When I tell you your web site is broken, it is

I've been involved with software development for many many years. I've done everything from writing code to testing products. I think I've learned what a really good interface is and how to make them better. So, when I stop by your web site and tell you that I think it's fantastic, has a lot of great content, plenty of reasons to come back, but clicking on the links to each menu header returns a 404 error, I'm telling you the truth. Don't come back and tell me that there couldn't be anything wrong, I was just using the web site this morning.

First, I don't take the time, every time, to let a webmaster know there is an issue with their site. But on occasion, I think its important enough that I send a quick note so the errors can be fixed and you quite looking like a bunch of morons who know nothing about web sites. Second, if someone is courteous enough to actually tell you you have a problem, don't make them feel stupid or tell them thier crazy; or ask if you can help them buy something?

Ha, I think not. You can't kick you customer in the balls then ask them to buy something from you.

Chris Prillo has a great post on Feedbacking. A process to help users and developers communicate easier. I love it. Great thought Chris.

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The Treo 700p, it’s faast

About a month ago I purchased a Treo 650. I'm not a palm person, I actually like the Windows Mobile operating system much better, but my office mates use the Treo and I wanted to be able to communicate with them a little easier. I know I know, it shouldn't have made a difference, but it did.

After a few weeks with the 650 it started to act funny. Kept losing preference settings and I could never get connected to the network. I called customer support several times and they helped me enter some codes and got me running again. But the third time was it. I couldn't keep calling into customer support to get the issues resolved any more. So I asked for a new phone. Nope, can't have one. You must take it to a repair center first. So I did. The guy at the repair center said that he would have to replace something in the phone to fix my problem and that I would lose all my data. No problem I have a back up.

When I went back in to pick up the phone, I noticed that nothing had been reset. All my data was intact. So I asked the person who was helping me what was repaired, he said "I don't know. But that will be $50 please." Sprint, you have a munch of morons working for you. Great customer service. Too bad I don't have a choice of carriers because after this experience, you wouldn't be my choice any more.

In any event, I was fortunate to get a replacement phone. But instead of getting the 650, I got the 700p instead. Man, this phone rocks. It still has the same Palm OS, but the hardware is much nice. Better keyboard, and the internet connection is so much faster. I'm happy at the moment. No problems. I can my email at any time and I can listen to my favorite podcasts while on the go.

Sprint, you still suck. Palm, nice phone.

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Post from my Treo

Seeing what a post looks like from the Treo 650.

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Two weeks and making progress

Ok, it's been two weeks and the fact I haven't posted for those many days should be some indication how my schedule has been. Getting up to speed in a new environment takes time. It can be very frustrating. I want things to move at a faster pace but I know it will come. I'm also noticing habits I had as a programmer are hindrances in my new job. I'm used to technology being my means of communication, email, voice mail, cell phone. Now it's just the opposite. I need to be in front of people, face to face. When the people you are working with aren't sitting in front of a PC all day it doesn't make sense their main form of communication will be email.

I would have to say over the past few weeks that's been my biggest struggle. Trying to figure out how each person communicates. On line applications like Gmail and Gcalendar used to be my best friends, but are now more of a bottle neck than its worth.

I now have a Treo 650, and I have to say it's nice having email, appointments, tasks and phone all in my hand. I never knew how mobile I could be with this really cool tool. I think I will update my post on "must have gadgets" to include a device like this.

Now that I'm starting to pick up steam, getting to know my way around, people are starting to know me and what my role is, I can start focusing on more specific projects and goals.

[Oh, I posted a new Jazz Show podcast, check it out here]

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Career change: first 90 days

I remember when I was little, I used to walk around telling people I was going to grow up and be this, or that, but never really knew what any of those things were except maybe a Police Officer or Fireman. When I was 12 or 13 my father bought me a Commodor VIC20. It came with all the cool stuff, tape storage, a basic compiler, and other things I'm sure I'm forgetting.

I spent the better part of a summer typing every line of code I could find from the manuals, computer magazines and books. It was awesome. I knew right then I wanted to be a programmer. I didn't know how or what that meant but I was hooked.

I suppose many young men who grew up in the late 70's early 80's were hooked on computers. It opened doors, and heck, even let us create doors, which lead to long time careers in the computer field. Aside from the old iron and many of the headless computers of the 70's I've pretty much seen it all and been part of it all.

Lately, I've been involved with a company who sells a software program that has given companies the ability to control security and use of mobile computers. It's amazing the things I've seen and been a part of. The amount of intelligence required to come up with and build computer software these days is amazing. I've worked with some of the best minds to bang out code. I wish I had half their ability.

As changes are an everyday occurrence in the computer industry, it's time a made a change of my own. I'm heading down a new path that isn't directly related to anything computers. Yes, I will be able to use my skill set to help past clients and even help new clients, but that isn't what I will be doing on a daily basis any more. I've learned a lot more about business over the past 20 years than just how to write code. So that's where I am focusing my attention; building and improving business.

I'll continue to have my finger on the pulse of the computer world, stay in touch with my network, and build new relationships that will help me succeed in this new world. I have every confidence this is the right thing and is what will take me to the next level.

So I'll try and document my ramp up in this new position over the next 90 days and beyond. I was told that you have 90 days to get your stuff together in a new position or it will be an uphill battle the entire time. So I know how important it is to make an impact as quickly as possible. And that's what I intend to do.

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