WorkHappy.net: killer resources for entrepreneurs

Happy Links

December 29, 2005 in Happy Links

• Case studies for a bunch of folks making a fortune on Adsense.
• The needle, the vise... and the baby rattle
  Seth opines on the three types of marketing. Two that work (needle and vice) and one that doesn't (baby rattle). Some great advice in here.
• Full-time freelancing: 10 things learned in 180 days
  Cameron Moll has been flying solo for 6 months now and pauses to share some thoughts on what he's learned.
• Why Small Web Design Firms Should Think Big
  "Either you're serious about growing your business, or you're not. Either you choose to approach marketing with 100% commitment and intensity, or you choose to approach it with a half-baked effort. It doesn't matter to me, or to anyone else, which approach you choose. I hope it matters to you. Life is short. Why do things by halves? Why not create a business that you enjoy and that also helps you achieve your most ambitious financial goals?"
• Google: Ten Golden Rules
  Eric Schmidt (CEO) shares how his company puts together, and retains their rock star team.
• Creativity on speed
  The brilliant thought-leader Kathy Sierra with some ideas on juicing your creativity.
• Small Biz 101 on SvN: Ryan Carson (of DropSend) guest blogs on 37signal's Signal vs. Noise blog.
  Here are his first three.
  How to Get Started
  Cash Flow
  No one starts with a masterpiece (my fav!)
• My Wife Won’t Let Me Start My Own Business
  "Your wife won’t let you start your own business?  What’re you… six years old?  Have you softened your will so much that you now live only by the voice of the collective:  “You will not start your own business.  Individuality is irrelevant.  Resistance is futile.”"
• Google Teaches Bloggers How To Rank
  An interview by Nick Wilson with senior Google engineer and webmaster relations chappy Matt Cutts on some issues specific to bloggers.
• A Guide to Starting Your Business
  This brilliant chaps at Particle Tree offer this handy guide to some of the nuts-and-bolts. "We’ve written this article to help you with the small business paperwork, the basics of accounting, and an overview of some legal considerations"
• 18 Lessons I’ve Learnt about Blogging
  Problogger Darren Rowse with 18 tips for you aspiring pro bloggers.
• Adsense: Beginner’s First Option, Professional’s Last
  Scrivs of 9rules (workhappy.net is a proud member) with an excellent analysis of why most of us start with AdSense, but should move on once we gain a readership.
• The Ten Commandments of Goal Setting
  Just in time for the new year.

IVR Cheat Sheet

December 23, 2005 in 3 out of 5 stars, A website

What is it?

IVR Cheat Sheet: Simple to follow instructions that will get you to a human operator at major companies (on their 1 800 numbers).

Who makes it?

Paul English

Why is it the killerest?

Because it tells you exactly what you need to do to get to a human being. No more getting your tail kicked by a robot, and no more wasting your life away trying to find the correct menu item. (Especially when you know you need to talk to a human.) Entrepreneurs don't have time to waste pressing buttons.

See also the hard to find 1800 numbers

What could be improved?

Nothing. More listings would be great - but this is killer as is. I think most people would happily PAY for this resource. But it's totally free.

How much does it cost?

100% Free

Rating?

Reviewed by Michael K. Campbell

(via the excellent Lifehacker.com)
 

Happy Quote

December 17, 2005 in Happy Quotes

“Blocked? Plunge forth with ghastly ideas, dreadful songs, appalling paintings or unspeakable prose. Give yourself permission to suck. I’d be surprised if the great didn’t find its way out of that pitiful pile of poor.”

- Bruce DeBoer

DropSend

December 15, 2005 in 4 out of 5 stars, A service, File uploading services, Free

What is it?

DropSend: This online application allows you to send files via email or store them online for later retrieval.

Who makes it?

Carson Systems

Why is it the killerest?

The interface is really easy to use and it really seems to simplify the process of getting a large file to a recipient.  I've found it great for giving design comps to clients without the headache of dealing with server issues.

What could be improved?

It could be expanded a bit more to allow for versioning, giving the user the ability to say that this file is version 1 and this file is version 2 and so on.

