Ask YC: What are you working on these days?
132 comments
* Still trying to improve the http://mediawombat.com crawler
* Working on better pre-caching scripts/SQL for http://mediawombat.com search results
* Working on how to charge a company that wants to use the http://mediawombat.com API
* Coming up with ideas for a back-end for a new auction-based concept that my friend and co-founder has come up with
* Coming up with ideas for mixing/matching data when Google releases their RSS feeds for google searches
* Trying to master CSS and transparency to make pretty boxes and stuff. I'm not very artistic. :)
* Writing a play-by-email and play-by-web strategy game
* Coming up with a way to keep a linux configuration on my laptop so when I do a fresh-install of Fedora 10 next month, I don't have to re-create all of my custom configurations from scratch (again)
* Thinking of cool ways to use the WiiMote
* Setting up my father's website (has an idea about improving K-12 education)
* Keeping my older kid from injuring my younger kid
* Keeping the wife happy
* oh, and my actual paying day job :)
* Working on better pre-caching scripts/SQL for http://mediawombat.com search results
* Working on how to charge a company that wants to use the http://mediawombat.com API
* Coming up with ideas for a back-end for a new auction-based concept that my friend and co-founder has come up with
* Coming up with ideas for mixing/matching data when Google releases their RSS feeds for google searches
* Trying to master CSS and transparency to make pretty boxes and stuff. I'm not very artistic. :)
* Writing a play-by-email and play-by-web strategy game
* Coming up with a way to keep a linux configuration on my laptop so when I do a fresh-install of Fedora 10 next month, I don't have to re-create all of my custom configurations from scratch (again)
* Thinking of cool ways to use the WiiMote
* Setting up my father's website (has an idea about improving K-12 education)
* Keeping my older kid from injuring my younger kid
* Keeping the wife happy
* oh, and my actual paying day job :)
Dude what's your website? You should include a link to it so we know what it is :^).
> Coming up with a way to keep a linux configuration on my laptop so when I do a fresh-install of Fedora 10 next month, I don't have to re-create all of my custom configurations from scratch (again)
Maybe you meant something substantially more complicated but....
...just mount /home/ on a second partition, that way you can wipe and/or upgrade linux and keep all your personal settings.
Maybe you meant something substantially more complicated but....
...just mount /home/ on a second partition, that way you can wipe and/or upgrade linux and keep all your personal settings.
I'm working on an open platform for cloud storage. Imagine something like MobileMe, Microsoft Strata, or Carbonite, but without your data being trapped by a single vendor.
At the moment we are considering Celeste as the basis for this platform. http://www.opensolaris.org/os/project/celeste/
I've got the partner (alexkravets), now we're looking for funding to mitigate the risk of having no day job.
We don't have a write-up online at the moment, but we firmly believe in the "ideas are cheap; execution is everything" philosophy, so we'll answer any questions.
At the moment we are considering Celeste as the basis for this platform. http://www.opensolaris.org/os/project/celeste/
I've got the partner (alexkravets), now we're looking for funding to mitigate the risk of having no day job.
We don't have a write-up online at the moment, but we firmly believe in the "ideas are cheap; execution is everything" philosophy, so we'll answer any questions.
Question: how do you plan on making things sync as effortlessly as they do on MobileMe? I'm sure it can be done - look at Dropbox - but do you have any ideas on how to beat something that's built in to the system?
Initially we'll side-step that issue.
First we'll build the equivalent of an online mountable disk so it'll be a natural fit for online storage/backup and sharing.
Building applications on top of this storage layer such as photo sharing and syncing will be next.
As for how to compete, the magic sauce is openness on two fronts. Bandwidth and storage are commodities, and we want this storage tier to be a commodity marketplace as well. The storage providers will compete for end users while cooperating to store and serve up data. A user can switch providers and retain the same data in the system (cloud).
Along with an "open" system, most (if not all) of the software will be open source. We envision a small hub of centralized services (identity and such), a storage provider ring, and the end users.
So basically we'll beat the big guys by creating an open system with open software. Our company, then, will be taking a small slice of a big pie, rather than on these players head-on.
First we'll build the equivalent of an online mountable disk so it'll be a natural fit for online storage/backup and sharing.
