Alan Koskelin
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Alan Koskelin
The Wisconsin stream-monitoring maps that I developed (http://bit.ly/ctYjtu) are live: http://bit.ly/dsGtqc . Where are all the outdoorsy / tree-hugging / green Brazenites talking?
86 weeks ago from Cheeseheads (Wisconsinites) and The Madtown Crew
Rebecca Thorman
I'm incredibly stressed. It's not that I have too much to do, but that one item on my to-do list is causing me particular stress and it's mostly out of my control. How do you handle things that you can't help or influence and make sure it doesn't affect the rest of your work? I'm having a hard time concentrating and think I will continue to until this item is resolved.
Rebecca Thorman:
Thanks for your thoughts all. The situation that was stressing me out was resolved finally yesterday afternoon. Here's to hoping today is a ...MoreThanks for your thoughts all. The situation that was stressing me out was resolved finally yesterday afternoon. Here's to hoping today is a fabulous day!
102 weeks ago
102 weeks ago
:
Index card lists. Sounds silly, but makes me much more productive when I can write it all down and work from a clear mind.
101 weeks ago
101 weeks ago
Mehul Kar
Two meetups coming up in the the Madtown area:
Rework (37Signals) meetup: http://www.meetup.com/Rework/2746/
and
Linchpin (Seth Godin) meetup: http://www.meetup.com/Linchpins-are-everywhere-raise-the-flag/1841/
Anyone going?
103 weeks ago from The Madtown Crew, Madison MAGNET, Brazen Book Lovers - Madison, Cheeseheads (Wisconsinites) and Milwaukee3 more
Mehul Kar:
Ahh, embarrassingly enough, i came to madison, went to the wrong coffee shop a block away, didn't see anyone and drove back. #fail
102 weeks ago
102 weeks ago
Andrew Shell
According to Thomas Thurston as a startup you are 30 to 40 percent more likely to survive with a disruptive strategy which he defines as cheaper and worse in performance then the existing competition. http://bit.ly/9SCRXk
What do you think of his “Lower cost, lower performance, and gets better over time” strategy?
104 weeks ago from Upstarts!, Entrepreneurs, Innovation and Trends Group and Web Startups2 more
Ryan Healy, Photis Patriotis and Alan Koskelin recommended this
Nathan Snell:
I'm in the process of starting my own SaaS business. I personally think the 37Signals approach would ultimately be more effective, both for sales ...MoreI'm in the process of starting my own SaaS business. I personally think the 37Signals approach would ultimately be more effective, both for sales and brand building, than what's described in the article (low performance low cost). Esp low cost. Pricing, to me, is probably the most difficult to determine.
Eg: Don't focus on doing everything. Focus on making 1 or 2 core features super simple, intuitive, and super helpful. If you can get people in the door doing those, then you can begin to slowly build your product out more and get even more people in the door because you can rely on your core being kickass.
103 weeks ago
Eg: Don't focus on doing everything. Focus on making 1 or 2 core features super simple, intuitive, and super helpful. If you can get people in the door doing those, then you can begin to slowly build your product out more and get even more people in the door because you can rely on your core being kickass.
103 weeks ago
TroyW:
@Nathan--Remember, 37signals IS lower performance...it's competing with things like MS Project, and has seized a (large) market that needs ...More@Nathan--Remember, 37signals IS lower performance...it's competing with things like MS Project, and has seized a (large) market that needs project-planning software, but that isn't building a skyscraper (for which only MS Project, at a minimum, would work). You gotta be very careful to ID what your product is *really* about and what its *true* competition and target is. In my experience (I'm the guy that does this for people), founders/engineers sometimes have a hard time with this.
Basically, you're best off by appealing to nonconsumers, at least at first. In the above example, people who would never dream of buying MS Project (and here's the challenge: they probably don't know MS Project exists, or could exist, and they are pretty technologically inept...let's go ahead and say profoundly inept).
