funderrated http://funderrated.com Most recent posts at funderrated posterous.com Mon, 13 Jun 2011 11:37:18 -0700 Rural jogging FTFW http://funderrated.com/rural-jogging-ftfw http://funderrated.com/rural-jogging-ftfw
Media_https2i1picplzt_jknku

Taken with picplz at Withington in Cotswold, United Kingdom.

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1580973/nickpic-sq.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4akYBCWAVcUF Nick Smith nick Nick Smith Mon, 23 May 2011 04:32:00 -0700 Slides from my talk at OpenTech 2011 http://funderrated.com/slides-from-my-talk-at-opentech-2011 http://funderrated.com/slides-from-my-talk-at-opentech-2011

Background.

 

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1580973/nickpic-sq.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4akYBCWAVcUF Nick Smith nick Nick Smith Sun, 17 Apr 2011 10:44:13 -0700 A good evening of planting. Radish and lettuce now on the go http://funderrated.com/a-good-evening-of-planting-radish-and-lettuce http://funderrated.com/a-good-evening-of-planting-radish-and-lettuce
Media_https2i1picplzt_gdnjv

Taken with picplz in Ealing.

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1580973/nickpic-sq.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4akYBCWAVcUF Nick Smith nick Nick Smith Fri, 08 Apr 2011 04:45:56 -0700 Purple shorts days are always good days http://funderrated.com/purple-shorts-days-are-always-good-days http://funderrated.com/purple-shorts-days-are-always-good-days
Media_https1i1picplzt_etamx

Taken with picplz in Ealing.

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1580973/nickpic-sq.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4akYBCWAVcUF Nick Smith nick Nick Smith Mon, 09 Aug 2010 05:26:00 -0700 Some collaborative product research tools http://funderrated.com/some-collaborative-product-research-tools http://funderrated.com/some-collaborative-product-research-tools


Evernote
http://www.evernote.com/
Pros: Gather notes + captures across platforms (inc mobile), quick process
Cons: No easy way to annotate captures

Skitch
http://skitch.com/
Pros: Very 'graphical', annotate on top of images, quick sharing
Cons: No native app for windows

Notable
http://www.notableapp.com/
Pros: Specifically designed for researching web features, allows capture of underlying html + metadata, group captures together, iterative feedback
Cons: 'locked in' to the platform (and agressive pricing after free version)

Bounce (Notable's baby sister)
http://www.bounceapp.com/
Pros: Dead-simple
Cons: Dead simple

Fleck
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/3908/
Pros: *not tested/no comment*
Cons: Project looks like it's dead

ImageSpark
http://www.imgspark.com/
Pros: Great for building image-centric moodboards
Cons: Annotation limited to tagging/commenting


Any other suggestions?

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1580973/nickpic-sq.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4akYBCWAVcUF Nick Smith nick Nick Smith Wed, 30 Jun 2010 05:43:27 -0700 Startups = experimental drug companies http://funderrated.com/startups-experimental-drug-companies http://funderrated.com/startups-experimental-drug-companies Thoughts & notes from an event last night @ Imperial College geared towards pharmaceuticals, "Attracting the technology buyer"

  • Facebook & Google are behaving like large pharmaceutical companies e.g GlaxoSmithKline. They have the funds, customer base and manpower to distribute products worldwide - but they are outsourcing innovation in much the same way as drug companies buy up experimental bio-med companies.

  • Examples: Google recently acquiring Plink, Picnik, Aardvark etc

  • If they are doing to the web what drug companies have done to the pharmaceutical industry, how can startups behave like experimental drug companies?

- be bold, try stuff
- protect IP (absolutely essential in drug industry)
- look to solve commercial problem for Google/Facebook (thought: should these guys be more open about the innovations they are looking to source?)
- Build your innovation in the context of its potential acquirer's brand/s
- Understand resource constraints of large corps - whether it's time, funds, scope etc
- 'Serendipity is when you find things you weren't looking for because finding what you are looking for is so damn difficult.' —Erin McKean ... Fit this in to the context of a large corp looking for innovative companies to buy
- 'Speak the language' of who you are selling to (whether selling your product, company)

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1580973/nickpic-sq.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4akYBCWAVcUF Nick Smith nick Nick Smith Thu, 24 Jun 2010 06:21:17 -0700 Weird bootstrapped lunch #176 http://funderrated.com/weird-bootstrapped-lunch-176 http://funderrated.com/weird-bootstrapped-lunch-176
Imag0087

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1580973/nickpic-sq.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4akYBCWAVcUF Nick Smith nick Nick Smith Tue, 08 Jun 2010 07:01:00 -0700 The importance of turning passion for your product into something others understand http://funderrated.com/the-importance-of-turning-passion-for-your-pr http://funderrated.com/the-importance-of-turning-passion-for-your-pr

