For all those that are that are reading, I wanted to drop a quick note to say I haven’t forgotten you. Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been on the road and working on a number of new developments.

In the next few weeks, you’ll see a lot of new activity. It’s very exciting, but I can’t talk about it just yet.

– Greg

I love entrepreneurs, it’s a fact. I spend most of my time and energy in pursuit of entrepreneurial efforts. As most any entrepreneur knows, getting your business off of the ground can be a grueling, intense process that leaves you sitting in bed at night worrying about the future.

One of the greatest challenges, in this regard, is funding your company and keeping it afloat long enough to see what happens. There have been a countless number of techiques developed to aid the bootstrapping business person. I’ve seen and implemented tons of them for myself, but this story just made me smile.

Meador, who is head of operations at ClearContext, and Deva Hazarika, the chief executive officer, have been playing poker in lieu of collecting paychecks for the past year while working to get their three-person company off the ground. After logging 50 or more hours a week at the office, each one spends another 10 to 15 hours, usually on weekends and evenings, at their favorite poker sites–mainly Partypoker.com, Ultimatebet.com and Pokerstars.

Source: News.com, “High-stakes start-ups”

What’s this have to do with opportunity costs? A lot actually. First, a definition: Opportunity costs are “The cost of an alternative that must be forgone in order to pursue a certain action. Put another way, the benefits you could have received by taking an alternative action.” Easy enough, right?

If you get a snooty MBA into your ranks, watch out because they’ll be happy to remind you just how much they’re sacrificing to work with you. Personally, I think everyone’s sacrificing something when you come to the table, so it’s really not worth mentioning. Or put another way, if you are already thinking about just how large the gap is, you might want to reconsider participating at all.

The other emotion, that I often see bundled with Opportunity Cost, is safety. Most people have worked a job and grown accustomed to the reliability of a paycheck. We’re hesitant to take the leap. This can be seen with the leagues of consultants that enter from the edges only to jump ship when they’ve accrued a large, steady enough flow of projects. Starting your business is categorically more scary since it’s usually a money pit with a blurry end in sight.

My advice, make sure you deal with the two separately and you’re 100% on board on both fronts before venturing.

Interface design has always been a fascinating domain to me. Perhaps it’s my roots doing graphic design or my latter day fetish for writing interactive code, but I’ve known for some time that regardless of what the backend does, if it fails to work for the user, everything’s pretty close to useless.

We’re in changing times now, and the term interface is evolving as well. Though we’ve traditionally associated it with the “look and feel” of the application, we’re also seeing it reach out into new areas. In particular, the development of new APIs for public consumption are largely entering the interface landscape.

Interface design, of course, is a function of the audience. It seems this point is lost quite often by most people. On the other hand, the most common way interfaces are built takes this to the extreme - designed for the audience of one, the developer herself. In reality, any interface needs to be useful to the primary audience and then to others (that’s just a rule of thumb, not a hard and fast one).

Although I recognize the need for a good interface, many thing the pursuit of that particular nirvana is useless. I’ve seen a few posts lately on blogs I frequent that deal with interface from different sides of the wall. Let’s take a look:

Peter Caputa recently quoted a post on this matter. The post pretty much concludes that VCs only care about the market size and if the business will scale. I’ll be the first to admit those things matter, to a VC. I’ll also note that venture capital, on a whole, is a business about misses, not successes. VCs invest in multiple companies hoping one of them will succeed and cover their losses on the others. Are those the right people to evaluate how important the interface is?

The original post, found here, makes reference to sites like Google and EBay. Naturally, I would counter that interface played a critical role in the success of both entities. They perfectly matched the needs of their audience. The fact is, though they were simplistic, they suited the audience perfectly. In Google’s case, they rocked the boat by shedding all the baggage competitors at the time had.

Moving past specific examples, however, it’s important to also consider how often something “ugly” really “makes it”. Though the premise is tasty from a marketing point of view (for the post), the reality is that most companies invest in their interface for a reason. Following the lines of Seth Godin, we might come to say that the interface tells a story about the company and its relationship to its customers, its attention to detail, its abiliy to service me.

