Featured
Top 10 Fiction Books for Gamers: You’ll Love Reading These!
Most people frown when you tell them about a book that’s a great read for gamers. Books that gamers would enjoy are not real literature, right? They can’t be good reads, right? Well… this article will prove everybody who thinks so wrong. There are a lot of amazing books for gamers – books involving video games, the gaming culture and other elements related to the gaming world – that anybody would love to read. But, of course, as a gamer, you will be able to easily relate to the heroes and the action and you’ll love them more than anybody else.
I’ve picked the top 10 fiction books for gamers – must read books by gamers of all ages, actually. I focused on fiction in this article, so you won’t find any history of video games here or other non-fiction books. What you will get is hundreds of pages of high quality writing, amazing adventures and heroes that you can easily relate to. These will make you love reading if you don’t and if you already do… you will be blown away.
So let’s not waste any time and let’s check out the best 10 fiction books for gamers, in no particular order, because it’s really difficult to rank them from 10 to 1 when they’re all so great!
Ready Player One – Ernest Cline
This is by far one of my favorite novels and if there’s one on this list you should start with, it’s this one. It’s insanely well written and manages to capture you from the first page. It has anything and everything gamers love, plus a bonus for the older gamers as it is filled with 80s gaming nostalgia, pop culture references and goodies. It is a sci-fi book though set on a nearly destroyed Planet Earth where everybody finds comfort in the virtual reality of OASIS. But when the creator – and richest man on Earth – dies and decides to give his entire fortune to the person who’s able to find his hidden Easter Egg, things get a lot more interesting.
I don’t want to spoil the action and I am just unable to tell you just how great this is and how much you will be able to relate to… everything as a gamer. You MUST read this. Trust me!
Get it on Amazon (US & World): click here; or UK & Europe: click here.
Neuromancer – William Gibson
Although this is not directly related to video games, it’s considered by many one of the defining books of the cyberpunk genre. And most gamers like cyberpunk adventures, so I am sure you’ll love this one as well. Written back in 1984, way before the Internet was what it is today, it really managed to predict a ton of things that are today a reality. This is the book that introduced The Matrix, the first that used the term “cyberspace”, this is the book. It has a powerful artificial intelligence orbiting Earth, amazing characters, a brilliant story… there’s nothing you won’t love about it!
Get it on Amazon (US & World): click here; or UK & Europe: click here.
Epic – Conor Kostick
The first in the truly epic saga The Avatar Chronicles, this book can actually be read as a standalone novel. It’s directly related to video games, it has virtual realities and conspiracies, it has all the fun gamers enjoy. On New Earth, Epic is not just a computer game, it’s a matter of life and death. If you lose, you lose everything; if you win, the world is yours for the taking. And the main character’s about to start breaking the rules – with major consequences!
Get it on Amazon (US & World): click here; or UK & Europe: click here.
Guy In Real Life – Steve Brezenoff
Although this is definitely not a novel for everybody – unless everybody loves Young Adult books – it is a nice and fun read. Guy In Real Life (aka G.I.R.L) is extremely geeky and nerdy and many of us gamers can relate to the love story. Because, it ultimately is a love story. The main characters are supreme geeks: one MMO gamer who wears all black, listens to obscure heavy metal bands and has no social skills while the other is a D&D master who does her own clothes. As I said, most gamers will be right at home with this novel and I am sure that for younger people who are finding it a bit tough to master the social elements of life, it will be a blast!
Get it on Amazon (US & World): click here; or UK & Europe: click here.
Snow Crash – Neal Stephenson
Enter the Metaverse – cyberspace home to avatars and software demons, where anything and just about everything goes. In reality, Hiro Protagonist delivers pizza for Uncle Enzo’s CosoNostra Pizza Inc., but in the Metaverse he’s a warrior prince. Plunging headlong into the enigma of a new computer virus that’s striking down hackers everywhere, he races along the neon-lit streets on a search-and-destroy mission for the shadowy virtual villain threatening to bring about infocalypse… this is Snow Crash, one of Time’s 100 best English-language novels!
Get it on Amazon (US & World): click here; or UK & Europe: click here.
Surfacing – Mark Magro
Another novel that is not directly related to video games, but which will be enjoyed by gamers all ages. Set in a post-apocalyptic future where kids are trained in a secret institute where things are not what they seem, Surfacing tells the story of two kids who find out secrets that were never meant to be uncovered. A great adventure, and probably one of the least known novels on this list.
Get it on Amazon (US & World): click here; or UK & Europe: click here.
Erebos – Ursula Poznanzki
When 16-year-old Nick receives a package containing the mysterious computer game Erebos, he wonders if it will explain the behavior of his classmates, who have been secretive lately. Players of the game must obey strict rules: always play alone, never talk about the game, and never tell anyone your nickname. It’s a bit “Fight Club” and still entirely different. It’s a young adult novel, so it might not be for everybody, but I enjoyed reading it even though I am an old f@rt. You will probably like it too!
