Life As I Know It - A Start-Up Called SideStreet

Giving Up on BlackBerry: iPhone vs. Android

2010-08-10T02:01:00.000-07:00

It was one of those impromptu conversations that just took on a life of its own, covered a day, kept us from our jobs and provided some nice entertainment amongst friends.

What started as innocent banter with one of our last remaining friends still riding the Crack-Berry wave turned into a good-natured "sell me a smart phone" diatribe of facts, opinions, third-party analysis and more!

It all took place on the inauspicious date of August 5, 2010, very, very early in the morning (note: to protect real people, I've substituted real names for our nicknames... If you know our nicknames then we are SOL):

This is the original message:
------Original Message------

From: D=$$ To: Bucky Cc: Yoshi Cc: Rosco Cc: The Doc Cc: Big Red Cc: Lil' Red Subject: Give up on BB Elsom

Sent: Aug 5, 2010 12:20 AM

http://m.gizmodo.com/5604747/blackberry-torch-review (you need to read this in order to follow the immediate responses)

From Yoshi (12:59 AM)

I'm totally tweeting this.

From Bucky (7:23 am)

I already have yet there are more good reasons to be anti apple-wish att hadthe droid...Other than os memory issues the BBBold is a damn good phone.My next phone may be an iphone but I'm resisting the notion

From Rosco (8:53 am)

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/mobile/08/04/blackberry.fans/index.html

From Bucky (9:44 am)

Totally = although this is everywhere in the news and most techy's know it already...but if you feel the need to Tweet by all means tweet away!

From Bucky (10:01 am)

Let's make an objective opinion on 2 phones.

1 - droid - version, cellular provider option, etc.
2 - iphone - versions available (3GS, 4)

Which is better and why?

I think both are better than the BB Overall - I have not used an droid so only research will tell me.

Looks like it's between the 4, and Incredible (if it's that close I'll stick with ATT)

D, you've had your 4 for awhile now - any negatives? Heard about the antenna issue that a case fixes, etc..

From Rosco (10:22 am)

My Droid rocks. While Sean has pointed out to me that I wouldn't be able to browse while talking on the phone, it has done everything I've asked it to do with speed and ease. Verizon's network in Oregon is better than Att's so if connectivity is an issue I'd seriously take that into consideration.
I went to the Droid from a Blackberry Tour. While I really liked the BB (email in particular,) it had limitations. Primarily in browsing, but also running multiple apps, screen size and app availabiltiy.

From Yoshi (10:29 am)

iPhone 4:
- screen resolution 4x better than 3G. Very noticeable
- hd video and 5 mp camera are very responsive especially in low light.
- Flash is nice addition.
- faster, slimmer, lighter (than 3GS) of note, the htc android devices are actually bigger than 3GS which is more screen size but totally personal preference
- os 4 alleviates a lot of functional issues such as multitasking, etc but I still can't attach a photo in an existing email or store documents - needs work but to run Pandora while MapMyRun is nice
- the front forward camera is VERY cool and performs great. I never have to guess where that damn camera button is again!
- antenna issue non-existent with a case and realistically for anyone with kids you want a case to protect the investment so for me it's a non-starter.

Furthermore, Tess has one without a case and she has no reception/connectivity issues but she is a righty!

They just came out with a prediction that Android phones will outpace iphones by 2012 but I question whether they are considering iPhone release to the other service providers in those numbers. They may be but I know a lot of people that are just waiting!!!

Hope that is helpful.

From Bucky (11:24 am)

Thanks for your responses guys...

So: Verizon - does it allow google maps now? They've locked down free working apps on their networks before - and for me although the network probably is still better - it doesn't affect me when I travel or stay in PDX.

Nod goes to Android OS Phones overall but may stick with ATT regardless...

What's with the attachment issues with the 4? You can't reply to an email and attach a photo? What do they want you to do instead? Start a new email and attach photo?

Hate all the expensive proprietary cabling/docking station BS

Do you guys use Mobile me or alternately sync with Outlook another way?

Can I at least view .pdf .docx, .xlsx files on the 4? Not a big deal if I can't store them...

Anyway - good hubbub. Thanks!

Anybody have T Mobile?