Then there’s the whole Web 2.0 thing that’s flipping the pyramid. I can’t remember why I found the Bokardo blog, but I truly enjoy it. A post today brought me to write this post. As the site notes, the movement is in the direction of the interface:

In Web 2.0, your interface is your product. It is not something bolted on, added later, or done as an afterthought. Increasingly, it is a key differentiator that people will use to evaluate and decide whether or not to continue coming back for what you have to offer. It is the frontier of design innovation.

[…]

This will continue to be the case in Web 2.0, which is all about public access to loads of information. The key word there is “public”. When developers can get their hands on another’s data via an API, their main task becomes not accessing the information but innovating the interface to that information. Because everyone else has the same access, the playing field is levelled on one axis, but opens up on another. The new axis of innovation: the interface.

Source: Bokardo, “Your Interface Is Your Product”

Why do people love the Apple but use PCs, both are computers? Why do people prefer Google Maps over Yahoo! Maps, both give you directions? Why do people adorn Flickr, doesn’t it really just store photos?

The answer should be obvious, the interface.

For the last couple of days, I have become obsessed with this little interface issue that always gripes me. It boils down to my dislike of asking users to product delimited lists.

I’ve been working on the backend of the SparkCasting site for weeks now and there’s tons of little things that I am trying to repair now. This just happened to be one of my latest.

After banging on it, I came up with something that I think is pretty functional. I’ve been out of the JS writing loop for some time. I’ve definitely not tried to write and sort of JS components in years at least, so please mind the gap.

In any event, I’m releasing my first Ajax Widget of sorts. I call it the Multiple Text Applicator because it converts a string into a widget that makes it easier to add and remove items from the list while keeping the backend all the same.

Comments and improvements are definitely welcome :)

View it here.

Leave comments here.

Continuining with the look at how AJAX is “changing” the way web apps are being assembled, I thought it interesting to point out something that was once a problem in IE.

For years, IE supported “expando properties” which were essentially attributes that could be added to any element in the document. Personally, I used them all the time as they enabled really delicate interactions without the need for huge arrays of data in JS. Of course, later these were shunned by many because they resulted in your document not validating.

Recently, with the rise of AJAX techniques, I see there are many people adding properties onto their objects. In some cases, they are added as attributes. In other cases, I am seeing clever use of class names to convey some of that information (though that seems like a technique that won’t scale all that well).

I came across this link for a task list from the Ajaxian blog. It’s a really nice use of this technology. It also uses attribute stuffing.

Where do you all stand on this?

I’ve spent the last couple of weeks in retreat mode working on the backend for the Sparkcasting system. It’s really a long, arduous process but certainly not one I’ve not walked before.

As I began to implement the system, I’ve started to implement some AJAX features into the design of the administration (and maybe into the front end as well). AJAX is certainly not new to me, I’ve been writing JS/DHTML via IFRAME for something like 7 years now and it was quite a bit of fun then too. Of course, now there’s a renewed interest in it seeing that the browser technology is better.

Since I’ve started, I find myself tripping over my own mind in many occassions. I’m not firm on this decision yet, but it seems best to implement the system fully WITHOUT AJAX before moving on to an AJAX-enhanced version. Why? To be lazy. I’ve got many questions that are arising and would like to get some feedback from others (especially my CF family):

• Template vs. CFC - AJAX makes use of lots of little validation checks and data retrieval routines. Are you bundling those into methods or fuseaction-like elements, or some hybrid? I’m using a hybrid since I have a public API and need re-use.

• Data Transport - AJAX provides a number of different ways to get data back to the client. In the past, I’ve simply generated JS in the IFRAME and called a function in the parent. I tried WDDX the first time out this time, but of course there was a problem. Apparently the WDDX libraries won’t work in both Netscape and IE at the same time.

  I’m currently messing with JSON and found this great library for making use of it in CF. Watch out that you will need to also use JSON.parse() to make it resolve properly.

• Backup Routines - This is by far the most annoying part in my book. It’s not all that new to us really, since we had to deal with client-side validation with server-side backup already. What’s changing is the nature of the form now. Whereas before we more often “knew” what the form looked like, with AJAX we find ourselves either getting back a much smaller form (in the case no JS was used) or a much larger form (in the case some JS was used).