Get it on Amazon (US & World): click here; or UK & Europe: click here.
Reamde – Neal Stephenson
Nope, not a typo! But another brilliant novel by Neal Stephenson about the popular online game T’Rain that’s taken by storm by a virus and the implications are huge. An inimitable and compelling thriller that careers from British Columbia to South-West China via Russia and the fantasy world of T’Rain, Reamde is an epic read!
Get it on Amazon (US & World): click here; or UK & Europe: click here.
Infinity Blade: Awakening – Brandon Sanderson
The only novel on our list which is actually based on a video game. Normally, these are pure crap for most people except for diehard fans, but Brandon Sanderson – one of the best fantasy authors, in my opinion, manages to deliver a surprisingly good book here set in the Infinity Blade universe. The story tells us about young knight Siris who fights hordes of Titans on his epic quest to battle and defeat the God King in one-on-one combat. Epic adventures await and you don’t have to be an Infinity Blade fan to enjoy reading this fast paced book.
Get it on Amazon (US & World): click here; or UK & Europe: click here.
Insignia – S.J. Kincaid
This young adult novel will make you think about Ender’s Game for sure. I actually wanted to include Orson Scott Card’s novel instead of Insignia, but decided to promote the less known one here since you’ll most likely read Ender’s Game anyway (or at least watch the movie – and don’t shoot me for saying that!)
Back to the novel, it’s actually the first in the Insignia trilogy, telling the story of an amazing virtual-reality gamers who gets recruited by the US Army to control their army of wars in galactic warfare. Sounds great and IS great. Enjoy it!
Get it on Amazon (US & World): click here; or UK & Europe: click here.
So there you have it – 10 amazing books for gamers. If you want to start somewhere, just pick my first recommendation and work your way from there to anything else. You’ll get hooked and you’ll love these books which are good even for those who don’t call themselves gamers. But if you love video games, you’ll be able to relate more and enjoy them even more than others will.
Casual
Creative Ideas for Best Technology Instagram Post 2024
Are you facing difficulty in engaging your audience with tech posts on Instagram? As social media platforms have transformed into virtual marketplaces, brands recognize the need to showcase expertise through engaging content.
Platforms like Instagram empower connecting with worldwide audiences through captivating visual stories. But, it is quite a daunting task to work and many move ahead to buy Instagram followers as well.
Contemporary consumers scarcely have time for promotion lacking substance. Hence, creatives demand integrating education with entertainment for intrinsically motivating connections. This is why in this post, we discuss top ideas for your tech-posts on Instagram. Read on.
Top Instagram Post Ideas for Technology in 2024
There are many creative and unique ways to catch attention for your technology posts on Instagram. Below we discuss some of the most popular ones that can certainly get all eyes on you.
I. Using Tech Products as Props
Showcasing the ergonomic elegance of newest smartphones through lifestyle photos depicting them harmonizing with modern interiors signifies how technologies enhance lives unobtrusively.
Flat lays carefully arranging phones alongside complementary gadgets like smartwatches and earbuds exhibits compatible accessories apt for varied tasks. Close-up shots exploring interesting details on laptops or cameras from unique angles pique curiosity towards innovative engineering.
Illustrations envisioning people multitasking efficiently through integration of different devices tells stories audiences relate to. Including props within realistic settings displays practical applications beyond technical specifications.
II. Behind the Scenes Photos of Tech
Sneak peeks hinting at cutting-edge features of anticipated device launches grant exclusivity while cultivating hype. Well-lit workplace photographs portray engineers concentrating on prototyping components and inspire admiration.
Snapshots capturing programming teams collaborating wirelessly on interactive whiteboards through mobile apps demonstrate streamlined productivity. Infographics adorning clean designs simplify explaining complex algorithms behind facial recognition or data analytics in accessible language.
Short videos taking viewers inside futuristic factories reveal meticulous manufacturing processes with a sense of intimacy.
III. Infusing Tech with Humor
Lighthearted memes humorously portraying predictable reactions to everyday tech troubles provide comic relief to stressful scenarios. Relatable situations humorously presented divert from serious sales pitches.
Personified tech objects in comical misadventures amuse audiences through humanizing technology. Satires skewering society’s obsession with smartphones in a tongue-in-cheek manner encourages shares to spread smiles. When infused judiciously, humor aids connection by sparking emotions beyond sales.
IV. Showcasing the Human Side of Tech
Introducing changemakers through portraits celebrating their groundbreaking work nurtures admiration. Profiles highlighting individuals transforming lives through accessible education technologies promote empowerment.
