Many things learned are useful in other aspects of life.
Recently, I have learned a lot about business taxes and now personal taxes are so much easier to tackle. And, reading the IRS publications aren't that bad anymore. Prior to doing all of the business taxes research, I thought the IRS website and publications were overly complicated. Now, I consider each pub to be light reading even though they are small font, three columns per page, and typically around 5-40 pages.
I feel good.
~ Danial Goodwin ~
Showing posts with label experience. Show all posts
Showing posts with label experience. Show all posts
2014-03-10
2014-02-20
Experience Publishing to Different App Platforms
Q: How do you gain experience in publishing apps to a certain platform?
A: You create 100 apps and publish them.
Q: How do you lose experience in publishing apps to a certain platform?
A: You create 100 apps and publish them. (Details below)
I don't think anybody actually asks the second question (but I just did!). Anyways, after the first few publishes, programmers/hackers get tired of the same routines. Our jobs are basically to automate things and makes things easier!
So, that's what I did and am doing. I'm starting to automate the entire process of publishing an app. There is this great tool that is a high-level scripting language called AutoHotkey. With it, I can easily open any program programatically, and send any keyboard and mouse commands that I want to the program. Basically, a macro builder for the entire end-user operating system.
About half of the process is automated now. I'm about halfway to my personal goal of 100 apps. My goal would be to make the entire process from app file to publish a one-click process. I know it's possible, and it'll be fun to build.
Once the process is all automated, I can be free to forget the process and start thinking of other abstractions to make.
;)
~ Danial Goodwin ~
A: You create 100 apps and publish them.
Q: How do you lose experience in publishing apps to a certain platform?
A: You create 100 apps and publish them. (Details below)
I don't think anybody actually asks the second question (but I just did!). Anyways, after the first few publishes, programmers/hackers get tired of the same routines. Our jobs are basically to automate things and makes things easier!
So, that's what I did and am doing. I'm starting to automate the entire process of publishing an app. There is this great tool that is a high-level scripting language called AutoHotkey. With it, I can easily open any program programatically, and send any keyboard and mouse commands that I want to the program. Basically, a macro builder for the entire end-user operating system.
About half of the process is automated now. I'm about halfway to my personal goal of 100 apps. My goal would be to make the entire process from app file to publish a one-click process. I know it's possible, and it'll be fun to build.
Once the process is all automated, I can be free to forget the process and start thinking of other abstractions to make.
;)
~ Danial Goodwin ~
2013-12-31
Common Sense is Not Common
Not everybody has the same common sense as everybody else. Many people grow up in different environments with different experiences and knowledge learned.
I though that was common sense, but I guess not.
(This can even be extended to my favorite comic strip: Ten Thousand by XKCD)
~ Danial Goodwin ~
I though that was common sense, but I guess not.
(This can even be extended to my favorite comic strip: Ten Thousand by XKCD)
~ Danial Goodwin ~
2013-12-28
My Migration from Dual-Boot Win7/Win8 to only Windows 8
1. Meticulously back up data
2. Download full Windows 8.1 iso to burn to disk
3. Refresh myself on how to factory restore and install new operating system (OS)
4. Factory restore computer
4. Popped in the Win 8.1 disc and with that I deleted all the partitions before installing 8.1. This was a really great experience! It was very fast. Also, the start-up process for Windows 8.1 from nothing was tremendously faster than what I was expecting. Got Windows 8.1 installed
4.1. During the setup process, I also created two addition 50GB partitions separate from Win8 so that I could experiment with different OSes with ease.
5. During setup I logged in with my MS account, and in the Start screen I noticed that my setup was saved from my old Win8 setup. Even the desktop wallpaper carried over! And the position of the Taskbar vertical on the left side.
6. Bug found. During the entire setup/install process, I had my second monitor plugged in. Now, the OS only recognizes the second monitor. I hope a restart without the second monitor plugged in will fix this. (Update: Yes, restarting fixed this problem)
7. Went through all of the Windows settings and personalized it to my liking.
8. Used Internet Explorer to install Google Chrome (plus Java plugin).
9. Add my important files from before the wipe.
10. Install programs
12. Set keyboard shortcuts
13. Reassign file types. E.g. Make sure TXT and XML files open with Notepad++. Here's a Windows Command Line Prompt Cheat Sheet.
