Trek fiction sales, then and now

[TheAlmanac]

You know, Greg, I totally understand where you're coming from and won't snark about it--I got a new computer recently, but only because I had to. I was perfectly fine with XP, I've been setting up all the same software I was using before anyway, and I am kind of sad that this is my first computer with no floppy drive.

Having said that, everyone else does have a point about how straightforward and similar it is to use something which has more memory capacity. A CD-RW or DVD-RW are fine, but for writing purposes, a USB drive is great and physically smaller than a floppy disk. This would be the change that would still be closest to your way of doing things now.

Even something like a webmail client or online storage has far more capacity than a floppy--you can email a manuscript to yourself and have it sitting "in the cloud" regardless of what computer you're using.

Either way, I'm sure anyone here would be happy to help you out with any uncertainties you have about a switchover...

 

[kkozoriz1]

I'd be concerned about the floppies failing at some point and you'd be unable to read what was on them. Think of what you can lose. Copy the contents of the floppies to your hard drive and then make a copy or two and store them offsite. You'll thank yourself if (when!) the floppies fail.

 

[SicOne]

What's going to change that? I think it's going to take a wildly successful new TV series, not an occasional movie. A TV series creates a relationship with viewers that a movie doesn't; it makes the viewers want more of a regular fix of the characters...

In that regard, the success of AMC's "The Walking Dead" miniseries appears to have prompted Image Comics to re-release the entire WD series, starting with #1 in "Walking Dead Weekly". Television has a way of reaching an audience and creating a buzz that novels can't beat.

 

[SicOne]

Thanks to everyone who participated in the questions (and for the amusing stories about Greg's dinosaur of a computer!).

 

[Therin of Andor]

(and for the amusing stories about Greg's dinosaur of a computer!).

It lives! It lives! We saved its brain!

 

[ATimson]

But, just to play devil's advocate, if my current setup is still working--and I've written nearly fifty books using floppies--why go to the trouble and expense of a learning how to use a whole new system?

If it aint broke . . . .

Given your recent problem with the shutter from a floppy getting stuck in the drive, I'm not sure I'd say "it' ain't broke" right now.

 

[Deano2099]

While Greg has a point about the Warehouse 13 soundtrack being download only, I do wonder if, were it ten years ago, said soundtrack would be available at all.

Most bands still put stuff out on CD, most big soundtracks still come out on CD, I personally think that digital distribution is pretty much only expanding what's available to us, rather than restricting what's available to those who don't want to get involved.

 

[Greg Cox]

But, just to play devil's advocate, if my current setup is still working--and I've written nearly fifty books using floppies--why go to the trouble and expense of a learning how to use a whole new system?

If it aint broke . . . .

Given your recent problem with the shutter from a floppy getting stuck in the drive, I'm not sure I'd say "it' ain't broke" right now.

Good point! But that's the first time that's happened in twenty-plus years!

 

[kkozoriz1]

So was it a one off occurrence or have you just been extraordinarily lucky to this point? You need more than one back up and floppies are not the best way to do that. If I were you I'd get a portable hard drive, copy the floppies onto it as well as your main hard drive and store the external drive off site, perhaps at a friends house, your agent's office or a safe deposit box if you have one.

 

[Greg Cox]

I admit that, when I near the end of the book, I'll often keep a backup floppy in the glove compartment of my girlfriend's car, just in case my office gets hit by a meteor or something. (Knock on wood!)

 

[kkozoriz1]

A dusty, hot glove compartment is NOT a proper back-up storage location.

 

[BillJ]

A dusty, hot glove compartment is NOT a proper back-up storage location.

Well, to be fair he's in Oxford, Pennsylvania... it's probably 15 degrees outside right now!