How much does it cost?

Free up to 250 MB online storage and 5 email sends

Rating?

Reviewed by Daniel Schutzsmith

[See also DropLoad and YouSendIt - Ed.]
 

FAMFAMFAM Icons

December 13, 2005 in 4 out of 5 stars, Design, Free

What is it?

FAMFAMFAM.com Icons: Icon images for use in personal or commercial projects. (Every online-oriented entrepreneur needs a good set of icons!) FAMFAMFAM.com Icons contains 3 icon sets:

Flags: 239 countries
Mini: ~140 small icons
Silk: 700+ general purpose icons

Who makes it?

Mark James

Why is it the killerest?

The icons are professionally made, yet free even for commercial use. The Silk set is quite complete (with 700+ icons) to cover the needs of a demo or even a commercial application.

Mark James, the designer, continues to create new icons and new sets (Bitsy is a new set to be released soon).

Everything is released under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 License

What could be improved?

Not much really. On the other hand there are commercial icon sets that are both better made and more complete.

How much does it cost?

Free

Rating?

Reviewed by Dimitris Giannitsaros

KeePass Password Safe

December 9, 2005 in 4 out of 5 stars, A piece of software, Free

What is it?

KeePass Password Safe is a free, open-source Windows application that stores your passwords in a strongly encrypted database (only a single file). Translations are available for at least 30 languages, and you can import your passwords from many other password management applications. Screenshots are available here.

Who makes it?

Dominik Reichl

Why is it the killerest?

It has a very intuitive user interface, as well as many advanced features, including a very good random password generator, a password quality tester, and the ability to write plug-ins to extend the application's features. You can include attachments with your password record, and it will even remind you when your password should be changed. It supports two-factor authentication (password plus a token that is stored on a disk, pen-drive, or other medium). For the crypto-people in the audience, it uses SHA-256 hashes and AES encryption. It is completely free and open-source, and is being updated regularly. I've been using this product since around 2003, and I  haven't had a single problem with it. I store my passwords on a pen-drive so that I can always have access to them, yet not be worried in case I lose it.

What could be improved?

KeePass was designed only for Windows.

How much does it cost?

FREE

Rating?

Reviewed by Michael Scovetta

[See also Password Corral  -Ed.]

Beginner's Guide to SEO

December 8, 2005 in 4 out of 5 stars, A website, SEO/SEM

What is it?

Beginner's Guide to SEO: SEO stands for "Search Engine Optimization." This is a very comprehensive guide to understanding the process and strategies of optimizing a web site for search engines.

Who makes it?

Rand Fishkin of SEOmoz

Why is it the killerest?

It's very thorough and an excellent resource for learning about SEO - it includes up-to-date information, tips, tricks, and resources. This guide isn't your standard smoke-and-promises SEO claptrap, this is good info. It comes in 3 formats; downloadable MS Word, multi-page online and single page versions.

How much does it cost?

Free

Rating?

Happy Quote

December 2, 2005 in Happy Quotes

"If we have learned one thing from the history of invention and discovery, it is that, in the long run - and often in the short one - the most daring prophecies seem laughably conservative."

- Arthur C. Clarke

TrueNYC

December 2, 2005 in 2 out of 5 stars, A website

What is it?

TrueNYC : A Website and TV show (Manhattan only) that showcases entrepreneurs and solicits advice, guidance, and inspiration for others who want to start businesses but are not sure how to do it.

Who makes it?

David Schnurman

Why is it the killerest?

I'm not in NY so for me the value is watching the concise interviews with entrepreneurs online and reading through some of the articles David has posted. There are some good ideas and inspiration. Some interviews are better than others but you're bound to find something of interest to you amongst the 17 videos interviews he has.

What could be improved?

The site is full of passion, but skinny yet on content and design. David is a third year law student and at the moment can only do this part-time. (He's hoping in time that the website will grow into a portal for all types of NYC entrepreneurs to exchange advice, ideas and experience.)

How much does it cost?

Free

Rating?