MLTA in final testing

I've completed all of the coding for MLTA; now I'm just waiting on Zej to do the final testing and to provide some descriptive text for a few areas. I'm currently working on a plan for the next project, but I'm struggling with motivation on week nights due to increased Real Job stress levels. Oh, and Halo 3 has just been released ...

Almost there

The MLTA beta is almost ready ... I've just added the last of the major functionality an all that's left is to add some sensible text in the right places. Oh, and fix any bugs :) Next week I'll be documenting the next idea I think SCV will be working on, as well as adding any fixes to MLTA.

RealJob is in the middle of requirements gathering, and it's getting me down. The traditional waterfall SDLC is so heavyweight and ponderous; it's especially frustrating because the project has already chosen a software package and is really only supposed to be configuring it with some minor customizations. An Agile methodology would absolutely rock this project, but there was never any chance of that happening. It's ironic, because although Agile is seen as risky by most large companies, sticking to the "tried and true" method of the waterfall SDLC can increase the risk of going over budget and failing. They say 9 out of 10 projects fail ... it's probably because they're using the waterfall SDLC and spend 3 months gathering and writing requirements using teams of 20 people.

Progress

Our Facebook app has evened out at around 60 users. I'll leave it up there, but I think it's pretty much done and dusted unless we spend money advertising (which isn't going to happen). There may be the odd growth spike (it jumped 7 users one day) which I'm assuming is someone stumbling upon it and inviting some friends, but I think I'll just chaulk it up as a good research project that's now complete.

MLTA is almost in Beta, I just need to finish a few smaller items. I've found that it's easiest to finish off "boring" bits of apps on the weekends while my daughter naps. I'm fresher than during the week and I can still finish decent sized chunks because she naps for over 2 hours. Weeknights are now reserved for new projects, Xbox360, movies, and sport (on telly ;).

Tonight I'm planning on creating a template for documenting and sharing new ideas. I've been meaning to do it for ages, but right now I feel *just* motivated enough to make a start. If I really get going, I'll document up a new idea I've had around identity and "people search".

The Dip

Seth Godin's most recent book is called "The Dip" It tells of a dip in the adoption curve, and that it may in fact be a cul-de-sac. Good entrepreneurs known when a dip is actually a cul-de-sac and quit.

The dip I'm facing now is one of motivation. Real Job is sapping my energy at the moment. so I'm finding it very hard to push on through the last bit of MLTA development at night after a long day. The one thing I have learned is not to push myself though; things will get done quicker and better if I do it when I'm ready.

Facebook App update

The number of users of our Facebook app is growing. It's actually quite amazing when you consider it's had zero advertising. Of course, the numbers are still very modest (48 at time of writing), but it's encouraging. There is definitely a market there, the only question is how long it will last. Make hay while te sun shines as they say, so I think FB is the place to be for a little while.

Our app, "At The Moment ...", is basically some statements that need to be completed, e.g. I am drinking, I am working, I am dating, etc. It's not earth shattering, but it seems interesting. I have been looking through the database of entries and it's quite enlightening, a small slice of people's lives. It's also prompted me to do a little bit of work on the app rather than my usual Fri. night pastime of Xbox360 until after midnight :)

SCV site done

Well, no MLTA work got done on my 2 day break from Real Job, but I did manage to finish the website for Swift Current Ventures which is pretty cool in a day. I'm not sure if I've mentioned SCV before by name, but it's basically the "R&D" company and trust I started with my buddy in Qld that we'll use to run MLTA and other ideas.

My Facebook app, At The Moment ..., has 6 users (probably all my friends or bots) but it has already generated US$0.24 in ad revenue, which would be more than awesome if the user base grows significantly. Time will tell I guess. I also think that the revenue will probably not be sustainable considering it's coming from other Facebook apps advertising themselves. Of course, revenue from advertising was never the goal for the app, it's more about user numbers and a quick sell. Ad revenue is just an added bonus if it appears.

Right now I'm off to play a bit of Xbox360 (Blue Dragon ftw), and I should get back to MLTA on or before the weekend.

Finished (almost)

I've taken 2 days annual leave from Real Job to get some stuff done, and today I completed my Facebook app At The Moment ...

When I say complete, I mean it's perfectly functional and released. It even has som eheavy caching just in case it get's a major load. What it is lacking, however, is an easy way to share itself among Facebook owners, and there's also a stats page that needs updating. I think it will do for now, I really want to use my last day off to get the SCV website up and to finish off MLTA.