  I’ll admit that my natural tendency is to be exclusionary in this regard. I don’t like to think of myself as a bastard, but what the heck ;) I’m leaning towards requring a certain level browser (note I did not say certain browser. In general, this will mean IE5.5+, Firebird/fox, and Safari if it behaves. How is everyone else dealing with the modern browsers?

• White Space - If you’re having problems with your returned data, make sure you check for generated white space. I’ve tried to remove it all but the hunt is still on.

There’s plenty more I could offer, but I’ll stop here. As they say, a picture’s worth a thousand words so here’s a quick screen grab. In this particular shot, I’ve tried to save the new row (with no data) and the validation routine told me I wasn’t too bright ;):

Well the hammer is about to drop on the mechanic scam situation, and, believe it or not, I’m somehow losing this battle. I need your help if you can assist. Let me give you all an update on the flow.

About two weeks ago, yes it’s been more than a month now that I have not had my truck, I had an attorney send a letter over to Brownfeld. The letter stated quite simply that Brownfeld Auto had violated the law in two places (performing unauthorized work and destruction of property). Brownfeld promptly responded to the fax and noted that “that punk kid” was lieing. He claims that I came in to his office on a Saturday and gave him authorization. Let’s look at the calendar for a second:

Thursday, Feb 17 - Vehicle Dropped Off

Friday, Feb 18 - Called to request a tow - Alan in Florida

Saturday, Feb 19 - I’m waiting, Alan’s sunning - no chance we met

Monday, Feb 21 - I call to find out he “fixed” my transmission, Visit with Witness 1 where Alan admits he made the mistake

Wednesday, Feb 22 - Snow Storm

Thursday, Feb 23 - I visit with Witness 2 where Alan admits he made the mistake

Which Saturday was that again? There was ONLY ONE Saturday and he said the work was done before that anyway (not to mention he wasn’t in town).

In any event, he then threatened to put a Mechanic’s Lien. I have no idea what that is really, but it’s something like a note on my vehicle that would prevent me from selling it or something like that. The amount is equal to the price he thinks he’s owed.

So then I had another attorney look into the matter. I transcribed for his associate what happened, as well as pointing to my previous post on the matter. The outlook was pretty grim. The tact that they were taking, and I assume this to be a legal point of view, is that my vehicle was stolen and I need to be compensated for the full value.

In the end, it came down to a hard realization that if I don’t pay this fool, I would have to post bond and then the vehicle could be held in impound for an unknown period of time. My other option is to be financially raped and abused, pay this guy, and then sue him afterwards.

Which brings me to today. I got a call from Alan today to inform me that the car is going up for auction next week if things are not resolved. Eexcuse my language, but WHAT THE FUCK?

Let me get this straight. I drop my car off with a problem. The problem is diagnosed. The vehicle is fixed without my permission. I contest that charge. My vehicle is up for auction.

What’s wrong with this picture?

In any event, this is my last call for help or support in any form. If you know anyone at the Better Business Bureau, the DMV, the NYPD, lawyers or reporters.. let me know.. or send them a link to this post.

Thanks in advance,
Greg

For anyone out there looking for a little freelance gig, I’ve got one. I’m completing a quick site for a client and I don’t want anything to do with the XHTML :) If you’ve got the skills, shoot me a quick e-mail (greg AT socialtwister DOT com).

I’v got a Photoshop layout done. The site will require a CSS hover menu for the navigation. There are 2 templates (front page and content page). Timeline is very short.

If interested, let me know.

Yesterday, we held the funeral for my grandmother. I had wanted to write earlier, just to say goodbye, but it seems that when someone passes time seems to stand still in a way that I’ve never seen elsewhere.

Ma passed away on Saturday, March 5th at 12:20PM. She lived a full life spanning just over 88 years, all of which we’re grateful for. Though many people referred to her as “ma”, she was indeed one of rocks that I relied on throughout my life.

I often think back to just how much she save me. When I was first born, my parents were new immigrants and quite poor. They left me in the care of some neighbors who took what they could afford. Unfortunately for me, these people shouldn’t have been left with children. I was subjected to not only neglect and verbal abuse, but also physical abuse. I was literally scared for my life (as my mom recounts the story now).