Environmental initiatives leveraging automation to offset carbon footprints brings a humanistic face to sustainability efforts. Impactful community projects excelling through connectivity showcase technology uplifting society versus solely profit motives.
Sensitively showcasing stories of overcoming challenges strengthens bonds between brands and audiences.
V. Visual Presentations of Tech Topics
Creative arrangements of flat lays showcasing virtual or mixed reality controllers provides an experiential feel of the immersive tech itself. Sequential photos arranged like puzzle pieces or in grids present complex technical concepts through visual storytelling.
Infographics leveraging minimalist aesthetics simplify explaining blockchain or cloud computing. Illustrations personifying IoT appliances in a “day in life” routine brings relatability to innovations perceived as complex. Data visualizations comparing tech trends succinctly impart industry insights.
VI. Leveraging Trending Tech Themes
Imaginative demonstrations of artificial intelligence streamlining lives pique intrigue towards groundbreaking research. Showcasing developments in robotics, VR or internet of things solving pressing issues cultivates social purpose beyond sales.
Highlighting startups leveraging cutting-edge innovations attracts investors and talent. Curated reels condensing key takeaways from tech summits grant exclusive access. Tactical hashtags around concepts ranging from 5G to cybersecurity optimize discovery of relevant audiences worldwide.
Unique Ways To Boost Engagement
With competition so fierce, it becomes difficult to keep your audience engaged with your post. Below we discuss some essential tips that can make things easy for you. Take a look:
● Researching Optimized Hashtags
Analyzing hashtag clusters witnessing frequent usages around niche conversations aids discovering appropriate tags aligning with targeted audiences. Careful hashtagging aids discoverability and spreads messages to receptive crowds naturally.
● Optimizing Images For Social Formats
Adjusting photos to square dimensions suitable for Instagram feeds and story formats preserves visual quality and context. Proper sizing and cropping focuses viewer attention on essential elements.
● Scheduling Around Peak Engagement Timings
Identifying timing patterns of highest follower activities through analytics aids posting when most eyeballs will likely notice new updates. Repurposing top performing content as story highlights retains visibility.
● Reviewing Engagement And Follower Insights
Regularly evaluating metrics like likes, comments, saves and follower growth rates aids comprehending reception and refining strategies. Tracking identified hashtag or location based communities’ interests guides customized content.
● Partnering With Key Influencers
Reaching wider audiences through cross-promotional shoutouts with popular domain figures expands networks. Collaborations establishing brand authority through third party endorsements bolster credibility.
Final Thoughts
In summary, effectively leveraging visual creativity fueled by data-driven decisions establishes technology companies, alongside support from a dedicated social media growth agency like Thunderclap.it, as thought leaders amid competition on platforms like Instagram.
Consistency, authenticity, and nurturing communities through meaningful interactions are crucial for driving organic visibility and achieving superior returns on social media. While maintaining technical excellence is essential, emotionally connecting with audiences through social missions and humor helps build a loyal following and fosters trust in this experience-driven world.
Business
Exploring the Steps in the Proposal Automation Process
In a fast-paced business environment, efficiency is key to staying ahead of the competition. Proposal automation offers a strategic advantage by streamlining the creation of documents that are vital to winning new business. By automating routine tasks, companies can focus more on the substance and strategy of their proposals. Understanding how it works and the significant improvements it can bring to your business operations is essential. Below, we delve into this process and discuss everything you need to know about optimizing your proposal automation process.
Understanding the Foundation of Proposal Automation
At its core, proposal automation is about enhancing productivity and consistency within the process of creating proposals. By leveraging technology, it replaces the traditional, manual method of drafting documents with a more streamlined, error-proof approach. This transition includes the use of templates, content libraries, and customized data inputs to ensure each proposal is tailored, yet produced with greater speed and accuracy.
For newcomers, understanding the foundation is crucial before implementation. This involves grasping the basics of how automated systems manage data, apply business logic, and produce finalized documents. It’s essential to ensure that your team is well-versed with the system and that all relevant content is digitized and made accessible to the automation software.
Key Benefits of Implementing Proposal Automation
Proposal automation systems offer a multitude of benefits, the most prominent being the drastic reduction in time spent drafting proposals. Employees are freed from repetitive formatting tasks, allowing them to devote more time to strategic functions such as market analysis and personalized client engagement which can significantly influence the success of a proposal.
Error reduction is another major advantage of automating the proposal process. With standardized templates and centralized content management, inconsistencies are minimized, and the risk of outdated information being included is significantly reduced. This elevates the professionalism and credibility of each proposal generated.
Essential Features to Look for in Proposal Automation Tools
Choosing the right proposal automation tools is essential for achieving the desired efficiency and effectiveness. The most valuable feature to look for in such a tool is a robust content library. This allows for quick access to the most current and relevant pieces of content and data necessary for crafting a compelling proposal.
