I won’t lie. Surveys have reported a huge decline in blogs for the past two years. So, the question remains; “Is Blogging dead?”. For me, the answer is both a “yes” and a “no”. Read on.

IS BLOGGING DEAD?

According to this source, blogs have “declined from 50% of the Inc 500 in 2010 to 37% in 2011, while it’s remained constant at 23%”. A couple of years ago, everyone and his brother had a blog. All companies, brands, big and small had blogs. Now, if you check the old blogs you frequented, you’ll find that most of them have either closed or remained stale due to the lack of updates.

What has contributed to this decline?

• Facebook - Facebook continues its aim to dominate the world. Zuckerberg and crew can’t seem to do anything wrong. Facebook has allowed companies and individuals to do their “blogging” there. It’s so easy to maintain. And since everyone checks it daily, you’re sure to get more hits and return visits than old blogging sites or blog-based services. For now, there isn’t a way to monetize the traffic (yet). But brands have relied on Facebook via the “Page”. A couple of years ago, I wrote an article on why it was important for brands to make their own brand pages instead of profiles. It seems that I don’t need to explain myself again.
• Twitter and microblogging – Want to share your sandwich? Your coffee? It’s easier to just Tweet it rather than spend a couple of minutes on the blog platform. Twitter has allowed a lot of bloggers to capture their targeted audience and still maintain their presence in the Internet.
• Greed – bloggers who look up to successful bloggers tried to join the bandwagon and attempted to make blogs to make money. It doesn’t work that way. A lot failed. That’s why there was a surge of bloggers 2 or 3 years ago. Today, only the true blooded bloggers remain.
• The debate on who should be a journalist – There’s a huge rift between bloggers and journalists. And they have their own “camps” too. Even laws were passed to either merge the two or “divide the line”, so to speak. Old school journalists do not recognize anyone with a laptop, a digital camera and a smartphone as a real journalist. The debate goes on.

Meanwhile, blogger and web entrepreneur Jason Calacanis said in an interview “”The concept of journalism is going away. It is not enough to be a writer. You need to be a writer and an expert.” Calacanis goes on to say that there is a new “Web 3.0″ and it’s going to be “The Age of Expertise”.

For me, I think he’s on to something.

Blogging will still be here but only those who remain true to blogging’s ideals will prevail. They will retain their followers if they cater to their own communities and provide fresh, new and relevant content. Content will still be key. But now, content is easily devoured via Facebook, Twitter and all those other micro-blogging platforms. Our iPhones and Android phones can give us news and content anytime, anywhere and it is devoured fast. Your news could be stale in a matter of minutes. Before, you could still afford to be fresh even if you posted it a few days later.

In the end, blogging will have a lot more opportunities in terms of monetization because only a few are doing it now.

That’s why us bloggers, need to hone our skills and become experts rather than just ordinary “sharers”.

Keep the flame, burning!

Peace!

image via Gettyimages (royalty free)

The first time I got my iPhone 4s, I was quite happy with the data plan speeds (Smart). I was reaching up to a maximum of 4.6MBPS on certain areas (like Makati, at work). Recently, the past week has been slow as hell. I thought it was due to me capping the speeds because of my MB consumption.

This started around a week ago. I continuously did troubleshooting, restarted the device and even read up on possible causes on the web. Speedtests indicate that now I get only about 0.03 MBPS on the average. That’s like a dial-up speed on a supposedly 4G network. Sheesh!

My iPhone plan allowed me 1.5 Gig per month consumption when using cellular data. The iPhone can track your consumption (Settings > General > Usage > Cellular Usage). My phone clocked in at only 280MB of usage for the first 30 days. So I called up Smart Customer Support for assistance. The agent told me that there was no network interruption or problem. I told him that it could be that the system cannot cope up with the demand. For me, that was the only logical explanation once I tried to eliminate the other possibilities. The agent then replied that he’d get back to me in 24 hours after escalating my concern with their IT guys. I asked if I already capped my 1GB consumption. He said “unlikely”.

Fast forward 4 days, still no response.

This is really frustrating. Especially for a customer’s perspective. I’m paying P2,000 per month just to have the convenience of having unlimited data – to be able to check email anytime, browse my social networks, search the web, use the GPS and do all the fun things that a Smartphone user can – upload photos, share anything, keep in touch with family and friends.

But if the network cannot handle the sheer volume of users after spending top dollar to market the iPhone, then this may be a success story that can easily backfire for Smart.

I just posted my problems at their Smart Facebook page and hopefully I get an answer soon.

