Skill Technology Blog

Moving: Onward and Upward

noreply@blogger.com (zreboletti) — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 15:05:00 +0000

After what was probably the fastest year of our lives, the Skill Technology team has officially moved into its new office in Chicago�??s west loop area.

As I�??m writing this, we are currently without internet or phone; however, we seem to be pretty well settled in, and comfortable in our new digs. Although we�??re already missing a few of the amenities we had grown accustomed to at our old office, such as our wonderful door staff, the new space seems to be a much better fit for our team.

Our office is located on the 5th floor of a reasonably old, yet charming building. The building is a classic loft space, with traditional brick walls, high ceilings, exposed pipes and beams, and large windows facing the city.

With only weeks left until our game launch, and still a ton of work to do, I think the excitement and enthusiasm inspired by the new space will be just what our team needs to get us through the final home stretch.

-Zack

First Month of Manuary

noreply@blogger.com (zreboletti) — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 23:21:00 +0000

Instead of 1 Winner, We Got 2 Losers

noreply@blogger.com (zreboletti) — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 22:02:00 +0000

Today was supposed to conclude the Manuary competition for the Skill Technology team. As you've probably already guessed, this was not the case.

Instead, we have decided to extend Manuary by an additional 2 months, and turn it into a survivor-esque competition. At the end of each month, we will vote off two members -- those with the least manly beards. I'm ashamed (yet relieved) to say, myself and Solo were the two chosen today.

I think the decision to extend Manuary was because we were sad to see it come to an end, and because some of the members of our team (and their significant others) have grown fond of their new expression of masculinity.

Now that the month of January is over, we are no longer able to call the competition "Manuary"; however, we've come up with a list of names that could represent the future of this competition, and they are as follows:

So You Think You Can Beard
Bearded Idol
Are You More Bearded Than a 5th Grader
Laguna Beard
Dawson's Beard
Saved by the Beard
Beard Or No Beard
Beauty and the Beard
Battle Beard Galactica
Friday Night Beards
Trading Beards
Last Beard Standing
Extreme Makeover: Beard Edition

Any feedback or recommendations would be appreciated.

Until next time...

-Zack

The Benefits of Balance

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff Clapper) — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 21:19:00 +0000

By blind luck or unforeseen genius, our team has been assembled with a great balance of personalities. On everyday issues like the Mac vs. PC debate, we have a nearly even split. At the same time, we're fortunate enough to have a strong balance between offense and defense when it comes to our developmental mindset.

While some on our team see new objectives as unknown challenges to be tackled first for understanding, and revisited a second time for refinement, others view the same obstacles as one time chances to be solved thoroughly and flawlessly. In the end, our open-mindedness allows the mixture of one person's speediness and another's pursuit of perfection to create an environment of efficiency and thoroughness.

Though our differences inevitably come with friction, the end result consistently exceeds what could have been accomplished without such differences. I suppose this may sound like a cheesy MLK Day speech, but in the case of Skill Technology, the whole is certainly greater than the sum of its parts.

Goodbye Holidays, Hello Manuary

noreply@blogger.com (Jon Wheat) — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 17:22:00 +0000

The holidays concluded and Manuary had its official kickoff this weekend with our company's belated holiday party. John "Solo" got himself all prettied up, Zack brought a five star chef to cook us dinner, and Frank became acquainted with Brenda's sofette (below).

Then after Jeff hung some pictures, the party began with a barrage of chips & dip and slowly melded into pizza and cookie ice cream sandwiches, topped with Jeff's home made fudge. The conversation during dinner was pleasant and the wine was right on par with the excellent atmosphere set by Jeff's lively music selection. After our appetites were abated, we all sat down for a friendly game of mafia, in which I successfully killed all of my coworkers, their significant others and my wife three times over. The best part of the evening came from the abundance of Jeff's heart when he presented each of us with our very own Gimme Golf poster, which we all proceeded to deface with our signatures.

Once the evening was over and our spirits uplifted by the Jubilee of this Manuary season, we headed home to sleep off the joy that we held in our hearts from one of the most memorable office parties of all time.

Thank you Skill Technology, thank you.

Still "Growing" Strong

noreply@blogger.com (zreboletti) — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 19:56:00 +0000

The Skill Technology team is currently 10 days into Manuary. As predicted, I have the most ridiculous looking beard on the team. To be honest, it actually looks oddly similar to my profile picture on the left... scary, I know.

While growing my beard (if you can call it that) seems to be making me feel less manly, other members of our team seem to be enjoying their new look. Whatever the case, I look forward to seeing what we all look like at the end of the month, and I'm sure this experience will be fun to look back on... someday :-)

On a side note, I recently joined StumbleUpon and Digg, so please feel free to check out my profile pages, and drop me a line. Hope everyone is having a good Friday...

Cheers!

