I’ve gone part time at my day job. As of now I am a full-time cartoonist who has a job on the side, as opposed to the other way around. This wouldn’t be possible if not for the support of everyone who has subscribed, donated, sponsored, or purchased stuff from me or through my Amazon Affiliate links  (US, UK, Canada), and I hope you know I appreciate it.

Now, let’s talk about the means of that support! The subscription service continues to gain subscribers at a slow but steady pace. Due to popular demand I’ve added a yearly PayPal payment option as well as the monthly. Many people wrote that they distrust PayPal, and wanted an alternative. I think I’ve come up with the perfect solution for those people, and I will be announcing it next week at this time.

Thanks again everybody. Now Missy and I are going to eat something unhealthy to celebrate!

Thanks again for using my Amazon Affiliate links  (US, UK, Canada).

Thanks again for using my Amazon Affiliate links  (US, UK, Canada).

Today marks the end of Snakehead Games' (makers of the MMOs Star Pirates and Spy Battle 2165) sponsorship of this site. I hope you'll all join me in thanking them. They seem like a great group of people, and have been nothing but pleasant to work with.

On a more negative note, I started removing the sponsorship ads and putting back the traditional internet banner ads this morning. The first ad that popped up was an auto playing video ad, and I just said "enough".

I've replaced the ads with banners for Amazon. A couple of them are pretty generic at the moment, but in time all of them will be ads for specific items I personally endorse or use. As always, anything you purchase after clicking on the ads, or my affiliate links (US, UK, Canada) will send a small sum of money my way without costing you a dime. 

Thanks for your continued patience and support.

Basic Instructions is sponsored by Snakehead Games, the makers of the MMOs Star Pirates and Spy Battle 2165.

A couple of quick notes:

Missy had one of her Draw Something drawings featured on Good Morning America. She’s written a blog post about it. Yes, I am aware that she’s a better artist than I am.

The  Amazon Affiliate links  (US, UK, Canada) is still doing great, and the subscription service continues its slow, steady climb. Thanks again to everybody who has subscribed! To those who haven’t, I would point out that I’ve gotten into the habit of including a brief commentary about whatever comic I’m sending out. Just saying.

Many of you have pointed out that Ruben Bolling, creator of the always excellent Tom the Dancing Bug has started a subscription service of his own. I just want to say that I’ve had no contact with Mr. Bolling (Aside from reading his comic every week). I have no reason to believe or disbelieve that he got the idea from me, and even if he did, I’m cool with it. It's not like I invented the concept of a subscription.

Basic Instructions is sponsored by Snakehead Games, the makers of the MMOs Star Pirates and Spy Battle 2165.

Thanks again for using my Amazon Affiliate links  (US, UK, Canada). My most recent book is no longer "under review" by Amazon, and can be bought there. The book's still available for purchase directly from the publisher as well.

Basic Instructions is sponsored by Snakehead Games, the makers of the MMOs Star Pirates and Spy Battle 2165.

Thanks again for using my Amazon Affiliate links  (US, UK, Canada). My most recent book is still "under review" by Amazon. I still  don't know what that means. The book's still available for purchase directly from the publisher.

Basic Instructions is sponsored by Snakehead Games, the makers of the MMOs Star Pirates and Spy Battle 2165.

Thanks again for using my Amazon Affiliate links  (US, UK, Canada). I've received reports that my most recent book is "under review" by Amazon. I don't know what that's about, but am looking into it. For the time being, the book's still available for purchase directly from the publisher.

Basic Instructions is sponsored by Snakehead Games, the makers of the MMOs Star Pirates and Spy Battle 2165.

Before I get down to business, I should mention that my friends over at Cakewrecks have done a post based on my writing style. 

I should also mention that I once again have signed copies of my first two books available for sale in my store!

The weekly subscription/Amazon report:

The Amazon Affiliate links  (US, UK, Canada) have really kicked in, which is 100% due to the efforts of all of you who have used them. Thank you.

We’re closing in on 300 subscribers, and I’m delighted!

Yes, that is less than half way to the eventual goal, but this isn’t Kickstarter. It’s not like I don’t see a dime until I get to the magic number of 800. I have nearly 300 paying customers, and if you do the math, you’ll see that’s not an insignificant amount of extra income. We have quite a way to go, but we’ve come a long way already!

So, if you’re already a subscriber, thank you. If you’re not, please consider subscribing! It works out to $30 a year, and you get to see my spelling and grammar errors in higher resolution and before nonsubscribers! 

First off, I'd like to thank everyone who has thought to use my Amazon Affiliate links (US, UK, Canada)!

Secondly, I'm delighted to announce that as of today, and for the next two weeks, Basic Instructions is being sponsored by Snakehead Games, the makers of the MMOs Star Pirates and Spy Battle 2165.

They asked if I would check out their games and share my impressions. I am not an experienced MMO player; I've never even tried World of Warcraft.

Both games are free to play and are primarily text-based, with occasional still images to help set a mood. This may seem a bit dated, but it has some distinct advantages. There are no files to install. Both games run entirely in your web browser. The text-only interface allows your mind to fill in the blanks, and also the lack of the sound of explosions and automatic weapons allows your spouse to sleep. I did some testing and they both seem to run rather nicely on an iPad’s mobile browser.

I had an enjoyable afternoon trying out both games. They both have a lively social element. The primary interface for both is a combination e-mail inbox and chat window. They kind of reminded me of the old multi-user dungeons from back when the internet was new. I spent more time in Spy Battle 2165 than I did in Star Pirates. At the beginning of the game I was a fledgling spy, living in my mom’s basement. My chief adversaries were a rat and an appliance. This was the game trying to start me out slow. In time you do move on to larger adversaries. (Other real people … not larger rodents and appliances.) When I reached level three I was issued a knife and a martini!

Anyway, if you enjoy MMOs and want something a little different, please consider giving Spy Battle 2165 and Star Pirates a try. Even if not, please join me in thanking Snakehead Games for their support.