And so is how Ma came into my life. She left her home in Guyana in 1977 to come to take care of her grandson (I think she had only seen me once). She literally saved my life. Though that was a terrible experience, I’m grateful that the result was her being here. Ma was the only grandparent I had alive and had it not been for that event, she most likely would have stayed in Guyana her whole life and I never would have known her.

So now she’s gone and surely looking down from heaven. I just want to say thank you for the life you let me have with you. I love you and will miss you dearly.

Goodbye ma.

Sorry for the off-topic post, but I’m sort of curious what the blogging world has to say and what it can do. I’m in the process of being scammed and need some help.

Last week I was having a grinding noise coming from the engine. I was hesitant to stop off at a place in the city but I was scared that there would be bigger problems if I didn’t pull over sooner than later. So I made my way over to the West Side where the mechanics harbor.

I pulled into a place on 29th Street and 11th Avenue, Brownfeld Auto Service to be precise. The place was quite busy, but I wandered in and met with Alan, the owner of the garage. We went out to the truck and he started it up and drove it quickly. His first instinct, and what I was suggesting, was that it could be the transmission.

Alan popped the trunk, checked the transmission fluid, and made a face when he smelled it. He gave me a whiff to confirm that it smelled burnt. I did. Since the garage was full, Alan said leave it here with me and I’ll get it on the rack later. I called him back at 6:30 and he said it was definitely the transmission (something about the torque road chewing up the transmission). He quoted me $3000 for a new transmission or $2400 for a re-manufactured one. I definitely wasn’t expecting that. I told him that I would have my brother get in touch with him as he takes care of these things usually.

I spoke with my brother and he had located someone that he works with that could do the job for about $800 less, but still more than I could deal with right now. I called Alan back on Friday afternoon around 5PM and told him that I couldn’t afford to do the work right now and that I wanted to tow it to my brother’s place. Alan told me he was in the airport but that I should call him first thing in the morning on Monday and we can arrange to pick up the car.

Monday morning rolls around, but I was ever suspicious over the weekend. I called Alan on Monday at 9AM. I was told that on Friday, when I called him, his guys had already FIXED my transmission. Mind you, this would be 3 days ahead of schedule (by his estimate). He said there was a “miscommunication” which resulted in him inserting a repair order. I told him I was coming by to pick up my bag which was in the car. He told me to go in about 5 hours.

I showed up later that afternoon and my truck was parked outside. I approached Alan and asked him what the situation was. This time he said everything was screwed up and that he had to replace everything (clutch, etc). He said that in order for him to get me back my car he would have to find a “bad transmission” to put back into my truck. Then he makes me a “wonderful” offer. He says, “Hey, I know times are hard. What I can do is set you up with a payment plan. You pay me a part now and a little every week until you pay it off.” He said come in the next day to work out the payments (which I didn’t due to the snow storm).

I left again without my truck. I went over today and we tried most strenuously to resolve the situation. I was presented with a few options:

1) Accept the truck the way it was, Alan’s admitted mistake, and pay him $2650 for the repairs
2) Have the truck towed to my brothers with no transmission
3) Wait an indefinite amount of time for Alan to find a “bad transmission” to put back into my truck

Mind you, none of these options allows we to actually have back MY OWN transmission. Apparently, Alan has his own transmission shop which makes it convenient for making these sorts of repairs. When we asked him about getting back my transmission he said that it was impossible since I came in yesterday and “agreed” to payments he had that rebuild it since then. Of course, he didn’t offer to let me have my old transmission yesterday instead specifically saying that he needed to find a bad transmission for my truck.

So that’s the dilemma. All evidence of what is actually wrong with my truck has been removed. The work has been completed without my consent (illegal in NYC) and now I am left to take back my truck with a definitely busted transmission that will need to be repaired or pay the ransom.

So what can anyone tell me to do. I’m looking for legal, technical, procedural, mechanical.. whatever. This sucks!

For anyone looking to find Alan or drop some eggs, send some faxes, or place some calls:

Brownfeld Auto Services, Inc.
298 11th Avenue (Corner of 29th)
New York, NY 1001
Tel. 212.239.7037
Fax. 212.947.3303