 

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1580973/nickpic-sq.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4akYBCWAVcUF Nick Smith nick Nick Smith Sun, 06 Jun 2010 14:55:56 -0700 Monitor how close you are to being Mayor of your favorite venue http://funderrated.com/monitor-how-close-you-are-to-being-mayor-of-y http://funderrated.com/monitor-how-close-you-are-to-being-mayor-of-y http://whenwillibemayor.com/

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1580973/nickpic-sq.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4akYBCWAVcUF Nick Smith nick Nick Smith Fri, 04 Jun 2010 03:32:42 -0700 Make mobile app prototypes, fast http://funderrated.com/make-mobile-app-prototypes-fast http://funderrated.com/make-mobile-app-prototypes-fast @greypopuon sent through an interesting soon-to-be-released app that makes it easy to create interactive mobile wireframes for iPhone and iPod touch. It's called Briefs, and it looks awesome.

Check it out here: http://giveabrief.com/

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1580973/nickpic-sq.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4akYBCWAVcUF Nick Smith nick Nick Smith Sun, 30 May 2010 13:55:00 -0700 Interesting results from A/B testing button colour http://funderrated.com/interesting-results-from-ab-testing-button-co http://funderrated.com/interesting-results-from-ab-testing-button-co

Some interesting insight here into how some simple A/B testing can massively increase conversion rates...

 

http://dmix.ca/2010/05/how-we-increased-our-conversion-rate-by-72/

and

http://blog.performable.com/post/631526233/button-color-test-red-beats-green

 

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1580973/nickpic-sq.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4akYBCWAVcUF Nick Smith nick Nick Smith Wed, 12 May 2010 07:42:05 -0700 *Always* read the label http://funderrated.com/always-read-the-label http://funderrated.com/always-read-the-label
Sandwich

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1580973/nickpic-sq.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4akYBCWAVcUF Nick Smith nick Nick Smith Wed, 14 Apr 2010 16:30:00 -0700 Connect with Angels! http://funderrated.com/connect-with-angels http://funderrated.com/connect-with-angels

http://www.meetup.com/Connecting-with-Angels/

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1580973/nickpic-sq.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4akYBCWAVcUF Nick Smith nick Nick Smith Thu, 01 Apr 2010 08:53:00 -0700 An alternative to April Fool's Day http://funderrated.com/an-alternative-to-april-fools-day http://funderrated.com/an-alternative-to-april-fools-day

April Fool's Day is a riot for wannabe pranksters the world over (and indeed websites who wet their pants over the semi-legitimate opportunity to pump out some linkbait). As 'hilarious' as this pointless tradition is, I'd like to propose a new Day to add to our calendars.

October 1st shall be October Truth Day. On this day, it shall become tradition for people the world over to say exactly how they feel about something that has been bugging them, but that they have thus far kept to themselves. For one day only, it will be socially acceptable to call up your neighbour, friend, brother, sister, co-worker or whatever, and spout out whatever it is that they have done to piss you off.

This day of honesty would set things up for a nice run into Christmas, making friendships stronger and killing off dying relationships in time for present buying. You could finally air your grievences to agressive charity workers, people who don't use deodorant, noisy neighbours and your idiot boss in a socially accepted manner.

Perhaps there could be badges involved somehow.

Who's with me?

Nobody? OK...

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1580973/nickpic-sq.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4akYBCWAVcUF Nick Smith nick Nick Smith Tue, 30 Mar 2010 15:39:40 -0700 If you're struggling to find Product/Market fit... http://funderrated.com/if-youre-struggling-to-find-productmarket-fit http://funderrated.com/if-youre-struggling-to-find-productmarket-fit ... keep your chin up and take comfort from the fact that you're not teaching Alpacas how to surf.

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1580973/nickpic-sq.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4akYBCWAVcUF Nick Smith nick Nick Smith Thu, 11 Mar 2010 03:42:35 -0800 Venture Hacks rocks http://funderrated.com/venture-hacks-rocks http://funderrated.com/venture-hacks-rocks 1st time startupper? Looking for seed or Angel funding?

Read this: http://venturehacks.com/archives

Buy this: http://venturehacks.com/happy-meal

Work.

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1580973/nickpic-sq.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4akYBCWAVcUF Nick Smith nick Nick Smith Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:42:45 -0800 To the members of the Facebook group "RYANAIR The Worlds Most Hated Airline"... http://funderrated.com/to-the-members-of-the-facebook-group-ryanair http://funderrated.com/to-the-members-of-the-facebook-group-ryanair

This is the most ridiculous group on the whole of Facebook.

