The Catch-up Post

It's been a while since I posted anything other than a Micro ISV Digest, so let's see if I can run through everything in one go and bring you up to speed.

My last post was about the posibility of having my house demolished. Since then, I haven't really learned much more about that, but I do know that it's not likely to happen for a couple of years yet, and that it's not a sure thing. Slight relief there.

You might have noticed the Micro ISV Spotlight post I tried on Codesnipers a week or two ago. I really like the concept, and we're hoping to do some exciting things with it in the not too distant future... stay tuned for that.

I had been posting regularly about the BBC's Dragon's Den show, and there were a couple of shows I saw, and wanted to write about, but just couldn't find the time. I just had so much going on. I'm visiting family in LA at the moment, so I can't see any of the BBC content online, or watch the latest episodes. I've spotted a few Dragon's Den themed posts on the Entrepreneurial blog of Burt, Dave and Oli, you might want to check that out if you're a fan.

I followed Patrick's lead and tried using Robosoft to submit my software to some download sites. I got over a hundred acceptance emails, and the Google results for Oriador Rota jumped by about 1000%, but so far I haven't noticed significant numbers of referals or more downloads. I need to start monitoring all this stuff more closely. Never the less, it's a simple process, and although it made me feel a bit dirty, it's probably had some kind of impact. Now I need to see about following Patrick's other lead and set aside some cash for a launch day Nintendo Wii.

That's about everything for now...

Micro ISV Digest

A weekly roundup of Micro ISV news, announcements and relevant blog posts.

News and Announcements

• KC announced dotProject hosting.
• Aaron Young launched LifeLog, a time logging tool. via BoS.
• TryBeta are looking for early adopters.
• Dharmesh on another ebay'd startup. He thinks this one is worth it.
• MSN launched their video sharing service, SoapBox.
• Google removing ignored ads? Good or bad for the Micro ISV?

Relevant Blog Posts and Articles

• 10 Better questions for aspiring entrepreneurs, from Rajesh Setty.
• The 8 free things every site should do, on Squidoo.
• Getting out of the "job" mentality when starting a business, on Escape from cubicle nation. Also, on Andrey and guilt.
• Why they don't upgrade and what to do about it, on Creating Passionate Users
• Guy Kawasaki's Art of Distribution.
• The Full-Time Gap on RogueAmoeba.
• Dharmesh Shah, Why Free Trials Aren't.
• How Odeo screwed up, and an Interview with the founder of Cork'd, via WorkHappy's Happy Links.
• Own your niche on Get Slightly Famous.
• Small business heroes on YouTube.

Further (mostly relevant) Reading

• The IT/Business podcast thread.
• The Exchanging Ideas thread.
• The First Step into Game Development, from GameProducer.
• 10 myths about small business blogging, and 101 reasons to have a small business blog, on Pajama Market.
• How to talk yourself out of blogging.
• James Shore's Change Diaries.

Tags: microisv digest entrepreneurship startups

Micro ISV Digest

A weekly roundup of Micro ISV news, announcements and relevant blog posts.

News and Announcements

• Pete was looking for feedback via BoS for his Live internet streaming service for bands.
• Dan released Advanced Task Manager 3, via BoS.
• I released a new version of Oriador Staff Rota.
• Patrick's software was the Bit du Jour, read his update on results.
• A free ebook via OneNerd, What do you want to do with your life?
• Microsoft removed the beta tag from Live search, does that mean it doesn't really get web 2.0?
• .NET 3.0 release candidate is available now.

Relevant Blog Posts and Articles

• Why smart companies do dumb things, from Guy Kawasaki.
• Important Co-founder questions from Dharmesh.
• On Small Business 2.0: Blue Ocean Strategy.
• On WordPlayer: Crap-plus-one.
• Ian Landsman: Question 2: Lee.
• 15 Ideas, a big moo summary on Seth Godin's blog.
• Blogger Law 101, a series of videos on Tubetorial.
• Overcoming Distractions, from Dave Cheong. See also Computer games ruined my software business on the BoS forum.
• Techcrunch interview with Paul Graham.

Further (mostly relevant) Reading

• 5 ways to build a better blog on Pronet.
• Get the geek out of software, from Offertrax.
• A second chance to make the same UI mistakes, from Steve Moyer on Codesnipers.
• Win without friction, ego, or money, on Dead 2.0.
• Noah interviews Barry Schwartz, author of Paradox of Choice.

Tags: microisv digest entrepreneurship startups

Micro ISV Digest

A weekly roundup of Micro ISV news, announcements and relevant blog posts.