So, calling the attention of the top honchos of Smart; here’s an unsolicited advice – please look into this problem and find solutions ASAP. I know I’m not the only one having this problem, some officemates and friends with the similar Smart iPhone plan have also experienced it.

Please fix this soon. Otherwise, you’ll be facing the ire of Unli-Data subscribers all over the country.

Thanks!

 Turtle image c/o GettyImages (Royalty-Free) http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/photo/turtle-on-meadow-royalty-free-image/91273911

On January 27 to 29, the International Game Developers Association – Manila Chapter (IGDA Manila) presents Manila Game Jam 2012 (MGJ 2012), the biggest annual game-making event in the country. As part of the worldwide Global Game Jam, students, professional and hobbyist game developers will create games in just 48 hours, with the top games being awarded honors and special prizes.

MGJ 2012 is the 3rd game jam organized by IGDA Manila. Last year’s game jam had more than 80 participants forming 18 teams and producing more than 20 games. Among these submissions, the game “Speck” made it to the top ten games of the Game Sauce Challenge, showing that Filipino developers have what it takes to create globally competitive games.
This year, IGDA Manila partners with Developers Connect Philippines (DevCon), the University of the Philippines Information Technology Training Center (UP ITTC) and De La Salle – College of St. Benilde (DLS-CSB) to make MGJ 2012 the best game jam to date. MGJ 2012 will be held in two sites, UP ITTC and DLS-CSB, to accommodate more participants and share the game-making experience with more people.

Similar to last year, a one-day game-making seminar will be conducted on January 20 in DLS-CSB, a week prior to MGJ 2012. Talks will be given by previous jam participants, discussing their game-making experience with tips and tricks on how to churn out a game in 48 hours. This seminar is free and open to all aspiring game developers, and will also serve as an orientation for this year’s participants.

MGJ 2012 is co-presented by Boomzap, Nokia and Accenture, with additional sponsorship from Microsoft, Anino Games, Proudcloud, Zachtronics Industries, Introversion Software, Casual Connect, Globe Labs, Unity 3D, Webgeekph.com and Spot.ph

Seeya there folks!

Pass the word around. We appreciate it.

More info? http://igdamanila.org/

More and more content today is being accessed through mobile; iPhones, iPads, Galaxy Tabs… the works. Currently, your blog (like mine) is most likely not optimized to load (and be read) on the small screen. Besides, having a mobile version of your blog will make it load faster and thus, your readers will more than likely stay and read more of your content. Here’s how to make a mobile version of your blog without any coding needed.

For WordPress, the easiest way is to download, install and personalize WPTouch, the most popular mobile converter for WordPress blogs.

After downloading it, and reading a few instructions, my blog was up and running in a couple of minutes. No coding required! Your blog will detect a mobile browser and “throw” the optimized version automatically. You still retain the “web version” for PC or laptop users, of course.

It will turn your blog from this

to this…

Sweet!

That’s how easy it is. There’s also an option to include your Adsense publisher ID so you can still retain (and earn) from your Google Adsense account.

Now, make your mobile-version for your blog today.

Don’t forget to share!

Happy blogging!

Last year, I posted my top 8 predictions for 2011. It’s good to note that I got almost everything right. Now it’s time for my annual tech predictions for 2012.

Tech Predictions for 2012 – by Mon Macutay (www.gmtristan.com) 