Integration capability is another crucial feature. The tool should be able to integrate seamlessly into the existing technology ecosystem of your organization, including CRM platforms, to facilitate smooth workflows and information exchange. This ensures that sales and proposal teams work with the latest client information and reduce duplication of efforts.
Step-by-Step Guide to the Proposal Automation Workflow
The journey of automating your proposal process starts with the initial setup of the proposal automation tool. This involves configuring the system with your company’s templates, content, and workflows. A key aspect here is to ensure that the templates accommodate various proposal scenarios and that the content library is organized and tagged for easy retrieval.
Next, the tool is integrated with other enterprise systems such as CRM software, ensuring that data flows continuously and accurately between platforms. This step is crucial for maintaining up-to-date content in the proposals and for personalizing them with client-specific data.
Measuring Success and ROI in Proposal Automation Initiatives
To truly understand the impact of proposal automation, it’s important to measure its success and return on investment (ROI). One of the most straightforward metrics to monitor is the reduction in the time required to generate proposals. Noticing a considerable decrease here is often the first sign that the automation is effective.
Another valuable indicator is the quality and consistency of proposals. With fewer errors and greater adherence to company branding, the professionalism conveyed in each proposal can lead to better client perceptions and a higher win rate. Monitoring feedback and win rates can give concrete evidence of the system’s effectiveness.
Featured
Accumulator Bet – Guide to Australian Online Sports Betting
Accumulator bet is very much popular with bettors. It allows you to combine the odds of multiple selections to achieve a greater payout if your predictions are successful.
While accumulator bets may seem complicated at first glance, they are actually fairly simple. After reading this guide, you’ll be able to use it for your Australian online sports betting: https://nomini.com/au/sport.
You’ll soon find out what an accumulator bet is, how it works, and what different types of this bet exist.
What Is an Accumulator Bet?
An accumulator bet is also known as parlay. It is a type of wager that is made up by combining multiple bets into one selection.
Let’s say that you wanted to make an accumulator on multiplier football games. In this case, you could pick five teams to win their respective games in one accumulator.
As you are combining different odds, and effectively multiplying them with each other, an accumulator bet will pay out a much higher return than if you were to bet on your choices as separate selections.
This is because all of your choices must be successful for your bet to win.
As all the betting options are combined to achieve a greater value in total stake, if just one of your picks loses, the whole accumulator bet will lose too, so there is an increased risk when placing this sort of bet.
However, it can also enhance your Australian online sports betting experience and make wagering extra fun.
Some of the most popular sports you can make accumulator bets on are football, basketball, hockey, and horse racing.
However, you should keep in mind that some sportsbooks might prevent you from combining multiple other bets into one accumulator.
Also, please note that a second bet on multiple selections from, for example, the same game of soccer, is not an accumulator bet – this would be a same game multi or multiplier, which is a totally different type of bet.
Accumulator Bet Explained in Detail
As you can see, an accumulator bet isn’t too complicated. Now we’ll use horse racing as an example to demonstrate how to use it best for your Australian online sports betting.
Let’s say you are presented with a race card for a meeting that contains six races. You can choose to pick a selection from all six races, or from just four, (you can also pick one selection of just two horses, known as a ‘Double’, or three horses, known as a ‘Treble’).
Depending on the race, you can choose the horse that you believe will win.
You will then combine all of these selections into one bet to build a total profit for your accumulator.
Because you are combining the odds for each of these horses to win, you are increasing the amount of money you could win, but also increasing the risk of at least one bet losing which will mean your accumulator loses too.
What Are the Different Types of Accumulator Bets?
As a rule, this type of bet consists of 4 or more selections, with many bookmakers allowing up to 20 selections.
Combining two bets into one bet is known as a ‘Double’, whilst combining three bets is called a ‘Treble’.
When you have four selections in one parlay bet, this is known as a ‘Four-fold”. Five bets in one parlay are called a ‘Five-fold’, and so on.
Each-Way Accumulator Bet
While an accumulator bet is very attractive for bettors, there is a high risk that the first bet won’t win, as there can be so many elements that need to be successful for the bet to win big.
However, some of that risk can be eased by placing bets on an each-way accumulator.
This Australian online sports betting option is particularly popular when betting on horse racing, as there are usually more options to choose from when trying to pick a winner.
Here, the idea is to give the bettor a better chance of winning if one of the horses fails to win, but still manages to place 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and so on.
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Michael
September 9, 2017 at 1:24 pm
Thanks, you helped me allot… these are great choices
Calin Ciabai
September 9, 2017 at 6:30 pm
Happy to hear that you enjoyed them!