News and Announcements

• Carson Systems launched Amigo, the Bare Naked App.
• Amit Khemka launched SD Pro, a business management solution, via OISV.
• Bill Rayer released Visual Fred Beta, feedback via BoS.
• Henry launched 6channel6, a free reminders service, via BoS.
• A new version of TurboGears.
• A new version of Pretty Good Solitaire.
• Borland launched the Turbo products, opinion/links from the Gurocks.
• Microsoft released Vista RC1, screenshots from Lifehacker.
• Google released an open source OCR engine.
• Amazon got into the video download game with Unbox, more on EC2 from Bob Walsh.
• Joel launched a Jobs board.

Relevant Blog Posts and Articles

• Ideas are a dime a dozen from Follow Steph.
• KC's Business for Geeks: Cash is King.
• Top ways to defend the status quo, from Seth Godin.
• Why "duh"... isn't, from Creating Passionate Users.
• Patrick on Writing a customer-focused blog and Everything you need to know about registration systems.
• Dharmesh on Web 2.0 crashes, and Web 2.0 charging. Meanwhile, Kiko went to Tucows.
• Linda Coleman runs a small business tax (US) & accounting blog.
• A usability analysis, Yahoo! Calendars vs 30boxes.
• A game design post-mortem from Cliffski.
• After the Long Tail, Om Malik talks Fat Belly.

Further (mostly relevant) Reading

• Let your mind unwind, from LiveDev.
• TR35 on 37signals.
• Ze Frank at TED on Google Video.
• Old Demo War Stories on Pragmatic Marketing.
• Why Smart People do Dumb things, from Guy Kawasaki.

Tags: microisv digest entrepreneurship startups

Oy

Just in case I didn't already have enough going on right now, the local council's plans for our neighbourhood were unveiled today... actually two alternative plans. The first shows a little bit of rejigging and regeneration, the second shows an apartment complex and a tree-lined square in the space currently occupied by my home. %$!&!!

This is supposedly to benefit the community after the impact of the flooding, but after waiting 16 months in temporary accommodation to move back into this place, the last thing I want is to be forced to sell it and see it demolished. Unfortunately, the two schemes look to be tactically designed so that the only people who will want the first scheme are the immediate residents, I have a nasty feeling that almost everyone else will be campaigning for the second.

I'll find out more over the next week or two, there are a few community meetings and public forums I'll need to go to. In the meantime, does anyone happen to be a UK land & property law expert(?!)...

GREAT

Nice rant from Phil today, Regular Ol' Developer.

Joel is again talking about the best way to get Great Developers. Lots of people chime in about how they themselves are great developers, or their tips and tricks for getting great developers. It's articles like this that make me feel a little left out, because I know by Joel's standards I am not a great developer.
...
What would I be looking for if I were hiring?

1)Ambition
2)Ability to learn and adapt quickly
3)Creativity
4)Able to handle stress well
5)Experience
6)Be well rounded and fluent in customer service

I can identify with this. I love being involved with software and participating in the Micro ISV community. I love writing software and trying to solve problems, I get a real kick out of solving a real world problem for someone. And I like trying to tie everything together and run an actual business. Being regarded as a great developer is pretty low on my list of priorities.

I'm more impressed by Patrick's commitment to mastering his ad copy and conversion tracking, or Andy Brice's commitment to the perfect landing page, than of some l33t c++ skills or having the fastest sort algorithm. Many would sneer at Bob Walsh for using VB, but his tireless enthusiasm and Micro ISV evangelism never ceases to amaze me.

If you have an idea for some software and want to start a Micro ISV, but are waiting until you feel like a "great" developer, get over yourself and just get on with it. You don't need to be a great developer, you need most or all of the qualities Phil listed, an idea (preferably for something which non-technical people need), and domain knowledge (if you don't have it yourself, consider finding a partner or advisor). Once you jump in you'll be able to pick everything else up along the way, just try to learn as much as you can and enjoy the ride.

Tag: micro isv

Only a programmer

I'd like to think that only a programmer could have come up with Dr. Explain's unusual new promotion. By taking a photo of yourself and your co-workers with a Dr. Explain logo, you can earn discounts, free copies, or even win the grand prize of an amazon gift voucher (in 3 months time).

Sounds interesting, then you get to the programmer's bit:-

The total discount value in percent will depend upon what is pictured on your photo. Dr.Explain Identity (required) = +5%
Your Identity (required) = +5%
Each person in the group (min 1 required) = +5%
Each pet = +1%
Creativity = + 0-10% (based on our judgment)
The total of 100% and higher means 1 free single license.

It's all explained in a similarly complex way with some sample entries. I assume that those entries have been captioned using the Dr. Explain software, which looks neat.

I'll be interested to hear how it goes, and I'm sure Dennis will provide plenty of forum feedback. But for me, the complexity is a turn off, why not just give out a 25% discount to all qualified entries, then pick winners to go up on the website and give them each free copy?

Via BoS.

Money

GameProducer's post about making money online reminded me of my favourite line from Citizen Kane. I'm not sure why, the only connection is money...