And, now I finally have a brand new clean system that I can work efficiently on. Later I will be customizing each of my programs again, to my liking.
It could have been worse. But, there still has got to be a better way of doing all of this...
There's about 100GB of programs and data I've added to this computer that I need for my different work/projects. And, that doesn't even include any of my music, videos, pictures, or 35 extra gigabytes of data from Db which I will be downloading tonight, or maybe not this time. Also, these programs I've installed in the beginning are just most of the ones that I have used in the past month and will need to use within the next month.
~ Danial Goodwin ~
2. Download full Windows 8.1 iso to burn to disk
3. Refresh myself on how to factory restore and install new operating system (OS)
4. Popped in the Win 8.1 disc and with that I deleted all the partitions before installing 8.1. This was a really great experience! It was very fast. Also, the start-up process for Windows 8.1 from nothing was tremendously faster than what I was expecting. Got Windows 8.1 installed
4.1. During the setup process, I also created two addition 50GB partitions separate from Win8 so that I could experiment with different OSes with ease.
5. During setup I logged in with my MS account, and in the Start screen I noticed that my setup was saved from my old Win8 setup. Even the desktop wallpaper carried over! And the position of the Taskbar vertical on the left side.
6. Bug found. During the entire setup/install process, I had my second monitor plugged in. Now, the OS only recognizes the second monitor. I hope a restart without the second monitor plugged in will fix this. (Update: Yes, restarting fixed this problem)
7. Went through all of the Windows settings and personalized it to my liking.
8. Used Internet Explorer to install Google Chrome (plus Java plugin).
9. Add my important files from before the wipe.
10. Install programs
- Common Tools
- Notepad++ (with ZenCoding plugin and Compare plugin)
- Paint.NET (with Photoshop plugin)
- VLC Media Player
- Microsoft Office
- Adobe (unfortunately) and/vs Foxit
- Specialized Tools
- AutoHotKey (for creating macros)
- FileZilla (for FTP)
- Audacity (for music editing)
- 7-Zip
- Git
- Inkscape (for editing vector files)
- Skitch (for quick screenshots with overlays and fast getting a link to share)
- Putty
- WinSCP
- App Building Programs
- Android + Eclipse + Java SE Development Kit (JDK)
- Visual Studio 2012 + 2013 + Azure
- Construct 2
- Others
- Dropbox
- Programs NOT installed this time
- iTunes (mainly because I haven't used it in awhile and Apple installs way too many separate things along with it)
12. Set keyboard shortcuts
- Ctrl + Alt + c = Calculator
- Ctrl + Alt + p = Paint
- Ctrl + Alt + Shift + P = Paint.NET
- Ctrl + Alt + n = Notepad (Very rarely used)
- Ctrl + Alt + Shift + N = Notepad++
- Ctrl + Alt + Shift + F = FileZilla
13. Reassign file types. E.g. Make sure TXT and XML files open with Notepad++. Here's a Windows Command Line Prompt Cheat Sheet.
And, now I finally have a brand new clean system that I can work efficiently on. Later I will be customizing each of my programs again, to my liking.
It could have been worse. But, there still has got to be a better way of doing all of this...
There's about 100GB of programs and data I've added to this computer that I need for my different work/projects. And, that doesn't even include any of my music, videos, pictures, or 35 extra gigabytes of data from Db which I will be downloading tonight, or maybe not this time. Also, these programs I've installed in the beginning are just most of the ones that I have used in the past month and will need to use within the next month.
- About 7.5 GB of program installers in my Downloads folder
- About 1.0 GB of data on my Desktop
- About 0.3 GB of data in my Documents folder
- About 43 GB of data in my Developer folder
~ Danial Goodwin ~
2013-12-24
Terrible User Experience - There's Only One Major Application I Know That Does This
Perhaps the most terrible example of all user experience (UX) an application/program can give to users, is to shut down the program when the user is in the middle of working. Case study: Windows. I just got auto-updated.
