twelvedigits

I don't know who your advisers were, but there's an alarming trend in tech/startups right now where anyone associated with a startup becomes classified as a mentor. Some of the accelerator programs sprouting up have some very speculative names as "mentors" -- people who just seem to have a few years of experience, perhaps mid-level experience, who haven't built their own company, haven't led their own go-to-market strategy, and whose advice on product is no better than you'd get on any forum.

I agree. How can I make selling easier? I can think of many ways to make listings, payment, categorizing easier.

But how to make shipping easier?

Does anyone have any thoughts on how to make shipping more efficient for the seller? I feel like we can encourage more listings by making shipping dead simple.

Great point.

Accidentally omitted a link that I wanted to share. Here's the best example so far of the API in action: Pickemfirst scans what you're reading on your browser and calls back to your league to indicate whether the player you're reading about is available for pickup.

http://app.pickemfirst.com/

Hmm - there were some threads about new year's resolutions here, and I thought this submission might "gratify one's intellectual curiosity."

My apologies if it's out of place.

Hi guys -

This is a photo essay that I completed on January 2-3, 2010.

I asked pedestrians to pause for a minute (in the single-degree temperature) and write their resolution on a large piece of paper, and hold it up for the world.

The result is a series of photos that showcase our resolve for 2010. The resolutions are honest, evocative, sometimes irreverent, but always heartfelt.

I'd love if you could also bump it on Reddit. Aspiring photographer needs your love. http://bit.ly/6WedAh

Happy 2010, Dan

Nobody has to, it just dominates the discussion on this forum.

Interesting points. My issue is with your contention that as a service company, you don't decide what goes into the software. This is where a web production/service agency can learn from the creative industry.

Such a service agency should position itself as an industry expert, one that clients turn to for solutions, not products. That is, if a client -- let's say, a chain of local gyms -- comes to you and needs a website built, it shouldn't be turnkey and you should expect to contribute your thinking to the end product, not just the code that creates that.

Not code monkeys. Inform and shape the final product, because you know more than your client. They need you for a reason. They don't know the best answer, you do. That's why they hired you.

An argument that I'd expect to hear is, "my startup work is more personally fulfilling."

Do you find this to be true? If yes, do you think this is because of the clients that you work with?

I joined the group and would be interested in attending.

Of course it isn't. But it's a lot more efficient. I have a hard time buying the concept of paying a designer $500 on a project basis, when I could pay $500 to the best of 30+ submissions I receive.

Thanks for the replies.

We're definitely looking for a programmer.

If anyone wants to grab a beer in the city, give me a shout.

Sure. More than anything, we're looking for a developer. We can pull graphic design from elsewhere, plus we're a few steps along that process, given we more want to modify our design now. But my hope is that someone is looking for a project and wants to spearhead developmental changes on the site, and join on with some very motivated thinkers.

Hi, great question. One of our members has just recently told us he has a commitment conflict and we're seeking a replacement. Out of respect to him and the work he has contributed, I'd rather share the idea privately.