Building applications on top of this storage layer such as photo sharing and syncing will be next.
As for how to compete, the magic sauce is openness on two fronts. Bandwidth and storage are commodities, and we want this storage tier to be a commodity marketplace as well. The storage providers will compete for end users while cooperating to store and serve up data. A user can switch providers and retain the same data in the system (cloud).
Along with an "open" system, most (if not all) of the software will be open source. We envision a small hub of centralized services (identity and such), a storage provider ring, and the end users.
So basically we'll beat the big guys by creating an open system with open software. Our company, then, will be taking a small slice of a big pie, rather than on these players head-on.
Our company, then, will be taking a small slice of a big pie, rather than on these players head-on.
Very nice way of thinking about it. Good luck.
Very nice way of thinking about it. Good luck.
* Working on my second book for O'Reilly
* Speaking about, and generally pushing for more interest in Open Data
* Putting my entire life in a semantic graph: http://blog.kiwitobes.com/?p=73
* Trying to figure out what programmers can do about risk management failures
* Speaking about, and generally pushing for more interest in Open Data
* Putting my entire life in a semantic graph: http://blog.kiwitobes.com/?p=73
* Trying to figure out what programmers can do about risk management failures
Working on my first book for O'Reilly
What about?
It's a travel guide for people who love science and technology. It contains 128 places where you can see really great bits of science or technology history, and it explains the science behind the place.
Sounds neat! I'll look for it.
> Working on my second book for O'Reilly
woohoo !
(loved your first)
woohoo !
(loved your first)
I own a copy of your first book, it's awesome.
And what will your second one be?
i believe he's writing something about the semantic web.
from his talk at OSCON:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMYJ18tggRs#t=14m2s
from his talk at OSCON:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMYJ18tggRs#t=14m2s
What was your first book?
'Programming Collective Intelligence'
http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=210132
Thanks Toby. Awesome book.
http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=210132
Thanks Toby. Awesome book.
Unfortunately I don't have the time to do anything too crazy but here's what I currently got going:
- Just about finished a small 2 week project that will allow indie game developers a place to host their games, upload media, and give status updates. Been done before (Infact, I made one of first incarnations the style of service about 6 years ago) but I need something to do with my www.gamecake.net domain and this was a fun way to learn more about django and give a little back to the community I no longer belong to due to time restraints.
- Starting up a video cooking blog. My side passion is cooking and I would like to create videos of my recipes. I'm celiac/dairy-free so I have a niche to focus on. I've got a good camera now, and will probably shoot my first real episode this week now that I have some recipes nailed down strong.
Not looking to make money on either of these, just for fun and learning. Plus they look good on a resume in my opinion.
- Just about finished a small 2 week project that will allow indie game developers a place to host their games, upload media, and give status updates. Been done before (Infact, I made one of first incarnations the style of service about 6 years ago) but I need something to do with my www.gamecake.net domain and this was a fun way to learn more about django and give a little back to the community I no longer belong to due to time restraints.
- Starting up a video cooking blog. My side passion is cooking and I would like to create videos of my recipes. I'm celiac/dairy-free so I have a niche to focus on. I've got a good camera now, and will probably shoot my first real episode this week now that I have some recipes nailed down strong.
Not looking to make money on either of these, just for fun and learning. Plus they look good on a resume in my opinion.
Working on a place for hackers and artists to find short gigs: http://gigbayes.nfshost.com.
I aggregate all the gigs sites I can find e.g., craigslist (all of them), sitepoint, elance, etc, and then use Bayesian filtering to bring the most relevant gigs for you to the top.
I aggregate all the gigs sites I can find e.g., craigslist (all of them), sitepoint, elance, etc, and then use Bayesian filtering to bring the most relevant gigs for you to the top.
Making online customer support easy with Candlelight -- http://www.candlelightapp.com
I've been working on it nights and weekends. Great respite from some of the less than pleasant activities of coding at my day job.
I've been working on it nights and weekends. Great respite from some of the less than pleasant activities of coding at my day job.
sounds interesting and probably something I could use since I plan to offer email-only support at first for my online storefront product.
i'll be keeping tabs on you guys. :-)
i'll be keeping tabs on you guys. :-)
http://theperceptron.com - astute music recommendations
And a site where you create your audio autobiography by uploading mp3s. Hello, RIAA.
