CharlesT100

I thought about this months and months ago.

Aside from the silly photo & title, this is a very serious post.

I was reading this Hacker News Post and I wanted to write down to my experience as a lover of startups, the kind of person that has an innate connection to the concept of building digital products others can use, selling those products because they add value to the lives of millions and making money from that digital product. I've been a <nontechnical> person in startup land, experiencing the incubator format here in DC with the Founders Institute, it's not a pretty place to be.

The above Hacker News post highlights some viable options. These are options you should take if you don't want to understand the products you build.

I am encouraging every non-technical founder, to learn to code.

There should be no reason not to learn how to code. None.

If it's difficult then walk through walls to reach where you need to go.

DO NOT learn to code in the traditional way.

Understand the basics of making something, the programming process. You'll then find actually building the solution, technically will be a lot easier than you thought. This is the way to learn. All non-technical founders without serious money or serious connections need to lean how to code, in the method explained below.

Essentially the 'Hello, World' tutorial leaves you too far away from the skills to build an dynamic database driven application, which is what most 'ideas' are.

We need to be teaching Git, Rails, GitHub, AWS and Heroku.  How to deploy an application. Then teach the language.

At least this way, founders would have a greater appreciation for the procedural challenges and then even how to create the software. It would dramatically cut the number of non-technical founders at meetups looking for co-founders and potentially increase the number of cool websites/apps getting built.

What holds people back at the moment, it is difficult.

Then let's make it easy!

Create a holistic approach. The resources are scattered around but that entails someone knowing what they are looking for.

Don't get stuck in the language, experience the process and the tools. I would encourage non-technical founders and those wanting to learn to code to learn the terminal, Git, Github, Rails and Heroku .. IRC etc.

The world needs a resource that does this. Short. Sharp. Simple.

So, basically someone needs to mirror the 'Hello, World' tutorial style but cover Terminal Commands, Git, Github, Rails, Heroku - everything needed to:

1) Understand a (standardized) technical product development process.

This post is about a frustration I have encountered on too many occasions, problems are easy to solve but hard to resolve.

When I want to sign up for services, I am forced to use a password (I think this entire process needs improvement, advancement..but that is a completely separate thought process and blog post).

I just want to focus on one aspect that could/should be an industry standard, what I will now attempt to coin - "a ruler".

OK, this problem here is obvious - I have forgotten my password.

Or have I? Perhaps just a variation..

Perhaps, there are specific password rules that you used to sign up, you know, those "ridiculous rules" to protect your account - a necessary evil.

You must use one number, and then one of those letter must be in CAPS, and then the minimum number of letters you can use, followed by the DNA code of your first ancestors...

These are UX issues, they are so simple to solve. We need "a ruler" standard.

Prompt users of your password rules when their login attempt fails for the second time, don't do this just on sign up, do this if their login attempt fails more than once and then watch the number of password resets decrease, dramatically.

Additionally, when error messages should change color to show the user that their last login effort was successfully entered but the login password/email combination is still invalid.

Below are the instructions to install yourself a copy of XAMPP, formerly known as LAMP on Linux Ubuntu.

1. Download the file from http://www.apachefriends.org/en/xampp-linux.html They have good instructions here and resources for future issues, so bookmark them!

2. Enter this command into your terminal, you can open terminal with CTRL +ALT + T

tar xvfz xampp-linux-1.8.1.tar.gz -C /opt

You may have to move into the downloads directory of your file system for this to work, do that by entering this command, which will vary

cd /home/username/Downloads

Please note, it is currently January 2013, whenever you download XAMPP you will need to update the file version above from 1.8.1 to whichever version you downloaded from Apache.

3. Ubuntu will install the files in /opt/lampp

4. To start your server enter this command into your terminal

/opt/lampp/lampp start

5. You will now get a message in your terminal, informing you have a server running on your machine. To test it type http://localhost into your browser. If you have done everything successfully you will see a message from XAMPP :-)

Starting XAMPP for Linux 1.8.1...

XAMPP: Starting Apache with SSL (and PHP5)...

XAMPP: Starting MySQL...