From Rosco (12:30 am)

Droid has had Google Maps since the first release.
No problem attaching to a reply.
Don't use MobileMe, but CompanionLink syncs all my data with no problem.
I've never used a cable or docking station.

From Bucky (1:11 pm)

Yah, the first smart phones (BB probably) for Verizon actually blocked Google Map GPS Usage - maybe they turned that off a long time ago.

What did you pay for CompanionLink? Did you get the pro version - that goes for $130!

Thanks again for the INFO!

From Rosco (1:29 pm)

I think it was $25

From Big Red (1:39 PM)

IMO, any discussion of Smart Phones should include the software you use to get content on off the phone (e.g. iTunes for iPhone). I haven't used an Android phone so I can't comment on the comparison, but I've always thought iTunes to be an amazing software application (the main reason I started using Apple products in the first place, replacing my multitude of previous mp3 players with an iPod and never looking back).

From Big Red (1:48 PM)

Also, I am able to sync with work Exchange server out of the box (no additional software). One feature I would have liked in this area is the ability to Sync with more than one provider. Once I started syncing with my Exchange server, I could only sync mail, contacts, and calendar with my work account (or disable sync for one or more of these items).

I would have liked to sync mail/calendar with my work account and contacts with my Gmail account, but this isn't possible.

Ideally I would like to sync mail with work, sync both Outlook and Google calendar events in a single unified calendar UI and contacts with Gmail. Regardless, more powerful/flexible Exchange sync functionality would be nice.

From Big Red (1:50 pm)

Can you at least view contact information while still talking on the phone? I don't find myself browsing much while talking, but many times, I've looked up someone's number or email and provided it to the person I was talking to.

From Bucky (1:54 PM)

I was just typing you an email on this subject – so apropos. Thankfully I don’t have to worry about an exchange server and do everything in house but have multiple accounts I want to sync at ONCE. Dustin/Sean – any issues syncing with Work/Home/Outlook anything regarding this subject?

Also, Chris just asked a good question, can you from your 4 look up a contact while talking on the phone? Ie 3 way calling feature?
Adding DustinWorkEmail & Brett (probably a bad idea on this one)

From Big Red (1:58 pm)

I know you can do this with iPhone (I have one, and do this a lot), but I don't know about Droid. Also, conference calling functionality iPhone has is pretty awesome. Speaker phone could/should be louder IMO.

From Yoshi (2:22pm)

The other day I looked up the fire situation for Jim while he babbled hysterically until I confirmed he should start running so that was nice.

And by no means is that a deal killer but more of a nice to have.

I've heard nice things about the android but my favorite comment was last year on a flight I sat next to a Google employee and noted her playing with an iPhone. I asked her if she had a chance to use Android and she pulled an Android phone out of her bag and simply said "everyone at google uses this." (pointing to the iPhone). Granted, Android devices have come a long way but the open source OS does provide some obstacles as Intel supports the iPhone but not any Android-based device.

There is also the flash issue which is a plus for the Android but there is too much weight behind 62 million iPhones (+ 4 million ipads) for that to continue unresolved.

From Big Red (2:28 pm)

Also, you can fix the iPhone 4 antenna issue with one of these:
http://i.i.com.com/cnwk.1d/i/tim/2010/07/20/Antenn-aid.png?tag=mncol;txt

From: Yoshi (2:27 PM)

I think chris' question was to Ross. There isn't an issue on the iPhone.

I have multiple email accounts and just sync calendars/contacts through outlook but I do know that I've had multiple calendars on there.

I keep waiting for the next OS update to include the camera icon in the email mode. This is a pain as you must start in photo/video in order to create an email with the attached file. A pain we live with.

From Bucky (2:52 pm)

So, is everybody doing the right thing by supporting Apple or will open source need our support now more than ever! – I’m with John Conner and supporting the resistance, Yet I may dabble in the enemy’s territory a bit…

Last year Google developers could have Microsoft Software on their PC’s – This year they can’t which is directly related to security.