And a site where you create your audio autobiography by uploading mp3s. Hello, RIAA.
Not bad, got some good recommendations. The UI needs a lot of work but I'm sure you're working on that ;)
What do you use to fetch your library of artists/etc? Or is it selt built?
What do you use to fetch your library of artists/etc? Or is it selt built?
Excellent! Glad to hear the recommendations are good.
I find links between artists and recommend based upon that. These links include: being recommended by a human, being on the same record label, being mutual admirers, playing gigs together, being posted to the same mp3 blog, being on the same mixtapes and so on.
I wrote a post on my blog that gives a comprehensive account of how the recommendation system works: http://www.maryrosecook.com/post/show/130
And, yes, I know the UI is horrible.
I find links between artists and recommend based upon that. These links include: being recommended by a human, being on the same record label, being mutual admirers, playing gigs together, being posted to the same mp3 blog, being on the same mixtapes and so on.
I wrote a post on my blog that gives a comprehensive account of how the recommendation system works: http://www.maryrosecook.com/post/show/130
And, yes, I know the UI is horrible.
I got: Radiohead -> The Beach Boys
You should remove that my any means necessary.
I think the UI is pretty nice, actually. Very functional, feels like a "tool". Don't lose that when you make it more fancy.
You should remove that my any means necessary.
I think the UI is pretty nice, actually. Very functional, feels like a "tool". Don't lose that when you make it more fancy.
I would disagree, Pet Sounds is one of the greatest, earliest experimental pop albums ever.
The "tool" feel was exactly what I was going for. Kind of the Google of music recommendations.
However, I am desperately in need of someone who can work with me to make things both more functional and more attractive.
Thanks very much for the feedback.
However, I am desperately in need of someone who can work with me to make things both more functional and more attractive.
Thanks very much for the feedback.
Great site, thank you. It will be useful for me (I know nothing about music, so my musical variety is very limited... a good recommendation engine that goes out of the typical genres is like gold for me).
Fantastic. Do let me know how you get on with the site.
typed in "frank sinatra" and got, among others: queen, bob dylan, and coldplay. one issue with music recommendation is how people (subjective creatures!) usually demonstrate low-tolerance for "bad" recommendations.
nevertheless, i love your vibe.
nevertheless, i love your vibe.
Yep, that is a stinker.
I'm trying to skew the site towards unusualness and away from genres. Thus, the ways I link artists can produce some weirdness like the above. However, users can give feedback to help reduce the insanity quotient.
Thanks very much for the feedback.
I'm trying to skew the site towards unusualness and away from genres. Thus, the ways I link artists can produce some weirdness like the above. However, users can give feedback to help reduce the insanity quotient.
Thanks very much for the feedback.
i'm with you on genres -- they're an anachronism invented by the record and retail companies back when music something you put on a shelf, but most ppl still seem to adhere vehemently to genre preferences.
I've been working on an online storefront product that should serve as a great starting point for web developers that need to roll some custom functionality for clients. All text can be multi-lingual, support for complex product options and pricing, multiple storefronts using the same code, and more. nothing to show yet, but more info here http://greaterscope.com
How will you find the customers for it?
A friend of mine runs http://www.udm4.com and we've talked about running an ad on there since its primary audience is developers (nevermind the fact that I don't really like the menu). Other than that, try to partner with good development shops that do online stores ... I have a few in mind.
Any other ideas, besides taking out the obvious ad on google? I really don't want to screw with trying to get high keyword ranking via the SEO black-magic route.
Any other ideas, besides taking out the obvious ad on google? I really don't want to screw with trying to get high keyword ranking via the SEO black-magic route.
Great question :)
Mostly working on Stitcho.com (http://stitcho.com)
Stitcho is a desktop notification widget for your website, with support for Windows and Mac. Add desktop alerts to your web app in less than 30 minutes.
Also, trying to build an Erlang community in the DC area (search for Erlang on meetup.com)
Finally, putting together a presentation for BarCampDC this Saturday.
Mostly working on Stitcho.com (http://stitcho.com)
Stitcho is a desktop notification widget for your website, with support for Windows and Mac. Add desktop alerts to your web app in less than 30 minutes.