XAMPP: Starting ProFTPD...

XAMPP for Linux started.

6. You may into some problems with PHPmyadmin, like not being able to open it at all within localhost. This is easily fixed so do not worry!

We are going to fix this by editing the httpd-xampp.conf file, located in the /opt directory. Type the following command into your terminal.

 cd /opt/lampp/etc/extra

you will have moved into the  /extra directory, within  /lampp, within  /opt

then

gedit httpd-xampp.conf

this commands opens the file in your text editor, if you replace the gedit part of the above command with your text editor of preference, you'll open the file in your own text editor.

7. We are going to add "Require all granted" in this file, in the phpmyadmin section, be careful because there is a SQLite section within this file also.... it's going to look like this...

<Directory "/opt/lampp/phpmyadmin">

    AllowOverride AuthConfig Limit

    Order allow, deny

    Allow from all

Require all granted

<Directory>

The bold part is what we add, then we need to save it, press CTRL + S or even just file then save in the text editor GUI, you'll then get pushed back into the terminal. 

8. phpMyAdmin will now be working. HOWEVER, there will be no security installed, to fix this just enter the following command into your terminal.

/opt/lampp/lampp security

Follow the prompts and enter passwords for XAMPP, phpMyAdmin, MySQL & FTP.

Just in case you are running Ubuntu and you need to edit some .PSD files etc. etc. you'll know that Photoshop is not available for Linux. Yes are there are some ways to wine around it but I wanted to share the process to install GIMP Image Editor.

I'm putting this here perhaps to help someone if they are having problems downloading via software center and needs to install via terminal, like I did.

1. Open the terminal: ctrl+alt+T

2. Become root: sudo -i

3. Type password: *****************

4. Install GIMP: sudo apt-get install GIMP

Finished. [type 'exit' to leave root]

I am intrigued by the @HelloFax service.

Getting rid of fax machines can save a massive amount of time every time a fax needs to be sent - the process is laborious for those that are not aware.

With that is the associated cost savings of employees time, resulting productivity increase and the reduction in the use of paper, especially if companies adopt the HelloFax signature service.

Additionally, it' one of the less worrying aspects of the advancement of technology - it's a positive advance when we don't have to buy fax machines and manufacturers don't have to build them. Less waste = great.

Excellent stuff from the perspective of those managing operations in any company.

From the viewpoint of someone who loves startups, the price point is what really makes me love this company. The cost is $9.99 p/month for a full feature set with a limit of 500 faxes per month. The low barrier of entry for people wanting to adopt the service is great strategy and for those interested in operational efficiency, makes it an easy sell to the boss.

There is one crucial aspect that will really drive adoption rates, the ability to port the current fax number over to the HelloFax service. When this functionality arrives, users will have very little excuse to adopt a service that will save money, time and resources.

Feature Request

Customized Cover Pages. In the same way that Xero allows users to send customized invoices to clients, it would be a bonus if you could send a well designed cover page with company branding. Something for the HelloFax guys to think about, perhaps.

I want to make something clear.

I disagree strongly with the 'supposed' content creation strategy Google+ is pursuing highlighted by the read only access to their v.1 API.

I think it's important to not become that network where noone actually goes and just automates their posts. I also think it's equally important Google+ does not turn into a blogging platform either.

One of Facebook's core value propositions is your friends. They say funny, relevant, random and cool shit about their lives and stuff that has value to them - maybe throw up some pictures they took that show you what they've been doing and you can comment on them. Maybe they share their music tastes via videos too and create event invitations - it's a social hub.

Google+ needs to focus on what people actually do on facebook, and do it better. Upload - look at - comment on pictures. Because visual appeal is in this day and age more appealing than any other until social networks start smelling like indian food.

They need to have a better product and add more value than the competition, but what can Google do to beat Facebook at their own game ?

The answer is to focus on the picture element of their network and add more value and provide a better experience so that users are happy to try Google+ and even make the switch. 

What could they do ?

Huge marketing push - creative adverts to keep pictures away from those eyes who should never see them via circles ? (some funny ads brewing in my mind)

Buy Postagram & Instagram ?