The reporter character is talking to someone who knew Kane, and implies that Kane must have been a great man because he made an awful lot of money. The reply:-

Well, it's no trick to make a lot of money... if what you want to do is make a lot of money

There are plenty of great lines in that movie, but that's the one that's always stuck with me. In the context of the movie, and the way it's delivered, it seems to say everything important about wealth, power, life, and priorities.

Update: Sean, guest posting on OkDork, has a little more to say about the life/money balance, and about how it drove him to entrepreneurship: Can money pay for all the days I've lived awake but half-asleep?

Micro ISV Digest

A weekly roundup of Micro ISV news, announcements and relevant blog posts.

News and Announcements

• Alexander Stigsen launched a beta version of e, a collaborative text editor. Feedback link on BoS.
• Andrey released his wall street programming book.
• Patrick released a new version of Bingo Card Creator.
• Benji changed his mind.
• Try Beta are running a beta testing survey, also comment on BoS.
• Cigars for Dave Cheong.
• Another Micro ISV blog, One Nerd's Software Company.
• Google offered apps for your domain, with 24x0 support (spoof press release). Om Malik ponders their new ties with Apple.

Relevant Blog Posts and Articles

• On Don Loper, What it means to be an entrepreneur.
• From Dharmesh, Are you experiencing enough pain?
• Matt Inglot: Get your feet wet before diving into your dream business.
• Are you an optimist or a pessimist, from the entrepreneurial blog of Oli, Dave and Burt.
• Seth Godin on Breakfast and Compromising.
• Going into business with friends? See a lawyer and Make the mistakes, but move on with the lessons, via the carnival of business.
• Think baby steps when planning a business while still employed, from Get a Life.#
• For the stat fans, Patrick posted August's numbers.
• Philipp Schumann on Attracting Customers.
• Yaro Starak: Why it pays to be narrow minded in business.
• KC's Business for Geeks, Timing is everything.

Further (mostly relevant) Reading

• 21 Tactics to increase blog traffic, on SEOMOZ.
• The top 10 best presentations ever, on KnowHR.
• Are social web apps here to stay, on Bokardo.
• Just say no to urgent unimportant tasks, on how to save the world.
• Acronyms 2.0 on Google Blogoscoped.

Tags: microisv digest entrepreneurship startups

The Schedule

The Micro ISV Digest post is an hour later than usual because I took the whole weekend off for our wedding anniversary. That meant I had to catch up on the news from the last couple of days and put the post together this morning (I usually prepare it over the weekend).

It took a little longer than I expected, thanks to NewsGator. Sometime this week they started hijacking all the item urls and replacing them with a redirect, so all the links I'd saved were incomplete and I had to visit all the original sites. I got about halfway through the digest post before I noticed.

Fortunately, the redirect url includes the destination url as a parameter, so it looks like I should be able to customise my build of Web Helper Browser to strip them out as I save the page fragment direct from NewsGator... one of the great things about relying on your own tools!

Random Friday Thoughts

Congratulations to Andrey Butov on getting his book launched. Wall street programming blog to come? ;)

It's September already?

Tevez to West Ham?

I thought our 469 days was a long time, some people are still waiting to go home after 600.

Business Valuation (Dragon's Den)

Yesterday's Dragon's Den was a relatively stormy one, largely down to the investors frustrations at the high valuations the entrepreneurs place on their startups.

First up was a fledgling airline with no assets, basically a concept, valued at £1million by the entrepreneur. He had bought a plane, with his own money outside of the business, and couldn't understand why the potential investors were uncomfortable with that. Even without the asset issue, I can't see why he was valuing this business at £1million.

Then there was the guy who was valuing his 4 month old business at £2.5million. He was a reseller for a hardware & software solution for scanning IDs on entry to clubs etc. He needed the money to secure exclusivity, but, although there was an offer on the table of £250K for 50%, he walked away. Mistake? The investors all thought so.

The next failure didn't have anything to do with valuation, but with lack of USP, lack of success so far, unrealistic ambitions, and a highly competitive market segment. This was a singles experiences company, good luck to them, but no-one saw anything to justify risking an investment.

Finally, a couple of guys trying to be the headwear version of TieRack with their Dr Cap stores. Nice guys, seemed to be doing okay so far, but they had an unrealistic plan and a lack of retail business knowledge. They took a £150K investment for 50% of their company, after an entertaining negotiation (they wanted to give 20%).

Other thoughts on the show, the Castle Jigsaw chess set looked awesome, but the full pitch wasn't shown.

Also, five shows into this series I'm a little frustrated by the format, they've probably always shown the investable idea at the end of the show, but I don't remember it being quite so predictable. It's always four 10-15 minute pitches, most of the time one of them gets an offer and turns it down, and always the last of the four pitches gets the investment. Mix it up a bit...

Tags: entrepreneurship dragons den tv