Also, trying to build an Erlang community in the DC area (search for Erlang on meetup.com)
Finally, putting together a presentation for BarCampDC this Saturday.
We've been doing something like this with Growl - how does it compare?
Stitcho is basically "Growl for the Web", but NOT in the sense of being another Javascript-to-Growl bridge (a few of those exist out there, protoGrowl, Growl mootools, etc.)
Rather, Stitcho lets you send notifications from server side code that are delivered to your users via the Stitcho widget. The Stitcho server sits in the middle to route and deliver the notifications.
Also, Stitcho provides widgets for Mac and Windows. (The Mac version can use Growl if it's available.)
Does that answer your question? If not, please clarify.
Rather, Stitcho lets you send notifications from server side code that are delivered to your users via the Stitcho widget. The Stitcho server sits in the middle to route and deliver the notifications.
Also, Stitcho provides widgets for Mac and Windows. (The Mac version can use Growl if it's available.)
Does that answer your question? If not, please clarify.
Any plans for a Linux Gtk/Qt client?
Definitely - thanks!
cool - horrible from my personal perspective - perfect for one of my projects
* look.fo (http://look.fo) / str8.to (http://str8.to) - a sort of insta-tinyurl that uses Google search results to create on the fly links. For example, see http://look.fo/hacker-news and http://str8.to/hacker-news).
Q: Isn't this just a shortcut for (http://www.google.com/search?q=hacker+news)?
A: Absolutely, but the shortcut makes it viable to create on-the-fly links to search results (or use str8.to's I'm Feeling Lucky option) in IM conversations, or on twitter, or in emails (I recently told a client to http://look.fo/how-to-use-ftp) without having to go look up a good answer.
Stuff like that. Anyways :).
Q: Isn't this just a shortcut for (http://www.google.com/search?q=hacker+news)?
A: Absolutely, but the shortcut makes it viable to create on-the-fly links to search results (or use str8.to's I'm Feeling Lucky option) in IM conversations, or on twitter, or in emails (I recently told a client to http://look.fo/how-to-use-ftp) without having to go look up a good answer.
Stuff like that. Anyways :).
Neat!
Working on a desktop app that keeps your photos safe (through sync/backup), and allows collaboration on a bucket of photos across multiple computers. Photos are stored in a peer-to-peer version control system like git. http://www.thephotothing.com
Working as a researcher on the DARPA URGENT project.
How can I get to do something similar?
DARPA has all of the amazing stuff coming out of it...
DARPA has all of the amazing stuff coming out of it...
A friend of mine's working on a bunch of DARPA projects, and his path was:
1. Attend a top liberal-arts college (CS, Amherst)
2. Get master's degree from top research university (HCI, Carnegie Mellon)
3. Work for General Dynamics
4. Stick around long enough to get promoted, kick butt, etc.
5. Profit!!!
BTW, he said that chances are, whatever the next big thing is will come out of DARPA. His bet was on pervasive computing - DARPA's apparently doing a lot with computers in clothes, computers in canteens, computers in backpacks, computers in visors, basically computers everywhere. The logic being that most of their troops are getting deployed to inhospitable environments (Iraq, Afghanistan, etc.) and if they can monitor environmental conditions for things like excessive heat, sandstorms, laser sniper sights, explosive residues, they can save lots of soldiers' lives. And of course, if it trickles down to consumer uses it could completely change how people use computers.
1. Attend a top liberal-arts college (CS, Amherst)
2. Get master's degree from top research university (HCI, Carnegie Mellon)
3. Work for General Dynamics
4. Stick around long enough to get promoted, kick butt, etc.
5. Profit!!!
BTW, he said that chances are, whatever the next big thing is will come out of DARPA. His bet was on pervasive computing - DARPA's apparently doing a lot with computers in clothes, computers in canteens, computers in backpacks, computers in visors, basically computers everywhere. The logic being that most of their troops are getting deployed to inhospitable environments (Iraq, Afghanistan, etc.) and if they can monitor environmental conditions for things like excessive heat, sandstorms, laser sniper sights, explosive residues, they can save lots of soldiers' lives. And of course, if it trickles down to consumer uses it could completely change how people use computers.