LOLS on Jim

From Bucky (2:52PM)

Question redirected where intended as the Android OS Supports this – but thanks for the clarification. I need more reasons why I shouldn’t get the iPhone and it’s limitations so that is my current focus as I would rather. Really don’t want to switch to Verizon but haven’t ruled it out.
So far the only thing bothering me is the Multiple Account Sync functionality brought up by Red – I’m guessing Chris’s problem lies within Exchange. Chris, in the next few nights can you test this with your Comcast and gmail accounts?

From Big Red (3:05 PM)

Ok, I just re-acquainted myself with what I was trying to do and the current state of affairs on iPhone. It looks like they have improved this functionality with the iPhone 4 OS (I'm glad for this thread and glad I checked!!!):

Previous Problem (iPhone 3 OS): I wanted to sync with two Exchange accounts (Google also offers sync via Exchange); Google and my Outlook account via work. Previously, iPhone would only allow you to sync with one Exchange account. I can not comment on other use cases, this is what I wanted to do.

Current Functionality: Essentially, I just verified that I can do everything from my previous "ideal functionality" statement: I'm syncing Email with my work Exchange account, Contacts with my Google Exchange account, and Calendar with both (the two accounts appear as different colors in the unified Calendar UI).

Lovin it!

From: Bucky (3:24 PM)

Damn, I have no reason not to get an iPhone!

From Bucky (3:42 pm)

Here’s a way to fix the Gay rights issue:

From D-$$ (4:10 pm)

Elsom,

What Gough said! Work (exchange) and personal e-mail (Comcast)synch without any problems. Calendars too. I was holding out as long as I could hoping AT&T would have a decent Android phone to compete, but so far they only have 2 (and on old Android OS and not all functions capabilities of top Android phones). If AT&T would finally release the HTC Desire as rumored (Basically Google Nexus One) then they would have an option as good as the iPhone4.

If you want to change carriers then you should look at the current Android phones from Motorola and HTC. I think HTC might have the edge. Here site is great to compare current phones, and future releases. Detailed side by side comparisons. Here is a comparison of iPhone4, HTC Desire, and Droid X.

I never wanted to be an iPhone Homer like Yoshi, but it has been an awesome phone. No problems so far. No antenna issues at all and I didn’t have a case for the first month or so.

D

World Cup 2010 - Week 1 Review

2010-06-17T16:22:00.000-07:00

So in the midst of what has so far been a fairly predictable World Cup, today's Mexico-France result presented us with a good idea of how things will turn out for Group A (c'est la vis!) and Group B. It’s good to see smiles and laughs when it comes to the water cooler chat around the World Cup.

We have created a SideTweet of World Cup twitter feeds including CNN, FIFA, World Cup Bloggers and Team USA (surprisingly, not a lot of teams have officially adopted Twitter as a communications tool). You can visit this World Cup digest here.

For those of you who are relatively unsure of what the group play means to your chances of your team winning it all is, here is a quick run-down and with my predictions on how things will play out for those groups who are at least two games in (note, in group play the first tie-breaker is goal differential, goals scored vs. goals allowed):

Group A (Sean’s prediction – Mexico & Uruguay):
Mexico – Tie or win vs. Uruguay they are through
Uruguay – Tie or win vs. Mexico they are through
France – If Mexico vs. Uruguay is a tie, they are out, must beat South Africa by at least two goals and hope that Uruguay loses by 3 or more or Mexico loses by 2 or more
South Africa – Thanks for hosting…

Group B (Sean’s prediction – Argentina & South Korea):
Argentina – In It To Win It. Messi could take over the tourney…
South Korea – A win or tie against Nigeria should get them through…
Greece – Does anyone really think they are going to beat Argentina? Well, actually, they may if Argentina rests some of its stars. If Greece does pull it off, pressure is on South Korea!
Nigeria – Silly, silly red card. Another African nation’s hopes dashed…

Group C (Sean's prediction - still early but England and the USA):
USA PLAYS AT 7 AM PST TOMORROW MORNING, BE A FAN!!!!!! If you are interested in joining a small viewing party, email or call me!
And Algeria is totally going to dominate the rest of the tournament!!!

The rest of the groups only have one game on the books but more to come.

A Sticky Widget

2009-10-22T00:43:00.000-07:00

Six Minutes.

Now if I told you that someone would spend six minutes on a single page within your web site you might think you were eBay and they were simply watching for the auction to end.

