Need Help Creating Great-Looking Apps? Tapptics to the Rescue
For any of you who attended our session on “How to Create & Market Award-Winning Apps,” you’re already aware that having a great-looking app is not a luxury any more. It’s a necessity. And if you ever hope to get featured by Apple, it’s a must have. A poor looking UI or not-so-great icon can kill your chances of ever getting to the top of the App Store.
HTML 5 vs. Adobe Flash — Which Should you Choose?
According to Wikipedia, Flash has been in existence since 1996 and, because of this, has a strong base of developers and users. According to Adobe statistics, Flash has reached 99% penetration on Web browsers, while HTML 5 has a 40% penetration.
The latest version of the Adobe Flash Player runs on Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Android 2.2+, RIM QNX and Google TV. Earlier versions run on PlayStation 3 (Flash 9), and PSP (Flash 6). Adobe Flash Lite runs on Wii, Symbian, Maemo Linux, Windows Mobile, and Chumby. In contrast, some video sites, including YouTube, Vimeo and blip.tv, have implemented a degree of experimental support for HTML5 video. Steve Jobs noted that Flash is not an open standard – it is controlled by Adobe Systems, whereas HTML5 is largely controlled by a committee (WHATWG) made up of three companies: Opera Software, the Mozilla Foundation, and Apple.
What’s the best way to test a new website on a budget?
Naomi Kokubo
Question: My startup is launching a new website. It’s in “alpha” right now. I need to test it out before it goes to public “beta”. What’s the best way to test a new website on a budget? I can’t afford costly focus groups or expensive usability studies.
Answer by Naomi Kokubo, Editor of Founders Space
Planning on Developing an App? Start with App Cooker
App Cooker
Just heard about App Cooker from a friend, and it’s a pretty nifty tool. Whether you’re an indie developer, an established company or an amateur, App Cooker helps you shape your iOS application ideas.
It’s pretty easy to use. Just start with an idea, a sketch or an icon, then utilize the App Board to organize and inspire your work as you go. It’s easy for anyone to use yet achieves professional standard results. App Cooker is a good solution for planning and perfecting your projects until they are ready for production.
Making a Game out of Learning to Program!
That’s right. Coding is no longer some boring, arduous task. It’s now become a game thanks to Treehouse. They’ve developed a Facebook app called Code Racer that let’s players compete at coding.
Code Racer is a multi-player live coding game that teaches newbies how to code a basic website using HTML and CSS, and tests intermediate and advanced users on their coding speed and agility. Players race against each other and the clock to complete coding challenges, unlocking weapons and rewards along the way.
Have you run out of money? Can’t afford to hire an engineer at Silicon Valley prices?
Codecademy
Well, I have the answer… learn to code yourself. That’s right. Codecademy is a hot new startup that teaches you how to code. It’s an easy way to learn how to program javascript. It’s interactive, fun, and you can do it with your friends. I recommend it to any frustrated founders who need to get something done but don’t have the cash or the patience to employee an engineer at Silicon Valley prices!
Does your App or Site need Beta Testers?
I think every founder will want to try this one out. BetaBait is a great idea. It’s a way to get early adopters to beta test your web, mobile and social applications. The service is 100% free and only takes a few minutes to submit your beta bait. I think I’ll try it out right now!
How it works:
Every day startups run into a major problem before they can publicly launch. They need beta users and testers. These people play an important role in helping the startup work out bugs, create new features and even turn into the first customers. However, in the past, founders and marketers have not had an organized and convenient way to find these testers without spamming email databases, social networks and personal contacts.
iPhone vs. Android? Which should you get?
Let me start by saying Android has come a long way in the past year. It has actually caught up to iOS. So which one should you get if you’re looking for your next phone?
Android Pros:
* Great operating system
* More flexible than iOS
* More customizable than iOS
* Many more phone choices
* Phones support LTE, while iPhone is still stuck in 3G land
* No shortage of apps
* More carriers support Android
* Most Android phones have bigger screens
Do you know of any good services for getting quick technical answers?
