Snoozing Facebook Keywords and Other Random Shit

I just saw a blurb somewhere that Facebook is adding a feature to let you snooze keywords for 30 days. Soon you will be able to avoid or limit exposure those topics you are tired of seeing or shows you don't want spoiled. 

Alexa has a skill that will let you post to Slack via voice / dictation. While I find this interesting I don't work in a place where when I am anywhere near an Echo device that I want to think about work at all. Work is the only place I use slack. Also - pretty much anyone can walk up to an Echo and and say "Alex use dictate this to slack please" and it will get posted as the person logged into the device. 

I think it might be time to read "The War of Art" by Steven Pressfield again. I always seem to get energized after a read/listen. There is a lot in there I need reminded of and it is a short listen perfect for round trips to Sewanee, Nashville or Chattanooga. I'm going to need a break from "Dreamsongs" by George RR Martin soon anyway, while short stories it is a big tome.

Kick Start my Heart

In general I am a fan of Kickstarter and to a lesser amount, GoFundMe. I've backed quite a few things on Kickstarter and been pretty darned pleased with most of them. Where I find myself reluctant to back a product is when it involves slightly complicated production or technology. Particularly if this is the teams first go at a product. They tend to run way past projected delivery, stumble, and the end product isn't always that great. 

Where I am rarely disappointed is backing a book. Books are generally pretty straight forward from concept, design, production, and fulfillment. Things fail of course. Sometimes the creator wasn't far enough along in the content creation and when they HAVE to produce they panic and collapse under the pressure.

Never, ever expect the project you fund to deliver on time. It rarely happens. People make plans for their project based on meeting their goal. Lightning strikes and they end up funding 200 or 300% and aren't prepared for the success and struggle to scale up. They offer stretch goals and don't factor in the added time it takes to fulfill those goals. 9 out of 10  times book production appears to be in China. It's just economics. It takes time to get things from there to here. Proofs have to be created, shipped, turned around if problems are found. There are holidays that might unexpectedly  delay production. A hurricane might sink your ship. Essentially shit happens, don't freak out if it takes a while to get your reward.

If you do back something, engage with the team. Kickstarter has messaging within the platform. If the team working the project is communicating with you and giving updates, respond. It encourages them and garners you good will and helps keep you informed of what is happening so you don't think they just vanished with your money.