All Packed

We're all packed up and on our way to Melbourne. This may be my last post for some time as I'm not sure about connectivity in the serviced apartment we're moving to.

Almost ready to launch idea #2. Some numbers: MySpace has over 100million users, Facebook has over 20million. Even if 1% of those users like my widgets, thats over 1million users. Multiply that by the number f hits each person gets and it's quite a large number of eyeballs. Hit on a great widget idea that everyone wants, and hold on for a wild ride. Hopefully I'll have connectivity and be able to launch the site in a week or two. At least I can do the development without the net.

MLTA hasn't had much progress, but a lot of what I am doing for idea #2 will be reusable by MLTA, so it's progressing 'via proxy'.

Progress

I've made some progress with idea #2 ... I'm no longer calling it my iPod idea because, like all good ideas, it has morphed slightly into something different but better. It will now focus on providing information widgets for webpages, with an iPod focused one first. I have completed the data model, some wiring, and some initial screens including login/out. Rego and then the widget are next and I'm almost done. I still need to contact the graphic designer to get a logo and colour scheme; it's much better to get things like that done professionally and spend a little cash than to try a home-made job and have the site look terrible.

I've also registered my domain name for idea #2. It's a made up word, but that's mainly because all the good domain names are taken. There definitely needs to be some change in the domain name area of the web, especially those that are 'parked' indefinitely. I understand the need for parking, but really, if you can't point your name at even a cheap hosted web page that at least describes what the site may provide, then how will you ever afford to complete a website? Of course it's all just in the hope of someone needing the name and paying the 'parker' a lot of money for it, but with the scarcity of good available domain names, something needs to be done IMHO. Rugby Union has a 'Use it or lose it' rule with regards to possession when in a maul, and I think the same should apply to domain names.

Mac attack!!

I've decided to move everything to my MacBook Pro. Everything. This will be the first time that I've ever done development on a Mac, and so far I'm loving it. Of course, the fact that I use Eclipse, Java and Tomcat (among others) to develop my ideas certainly makes it much easier.

I've completed the design work (on paper) for my iPod idea, and am now beginning the code. It should only take maybe 3 full days of effort, but with our move to Melbourne and sorting out the new job, that could be stretched out over a few weeks.

Moving?

Well, life has pretty much been on hold this past week+, as I'm trying to organise a new job in Melbourne. I flew down on Monday and loved it. The family is hyped and we're already packing, all we are waiting on now is a final offer.

So how does this impact my projects? Well, that's the beauty of the Internet I guess. There should be absolutely no impact, other than some time being diverted away to the move, etc. I'm loving the whole "virtual business" model, and I really don't see any reason why start-ups like mine need an office. Have laptop, will entrepreneur!!

On another note, I've come up with a good idea involving the ubiquitous iPod which should only take a few days to get fully up and running. I'm also aiming for MLTA to be code complete by the end of May. Time to roll up the sleeves :)