Naomi Kokubo
By Naomi Kokubo, Editor of Founders Space
Excellent question for Founders Space!
I love Stackoverflow. It’s a great forum for getting answers to technical questions.
Also, check out Codewi.se — they’re a new service I came across that does exactly this. They’re also a startup and a Member of Founders Space. I’d definitely check them out. It’s always nice to help fellow Members.
If you really get stuck and need to hire a freelancer to help you out, a good resource is eLance.
The Inexorable Rise of Efficiency
Nicholas de Wolff
by Nicholas de Wolff, founder of deW Process
Over the past 10 years or so, we have been subject to an escalating swath of socially suffocating technological wizardry. It seemed as if we had to “adopt” a new piece of hardware or software every day, and it has been boggling our minds on an ever-overwhelming basis. Many have opted to “opt-out”, and are happily ignorant of many or all the fantastic advances available to them: the mobile weather apps, Smartphones, advanced networks, streaming media, 3D TVs, ebooks, tablets, subcutaneous bar codes (ok, I made that last one up…maybe).
What’s the most cost-effective way for a startup to outfit employees with computers and software?
Naomi Kokubo
by Naomi Kokubo, Editor of Founders Space
Every founder wants to save money at the beginning, and great way to do this is to rejuvenate old PCs. You can get your staff up and running at virtually no cost by taking an old PC and breathing life back into it.
I did this by using Ubuntu, the open source Linux OS. It’s fantastic! It’s free. And it gets more mileage out of an aging computer than anything else I’ve tried. I had a laptop that could barely run Windows XP, let alone Vista or Windows 7, but when I switched to Ubuntu, it was like brand new. It flew! So don’t trash your old hardware, just reformat it.
Productizing your Website
Igor Royzis
by Igor Royzis of PE-Nexus
So you’ve built your website, launched it and are now adding new features and slowly enhancing the site. Suddenly, you get contacted by one of your users. He says that he loves the site. He has a business idea for a different site in a different industry and he feels that your site has more than 80% of the functionality required by his “idea”. He wants you to customize your site for his needs for a nice chunk of change.
Sounds good, right?
Level-up! your business with Gamification
Mitch Posada
by Mitch Posada
Lured by the possibilities of a stickier site, soon you will you be asked what can Gamification do for your business? But what does that mean and how should you think about it? Here’s my first pass at answering this question.
ga∙mi∙fi∙ca∙tion [gay-muh-fi-kay-shuhn] — Integrating game dynamics into your site, service, community, content or campaign, in order to drive participation. (source: Bunchball)
Think social media headlines not long ago and still today, just type into your search ‘is social media good for your business?”
Can you recommend screen capture software for creating videos for marketing presentations & investor pitches?
Naomi Kokubo
by Naomi Kokubo, Editor of Founders Space
Using screen capturing software is a great way to show off your product or service. You know what they say when you’re trying to sell something… “A video is worth ten thousand words!”
Videos are actually becoming the preferred way to market any Web 2.0 site or service online, and there’s nothing easier to use than a good online screen capture program.
Here are a few worth trying…
Each of these have their strengths. Try them out and let me know which you like best?
How do I prevent my Flash & Flex software from being decompiled?
Naomi Kokubo
by Naomi Kokubo Editor of Founders Space
FOUNDER’S QUESTION:
I’m a game developer, and I’ve put a lot of time and money into producing an original game, which I’d hate to have someone clone or ripoff. How do I protect my Flash & Flex software from being decompiled?
NAOMI’S ANSWER:
You are right to be worried. Most Flash & Flex files can be decompiled, revealing the source code to anyone who makes the effort to do so. Unfortunately, it doesn’t require a great deal of effort to download one of the many decompilers available online and rip off someone else’s hard work.