I urge and exhort everyone on this thread to read Crossing the Chasm by Geoffrey Moore. This is a foundational model of technology sales that should be taken into account by anyone trying to wrestle a startup into being. Nathan, you're right: pricing is very tricky. But there's a lot of frameworks and research on this out there...check it out, starting with Moore.
103 weeks ago
Basically, you're best off by appealing to nonconsumers, at least at first. In the above example, people who would never dream of buying MS Project (and here's the challenge: they probably don't know MS Project exists, or could exist, and they are pretty technologically inept...let's go ahead and say profoundly inept).
I urge and exhort everyone on this thread to read Crossing the Chasm by Geoffrey Moore. This is a foundational model of technology sales that should be taken into account by anyone trying to wrestle a startup into being. Nathan, you're right: pricing is very tricky. But there's a lot of frameworks and research on this out there...check it out, starting with Moore.
103 weeks ago
Andrew Shell
Any Madison Linchpins planning on going to the unofficial official Seth Godin Linchpin worldwide meetup on June 14th? RSVP for the meetup here http://bit.ly/dsUc3w or read the original post on Seth's blog here http://bit.ly/cYoxel
104 weeks ago from The Madtown Crew and Madison MAGNET
Ryan Paugh, Andrew Shell and Mehul Kar recommended this
Mehul Kar:
What happened? I went there, and the Madison Tanning Company was there (all of them), but no one else..Did I miss you?
101 weeks ago
101 weeks ago
Andrew Shell:
Alan K and I were there. We saw the Madison Tanning Company but figured they were having some company meeting so we set up in the other room. ...MoreAlan K and I were there. We saw the Madison Tanning Company but figured they were having some company meeting so we set up in the other room. Guess we need to be better coordinated next time.
101 weeks ago
101 weeks ago
Julia Stone
Full time, telecommuting position for a mid to senior level web developer has just opened up.
This is for someone who can build custom interactive websites & start up a new division of a company. Entrepreneurs this could be a dream for you, funded & lots of autonomy! Some travel to clients may be needed. West Coast is ideal, but anywhere is OK for the right person
Skills needed could include
ASP.NET
PHP
Ajax
CMS
Interested? Let me know why you are the one. Send a link to your portfolio too.
104 weeks ago from We're Hiring, Web Development, Web Startups, Tech Gurus and Location Independent3 more
Ryan Paugh recommended this
Julia Stone:
Hi Al, looking forward to meeting you tomorrow morning to discuss the opportunity. Thanks for reaching out so quickly.
104 weeks ago
104 weeks ago
Alan Koskelin:
Thanks for meeting, Julia. I enjoyed the conversation and look forward to working with you.
104 weeks ago
104 weeks ago
Melissa Breau
I frequently find that I get so caught up trying to get something perfect that I never manage to get it done. I found myself doing this recently (http://wp.me/pPuvU-2P) and had to say enough was enough. Is anyone else guilty of standing in their own way?
Alan Koskelin:
It's certainly an old problem. Coincidentally, about a week ago, I added a Voltaire quote to my profile: "The perfect is the enemy of the good."
106 weeks ago
106 weeks ago
Melissa Breau:
@michael - thank you for the thoughtful comment! I agree that sometimes the best option is stepping away from the issue and consulting someone you ...More@michael - thank you for the thoughtful comment! I agree that sometimes the best option is stepping away from the issue and consulting someone you trust. It's definitely tough to make the call sometimes though...
@Paul - that's an interesting concept, but I'm not sure it applies to my situation. See, I'm starting my own freelance writing business and need to choose a name. A name isn't something you can work at 20% but it is a major step in the process, and until it's done a lot of things have to sort of be on hold.
@Alan Great quote! Thanks for the comment.
106 weeks ago
@Paul - that's an interesting concept, but I'm not sure it applies to my situation. See, I'm starting my own freelance writing business and need to choose a name. A name isn't something you can work at 20% but it is a major step in the process, and until it's done a lot of things have to sort of be on hold.