A superior UI vs. the Facebook lightbox which seems to be constantly changing... 

NFC sharing of images between different devices ?

Increased Picassa storage waiving the $5 per year fee ? 

Exportable picture comments so Businesses could embed intro their own website.

Integrate Picassa into Android ?

One thing I KNOW FOR SURE is that Google need to give Picassa the same UI and UX overhaul as the rest of their web based products. (I will volunteer to assist the product manager of Picassa to help achieve the awesomeness required ! :-)

As you can see I am not 100% sure what Google+ has to do to take the pictures crown away from Facebook, at all - it's very difficult. 

I would like Instapaper integrated into #Google+ please.

Incidentally this is exactly how the product I created very similar to Google+ (picture below) functioned with the separate blog section where the users profile is directly linked to their online blog.

I am not 100% sure this Instapaper functionality would work for everyone, or even be necessary - but I like the option myself, obviously !

I've mentioned before (and will continue to!) I think it's so vital that Google changes the game with their social network - do it the same and it's all over before it even began.

Google+ users tend to post a decent amount of long posts, almost article length in this 'social' platform. If I was flippant I would say the excitement of Google+ becoming another blogging platform is uncontrollable ..

I would like them to to include the functionality to add a users blog to their profile.

Not an optional link - but a dedicated button that stores a link to the users blog. I guess it would be a lot like the "send email" button that is optionally activated by the user on their profiles.

Why is this a good idea ? I believe it would enable people to start more short, focused conversation, sharing and discussion by enabling longer conversations to be distributed to their blog.

Most things around us are 'social'. Yes it's the buzzword that seems to be a key to success for everybody - you gotta be social, dude.

I had a thought yesterday whilst watching some funny TV clips, wouldn't it be cool if I could record that 7second clip and tweet it, post to G+ ...

I think it would.

I can also imagine people wanting to buy products displayed in advertisements in a minimal number of clicks directly from the TV - in fact I know of a company pushing this exact service but the time is, obviously, too soon. Perhaps Google will bring this capability to Google TV in future iterations ?

I can also see value in providing the ability to advertisers and consumers to 'save' an advert as it is on the TV allowing you to refer back to adverts that may actually add value to your life - you don't always remember useful products in fact you may well be kinda busy already. Additional beneficial information for advertisers being a valuable metric to analyze the quality of advertising campaigns.

In reference to the 'saving' of advertisements I can see a pricing model that really benefits Google, with even higher prices per 'save' vs. CPC as the consumer is inherently displaying a direct desire to purchase the product/service.

Wow so Facebook copied the Google+ Circles strategy, but with a streamlined and automated twist - the smart list. Anyone surprised obviously didn't think too much.

I need to stop overestimating the class Facebook possesses, I really do - at the end of the day they are fighting for their future so you gotta do what you gotta do. All is fair in love and war, I suppose ..

Time to focus on the real issue at hand. How on earth does Google+ win now ? One of the core advantages Google+ is partially eradicated. Google needs to look deeply into the remaining areas of innovation and differentiation, where they will achieve most success.

Although it may be true that Facebook can copy anything, there are aspects of a social network that Google+ has not yet initiated. Mainly groups and Businesses.

The only way to succeed is to vastly differentiate in such a way that people look up to Google for innovation. 

Respect is an attribute not many associate with Facebook. Perhaps rightly so.

@parislemon wrote this post and I understand the problem he is facing, I just don't agree.

There is a fundamental problem with the concept of circles in Google+ however the only issue is that it is not easy enough - Google, you need to make it easy for people to allocate people into a circle, and that does not just mean using a drag and drop system and a hover over function on profiles, come on now - step it up.

You are supposed to be the company of the future - take us there.

Essentially 'circles' are a great idea, time saving and useful but it seems like such hard work to so many people. I am personally not one, I can take the minimal amount of time it takes and 'circle' people. I circle people depending on their location, their interests and their relationship to me, it enables me to see what I want to, quickly. It's awesome.

What about those people who can't be bothered ? Google+ product masterminds have to do something to push people towards Google+ instead of Facebook.