-Zack

Welcome to Manuary

noreply@blogger.com (Frank K.) — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 22:14:00 +0000

The first rule of Beard-Off is "You do not shave your beard off." The second rule of Beard-Off is "You do NOT shave your BEARD OFF!"

Manuary is not some mamby pamby beauty contest. It is a legitimate competition with a strict set of rules, like a spelling bee. No competitor may shave their beard for 30 days. Instead, he/she must proudly display their unshorn face in anticipation for the Beard-Off closing ceremonies at the end of January. The Beard-Off will be judged in two parts. On January 30th, the person with the fullest beard will be crowned 'Grand Grizzly' for displaying exceptional aptitude in the area of beard growth.

The second part of the competition will take place on January 31st. On that great morning, each competitor will shave, trim, and groom their facial hair in an attempt to create the most satisfying configuration of hair and face ever seen. Competitors are limited only by the depth of their imaginations. When the dust settles, there will be but one left standing: Das �?berBeard. The voting will take place in the manner of an electoral college, where each competitor represents a state, and each state gets one vote.

Manuary is truly the greatest test of manliness, aside from arm wrestling and chopping wood. I'm so serious. You have no idea. Get ready to get rocked by some awesome beards. It's on.

-Fk

Manuary Competition Begins

noreply@blogger.com (zreboletti) — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 19:30:00 +0000

All six members of the Skill Technology team came into work this morning with their competitive spirits and freshly shaven faces, to commence the truest test of masculinity a man can take part in: "Man"uary.

Simply put, our team will refrain from shaving their faces for the entire month of January, which we are calling, "Man"uary. Some of us (myself included) were more hesitant than others to compete in such an intense and overwhelming competition that is sure to separate the boys from the men on this team. Perhaps it is because I am one of the only two single men on this team, and am not looking forward to walking around the next month looking like Cousin Itt from the Adam's family. Perhaps it's because my facial hair never seemed to develop fully since puberty, and likely never will.

Nevertheless, I am going to embrace the competition with open arms, and give it everything I've got (as if there's anything I can really do about it). Please check back throughout the month to see our progress.

-Zack

New Years Resolution (kinda, but not really)

noreply@blogger.com (zreboletti) — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 23:09:00 +0000

Today marked my first day back in the gym. I was planning on beginning a regular work out regimen at the start of the new year �?? a new years resolution I suppose �?? but Clapper convinced me to start today. (On a side note, we were both supposed to begin today and he didn�??t show up�?�but I�??m not bitter).

As 2007 comes to a close, I find myself analyzing my life, and more importantly, ways in which I can improve it in the up-coming year. Looking back at where I was a year ago, I am very happy with many of the changes I have made, particularly in my career �?? moving from a dejected account executive, to an enthusiast entrepreneur.

I recently came across a blog called ZenHabits, which seemed to add more fuel to my self-improvement fire, as I read Leo Babauta�??s story of his extensive and impressive list of improvements he made in his life over the span of one year.

In 2008, aside from exercising more, eating healthier, drinking less, yada, yada, yada�?�I�??m so excited to launch and build this game, and more importantly, the community it will represent. I have no doubt that 2008 is going to be one of the most exciting years of my life, and I�??m looking forward to sharing every second of it with Gimme Golf enthusiasts around the world.

- Zack

A Year From Now You'll Wish You Started Today

noreply@blogger.com (zreboletti) — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 21:47:00 +0000

This is a quote that I constantly refer to but rarely employ. Whether I relate it to working out, saving money, or starting a business, it always seems to sneak up on me. As with most quotes, sayings, and ideologies it is something that is simple to understand and agree with, but hard to initiate and put into practice.

So here I am, writing my first blog post on my first "official" blog. I think the hardest part is out of the way, but as with working out, remaining consistent the first few weeks is where the biggest challenge rests.

Our modest team of six is currently ten months into the production of our first online game. If someone were to tell me a year ago that I would be working with a start-up company creating an online game (and having the time of my life in the process) I would�??ve told them they were crazy, or at least snorting something funny from the hobo on the corner, we�??ll call him �??Eli.�??

Moving forward, I�??m eager to begin documenting what the six of us crazy cats have been up to the past ten months, as well as provide up-to-date reports on the current game status, idiosyncratic company news, and anything else that makes me laugh.

Until next time�?�

- Zack

The Beginning

noreply@blogger.com (Jeff Clapper) — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 21:15:00 +0000

Our first game, Gimme Golf, has had a breakthrough month. Somewhere between the turkey comas and Christmas shopping, our small team has brought this humble game to life, leaving behind its disjointed and dry existence.

Though the game is still not online for public consumption, its amazing maturation has really been a monumental event for our team. In conjunction with this milestone, I'd like to kick-off our official blog.

Though many of us write independent blogs, this segment will be our team's opportunity to talk with the outside world about the triumphs, humor, and magic to be found in making games.
Enjoy!

Jeff Clapper
President