@Alan Great quote! Thanks for the comment.
106 weeks ago
Rebecca Thorman
Obsessed with self-measurement? Me too. Just read this fantastic article in the NYT about the data driven-life (http://nyti.ms/cREglz). It talks about people who make careful records of their life, work, play. I do this a lot - recording what I've eaten during a week, all of my activities that I've participated in, endless spreadsheets w/ ideas, info. Do you do this? What do you track? The article talks about how personal measurement isn't standard - but why not? Data means results!
106 weeks ago from Personal Development and Productivity & Time-Management
Kenji Crosland and Alan Koskelin recommended this
Alan Koskelin:
After much time put in to spreadsheets and databases, I'm becoming a fan, instead, of maintaining less-structured data so I can focus on what's ...MoreAfter much time put in to spreadsheets and databases, I'm becoming a fan, instead, of maintaining less-structured data so I can focus on what's most important. It's a way of going from "endless spreadsheets w/ ideas" to knowing and discovering what's important and organizing related ideas. Using a private wiki has been particularly helpful both on the job and in my personal life.
To Miri & Rebeccas's points about tracking and not living, it's important to know why you're collecting data. Data itself shouldn't be the goal; it should be a means to an end, to improvement.
106 weeks ago
To Miri & Rebeccas's points about tracking and not living, it's important to know why you're collecting data. Data itself shouldn't be the goal; it should be a means to an end, to improvement.
106 weeks ago
Michael Felberbaum:
Data and measurement is important no doubt and I think the value actually lies in awareness. What we pay attention to, we modify. However, ti's ...MoreData and measurement is important no doubt and I think the value actually lies in awareness. What we pay attention to, we modify. However, ti's so easy to go overboard with this! I'm a fan of measuring that absolute key metrics, the really meaningful ones, and letting everything else go.
106 weeks ago
106 weeks ago
Alan Koskelin
I just posted two replies to the Biotech and Pharmaceutical Professionals network but the first one didn't show up in my Fan Feed or in the network itself when I reloaded it. The post it was in reply to, however, got bumped up the list as if there was a reply posted to it. Bug?
Beth Hennes
As long as Ryan started me thinking about ethnic restaurants, let's try a little harder... Who has the best Indian food in town? Korean? I've only had take-out from Swagat. The Korean restaurant I tried was New Seoul, but I dunno, maybe there's better...
Ryan Paugh:
May be leaving town for Easter, but if I end of sticking around through Saturday I will give you a call.
112 weeks ago
112 weeks ago
Alan Koskelin:
Other than New Seoul, isn't the new-ish K Peppers in Middleton the only other Korean restaurant? K Peppers was a good lunch based on my bibimbop ...MoreOther than New Seoul, isn't the new-ish K Peppers in Middleton the only other Korean restaurant? K Peppers was a good lunch based on my bibimbop and a taste of a friend's bulgogi.
112 weeks ago
112 weeks ago
Andrew Shell
It seems that the productivity systems I've seen seem to focus heavily on what you have to get done and how to squeeze more productivity into a day. Has anyone seen a system that helps you filter out what you should be working on in the first place? I think people probably do a lot during the day and they don't even know why they are doing it. Do you think that before you perform an action you should have a clear idea of why you're doing it and what goal it's contributing to?
Scott Keegan:
One of the best things I've come across is an add-in for Outlook called Clearcontext (I have no connection with the company btw). It scans all ...MoreOne of the best things I've come across is an add-in for Outlook called Clearcontext (I have no connection with the company btw). It scans all your email and determines who your most important contacts/projects are and applies a colour filter to them so you can quickly see what's there that should be at the top of your list. Has loads of other useful functions as well. I'm lost without it now.