You *DO* have a choice whether or not you fly with them.

You, as a consumer, can decide to spend your money on an alternative that will get you from where you are, to where you want to go. The fact is that Ryanair has managed to connect so many far-flung destinations, and lock down those routes, that few other airlines are able to have such dominance on those weird routes that you take for granted. If it was not for Ryanair, it is unlikely that many regional airports would have even been built, let alone become important economic hubs.

As for the service, get real. You are paying absolute rock bottom prices (sometimes less than a bus fare) to travel hundreds of miles in fairly moderate comfort. Outside of the first class cabin on a Virgin Atlantic flight, air travel is a filthy process, physically and economically, whatever airline you decide to fly with. Extra charges are clearly marked - if you see a pre-selected option on a menu that annoys you for charging you "too much", and you don't bother to see if there are any other Free options, then you are an idiot. If you disagree me, the best thing that you, the consumer can do, is either stay at home, or fly with someone else Just don't think that joining a Facebook group is in any way going to combat basic Economics.

Oh, and to the creator of the group who says "Checked in luggage is only 15 kilos thats just enough room for a laptop 2 pairs of shoes, toiletries & hairdryer, so if your going for a weeks holiday you are basically screwed..." there is literally no combination of events on this Earth that will make you need 3 different sets of footwear within a 7 day window. 

Cheers.

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1580973/nickpic-sq.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4akYBCWAVcUF Nick Smith nick Nick Smith Fri, 05 Mar 2010 06:42:04 -0800 [PIC]Drunkenly meeting @KevinRose & @AlexAlbrecht at FOWA London, 2008 http://funderrated.com/picdrunkenly-meeting-kevinrose-and-alexalbrec http://funderrated.com/picdrunkenly-meeting-kevinrose-and-alexalbrec Just found my old Nokia N95 and on it were some pics I took FOWA 2008 in London. Damn that was an awesome conference.


Yes that's Zuckerberg.

10102008648 10102008650 10102008638
See the full gallery on Posterous

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1580973/nickpic-sq.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4akYBCWAVcUF Nick Smith nick Nick Smith Wed, 03 Mar 2010 04:02:00 -0800 Make an awesome to-do list app for your Mac http://funderrated.com/make-an-awesome-to-do-list-app-for-your-mac http://funderrated.com/make-an-awesome-to-do-list-app-for-your-mac

I was looking for 'to-do' list apps for my Mac this morning and was pretty non-plussed by the usual suspects; Things, EtreTask, CheckOff etc etc..

So I made my own.


Screen_shot_2010-03-03_at_11 Screen_shot_2010-03-03_at_11
See the full gallery on Posterous


Neat huh?

I'm using an Agile development tool called AgileZen which lets you set up an online Kanban board pretty easily (for a single user it's totally free). I then used Fluid to turn my board into a native OSX app which I can fire up from my desktop an use independently of my web browser. (Instructions below)

This rocks because I now not only have quick access to the basic 'to-do' features the other apps can provide (task ordering, prioritisation, tags), but also some of the other productivity stuff the free version of AgileZen lets you play with..

- Better task visualisation (view backlog, 'ready' tasks, stuff you're currently working on, completed tasks and archived tasks)
- Task owners/creators
- Total work time
- Charts denoting different phases of work
- Efficiency metrics

Anyway, here's how to make your own awesome (and free) desktop to-do list..

1. Sign up for a free AgileZen account
http://www.agilezen.com/pricing

2. Have a play around, read some of the hints and tips, and create your first board. This board will be your to-do list, and you can rename it later.

3. Download and run Fluid - this will turn (almost) any URL you feed it into a native desktop app
http://fluidapp.com/

4. Configure Fluid by adding the URL of your AZ board and click 'Create'

Screen_shot_2010-03-03_at_11

5. Fire up your new app and go to Preferences/Advanced. Select the option to 'allow browsing to any URL'

Screen_shot_2010-03-03_at_11

6. You're done! Log in to AgileZen through your new app and feel smug.

Plug alert: this works well for an individual - if you have a few people working with you, check out Teambox, a really cool project management tool built in Barcelona

 

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1580973/nickpic-sq.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4akYBCWAVcUF Nick Smith nick Nick Smith Thu, 25 Feb 2010 06:13:34 -0800 The realities of bootstrapping... http://funderrated.com/the-realities-of-bootstrapping http://funderrated.com/the-realities-of-bootstrapping Hijacking the WiFi at your old university may make you feel smug at having blagged yourself some free workspace, but reality has to kick in sooner or later... 

2010-02-25_14

Permalink | Leave a comment  »

]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1580973/nickpic-sq.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4akYBCWAVcUF Nick Smith nick Nick Smith