Comments on: Some Wistful Thoughts, and a Decision http://benjismith.net/index.php/2006/08/12/some-wistful-thoughts-and-a-decision/ Benji Smith, Software Research Tue, 08 May 2012 19:24:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: benji http://benjismith.net/index.php/2006/08/12/some-wistful-thoughts-and-a-decision/comment-page-1/#comment-2609 benji Thu, 07 Sep 2006 05:49:51 +0000 http://benjismith.net/index.php/2006/08/12/some-wistful-thoughts-and-a-decision/#comment-2609 No problem, Rizal. I'm pretty proud of that resume (I've been tweaking it for years). Much more important than the format, though, is the personal and conversational tone that I've tried to use in my resume writing style. After all, my college major was in *writing*, so I may as well take advantage of all those years and years of English classes. :) No problem, Rizal.

I’m pretty proud of that resume (I’ve been tweaking it for years). Much more important than the format, though, is the personal and conversational tone that I’ve tried to use in my resume writing style.

After all, my college major was in *writing*, so I may as well take advantage of all those years and years of English classes. :)

]]> By: Rizal Almashoor http://benjismith.net/index.php/2006/08/12/some-wistful-thoughts-and-a-decision/comment-page-1/#comment-2567 Rizal Almashoor Wed, 06 Sep 2006 00:13:14 +0000 http://benjismith.net/index.php/2006/08/12/some-wistful-thoughts-and-a-decision/#comment-2567 Hi Benji. I hope you don't mind if I adopt the format of your resume. Thanks. Hi Benji. I hope you don’t mind if I adopt the format of your resume. Thanks.

]]> By: Donnie Hale http://benjismith.net/index.php/2006/08/12/some-wistful-thoughts-and-a-decision/comment-page-1/#comment-1971 Donnie Hale Mon, 14 Aug 2006 19:30:57 +0000 http://benjismith.net/index.php/2006/08/12/some-wistful-thoughts-and-a-decision/#comment-1971 I'm assuming you've seen Microsoft's recent announcement (today?) of their "XNA" developer network and opening things up so pretty much any developer can write apps simultaneously for the PC and the XBox 360? Not sure if that would influence your decision or not, but there's somewhat of a parallel. FWIW... Donnie I’m assuming you’ve seen Microsoft’s recent announcement (today?) of their “XNA” developer network and opening things up so pretty much any developer can write apps simultaneously for the PC and the XBox 360?

Not sure if that would influence your decision or not, but there’s somewhat of a parallel.

FWIW…

Donnie

]]> By: benji http://benjismith.net/index.php/2006/08/12/some-wistful-thoughts-and-a-decision/comment-page-1/#comment-1968 benji Mon, 14 Aug 2006 18:07:03 +0000 http://benjismith.net/index.php/2006/08/12/some-wistful-thoughts-and-a-decision/#comment-1968 I'm planning to blog about the entire process, including the project's architecture, design, and algorithms, as well as marketing and legal issues. The whole process will be right here. I may keep a few decisions private (for strategic reasons) but for the most part, I plan on blogging about the whole software development and business development processes. A large part of my motivation is that I'm developing software for programmers. If I can generate interest in the blog, then I'm performing a major pre-launch marketing campaign just by talking openly about the process. I think that'll pay off in spades when I actually open my doors for business. I’m planning to blog about the entire process, including the project’s architecture, design, and algorithms, as well as marketing and legal issues. The whole process will be right here.

I may keep a few decisions private (for strategic reasons) but for the most part, I plan on blogging about the whole software development and business development processes.

A large part of my motivation is that I’m developing software for programmers. If I can generate interest in the blog, then I’m performing a major pre-launch marketing campaign just by talking openly about the process. I think that’ll pay off in spades when I actually open my doors for business.

]]> By: Bill Keller http://benjismith.net/index.php/2006/08/12/some-wistful-thoughts-and-a-decision/comment-page-1/#comment-1967 Bill Keller Mon, 14 Aug 2006 15:48:34 +0000 http://benjismith.net/index.php/2006/08/12/some-wistful-thoughts-and-a-decision/#comment-1967 Are you going to blog about the project as you go, or is this it? Are you going to blog about the project as you go, or is this it?