There are two basic paths:
1) A lot of large research companies get DARPA research grants. General Dynamics (like nostrademons said), HRL, Boeing, etc. etc. You can get a job with them, and if the environment doesn't feel soul-crushing to you, you are golden.
2) A lot of CS research at Universities is funded by DARPA. If you are still in school, or if you are out but still have close relationships with your professors, you can always find out what kind of projects they have. DARPA projects are especially nice because they are large in scope and there's always a need for extra people. Don't expect to be paid much though.
I chose route 2 - after my startup failed I wanted to do something that paid, was not as intense, and had nothing to do with Web 2.0 and Social Networking and all that, so I just e-mailed a professor.
1) A lot of large research companies get DARPA research grants. General Dynamics (like nostrademons said), HRL, Boeing, etc. etc. You can get a job with them, and if the environment doesn't feel soul-crushing to you, you are golden.
2) A lot of CS research at Universities is funded by DARPA. If you are still in school, or if you are out but still have close relationships with your professors, you can always find out what kind of projects they have. DARPA projects are especially nice because they are large in scope and there's always a need for extra people. Don't expect to be paid much though.
I chose route 2 - after my startup failed I wanted to do something that paid, was not as intense, and had nothing to do with Web 2.0 and Social Networking and all that, so I just e-mailed a professor.
I'm not sure DARPA is that hot these days. Having worked on a DARPA project and talked to (and gone drinking with) a lot of people in academia and industry that work on DARPA projects, it seems they're suffering from focusing too hard on yearly "deliverables".
In my experience, that makes it difficult to get anything too interesting done as people (due to budgetary constraints, particularly at the industrial research labs) focusing on getting the minimum deliverables done, instead of trying new things. The downside here is pretty obvious: if a DARPA program manager could specify 3 years in advance what should be achieved, then it isn't really research, more like engineering.
I guess that's why most savvy researchers only write DARPA/NSF proposals for things they've already done (but not published on); gives them money to work on the _next_ big thing :-)
In my experience, that makes it difficult to get anything too interesting done as people (due to budgetary constraints, particularly at the industrial research labs) focusing on getting the minimum deliverables done, instead of trying new things. The downside here is pretty obvious: if a DARPA program manager could specify 3 years in advance what should be achieved, then it isn't really research, more like engineering.
I guess that's why most savvy researchers only write DARPA/NSF proposals for things they've already done (but not published on); gives them money to work on the _next_ big thing :-)
Just finished a simple command-based search engine by using Yahoo APIs - http://geeky.siong1987.com.
Now, I am working on trakify.com. It is not up yet. Need a partner desperately.. LOL...
Now, I am working on trakify.com. It is not up yet. Need a partner desperately.. LOL...
Working on http://www.roomorama.com, a short term rental marketplace.
I am setting up a Bank.
Seriously?
http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=316769
http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=312260
http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=283813 <- answering why he is a programmer
:-)
http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=312260
http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=283813 <- answering why he is a programmer
:-)
I hope so. There's a serious vacuum when it comes to small, niche investing banks. All the big firms are no longer in that category. Total i-bank market cap has been cut down by billions.
I don't know if the parent is serious, but it is a good idea.
New bank, no risky holdings. Everybody else is in trouble and refusing to lend. It's a great idea.
New bank, no risky holdings. Everybody else is in trouble and refusing to lend. It's a great idea.
I am serious and I already discussed this with PG.
Obviously you're doing this on prosper.com. ;-)
Building an infrastructure to model the spreading of epidemics (SARS, Bird Flu, etc...) on a global scale.
* Porting my chess problem website (http://chesstr.com) from Rails to Django
* Working on a new version of my chess engine. I've had various versions over the years with the strongest playing around ELO 2300 (master level)
* Working on a chess engine that uses non-traditional searching/AI techniques. I'd be absolutely thrilled to get this thing playing as well as a child.
* Teaching Intro to Computer Science at the local university - a tremendous experience.
* Learning Doc Watson's version of Deep River Blues on my guitar
* Working on a new version of my chess engine. I've had various versions over the years with the strongest playing around ELO 2300 (master level)
* Working on a chess engine that uses non-traditional searching/AI techniques. I'd be absolutely thrilled to get this thing playing as well as a child.