Corona SDK Rises in Popularity
Corona on an iPhone
In the early days, before the ubiquity of stern-faced, wingless cardinals, Carlos Icaza needed to search, well, he nearly had to troll, the Internet for games built on his company’s mobile-app publishing software. Icaza, co-founder of Ansca Mobile, wanted to feature them on the company’s website. When Ansca’s program, Corona, caught on, Icaza then had 10 messages from developers each day, all using Corona, all wanting Icaza to showcase them.
How to Work with Your Web Designer to Get A Profitable Online Presence
Cathy Goodwin
by Cathy Goodwin of CopywritingWithCathy.com
Many business owners find themselves putting “website makeover” (or even “website development”) on the back burner because they just don’t have time – even though they know they are leaving money on the table. Others are too busy working with their current clients to develop their own compelling online presence.
The truth is, you don’t have to wait till you get some time freed up, which might not happen for another decade. And you don’t have to settle for a half-baked website that looks pretty but doesn’t bring you clients, sales and traffic. You can get a new website up fast, when you apply just 3 strategies for working with your website designer.
How can CRM help your business?
For more videos, visit the Zoho’s Channel.
Also, check out David Spark’s blog: Spark Minute.
Do I need to have an engineer as a cofounder to launch a Web 2.0 startup?
Naomi Kokubo
by Naomi Kokubo, editor of Founders Space
No. But it’s a lot harder to succeed without one. If your website relies on key technology, it’s really difficult to get off the ground unless one of the founders understands the technology inside and out. If you’re relying on a contractor, employee or friend to help you out, it may wind up halfway done. The reason is that the effort required to build and launch a successful Web 2.0 startup is so great that no one but a dedicated founder typically lives up to the challenge.
To the Cloud!
Igor Royzis
by Igor Royzis of PE-Nexus
I remember just 3 years ago Web 2.0 was a hot buzzword among Internet startups. PE-Nexus had Web 2.0 mentioned on a number of informational pages and marketing material until about 6 months ago, when it became apparent that Web 2.0 is no longer a differentiating factor for Internet companies, but more of a norm.
So what’s next? Cloud computing. Companies started jumping on a cloud bandwagon a couple of years ago, even though cloud is just a new term for distributed computing infrastructure packaged and marketed differently. What made cloud a very attractive option for startups is (1) easy entry, (2) pay-as-you-go pricing structure.
Stock Footage Library: What’s In It For Me?
Fanny Tham
by Fanny Tham of CreativePeople@Work
Stock footages are increasingly popular because of their availability for immediate download and cost-savings advantages. This raising trend of using stock footages has created an impact for both buyers and sellers. No matter who you are, this is what you want to know.
BUYERS:
1) Uses of the Footages
Common uses for stock footage (stills) are in magazines, book publishing, business reports, advertising, web design and graphics design. Stock video footages are commonly used in documentaries, television programmes, news items, sports reviews, independent films and commercials. Entire story lines can be created by means of stock footage. Commercials have been created purely out of stock footages.
What infrastructure should I use for my startup?
Chris Maresca
In the past year, I’ve worked with a lot of startups and the one recurring thing I notice is the amount of time people spend worrying about basic infrastructure. So, here’s my roundup of the stuff I’ve used, recommended and would use again for my next project:
Mail, Calendaring, Doc Sharing
Hands down, Google Apps for Domains wins. Yes, it’s the evil empire, but your other choices are unfortunately crappy or lots of work. I use it in conjunction with Thunderbird and Lighting(right mouse click, Convert to: Event – that rules!), so I rarely ever login other than to work on docs or upload stuff. Also, easy to sync to mobile devices – which is key.
Themes of the Future
Chris Maresca
As part of some brainstorming I was doing with a friend raising a new fund, the concept of future trend themes came up. It’s not new, Brad Feld has a whole blog post about this. However, it got me thinking about the way I look at the future and what themes I see.