]]> By: Keeran http://benjismith.net/index.php/2006/08/12/some-wistful-thoughts-and-a-decision/comment-page-1/#comment-1959 Keeran Mon, 14 Aug 2006 11:42:21 +0000 http://benjismith.net/index.php/2006/08/12/some-wistful-thoughts-and-a-decision/#comment-1959 I like the AI Coder idea, especially where the business model includes external sponsorship in some way (university / business accounts). I don't think I would pay to compete though, unless there were some serious prizes on offer. Good luck! I like the AI Coder idea, especially where the business model includes external sponsorship in some way (university / business accounts). I don’t think I would pay to compete though, unless there were some serious prizes on offer.

Good luck!

]]> By: Max Ischenko http://benjismith.net/index.php/2006/08/12/some-wistful-thoughts-and-a-decision/comment-page-1/#comment-1954 Max Ischenko Mon, 14 Aug 2006 09:48:05 +0000 http://benjismith.net/index.php/2006/08/12/some-wistful-thoughts-and-a-decision/#comment-1954 Best of luck for your venture and hope you'll continue to blog here. Best of luck for your venture and hope you’ll continue to blog here.

]]> By: Krish http://benjismith.net/index.php/2006/08/12/some-wistful-thoughts-and-a-decision/comment-page-1/#comment-1943 Krish Mon, 14 Aug 2006 05:43:16 +0000 http://benjismith.net/index.php/2006/08/12/some-wistful-thoughts-and-a-decision/#comment-1943 Congrats for your pick. You should always pick the one you are passionate about. Good choice and best of luck for your venture. Congrats for your pick. You should always pick the one you are passionate about. Good choice and best of luck for your venture.

]]> By: Phil http://benjismith.net/index.php/2006/08/12/some-wistful-thoughts-and-a-decision/comment-page-1/#comment-1907 Phil Sat, 12 Aug 2006 21:38:29 +0000 http://benjismith.net/index.php/2006/08/12/some-wistful-thoughts-and-a-decision/#comment-1907 Good pick, it sounds interesting from a user stand point, but intimidating from a programmer standpoint (better you then me writing it in other words). To keep revenues up, make sure you add some factor that makes it addictive, like a ranking system. Games like WoW and Battlefield end up being addictive because some subset of users will play 24/7 until they are lvl 60 or a 4-star general. Geeks are very competitive. When in doubt, it seems like its always better to pick something that interests you, because then if it doesn't work out, at least you had fun! Any estimates on how long this will take you? Good pick, it sounds interesting from a user stand point, but intimidating from a programmer standpoint (better you then me writing it in other words).

To keep revenues up, make sure you add some factor that makes it addictive, like a ranking system. Games like WoW and Battlefield end up being addictive because some subset of users will play 24/7 until they are lvl 60 or a 4-star general. Geeks are very competitive.

When in doubt, it seems like its always better to pick something that interests you, because then if it doesn’t work out, at least you had fun! Any estimates on how long this will take you?

]]> By: George3 http://benjismith.net/index.php/2006/08/12/some-wistful-thoughts-and-a-decision/comment-page-1/#comment-1902 George3 Sat, 12 Aug 2006 18:43:05 +0000 http://benjismith.net/index.php/2006/08/12/some-wistful-thoughts-and-a-decision/#comment-1902 You may want to compare your AI-Coder.com idea to this site: http://www.breakthecipher.com/ (I have no affiliation with them besides signing up for one round). Granted it differs from your idea in subject matter but I bet the demographic overlaps and the pricing/competition model is somewhat similar. Unfortunately, after several months, breakthecipher.com appears to have attracted less than 20 people to pony up the $5 fee. Maybe it just needs more time or refinement such as practice puzzles (no money involved) or an online forum? Best of luck with AI-Coder. I think it is a good call to pick the idea that most interests you. Motivation is key for something that you may have to stick with for a long time before it succeeds. ...and I loved the A-Team reference! Go AI-Team.com!? You may want to compare your AI-Coder.com idea to this site: http://www.breakthecipher.com/
(I have no affiliation with them besides signing up for one round). Granted it differs from your idea in subject matter but I bet the demographic overlaps and the pricing/competition model is somewhat similar. Unfortunately, after several months, breakthecipher.com appears to have attracted less than 20 people to pony up the $5 fee. Maybe it just needs more time or refinement such as practice puzzles (no money involved) or an online forum?

Best of luck with AI-Coder. I think it is a good call to pick the idea that most interests you. Motivation is key for something that you may have to stick with for a long time before it succeeds.
…and I loved the A-Team reference! Go AI-Team.com!?

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