Incoming

There’s a lot of new stuff headed this way. I should have a notebook from Levenger to review sometime soon, and I suppose that’ll be a decent time to take another look at the Canteo Classeur. Also new to the Bradtastic Approved, some iPhone apps!

About Bradtastic Premier

I’ve been working on modifications and additions to the AIS website and product/services line-up. That, along with illness and pain has prevented me from getting the new Bradtastic.com up and running. Enough of it is done — insofar as I could release it as is — but I’d like to get it just right… especially with 2010 just weeks away.

And then some…

I’ve recently revamped my Gamertag image and “branding,” where I’m known (well, not really “known”) as Rainfault, inasmuch as I’ve created a new Twitter, @rainfault and TypePad Microblog (more info) — rainfault.typepad.com/blog/ 

Also, some Borderlands images can be found at Bradtastic Antipresto. 

Plus…

Christmas approaches… a time for family and friends. Last year I made a post about the importance of relationships and the significance of happiness. This year, I suppose I’ll do something similar — with significant amounts of added-insight. I’m much the more brilliant-er. “srsly.” 

All jokes aside, I owe much of my happiness and survival throughout this year to my family and friends. Thank you all, again and again. You’re the very best.

Topical leads to seriousness

I’ve been chatting with Daniel — a “student” of mine — while playing some Borderlands (2K Games’ masterwork RPS — role-playing shooter); he’s figured-out, over this year, that his serious interests involve writing. His love of videogames is a natural outlet, and hopefully, writing about games (or for them?) can become a career for him.

As some readers of mine might remember, I’ve wanted to write about games for some time. I dabble in it, from time-to-time, usually at Gamespot. I tried making a dedicated gaming blog, but never could make enough free-time to pick up the necessary momentum to carry the project along.

I might have another chance now… and an opportunity to do things differently.

In discussing videogame reviews, one facet stood apart — particularly interesting to me — the nature of trust. People generally read reviews to accumulate more information, to make a better decision. However, if the reader doesn’t trust the reviewer, the review won’t mean much — that’s if it’s even read!

Why should anyone trust a review? How can we assess whether or not the author shares similar views, has similar tastes?

At the time, I didn’t think of this thought-trajectory as being particularly-profound, but it lead me to new findings, new ideas and concepts. Free-association, mixed with a bit of luck, I suppose. 

I’ve decided on a few fixes; I thought about what makes me trust a review — and the reviewer, what I think when we don’t share the same tastes, and what makes me come back for more. I also thought about Bradloves and Bradtastic.com, and the future. Indeed, 2010 looks like a turn-around year.

Before I get back to work, I thought I’d mention quickly: I’ve been told that I’m hard to shop for, get gifts for. That’s not at all true. At my Links page, I have two wish lists (so far) — each with gifts ranging the gamut. If you don’t have lists of your own, you should think about making one (or five)!