112 weeks ago
112 weeks ago
Alan Koskelin:
I enjoyed "The Trickle List" from Rands in Repose and practicing a modified version of it has been helpful: MoreI enjoyed "The Trickle List" from Rands in Repose and practicing a modified version of it has been helpful: http://www.randsinrepose.com/archives/2008/08/18/the_trickle_list.html
112 weeks ago
112 weeks ago
Ashley Jones
I just created a Web site through pair Networks. I am trying to upload FTP files and they are uploaded on the pair site, but nothing new has happened when I type in my domain name. Any suggestions? What am I missing?
Ashley Jones:
I registered my domain with pair. I'm not sure what "point at my account" means...sorry. I will e-mail pair and see what I get. Thanks!
120 weeks ago
120 weeks ago
Alan Koskelin:
Did you upload / FTP the files in to the proper directory / folder? It's likely called htdocs, public_html, or www.
119 weeks ago
119 weeks ago
Jake
Music is completely a happiness in my life. To bad my mac's hard drive or something crashed and burned two weeks ago there for taking all of my music along with it. Nearly 500 songs gone just like that, I had just bought like 20 songs when iTunes failed me. I seriously thought that iTunes covered your library for cases like these.
So now I am looking for ways to salvage the songs on my ipod to my computer. But right now we are looking at taking it to a company to fix it and to save all memory.
123 weeks ago from Music
Alan Koskelin:
"The main purpose of Senuti is to recover music from an iPod during a hard drive failure or to add music from another person's iPod."
More"The main purpose of Senuti is to recover music from an iPod during a hard drive failure or to add music from another person's iPod."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senuti
123 weeks ago
More"The main purpose of Senuti is to recover music from an iPod during a hard drive failure or to add music from another person's iPod."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senuti
123 weeks ago
Mojgan Fay
In defense of nutmeg: http://www.somethinglemon.com/?p=70, because more nutmeg needs to be used in 2010.
Mojgan Fay:
Alan, I also have the 1.5 qt cuisinart machine and it's been churning away with no problems.
125 weeks ago
125 weeks ago
Mojgan Fay:
Also, yum to homemade eggnog! I'm going to attempt to make this aged eggnog for next year: MoreAlso, yum to homemade eggnog! I'm going to attempt to make this aged eggnog for next year: http://www.chow.com/recipes/10758
125 weeks ago
125 weeks ago
Jesse Trucks
I work for a research firm that designed and uses a custom built supercomputer for computational biochemistry for the purpose of aiding in core research toward eventual new treatments or cures. I manage the supercomputers and the datacenter housing them. Anyone else on the HPC or tech side of biotech?
Alan Koskelin:
Nice, Jesse! I'm a software & database developer and I've been working with R&D teams based around PCR / qPCR technologies and at my last ...MoreNice, Jesse! I'm a software & database developer and I've been working with R&D teams based around PCR / qPCR technologies and at my last job I reported to the head of bioinformatics.
109 weeks ago
109 weeks ago
Holly Hoffman
I take my coffee black for the most part, but the holidays seem to get me in the mood for flavor & cream. What do you like adding to your mug to get you in the holiday spirit?
126 weeks ago from Coffee
Alan Koskelin:
Homemade Irish cream: sweetened condensed milk and/or cream, Irish whiskey, maybe some vanilla.
126 weeks ago
126 weeks ago
Alan Koskelin
I'm working through Pro Drupal Development but there are typesetting issues in my copy (e.g. everything that's italic in online samples are, instead, fixed-width in mine) that are driving me mad. Have you seen this with other Apress books?
Kerry McKeever
What development methodologies do you find are most commonly used in web development?
Jay Godse:
Web dev folks who use dynamic languages such as Ruby, PHP, Python, Perl, Lua probably go with some variant of Agile because it is so easy to ...MoreWeb dev folks who use dynamic languages such as Ruby, PHP, Python, Perl, Lua probably go with some variant of Agile because it is so easy to deploy software and try stuff out.
If you're using languages that require compilation such as C++, C#, or Java, then it takes longer to deploy stuff. When deployment is slow, people tend to use methods that emphasize more up-front thinking and documentation.