* Teaching Intro to Computer Science at the local university - a tremendous experience.
* Learning Doc Watson's version of Deep River Blues on my guitar
Just started a video blog about stock options. Pretty fun so far.
www.investingwithoptions.com
www.investingwithoptions.com
Do you know Zecco? They're always looking for good content, and I'm happy to put you in touch with someone there if you're interested.
Disclaimer: didn't [listen] to your videos cause the I/O board on my MBP is fried and audio output doesn't work.
Disclaimer: didn't [listen] to your videos cause the I/O board on my MBP is fried and audio output doesn't work.
I've been a big fan of Zecco's business model. I'd be more than happy to generate exclusive content for major providers. Any networking you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
My main brokerage is thinkorswim and that's the platform I do screencasts from.
Hopefully (crossing fingers) when I get some good traffic going I can get some advertising contracts with some financial service companies.
My main brokerage is thinkorswim and that's the platform I do screencasts from.
Hopefully (crossing fingers) when I get some good traffic going I can get some advertising contracts with some financial service companies.
I watched a few of your videos, quite enjoyed them despite my small knowledge of markets. Keep at it!
Thanks for the encouragement. It's something I'm passionate about, and I've received a ton of good ideas. If you have any suggestions, feel free to email me (see profile for address).
I enjoyed your videos . Keep it up !
My friends and I run the Music and Gaming Festival (MAGFest: http://magfest.org/ ) and for the past few years I've been tinkering with a webapp to help us get more organized. I've been to a lot of conventions, mostly anime conventions, and no one has a good integrated system for tracking attendees, staffers, shifts, events, inventory, budget, etc.
My webapp does all of this, and I've spent a lot of my free time lately making the code cleaner and easier to read. After the next MAGFest in early January I'm planning on releasing this webapp as an open source project on Sourceforge or somewhere similar.
I think a lot of other conventions might find this useful if they can find a programmer or sysadmin to make the small changes necessary to adapt the code for their purposes. I'm excited that some of our staffers are already planning on recommending this system to some of the other conventions they staff.
My webapp does all of this, and I've spent a lot of my free time lately making the code cleaner and easier to read. After the next MAGFest in early January I'm planning on releasing this webapp as an open source project on Sourceforge or somewhere similar.
I think a lot of other conventions might find this useful if they can find a programmer or sysadmin to make the small changes necessary to adapt the code for their purposes. I'm excited that some of our staffers are already planning on recommending this system to some of the other conventions they staff.
I've launched (with Dan Grigsby) a blog for iPhone application developers - http://www.mobileorchard.com/ - or follow us at http://twitter.com/MobileOrchard :)
Damn, people are still commenting here and I forgot to mention the non-commercial stuff I'm doing. It all lives at http://greaterscope.net. I'm taking a stab at:
* Creating a foreign key based ORM for PHP5 * Creating a PHP5 database abstraction layer that's easier to use than PDO or the alternatives * An abstraction layer for html forms that generates, validates and even supports deeply nested "arrays of fields" * A console terminal multiplexer (GNU screen, but split-screen) in C for Linux
Disclaimer: There are existing projects similar to many of the above, but I'm striving to make my APIs cleaner, code readable and more concise. Plus I enjoy learning by doing.
I'm also extremely interested in wireless mesh ... anyone working on that?
* Creating a foreign key based ORM for PHP5 * Creating a PHP5 database abstraction layer that's easier to use than PDO or the alternatives * An abstraction layer for html forms that generates, validates and even supports deeply nested "arrays of fields" * A console terminal multiplexer (GNU screen, but split-screen) in C for Linux
Disclaimer: There are existing projects similar to many of the above, but I'm striving to make my APIs cleaner, code readable and more concise. Plus I enjoy learning by doing.
I'm also extremely interested in wireless mesh ... anyone working on that?
Finishing my distributed memory list caching system. Think Memcached, but instead of storing an object, you store an array, and can CRUD it in an atomic way. Fast, simple, non-persistent. Usage case: caching a one-to-many relationship in a relational database.
I'm currently working on a system flexible to play the card game Mao and every reasonable rule that could be made for it online. I'm also working on a nice, comfortable, abstract way to create Turing machines in Arc, with the ultimate goal being to have one simulate a von Neumann machine (namely by having it able to interpret a sizable subset of the machine language for a modern processor). I've taken a long break from both to work on my college applications, though.
