The Conlin Report

Thu_Feb_21_030017_-08 Doubtsourcing Comic

This is a great comic called "Doubtsourcing", very funny!  If you like, sign up to receive the feed.

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Technorati Tags: Doubtsourcing,outsourcing

Skylar's Games

My daughter has been working and playing with video games for close to a year and has developed a strong interest in how they are made and developed.  So much so that she has purchased a game development program and has developed 4 different games.  What is amazing about this to me, is that it is mostly self taught (as I am a hardware guy).  She has shared her games with her friends and schoolmates and now has posted her games to the game developers site.  Feel free to check it out, download and give feedback.  She has uploaded a new version with changes suggested by early adopters!

SkyPac - Ver 1.1

Besides the obvious reasons that I promote this game (Skylar Rocks!), I have to say that this is more than just playing around with a game.  At the beginning of the year Skylar was have a tough time with her math work.  Not interested, not finishing, generally doing just the bare minimum to get the job done.  Due to the high level of all of her other work, I had some concern about her approach to her math work.  It didn't seem to be an ability issue, but more of a "this is hard for me, so I won't work at it" issue.  Tried multiple ways to help and motivate, but to no avail.  However, once she started to get into the game development and the more she knew and tried, the better her math grades became.  It was amazing to see her blossom once she was able to see a corollary between her interest in the games and her ability to do math.  Even though there is very little math in this type of development (basic levels w/ a lot of drag and drop code), she could now see why math could be important to her ability to fully comprehend and develop software code.  I am very proud of her and looking for more ways to continue to grow her (and her sister's) curiosity in science, math and engineering.

Arts, Crafts and the Environment

This weekend was an eventful one as I had an opportunity to spend some time with Team McSky for Father's Day!  We had a great time and as always tried to do something a little different.  Past years have been white water boating (okay, so it was more like puddle swirls!) on the Snoqualmie, the Iron Horse Snoqualmie Tunnel and the like.  So this year it was decided that we would do something a little less active, but still a little edgy.  We ended up at the Fremont Solstice Parade, it was a great time!  Good fun with a good message, we learned about the environment and some of the challenges faced in an entertaining format.  I recommend the parad to anyone!  I am not sure what we are going to do next year, but it should be a great time.

Pac It In

Microsoft updates Pac-Man for Xbox 360

I can remember when this came out, I will definitely download today when I get home.  My kids are going to have some competition for the 360 console!

Deadpunch Goes Gaming

Social Network for Gamers

On March 6th through March 12, 2007, Craig (our Gaming Evangelist here at Greythorn) will be attending the Game Developers Conference, www.gdconf.com, in San Francisco.  He will be looking for the best talent around in the gaming industry and possibly be offering some very exceptional opportunities to some very lucky people.  If you would like to set up a meeting feel free to call him at 425.635.0300 or send him an email (craig.fisher@greythorninc.com) with your latest Word formatted resume.