So, without further ado, here are my themes:
1. Open is the New Black
Can you give me technical advice on building my prototype?
QUESTION:
I have a technology question. While I have been in software for 10+ years, my programming skills have left me. I am looking to build a working prototype of a web site idea I have. A core component is to pass registration data collected on my site, to multiple existing sites (essentially a SSO process for registration as well as login). The second part would be to populate my site with catalogue data from the multiple sites I registered the user for. Could someone recommend any automation, canned scripts, widgets etc. to expedite this prototype process? I cannot afford to pay a developer at this stage. Thanks for the help.
Conversations with Today’s Movers and Shakers (part 3)
Alan Toman
by Alan Toman, author of The WOOF Factor
It should be no surprise that Social—Social Networks, Social Marketing and Social Media—is on everyone’s mind. But is Social a fad or a revolution?
According to two well-connected web 2.0 pros:
“Social media confuses the crap out of me. There’s so much noise.”
“Social networks have limited value if they are not doing something that has real social relevance.”
If you really want to know where Social is today and don’t read any further, just spend 4-1/2 minutes to check out:
How do I protect myself and my company against hackers?
David Teten
by David Teten, Partner at ff Venture Capital
Twitter’s security meltdown has done a fantastic job of publicizing how vulnerable a modern, cloud-based company can be to adetermined hacker.
I have been surprised that in the numerous articles about how to protect yourself against hacking, I have seen very little mention of the powerful technique that we discussed in The Virtual Handshake. Here’s a slightly updated version of what we wrote in the book:
How do I whitelist my site?
David Teten
by David Teten, Partner at ff Venture Capital
Over the last year, I periodically would hear from clients and friends at some of the large investment banks that they could not view my website. Given the amount of “adult” content on this site is zero, I was surprised and annoyed by this. The site is not a very good marketing tool if potential clients can’t see it.
After further investigation, I found out that some corporate firewalls were blocking the site, presumably because they had misclassified my site that employees were using to search for new jobs.
What’s the best platform to use for a rich media website?
QUESTION:
My startup is making a rich media website. What’s the best platform to use, Javascript, HTML 5 or Flash/Flex? Flash can’t work on the iPhone, right? Is it still the best choice? My site includes video, music and gaming elements. – Diana
ANSWER:
Naomi Kokubo
by Naomi Kokubo
I highly recommend Flash if your project includes online games. Yes, Flash doesn’t work on the iPhone and iPad, but you’ll probably want to do a native iPhone app anyhow. On the Web, Flash still rules, and when combined with Flex, it’s quite powerful.
What’s the best analytics service for apps?
QUESTION:
What’s the best analytics service (funnels, cohort analysis, et cetera) for apps?
ANSWER:
Naomi Kokubo
by Naomi Kokubo, Cofounder of Founders Space
Great question. There are a growing number of analytics services for mobile apps. I’ll start by listing the ones I know about.
Flurry
http://www.flurry.com/
AdMob
http://analytics.admob.com/home/
Mixpanel
http://mixpanel.com/
Localytics
http://www.localytics.com
Bango
http://bango.com/mobileanalytics/
Medialets
http://www.medialets.com/
Appclix
http://www.appclix.com/
Google Analytics
http://www.google.com/analytics/
BuzzBox
http://hub.buzzbox.com/android-sdk/analytics
Apsalar
http://apsalar.com/
What’s the best way to go about designing and prototyping a web-based product?
QUESTION:
What’s the best way to go about designing and prototyping a web-based product?
ANSWER:
Naomi Kokubo
by Naomi Kokubo, Cofounder of Founders Space
Let me start by saying it’s almost impossible to get funding on a prototype today. In the heady days of the dot com bubble and again in 2006 and 2007, it was possible to walk into a VC firm and line up millions on a PowerPoint and a demo. But, alas, today you’ll probably need to have real traction in order to make this happen.