To cut down on my total workload (and so my mother wouldn't complain when I worked on these projects), I'm using both for two different projects for the IB diploma program. As a result, I have to do the Mao-playing system in Java though.
To cut down on my total workload (and so my mother wouldn't complain when I worked on these projects), I'm using both for two different projects for the IB diploma program. As a result, I have to do the Mao-playing system in Java though.
Working on my startup, http://taskgravy.com. A project management / collaboration suite that doesn't neglect the analytical side of project management.
And also looking for a permanent gig, because I just got laid off. :]
And also looking for a permanent gig, because I just got laid off. :]
Best. Name. Ever.
I'm also at the concept stage for a site providing some tools to help UK residents manage their finances with emphasis on debts.
I have considered this idea a few times over the past couple of years as I work for an organisation that gives me a great deal of exposure to people in debt and the methodology typically used to assist them to address those debts.
In the past I have ignored the idea as I considered it technically uninteresting but I have now found myself in the position where I am (a) wanting to jump into the startup game, (b) have relevant industry experience, and (c) it's the right time (credit crunch).
I have considered this idea a few times over the past couple of years as I work for an organisation that gives me a great deal of exposure to people in debt and the methodology typically used to assist them to address those debts.
In the past I have ignored the idea as I considered it technically uninteresting but I have now found myself in the position where I am (a) wanting to jump into the startup game, (b) have relevant industry experience, and (c) it's the right time (credit crunch).
I have a web application that manages agile/scrum projects for large organizations. I've beta-tested it at a large corp, but they're not going to be able to use it for a while due to legal reasons.
So right now I'm finishing up version 1 this week and deciding whether to 1) start marketing version 1, 2) start on version 2 and then market, 3) wait for large corp to come around so I can continue usability testing and making the product better (it's clunky now), 4) Look for a partner and do any of 1-3
I'm not sure which way to go, to be honest. Anybody got any ideas?
So right now I'm finishing up version 1 this week and deciding whether to 1) start marketing version 1, 2) start on version 2 and then market, 3) wait for large corp to come around so I can continue usability testing and making the product better (it's clunky now), 4) Look for a partner and do any of 1-3
I'm not sure which way to go, to be honest. Anybody got any ideas?
Working on Job Alchemist (meetings, Startuply, JobSyndicate, fundraising(??)). Trying to figure out how to get smart kids to work for startups and cool companies in general rather than for the man. Thankfully, the Wall Street meltdown will help, especially as it works its way into consulting. Get a real job, squares (or "suits," as fallentimes would say).
'Bout to lease some space at a pretty rad SoMa office loft, to be joined by Eddie of Picwing - what's his HN name?
Realizing it's way more fun when the odds are stacked against you.
'Bout to lease some space at a pretty rad SoMa office loft, to be joined by Eddie of Picwing - what's his HN name?
Realizing it's way more fun when the odds are stacked against you.
his HN name is 'edawerd'
Agreed...way more fun when the odds are stacked against you. See you in the office!
Agreed...way more fun when the odds are stacked against you. See you in the office!
http://code.google.com/p/yml2tex/
A little python script to generate a LaTeX beamer presentation with some default theming/styling/etc. added. I tend to forget the LaTeX syntax because I don't use it very often. However, I really like doing LaTeX beamer presentations so I wrote a little script which basically provides me with something to start with.
A little python script to generate a LaTeX beamer presentation with some default theming/styling/etc. added. I tend to forget the LaTeX syntax because I don't use it very often. However, I really like doing LaTeX beamer presentations so I wrote a little script which basically provides me with something to start with.
Working on a P2P app for LAN/VPN. See http://p300.eu/
It is a "project" though and not a "startup" or "company". :)
It is a "project" though and not a "startup" or "company". :)
Working on:
* a web-site-as-service for customizing installation / install cds for different flavors of Ubuntu.
* a customizable tetris-like game editor done in javascript, allowing people to create their own shapes / rules / etc.
* slowly making an emacs-like editor in python
* working on a web based store for the various media produced by the house I live in
* a web-site-as-service for customizing installation / install cds for different flavors of Ubuntu.