Think about it, six minutes would be a coup for spending time on your entire site, but a single page? What "sticky widget" is holding the audience captive for so long? (and no, it's not Facebook or Twitter)

A map.

That simple, it's that which allowed Columbus to sail through the flatness (yes, that is Columbus' map to the right), that has allowed generals in warfare understand where to place the bait for their enemy to attack, that allows a simple traveler the most basic of insight and context of what they are getting into.

Keep it Simple SideStreet (K.I.S.S. Theory). Simplicity lies in the map. It provides context such as landmarks, distance, relationships, terrain, probably includes major attractions and possibly key services a traveler can use.

So where is the map on your web site? Do a quick audit and find out how many clicks to determine "where" you are. Are you Portland, Maine, Portland, Oregon or Portland, Oklahoma?

No map? Lots of easy to implement, relatively budget-friendly solutions out there. Get one on your site and get any brochure-based maps at least available for download (don't "protect" this resource from consumer use!).

Think about how ubiquitous Google Maps has become as a utility. People like maps, they are visual and "touchy-feely." Just the way we humans like things.

How Facebook Forgot About Web 2.0

2009-09-01T22:32:00.000-07:00

If I gave you the acronym "WWF" what would you think it stood for?

If I gave you the acronym "WWW" and you figured it out and the same first two letters were exactly the same as in the first example, what would your guess be then?

Yes, that is right, the World Wide Facebook. All content can be seen by anybody else, but they have to be your friend first, which means they need to find you or you need to find them... And you can create FAN pages and GROUP pages that anyone can become a fan of or join, unless they don't have a Facebook account in which case they need to join Facebook in order to, well, I think you get it...

So step back, let's think about this. We went from a world where static information on the Internet became dynamic information. It became sortable, sharable and down right convenient. The RSS phenomenon meant any content could become ubiquitous - accessible anytime, anywhere, by anyone... No credentials, no creating a profile, no establishment of yet another channel that had to be managed. This was Web 2.0. As you note from this post's title, I think Facebook missed that page in the Internet's history.

Now I am completely sold on the value of Facebook as a tool to manage personal relationships, but where I find Facebook lacking is in its endeavour to become a B2C and B2B channel friendly resource. Again, try "fan"-ing a Fan page in Facebook and while you can read the front page, you are "blocked" from becoming an actual Fan or browsing through additional content.

Now go to YouTube, Flickr, Twitter, Wikipedia and see if you have trouble accessing content... No? That is the entire point! Hello, McFly, Hello!!!!

Why is that such a sensitive issue for us here at SideStreet? Well, again, Web 2.0 was a movement all about information access. Facebook has developed barriers. So just create a free profile, log in and there is no barrier you say? Well, in one direction yes, but Web 2.0 was about creating a flow of information that was multi-directional - left, right, up, down, northest, southwest, z-axis, etc.

True social media should be portable. We believe this is a fundamental tenet from the era of Web 2.0, particularly when enabling businesses. So while, yes, I can get in to view Facebook content by joining Facebook, I can't view Facebook content outside of Facebook, and this is where our gripe truly lies.

The posting or "wall" of Facebook is a perfect kernel of information to shoehorn into a business's web site or blog to get an "inside" look at what social dynamic is occuring. We can pull a Twitter feed, a YouTube channel feed, every blog has an RSS feed, even Flickr figured it out by adapting their slideshow technology to any browser window, but Facebook????

So I will end this long-winded whine (yes, I have the "whine" flu) with a plea to Facebook to get with the game. All it will do is shove the Facebook brand and the unique content in front of more eyes which will bring in more users which will bring in more revenue which will, at the end of Web 4.0, most likely displace the WWW with the WWF.

For an example of the argument above, follow this link and click on Kansas or Virginia to see Facebook content (and compare that to the other sources of content):
USAtourism.sidestreet.com

Side-Whatever: A Lexicon of Labor

2009-06-09T22:44:00.001-07:00

SideStreet.

Easy enough, nothing fancy, but, then, we developed a function called the SideNote. Y'know, a "Cliff Note" type of function to aggregate and pull summaries of basic info together.

