PindaxDotCom

If you're absolutely new to web programming then the first thing you must learn is HTML. Some may think thats a given, but I think it's important to point out. If you can't get your head around HTML, you're not going to be building websites.

I would only add: The US system is not perfect ... we are not nearly capitalist enough!

You'd need only look as far as FEMA to see an example of what a government agency can provide. Do you really want a similar agency running your healthcare? I'd sooner sign up for Google-Health, if there were such a thing.

Um, you can't even compete with Boeing this way.

When will other countries understand that: the best role of government is to ensure the rights of businesses and people. If you get that right, the rest will follow. They shouldn't be using tax dollars as venture seed money. They'd be better off refunding it to the taxpayers!

1. Increased bandwidth ... enough bandwidth to make it no longer a factor

2. Increased wi-fi coverage ... a free planet-wide wi-fi service?

3. Better mobile hardware ... a mobile device that is smaller than a laptop, larger than an iphone, and more useful than either.

If you really want to accomplish as much as possible in your life, you could start by throwing out your prejudices. Computer languages aren't religions, they're tools, get over it.

"As it happens, we already have a platform on which anyone can communicate and collaborate with anyone else ... It's called the internet..."

Hooray, I'm glad people are waking up to the lunacy of Facebook apps and other walled gardens like it. The king has no clothes!

I will admit I tried making a FB app myself, but gave up in frustration when I realized how limited my app would be.

Firstly, very nice. Your color scheme reminds me of slashdot. I like the fact that the site is fairly usable without login. The only thing I can recommend is getting a widget out.

Not bad, I like the concept. The crossword grid doesnt quite look right in IE6.

This is the sort of concept that you infinitely play around with. Some ideas for your to-do list:

1. Widgetize it

2. I know its collaborative, but throw in a few features that cater to the solo user

3. Add in some kind of top-score list or top-user list and put on home page

4. Screen shot of game on home page

5. Allow users to pick games based on predefined categories and difficulty levels

6. Allow users to race against a clock to complete the puzzle if they want.

I don't mean to be harsh but the design of the site is sorely lacking. It looks like your design was trying for zen-like simplicity but instead just looks amateurish. There is much wrong with the design, and instead of posting a short novel on the subject I would recommend googling "basic design principles" or going into your local Barnes & Noble and finding the same.

Beyond that, I would also criticize your choice of domain name. It is good that you are using real words in your domain name, but the words "ourdoing" has nothing to do with photos, time or email, which I take it is the essence what you are offering. A domain like "bestphotoemail.com" would serve you better even if its not your brand name.

I do like your logo, conceptually at least. It needs work and should be more prominent.

The idea that only twenty somethings have what it takes to be entrepreneurial is downright ridiculous. Yet it is an idea that keeps on popping up (recent nytimes article for example). The reason may simply be that there are more people in that age group starting companies. A larger starting pool results in a larger pool of success. But as is the case with any statistic it seems, people mistake it for truth. So in conclusion, no, 30+ is not too old to start a company. But if you want to use it as an excuse to sit on the sidelines, by all means, do so.

First, choose the right programming language for the job. Languages are tools not religions as some would have you believe. Then, buy the best book on the language. Do your research, every language has the one "must read" text. Finally, with book in one hand, computer in front of you, and optionally a pot of coffee brewed, get hacking. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Umm, you realize MySQL is free right? The real question is really why would you even consider a non-database solution? Is ALL your data static and non-relational? If not, you are really limiting your application by not using a database.

When I get lonely, all I need to think about is some of the more annoying folks I've had to work with over the years. God bless em. A few minutes remembering their antics, and I appreciate my solitude anew.

I'm not convinced users want to download and use internet apps. This seems contrary to the whole ajax/flash trend of building robust apps in the browser. The browser is the platform.

I've this story floating around for a couple of weeks now about how the world is going to run out of storage space. Am I the only one who finds this supposed crisis to be a little hard to believe? When I run out of room on one of my drives, I figure out what to delete. Usually old and unneccessary data gets the boot. Is it so hard to believe that the world at large won't simply do the same? Albeit on a grander scale. Even better, we may become more efficient in what we decide to store in the first place, imagine that.

Raises your chances of success? Don't leave your success to chance. Hardwork and perserverance. Sure, a lil luck wouldn't hurt, but don't count on it.

As for this site, its fun to read. Keep a critical mind though, because there simply is no magic formula, no hard and fast rules. As Morpheus might say "The rules can be bent, sometimes broken".

Yeah I agree. I visit the site a few times a day. Its hard to read, and hard to tell if I missed a good post too! Perhaps organizing posts by date might help.

Thanks for a link to a subscriber only article!

But seriously, being lonely as an entrepreneur should be the least of your concerns. If you're looking for reasons to not quit your day job there are plenty out there. Real entrepreneurs know the risk of failure, look it in the eye, and proceed anyway!

You could start by giving us the url lol!

My #1 guideline is never pay for publicity. Look for free publicity always!

I also disagree with several of the minor premises in this article. Such as his statement that "So what advantage does a 60-year-old .NET programmer have over a 27-year-old .NET programmer when they both have, at most, 5 years of experience doing .NET programming? Absolutely none." ... That 60-year-old programmer has more experience and wisdom and that is a huge advantage over a newb!

Overall the author is making a good point. Technology workers have (or are beginning) to wake up to the fact that their skills are commoditizable. Anyone (anywhere) can be trained up to do their job. This is why most tech people get caught in the trap of the never ending skill upgrade cycle ... "If I could just learn and get a certificate in X I can earn the big bucks...". When what they really need to start thinking is how to apply the knowledge that they have into real solutions that they can then monetize.

Always buy what you need to get the job done. If you're doing a web startup then you need the hardware and software. Get it, spend the money, and consider it an investment in your company. When it comes to having the right tools don't be cheap!

If you have a large skill set and can wear all the "hats" that need wearing then you can forgo a cofounder. If you can't wear all the hats then you want to partner with someone who can fill the hats you can't wear! (Did I take the hat analogy too far? ... lol)

This touches on an interesting problem. Those of us with limited social networks (aka not in grad school) who would like to collaborate with others simply don't have a way to meet other entrepreneurs. Err, sounds like a startup idea in the making ...