* a customizable tetris-like game editor done in javascript, allowing people to create their own shapes / rules / etc.
* slowly making an emacs-like editor in python
* working on a web based store for the various media produced by the house I live in
I'm working on http://rawberry.tv - somewhat of a platform for creating your own music video mix reel. It's not even close to being done, but I'm hoping to finish it by the time I graduate to help me land a job or something.
It's a nice looking design - what sort of functionality are you rolling in?
Thanks, I think it's going to be fairly straightforward with twitter-like functionality at first. I'm not really planning to introduce anything technically groundbreaking. I just need to have a project to work on.
Besides the day job (Program Manager),
(a) Working through Cormen et al's Algorithms book. (b) Trying to learn how 3D game engines work by building one (in java). Rendering is completely in software. (c) Working through Rudin's "Principles of Mathematical Analysis"
(a) Working through Cormen et al's Algorithms book. (b) Trying to learn how 3D game engines work by building one (in java). Rendering is completely in software. (c) Working through Rudin's "Principles of Mathematical Analysis"
Concerts, theater, http://news.ticketstumbler.com and some other fun stuff for the http://ticketstumbler.com mothership
Working on the next version of Gridjit (http://gridjit.com), which is turning out to be even better - and bigger - than I first imagined.
Wow, pretty cool to see other people have a lot of irons in the fire too. Working on a (yet another) better financial management tool, raising a newborn, and the day job :).
1) a new/obscure music blog - www.audioindie.com
2) a data tracking app for medical stats
3) clinical trial data management
4) getting my car ready for a DE event.
Blogging at SitePoint.com, switching RailsForum.com over to vBulletin (no, Beast won't cut it), and working on a utility for educators (K-12 and post secondary).
* real time news aggregation and moderation
* sports data modeling
* desktop notification app
* sports data modeling
* desktop notification app
Working on the following open source projects:
Merb
Rubinius
Nanite
Vertebra
Also working on some top secret engine yard projects that I will be able to talk about soon.
Also working on some top secret engine yard projects that I will be able to talk about soon.
Researching statistical machine learning algorithms.
Still working on my website http://overtrainer.com/
Doing other random hardware as well
Doing other random hardware as well
making online dating reasonable @ flowmingle.com. the balance of structure and expression is a challenge, but a fun one.
is anyone aware of any non-dating sites that do a good job of helping you meet other like-minded people?
I've actually met a few people (and some customers, actually) through Twitter, and one person so far through Hacker News (davidw) - I think a more organised/rigid approach would just be weird. But then I probably wouldn't use an online dating site either if I were single...
Took a swing at this one a few years ago - http://whosgoing.com
tumblr.com - it's slow going finding cool people, but they are out there. use the explore page.
other blogging sites with location services might be helpful as well.
other blogging sites with location services might be helpful as well.
meetup.com?
but that's kinda rigid (gotta choose your interest category) ... doesn't do the work of pairing you up with others based on a broad range of interests.
A tag aggregator for blog/rss content: http://www.seeksift.com/
I am working hard on pptimes.com every night, it's another next generation news site, I will announce here when done.
Fundraising for NewsCred! It's actually fun and not as depressing as all the blog posts make it out to be.
I agree. So many free breakfasts, lunches, dinners, beers and even paintball too. All while meeting some very intelligent people.
paintball?
Yeah Battery bussed ~70 us an hour away for an all day paintball/beer drinking/BBQ. It was awesome. They even gave us custom masks to keep.
http://redlists.com
A better methods for managing mailing lists.
A better methods for managing mailing lists.
I’m working on a great Google map application, that the most I can say for now (stealth rule).
A kick-ass reputation monitoring tool... once I find the right lead developer / partner ; )
I think I like that idea. Now just add in a kick-ass reputation fixer module and you're set :)
LOL, the spec doesn't cover that I'm afraid, though it would be a killer feature. I can think of various politicians that might want it...
That's a pretty cool idea. I'd like to hear more.
Video communication, Mobile Communications...
Integrating www.trovix.com to www.monster.com
A Masters degree in CS at Texas Tech.
I just met my co-founder, and we are working out the concept for this product idea I've had for a while, to help with email overload. Lots of fun!