In Windows 7, there is a small window that pops up that says the computer will restart in 15 minutes, in order to install updates. After that message is postponed, it doesn't pop up in the front any more. In my multiple monitor setup, I don't always pay attention to all of them. There is just typically one main monitor I work with. My current work involved having about 20 tabs in a browser open and a few more large RAM-hungry application, so I didn't want to have to re-setup my workspace. So, I was able to postpone the auto-update a few times. But, when I was really into my work on one monitor, the auto-shut-down prompt I assume was ominously counting down on my other monitor, behind everything. In the middle of typing, sudden the document disappears. There goes all the work (if I was working in a program without autosave).
I am a UX designer and have many recommendations to improve this "feature" in Windows 7. I'm glad my biggest recommendation is taken care of in Windows 8: Make the death prompt more visible. Just having that one change would save me from more trouble.
I understand where Microsoft and other companies are coming from. They want to make sure that updates are installed so that users are protected from even worse virus/malware attacks. I'm sure they've done their research to learn that many people unfortunately don't install the updates in a timely manner, if at all. So, in order to protect users from worse troubles, Microsoft has by default decided to be more aggressive in getting the updates installed.
I had to throw in that "by default" in the last sentence because I know there is the option to disable all automatic updates. But, good UX and good customer service wouldn't put the blame on the user/customer. If the user does something "wrong", then it is only because the application allowed the user to do so.
Bonus: Here's a copywriting tip: Never have long chunks of words/paragraphs.
~ Danial Goodwin ~
In Windows 7, there is a small window that pops up that says the computer will restart in 15 minutes, in order to install updates. After that message is postponed, it doesn't pop up in the front any more. In my multiple monitor setup, I don't always pay attention to all of them. There is just typically one main monitor I work with. My current work involved having about 20 tabs in a browser open and a few more large RAM-hungry application, so I didn't want to have to re-setup my workspace. So, I was able to postpone the auto-update a few times. But, when I was really into my work on one monitor, the auto-shut-down prompt I assume was ominously counting down on my other monitor, behind everything. In the middle of typing, sudden the document disappears. There goes all the work (if I was working in a program without autosave).
I am a UX designer and have many recommendations to improve this "feature" in Windows 7. I'm glad my biggest recommendation is taken care of in Windows 8: Make the death prompt more visible. Just having that one change would save me from more trouble.
I understand where Microsoft and other companies are coming from. They want to make sure that updates are installed so that users are protected from even worse virus/malware attacks. I'm sure they've done their research to learn that many people unfortunately don't install the updates in a timely manner, if at all. So, in order to protect users from worse troubles, Microsoft has by default decided to be more aggressive in getting the updates installed.
I had to throw in that "by default" in the last sentence because I know there is the option to disable all automatic updates. But, good UX and good customer service wouldn't put the blame on the user/customer. If the user does something "wrong", then it is only because the application allowed the user to do so.
Bonus: Here's a copywriting tip: Never have long chunks of words/paragraphs.
~ Danial Goodwin ~
2013-07-11
Common Knowledge
I
think there is a lot of "common knowledge" because of the people I
hang out with. College-going people have different experiences than non-college individuals.
I can't say definitively whether or not going to college is most beneficial for individuals, it depends highly on a person's self-motivation and willingness to learn.
One of my favorite XKCD comics just happens to be about common knowledge: http://xkcd.com/1053/ (I've spread around this link so much that I have it memorized.)
~ Simply Advanced ~
I can't say definitively whether or not going to college is most beneficial for individuals, it depends highly on a person's self-motivation and willingness to learn.
One of my favorite XKCD comics just happens to be about common knowledge: http://xkcd.com/1053/ (I've spread around this link so much that I have it memorized.)
~ Simply Advanced ~
2013-06-05
A Few Notes On Entrepreneuring
(The following list of notes on entrepreneuring and businesses are in no particular order. I probably could have titled this "Things to know/remember when building your business".)
Difference between a service company and a product company: The first is easily scalable.
Build something that does one thing really well.
Difference between a huge market and the right market.
Experience+knowledge >> knowledge. (Read: Experience and knowledge is much greater than just knowledge.)
"The trend is your friend" when asking for venture capital. Current trends: mobile, cloud, big data, and social.
--
Describe your service/product better. Better doesn't mean specific, it means making an impression. Ex: My service is the oracle of big data. The words you should use evolve with time and with usage by others. The best copy now should use just one of the following: comprehensive, genuine, convenient, accessible, prestigious, premier, pioneers, quality, we obsolete .
