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The Bootstrapper's Bible
November 22, 2006 in 5 out of 5 stars, A book, FreeThe Bootstrapper's Bible: An ebook full of wisdom, ideas and inspiration for startups/bootstrappers/entrepreneurs.
I originally bought this book back in June of 2003 (it's free now). I was a struggling entrepreneur of just a few years and in my quest to read everything Seth had written, I purchased this ebook from Amazon. I devoured every word like a starving hyena on the fresh carcass of a Wildebeest. Seth Godin Bootstrapper's Bible might be an immodest title, but it's right on. This book is well written, well thought-out, and perfectly targeted at those of you who would read this blog. It includes sound principles for startups, pitfalls, case studies (including one of id software who was last decade's 37signals), and practical steps for getting it right. If you want to get re-energized, re-motivated and re-educated about your venture, this book is a must-read. Free! Reviewed by Carson McComasWhat is it?
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Happy Links
November 13, 2006 in Happy LinksWeb App Edition:
- Why Your Web App Sucks
Paul "Scrivs" Scrivens of 9rules offers some solid advice with biting observations. Great stuff. - 10 Things That Will Make Or Break Your Website
A recap of of the "Future of Web Apps Conference 2006" held in September. Some of the brightest minds shared their ideas. This summarizes the juicy bits. - 10 Tips for Moving From Programmer to Entrepreneur
One programmers experience. Outlines the attitude and workday changes required. - How to Be a Great Host
John Gladding drops by ALA to offer this comprehensive (and killer) advice for anyone considering launching a forum on their website.
Happy Quote
November 9, 2006 in Happy Quotes"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."
- Theodore Roosevelt
"Citizenship in a Republic"
Speech at the Sorbonne, Paris, April 23, 1910
Happy Links
November 7, 2006 in Happy LinksStartup Edition:
- The 18 Mistakes that Kill Startups
His honor, Paul Graham gives us the download. Superb stuff, as usual. As founder of Y Combinator - an early stage venture firm helping startups - Paul has cred. In fact, last week one of his projects, Reddit, was acquired by Wired Digital. - Of course, part of being an entrepreneur is ignoring the advice of anyone who might dampen our enthusiasm, and checking in this time with his own excellent rebuttal to Paul's list, is Mike Taber with Startups for the rest of us where he responds to Paul's advice, pulls off its legs and burns it with a magnifying glass. He really does have some interesting insight into how Paul's Y Combinator funding works. Mike delivers the final push-pin through the exoskeleton with his thoughtful The Single Founder Myth.
- 10 Tips for Moving From Programmer to Entrepreneur
"Code is 5% of your business...the best code in the world is meaningless if nobody knows about your product." - 50+ Ways a Manager can get Employees to Quit
So often as entrepreneurs we're so wrapped up in getting started, we miss the basics. Having been on both sides of this equation, here's a list that chilled me to the bone.
Note, this blog is good for all manner of tasty goodness. e.g. 40+ Ways to Make Money on the Internet, Why Top Employees Quit, 50 Tools that can Increase your Writing Skills.