And then there was the SideTrack, which would lead to the SideNote and to the SideLink (hyperlink) and to the SideStop (gateway to nothing). Not to mention the SideBar, our rollover function.

And all of a sudden we saw a trend going and so kept on going. We introduced the SideView, a navigable thumbnail of the map and, most recently, possibly our coup de gras, the SideTweet (see the screenshot), an aggregation of all Twitter feeds associated with a map presented through a ticker-type presentation.

And don't worry, we are sure there will be more to come as we develop new functionality or just find a better term for existing functionality. Feel free to offer any suggestions below, some we've already identified as potential additions to SideStreet's lexicon:

SideCar
SideSwipe
SideDoor
SideStep

A little bit of fun amongst the grind...

New Year Resolutions

2009-01-11T23:23:00.001-08:00

So we all hate them, but here in the life of the startup I figure every chance I have to set some goals and actually achieve them is a good thing. And everyone loves a Top 10 list and in blending the two I figure not only will I make this more fun for you to read, but also more fun for me to write!

Without further ado, here we go:

1) Invoice. It's amazing what cash in the bank can do for the corporate ego!
2) Invoice. Did I say that already?
3) Launch targeted PR & marketing within the vertical industries of some of our initial (and hopefully satisfied) clients.
4) Get Jason an iPhone. I'm pretty sure it kills Jason every time we get together and I wing out my mobile Mac platform and start buzzing away on it.
5) Get more clients (I'm pretty sure this will be a regular on this list every year).
6) Start an advisory board.
7) Develop an iPhone application (and if Jason doesn't have an iPhone by then I will really be in trouble).
8) Have a board meeting in some remote, exotic location at the expense of the taxpayers (oh, sorry, letting my cynicism get to me).
9) Leverage Brian's presence in the Bay area to strike a strategic relationship with a number of venture capitalists, Google and Yahoo.
10) Have fun and continue to never let go of the dream.

Poke fun, have at it, but that is what my brain told my fingers to write and I'm sticking by whatever I just wrote (I promise to read them later).

Happy New Year!

Life In Leavenworth

2008-12-04T22:22:00.000-08:00

No, I'm not talking about the federal penitentiary in the heartland of the US. I'm talking about a town that, in 1968, on the cusp of an implosion of the local timber industry, decided to take a different tack and focus on tourism and the creation of a unique destination.

And so we are here again. All told, I think this is my 5th trip to this sleepy town that hosts 17 major festivals a year and whose building code is pure Bavarian, literally. You can not tell from the Starbucks from the local pizza parlor from the McDonalds. Their brand trumps everyone else's and that is in writing.

So imagine my response as I open their brochure to look at their maps and what I see is something that is not unique, not distinguishable from any other destination and just not consistent with the level of thought and effort that they have seemingly put into every other aspect of this town.

Furthermore, take a look at their web site at http://www.leavenworth.org/ and they are a classic example of being a destination but not showing their customers where they are until they go to the "how to get here" page. Geographic context is again completely under-utilized and under-appreciated.

I am hopeful that someday they will get it as they (the people of Leavenworth) deserve it. And I think that SideStreet may play some part for, as I was reminded again today driving through the old downtown of Monroe, yesterday's Main Street is today's Side Street.

Oh my gosh, it's like being immersed in the brochure online!

2008-10-20T10:58:00.002-07:00

So this past weekend I had the opportunity to participate in my first non-conference, the WhereCamp PDX event held at Souk (Old Town Chinatown).

It's one of those completely collaborative events (again, never been to one before) where the first hour is spent putting giant post-ups on the wall to brainstorm on topics, ideas and anything else that might be of interest to the group. You can actually visit the schedule (and a map of Souk) here: http://www.sidestreet.com/wherecamppdx/nonconf.html.

During the posting of ideas I volunteered one of my own (note that I am in a crowd of developers, coders, software engineers and that I was not overly comfortable nor confident in whether or not I had anything to add to this conversation). My Map, My Brand.

Simple, straightforward, but meant to not talk about me and SideStreet, but more about what is happening outside of Google Maps or whether or not everyone is relegated to Google Maps becoming the map brand... (all you graphic designers out there may as well start a new life).