Other terms should be purposely excluded because they are either overused, not true, or sound templated: innovative, groundbreaking, fresh, leader, unique. It is tough to know which words to stay away from; you don't want to make people doubtful and put their defenses up. One tip is to keep up-to-date with everything investors, businesses, and consumers see.
I have much more to say about this, but it could take up at least two more long blog posts. Here's a small list of currently neutral descriptive words for your business: functional, effectively, revitalizes, the original. "My business is a multinational corporation" could mean that I run a website.)
--
Descriptions should appeal to each of the senses. (Copy is very important)
There are always tradeoffs. Know them.
"People who get MBAs learn how to draw timelines."
The ability to communicate effectively is your strongest asset.
When building for businesses, the ultimate goal is to either raise revenue or reduce costs.
"Engineers are not hired to create programs, they are hired to create business value."
Any more quick thoughts? What are your first thoughts? Then what are your second thoughts?
~ Simply Advanced ~
Difference between a service company and a product company: The first is easily scalable.
Build something that does one thing really well.
Difference between a huge market and the right market.
Experience+knowledge >> knowledge. (Read: Experience and knowledge is much greater than just knowledge.)
"The trend is your friend" when asking for venture capital. Current trends: mobile, cloud, big data, and social.
--
Describe your service/product better. Better doesn't mean specific, it means making an impression. Ex: My service is the oracle of big data. The words you should use evolve with time and with usage by others. The best copy now should use just one of the following: comprehensive, genuine, convenient
Other terms should be purposely excluded because they are either overused, not true, or sound templated: innovative, groundbreaking, fresh, leader, unique. It is tough to know which words to stay away from; you don't want to make people doubtful and put their defenses up. One tip is to keep up-to-date with everything investors, businesses, and consumers see.
I have much more to say about this, but it could take up at least two more long blog posts. Here's a small list of currently neutral descriptive words for your business: functional, effectively, revitalizes, the original. "My business is a multinational corporation" could mean that I run a website.)
--
Descriptions should appeal to each of the senses. (Copy is very important)
There are always tradeoffs. Know them.
"People who get MBAs learn how to draw timelines."
The ability to communicate effectively is your strongest asset.
When building for businesses, the ultimate goal is to either raise revenue or reduce costs.
"Engineers are not hired to create programs, they are hired to create business value."
Any more quick thoughts? What are your first thoughts? Then what are your second thoughts?
~ Simply Advanced ~
2013-01-25
LegalZoom: Simply Advanced, LLC
Finally, just submitted all the documents and payments to LegalZoom so that Simply Advanced, LLC could be official. I heard a few good things about them and this is the real test for me. LegalZoom says that the filing process could take anywhere from 20-35 days. I will share with the world how the experience goes.
The application process on LegalZoom is relatively straightforward. On the first page, they say it will take about 15 minutes to complete. I'm sure I spent at least 30 minutes reading every question and help available. Be sure to read about the details of LegalZoom LLC creation before beginning the process. There are a few fees that they don't tell you about during the application process.
One interesting experience while filling out all of the forms was getting a phone call by one of the LegalZoom representatives. I didn't have any questions at the time, but I'm sure it can be really useful. And now I have the email and phone number of a specific representative, rather than an overarching number with menus and submenus.
I've read a lot about starting and running businesses already, but there is still a lot of business materials that I have to read before considering myself capable of running this business. It's time to learn fast by throwing myself into it.
~ Simply Advanced ~
The application process on LegalZoom is relatively straightforward. On the first page, they say it will take about 15 minutes to complete. I'm sure I spent at least 30 minutes reading every question and help available. Be sure to read about the details of LegalZoom LLC creation before beginning the process. There are a few fees that they don't tell you about during the application process.
One interesting experience while filling out all of the forms was getting a phone call by one of the LegalZoom representatives. I didn't have any questions at the time, but I'm sure it can be really useful. And now I have the email and phone number of a specific representative, rather than an overarching number with menus and submenus.
I've read a lot about starting and running businesses already, but there is still a lot of business materials that I have to read before considering myself capable of running this business. It's time to learn fast by throwing myself into it.
~ Simply Advanced ~
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