” You’ll remember him as the author of the part-truth/part-fiction memoir “A Million Little Pieces” — he went on Oprah looking like a wet, whipped poodle and apologized to her and his fans. I felt so bad for him! But damn it took guts to go up there and tell the truth. But really, I don’t care if he made-up some aspects of his life for the sake of story. The REAL tragedy is that we held this unknown writer to higher standards than we do former politicians who outright lie or rewrite history in their books. God-forbid an recovering drug addict lie about getting a tooth pulled in his memoir!

Now his Full Fathom Five book production company is under heavy fire. (Mostly, by big-city journalists who would rather be writing novels themselves and have a bad case of pencil envy.) Frey recruits young, talented writers to ghost-write books for sci-fi series, etc. He gives them an idea and they run with it, or in some instances, they bring up the idea. Whatever the case, they typically get $250 up front and then up to 40% of royalties. Some get a byline, but most don’t. More experienced writers may get bigger up-front fees.

Having written a couple books myself, I can say it took me close to 3 years on each. However, I was heavily editing as I went along. If I were to sit down and crank out a book for some teenage girl to read, knowing that another writer would make it even better, I could whip one out in a couple weeks. They’re not looking for Hemingway, they’re looking for Twilight. Pulp. Nancy Drew, Choose Your Own Adventure stuff.

Its the rate of upfront pay that troubles some people. Yes, it may seem like a pittance, but with the prospect of royalties on the back-end, I say its a great deal! Its a foot-in-the-door if nothing else. This is what the publishing world has come to. Wanting to mass-commercialize books. Chances are these MFA students are never going to make as much royalties on their poems in the New Yorker as they will with a teen-fiction-series.Take the money and appreciate the fact that you are making money with your writing.

The problem is, most writers are too conceited to be happy with such a deal. And then they call Frey conceited, for capitalizing on this industry niche. That which we are most critical, we are often guilty of ourselves.

Frey has the notoriety in the publishing world to accomplish this now. Let him help these young writers make money on their writing, even if there isn’t a byline.

James Patterson has built an empire this way. He has branded his names and used the help of ghostwriters and is living a very comfortable lifestyle. If James Frey can do it too, let him. These ghost-writers are getting good royalties, good experience, and are making connections in the publishing industry. If James starts stealing ideas and leaving them in the cold, then that’s another story. But for now, it all seems on the up and up.

These ghostwriters are like back-up musicians to a great lead singer. If they want to put out their own album, let em. Or, they can play back-up for awhile, make some dough, and then figure out what to do.

Sometimes we writers take our craft too seriously. As though we are the only ones who can flesh out a certain idea. That our ideas are worth more. But like an inventor, we can come up with an idea, but its the company that produces and sells that product that makes the big bucks. Because they have the capability to do it. The inventor gets royalties still! But its a two way street.

These ghostwriters need Frey as much as he needs them.

Show me one writer that wouldn’t “sell out,” and I’ll show you a lifelong waiter.

Posted under SEO Writing Tips
Nov-17-2010

CertifiedCopywriting is now on LinkedIN

Our company is now on linkedIn. Check out our profile at: http://www.linkedin.com/in/devinjameshansen

 

Posted under SEO Writing Tips