So the conversation started off all over the board: discussing whether Google was a brand-neutral service or whether or not it over-shadowed the brand; why anyone would want to push branded content to the web; the cost-benefit analysis of any custom solution (including Google or Flash); the perceived need to require Geo-spatial accuracy and so on. Very educational to see what a simple topic could deliver!

But the point here came when a certain participant (let's call him Seeq) espoused his dependancy on Google Maps and Google Earth and that, at the end of the day, you needed to plug in a KML file to Google Earth to get data through that medium. (I was on a very steep learning curve here). When specifically asked about "branded content," Seeq commented that it held no value to him and that he was more focused on accuracy, immediate access to neighboring towns, destinations, etc.

At that point, another participant asked me to bring up an interactive map NOT of the Google kind: http://www.vashonmap.com/.

Seeq looked at the screen and without hesitating exlaimed: "Oh man, I love this, it's like being immersed in the brochure!"

The silence that settled while we all reflected on Seeq's response was exquisite (for me). His emotions just overrode his functional processes in a millisecond in the recognition that he was going to experience something different (i.e. not Google Maps). Check it out and see the power of branded content and the influence on even the most adamant technologist.

The PDF Paradigm

2008-08-19T23:35:00.000-07:00

PDF

Those 3 letters have made Adobe a heck of a lot of money. The ability to lock down and present a downloadable, readable flat-file to anyone is pretty sweet. No one else came up with it. Microsoft didn't, Apple didn't, a host of other multi-billion dollar companies didn't. Adobe just focused on something it was good at and created a new need for the industry. Really, for all industries. As ubiquitous as the Adobe Reader is, I don't think there is a single company in existence, large or small, that doesn't make use of the PDF format.

So what is it about that PDF Paradigm that I find so intriguing? I believe that the accessibility of a PDF document implies interactivity. Albeit the level of interactivity is simply downloading to your hard drive (or within your browser). And this is really no fault of anyone's, it's just a general urban myth that has arisen and continues to propagate itself as there is really no challenge to this "interactive" perception.

But what is the truth? In a world where keeping people at or on your web site is the ultimate goal (think "sticky"), the PDF paradigm runs counter to that goal. When you click on a PDF link you are taken away from the framework of the web site. You are taken away from the dynamic capabilities that the HTML/Javascript/CSS/Flash world enables and are rendered a flat, static world that you can either save on your hard drive or print.

Where the PDF is an alternative, a more permanent legacy to an interactive component, feature or set of wisdom within a site, that is a perfect use. But recognize that it should be used as a redundant feature, not as a primary resource.

Take an accounting of your web site. I think travel and tourism web sites are some of the primary culprits here. Look at all the documents you have (what I would really ask you to focus on is all the maps you have converted to PDF) and think about what the PDF is doing and if that fits the intent. If your PDF is a map, I would say look at SideStreet, or a Flash implementation or, if you don't care about losing any branding, even a Google or Yahoo map. The key is to keep people on your site.

Are you?

No Pain No Gain

2008-08-19T23:24:00.000-07:00

Normally I completely believe in that saying. And in the entrepreneurial world, I would say that there is a lot of pain, and therefore a lot of gain.
However, when training for an event that is far beyond what one week of solid training can really prepare you for, a sense of pragmatism descends and casts an almost comical "how the heck did I get here?" light on the situation.
And so, in my endeavour to train to the greatest extent possible, I believe I am, but I added a day off (or two) to ensure that I didn't actually have a complete physical breakdown before the race. iTunes can only carry your momentum so far and after that, the proverbial wall hits hard and fast. I felt the wall coming, and so the gift of age (wisdom) allowed me to sidestep the wall and enjoy some beers, some burgers and some bull$*!^ at Bridgeport Brewery.
Speaking of no pain no gain, SideStreet welcomed a new team member tonight. Say hello to Tony. I think his nickname will be Frodo (this is based on his last name... makes you wonder). He had to drive up from Corvallis, which, after many jaunts up and down I-5 to Salem and back, I can understand that pain.
The team (Jason and Brian) liked what they saw and it will be interesting to see what Tony can do with our web-based interface (which is a lot farther behind than we would like it to be).
I will make my last training run tomorrow. I'm thinking a 5-6 miler through Forest Park. Thursday is a rest day as Friday is race day. I think this will be Hood to Coast #15. Geez I'm old... Geez I'm sore... I'm going to have a little cheeze with this wine.