BUT what is the real, exceptional, value add to drive people into transition ? 

1. Data Portability ?

2. Visible in search results ?

3. Gmail, Gdocs, Gcalendar and Google+ right in front of your face ?! 

4. Circles ?

My point, has clearly been made.

The differentiation between the two platforms is not great enough, yet - and so they need to make their main selling point effortlessly easy to implement.

How do you make this, very difficult task, feel easy to the people ?

That's a big question and I'd love to know the strategy ongoing behind closed doors to solve this problem.

I do not work for Google, not yet :-) (I would love to in case you hadn't guessed !) and so I will not expose my very simple solution.

They should be paying someone good money to find the solution to adding such value to their network, Facebook could never match the proposed experience.

They need to do this now, rather than wait until Google+ loses consumer interest.

I wanted to share a thought about making the problem of reaching inbox zero a little bit easier.

I would like a feature in Gmail that enables the user, with a single click of a button, to file away all the emails that have a label assigned to them.

There are emails and corresponding issues I need to deal with immediately and others that can wait, those tasks get labeled and for convenience I just check the label folder and go through issues directly from there when I have time, some are time sensitive others not particularly at all.

Suggested placement would be in the "Labels" tab.

An option to "file" all labels into their respective folders would exist.

This breaks up the task of handling email by making each email relevant to a particular topic.

Additionally, I always take time to move these labeled emails into the labeled folder, this takes me too long, I shouldn't have to do this.

Hopefully someone from Google is reading this blog, watching me and looking to hire me :-) haha, in all seriousness though I believe this feature would be very helpful.

This is another post focused on improving a product and user experience,I wanted to share something that is almost mind boggling to me.

I was exploring someones Google+ profile randomly the other day and noticed no content on their stream, weirdly I was compelled to click the ''Buzz'' stream and expected to see nothing, it was exactly the opposite. The was a lot of content hiding away in the Buzz section ! Amazing.

So, to clarify, the problem is clearly the content was hidden inside Buzz - not in the main stream area making it harder to discover for friends. This obviously transfers into problems for Google in creating a sustainable platform.

Content = Engagement.

There needs to be a simpler way to move content from Gmail into Google+.

The solution is to add buttons as options inside the Gchat area, where content is added to Buzz. It would replace the area in the above picture that says "Let people know what you're up to ...."

Have the option of sharing to Google+ as the standard and phase out Buzz. Eventually this content should be transferred directly into Google+ but it is important to give people the option and slowly transition. It would also allow Google to initiate a metrics based analysis of how people want to use Buzz and Google+ from inside Gmail.

#Googleplus -- There are some problems with Google+

Fluidity

It takes just a little too much effort to do what you need to do. They need to improve the fluidity of the design. One small issue for example ..

Privacy

Perhaps more importantly to the fundamental activity of sharing, is the ability to restrict who sees the post / link /video etc. you share.

Circles are just the first step in this plan. 

Additionally Google+ needs to incorporate the ability to stop people from sharing content they have received that is ''restricted'' to them by circles. This content is not restricted, but it needs to be to solve privacy issues and increase sharing.

As I previously mentioned I designed a product very similar to Google+ and in my opinion solved this issue. Technically I am not fully aware how this process would work, but I do  not imagine there being problems implementing this.

To the left of the black box (video message area) are two signs, one a black square with a symbol based on and similar to a 'no entry' sign, the other a blue and white rectangle with a symbol similar to the symbolic representation of inifintity.

The user would have to click one of these options before posting to a private group, in Google+, a circle. 

The no entry signs signifies that the post / video / link etc. cannot be shared across the network and is private to that user or circle.

The infinity sign signifies the perpetually public nature of the post /video/ link etc.

Usability wise it seems obvious to have the 'infinity' symbol checked automatically leaving those who do not want the content shared to check the other option before posting.

This really adds value when you think about group voice and video messages that will surely have a stronger place in the future of social networks.

It was a shame I never got to build this product. 

If Google does decide to implement these features and is inspired by this source, I would like the company to make a donation to one of the many many worthy charities of my choice (won't happen my friend, this is a blog post nobody reads this $hit!).