117 weeks ago
If you're using languages that require compilation such as C++, C#, or Java, then it takes longer to deploy stuff. When deployment is slow, people tend to use methods that emphasize more up-front thinking and documentation.
117 weeks ago
Alan Koskelin:
I'll point out the elephants in the room: Cowboy Coding and Big Ball of Mud:
MoreI'll point out the elephants in the room: Cowboy Coding and Big Ball of Mud:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cowboy_coding
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_ball_of_mud
117 weeks ago
MoreI'll point out the elephants in the room: Cowboy Coding and Big Ball of Mud:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cowboy_coding
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_ball_of_mud
117 weeks ago
The grandmother of an acquaintance used to say: "There is no such thing as strong coffee -- only weak people."
133 weeks ago from Coffee
Alan Koskelin
How can an INTP sell themselves as "the architect of ideas and systems [and] edifices"? Too often that's heard as "won't get anything done."
Andrew Shell:
By being able to show a track record of creating massive value. If you help companies by being an "architect of ideas" you should have examples ...MoreBy being able to show a track record of creating massive value. If you help companies by being an "architect of ideas" you should have examples of projects you've worked on. If you're an entrepreneur trying to sell your architect services you should have customer referrals and case studies of how you created value. Once you have that there shouldn't be any worries that you won't get anything done.
134 weeks ago
134 weeks ago
Monica Carol Evans:
Tell them that you are the idea guy and you work well with an implementation team. :-)
134 weeks ago
134 weeks ago
JR Moreau
I imagine this group is pretty heavily populated by Bostonites, where else is the biotech/pharma industry booming?
Stephanie Springer:
It's true that biotech is big in other areas... but I'm not really sure where you could find another Kendall Square. We have a nice mix of big ...MoreIt's true that biotech is big in other areas... but I'm not really sure where you could find another Kendall Square. We have a nice mix of big companies and baby biotechs. For instance, in the building I'm in, there's big pharma, a daughter company of a 2nd big pharma, a small biotech owned by a 3rd big pharma, and a baby biotech just getting off its feet... and I have former coworkers in all four companies! And I literally run into people from other biotech/pharma companies every day.
109 weeks ago
109 weeks ago
Alan Koskelin:
Jesse's right about Madison and there are some buildings here like you describe, Stephanie. The one that Thirdwave (now Hologic, a Boston-area ...MoreJesse's right about Madison and there are some buildings here like you describe, Stephanie. The one that Thirdwave (now Hologic, a Boston-area company) is in also houses Nimblegen (bought by Roche) and Stemina, a stem cell / biomarker company.
109 weeks ago
109 weeks ago
Ryan Healy
Heading to the Dinosaur Jr. concert tonight. Had never heard them until this week, liking what I hear so far!
136 weeks ago from Music
Ryan Healy:
It was a great show. My ears are still ringing though. They had so many amps and speakers they could barely fit on stage!
136 weeks ago
136 weeks ago
Jay Hepner:
Just go with the original: Neil Young. Best I ever saw: Social D + Sonic Y + Neil and CH. Blew the roof off the dump, 2/27/91, CapCtr, DC.
134 weeks ago
134 weeks ago
Alan Koskelin:
Sadly, no, I didn't make it but what an awesome idea. I hope it happens again.
142 weeks ago
142 weeks ago
Marc DeCarli:
I went at about 11:30. Should've gone earlier.... But it was awesome! Might go to Chicago's RTD next year, too. Lots of bikes, big city.
142 weeks ago
142 weeks ago
Nathan Snell
Figure it may be noted, but your sub-nav dropdowns in your header don't look right in firefox. (no background color)
Alan Koskelin:
fwiw the background is fine in my ffox (v3.5.2, OSX 10.4) but there is a single-pixel, horizontal, transparent line between the items.
142 weeks ago
142 weeks ago
Nathan Snell:
Yup. That's what I was talking about! May be right. Could be a margin issue vs. background.
142 weeks ago
142 weeks ago
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