Now this is the life of the Oregon entrepreneur

2008-08-13T22:56:00.000-07:00

So in the course of sales, research, reviewing the work of a potential
new partner I get a missed phone call from my soccer buddy Cliff...
Then an email... Then a text... Then another phone call (which I
strategically avoid until ready to deal with this urgent matter).

So I call:
Sean: hey cliffie it's goose what's up?
Cliff: want to run hood to coast?
Sean: (stunned silence)
Cliff: (patient silence)
Sean: I guess I have a few weeks to train
Cliff: it's next week
Sean: (stunned silence)
Cliff: we're running leg 5
Sean: isn't that the toughest leg?
Cliff: 2nd toughest
Sean: I'll start training tonight... Crap

So as the photo will attest this begins my cramming for hood to coast.
If you don't know HTC then you are not an Oregonian...

Thus the distractions that are uniquely Oregon. I now must fold daily
training into my regimen of trying to build a business.

Day 1 is done. Mission accomplished as the Toadies reverberate in my
ears and I suck wind with the Dunniway track all to myself.

Stay tuned for more...

maps of beer?

2008-07-25T20:46:00.000-07:00

so today i'm hanging out at the Oregon Brewer's Festival and I am chatting with the founder talking about maps.
really, is this a good use of either of our time? not sure, but how often do you get to just sit back and watch the action?
But yes, I think that people are not necessarily looking for maps, but if they were available, they would be used... a lot, pretty sure about that. More when I get back to the computer (I'm mobile).

Understanding Your Own Limitations - Compete or Collaborate with 3rd Party Services?

2008-07-23T22:16:00.000-07:00

Today I had an interesting exchange with the interactive manager of a large tourism bureau about maps. It was interesting in that they were releasing a new service called GoSeePortland and they wanted to know how they could work that service in collaboration with the SideStreet service.

The GSP service uses Google Mapping technology to, first of all, instantly access a huge standard database (but the last 3 recommendations I've made were new additions to that database. Interesting...). Using this technology, users can create on the fly tours that are instantly mapped out. Pretty cool stuff, and I will be the first to admit it.

However, that is not what SideStreet was designed for. SideStreet's basic assumption is that an organization has a custom map that, short of investing a lot into Flash development, they would like as an interactive part of their web site. By interactive I don't mean a "download" and I don't mean "indexed" (clicking on the map scrolls down to a specific section of the web site). By interactive I mean a dynamic information portal that enables me to discover and to explore and to find more than what I was originally looking for.

This is my first time in Portland so, please, someone, just tell me what the Top 10 can't miss attractions, to-dos, restaurants, etc. are in this fabulous town. I want the experts to guide me and then (this is important), then I want third-party validation from my peers (i.e. GSP).

But I digressed. The basic point was that SideStreet will take the custom map and turn it into the interactive "widget" that webmasters everywhere are looking for. Numbers are coming in from the first round of implementations and I may have to start using the word "uber-sticky" when talking about SideStreet's enabling technology.

And how is this relevant to GSP? We can actually build that content directly into the custom map. Top 10 things to do in Portland? All of which were validated by the tips and opinions of the GSP audience. I feel pretty good about what I'm going to do now (FYI, the Top 10 list involves a number of brewpubs).

This is where it can be really easy to try and take on the Big Kahuna, but, you know what? It ain't worth it. GSP can use Google Maps for all its worth, and you know what, to an extent it just makes sense. But that doesn't mean you can't integrate the content and have a series of social maps interlaced with maps of what the experts recommend. Heck, isn't that what they are being paid to do anyhow?

late night start up

2008-07-23T02:23:00.000-07:00

just finished a demo of pacific nw map produced for Japanese trade show last year. this map was a collaboration between Oregon, Washington, Seattle and Portland and is a perfect example of how a custom map can be quickly forgotten if not kept in the mainstream (web).
will be interesting to see what my old colleagues think about this.
oh well, bed time for this bonzo.
l8r!

Multimedia message

2008-07-23T01:30:00.000-07:00