1. Apple will rule the world – Apple will lead tech. They will cement themselves as the biggest tech company on planet Earth. Samsung will be one of its fierce rivals. In fact, Samsung will dominate the Android phone and tablet market this year. The iPhone 5 will be announced and released.
2. Facebook will be the standard login – Last year, I predicted that Facebook “connectivity” and “sync” will start to permeate all levels of tech. From apps to social networks that cater to new, niche markets. And in 2011, the “log in with Facebook” craze started. In 2012, it will be the norm.
3. Microsoft and Nokia will make a comeback – Microsoft will try to this by launching Windows 8 and Nokia will try to salvage their name using Windows Mobile. Let’s see if the market will accept this. Chrome will officially overtake IE as the browser of choice.
4. Digital Marketing – becomes part of the “Tri-Media” approach. It will be as important to marketers like TV or radio. With tri-media consumption always going down, online marketing continues to grow. 2012 will see a huge market and need for “Social Media Experts”. Sadly, a lot of individuals will pretend to be experts just to get a piece of the pie, so to speak. Advertising on Facebook, for me, will be huge and companies who go into social media will emerge the victors.
5. RIM (makers of BlackBerry) will buy the farm – repeat after me, there is no “business phone” niche. The BB magic will fade and RIM will feel the financial burden. To combat this locally, telcos will position the BlackBerry to the youth as an entry-level smartphone hyping on the demand of the BBM (group texting without paying too much). Businessmen will then gasp when they see 15-year-olds with BlackBerry models the same as theirs.
6. Faster Broadband speeds for the Philippines – with new technologies, Smart and PLDT will lead the way and offer real DSL speeds to homes and businesses. The LTE will jumpstart this revolution From an average of 1MBPs per household, we will see and increase this year anywhere from 2MBPS to 4MBPS. Also, with a lot of competition, telcos will be forced to offer lower rates to capture a bigger portion of the market.
7. The Blog Mad Max – the blogging industry will see a great upheaval. With microblogging services like Twitter or even Instagram, a lot of bloggers will finally give up. Those who prevail and hang on will survive the blog-post-apocalyptic-nightmare. Businesses will now choose their blogger partners carefully and finally, bloggers will be given the same preferential treatment as real press or media (I am seeing that trend happen today).
8. Tablets – more and more accessories will be offered to make your tablet your primary PC. More juice, battery time and input devices will now make working on a tablet practical and fun. Both the iPad and the Galaxy Tab will rule. But there is a possibility of a 3rd contender. That, we have to see.
9. The Cloud Revolution – all major tech companies (and services) will now offer cloud solutions. Dropbox and Apple may have started it but this year, we will see more corporate-level solutions that will be made. Cloud space will be even bigger in 2012. MSN already offers all SkyDrive members a free 25GB cloud storage.
10. The Growth of WiFi in the Philippines – with a lot of Smartphones entering the middle-class B and C markets, the demand for WiFi (naturally) will go ka-boom! In 2012, you will more restos, bars and other places offer free (or paid) WiFi.

Finally, the world will NOT end in 2012.

PS. Check out my 2011 predictions here

Seeya all next year!

GM T

With all the hype about new Smartphones and the close competition by Apple and Samsung as well as the iOS vs Android wars, there’s a new Web Meme – the Nokia 3310.

Enjoy!

The Nokia 3310 Meme

The Nokia 3310 is a simple rugged phone. In fact, it’s my favorite Nokia! I sure miss it. But enough about me, check out the wild and wacky meme photos below…

Let’s start with the LOTR version….

Have fun!

Happy New Year!

Photos via 9GAG

It’s the first day of 2012. I’d like to take this opportunity to greet all my friends and readers of this blog, a HAPPY, HAPPY NEW YEAR!

May you have health, success and a more awesome 2012!

I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank all of you, my dear readers, for being loyal and for regularly dropping by the blog. This 2012 will be gmtristan.com’s 5th year. Although some tech pundits believe that blogging and the blogging industry has taken a downfall due to the rise of microblogging services like Twitter and Facebook (pages), I promise you that I’ll still bring you the latest content and news.

Thanks again!

Peace all!

GM T

Before the Christmas internet and network rush, I’d just like to wish all my readers, A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

May this Season of Joy fill your home with love, hope and good times. – From my family to yours.

The country was shocked recently about the sad state of things in Mindanao. With over 500 dead, Typhoon Sendong has left the areas of CDO and Iligan City in a state of calamity. This Christmas, if you have something to spare, kindly donate.

Here’s how.

My high school batch has organized relief efforts called “One For Iligan” (in line with our One La Salle program).

We have posted ways you can help the Sendong victims such as

1. Bringing goods like used clothes, medicine and food/water to Gate 2 of La Salle Green Hills
2. Donate via bank deposit
3. Donate via PayPal

So far, we have raised around P500,000 in cash and goods. But of course, it’s not enough.

Please help us by going to this link and checking out the details there.

Thanks in advance.

Lastly, it will be a big favor for you to just share this post (using the share widgets below) and/or post the URL in your Facebook or Twitter status.

This is our second roadshow or guild/player’s assembly for our newest game, Bounty Hounds Online. This time, BHO goes to San Fernando, Pampanga!

Last Dec 7, 2011, the BHO team, led by Ryan Sacares and GM Aveline trooped to Pampanga to show the game and have fun with BHO fans. We also gave away a LOT of beta keys. This was also the event where we unveiled the AWESOME, new, BHO shirt!

Check out more of the pics…

Our first event was at Metro Manila.

The BHO team will now head to Davao and Cebu! See you there!

For more details, head on over to our BHO Facebook Page and if you want to get exclusive Beta Keys, join my Facebook contest now!

Thanks!