Ye-Ha

This board would be much more useful if it first categorized by job type.

Sorry to see the thermal analysis software didn't make the list. I have worked in this area and it is challenging and expensive to do well.

How's the list going?

whoops, embarrassing typo! It's @BHeardUSA on Twitter!

@BHeard

BHeardUSA.com

#BHeard

IT yes, programmer no. Look at .net, PHP, etc.

I should have said that this was for YC applicants. Sorry.

where are you?

Yes I rly do

This has some good examples of what can go wrong in a free-for-all environment, as well as some other just plain bad behavior. (Although the people who believed Bonsai Kitty weren't thinking.)

We have debated the pluses and minuses of requiring real names when sending messages to third parties from the 'relative' safety of your computer whilst hiding behind a cartoon avatar and a nickname.

I think many people exhibit the same behavior as they do from the 'relative' anonymity of their vehicles. Just plain meanness and selfishness and Social Networking sites need to have things in place to prevent it to be relevant.

We could always try an experiment have have this debate on Twitter ;-)

It's best to pick a short hashtag because it counts in your character limit.

#BHeard

@BHeard

Good point. Maybe not the best example.

I don't think that you can judge a real-time one to many discussion by a snapshot in time. There are frequently very good discussions taking place.

How would you suggest such a large group as #profood have real-time discussions with so many contributors on one person's blog?

You have to join forums and BBS'. How do you find out about them in the first place? Retweeting has the benefit that followers who don't know about #profood will see the messages.

For example, if you find out about Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch and follow them, you'll then find out about #profood where you'll find out about all sorts of organizations and experts who Tweet in #profood. I have met people that I would never have otherwise met and learned things that I would never have learned from one forum, blog, or BBS.

You have to use it to 'get it.'

I don't understand why non-users are so emotional about discounting it's value.

@CulinaryHatchet

Absolutely. Firstly, that I knew about all three.

Notice that, in my post, I reworded the 1st claim to say that it "facilitated" the protesters. (Are you sure that you read my "claims" carefully?) It was a real-time messaging service that the government wasn't able to shut down as easily as cell service that spread the word about what was going on and there is plenty of proof out there. Furthermore, one could argue that the Twitterers counted as "news outlets" supplying information not otherwise easily uncovered. It's like having a free workforce. (Of course, with a lot of Twitterers, you get what you pay for.) You may offer proof that this wasn't the case if you choose.

Secondly, lot's of people have blogged that they love the Kogi truck and followed it to find out when it would be arriving. Another score for real-time messaging from one-to-many. Even the editor of Bon Appetit wrote about it, How many other food trucks do you think she writes about? Major PR score!

Thirdly, the the proof is in the Tweets for all three examples. (I didn't follow balloon boy but I can picture the scenario that anyone interested could follow the balloon's path in real-time.)

Finally, I offered proof of my own claim as to it's usefulness for #profood. Tweet to them otherwise and see what they say.

What I and other posters are saying is that, even though it is a one-to-many messaging service and not a platform, it does have value and that Twitter bashing is as useless as a submarine with screen doors.

Because you haven't yet done it, perhaps? Having the small character limit really forces you how to get your message across very succinctly. How many times have you read something that could have been boiled down considerably and gotten the point across more clearly? We actually do have meaningful real-time conversations in #profood. I have rarely used two Tweets to make a point.

Having said that, many Tweets are links to #profood blogs.

Twitter did facilitate the Iranian protestors. And facilitated getting the word out to the world. Twitter did help make the Kogi Korean BBQ Taco Truck a sensation! Twitter did keep us updated about Balloon Boy in real time.

I agree that it is not a "platform" but it does provide real-time news and discussion like no other tool at this time.

Obviously, people who Tweet that they are riding the train to work don't 'get it.'

But those of us who have formed discussion groups using hashtags do.

As an example, I'm CulinaryHatchet, have a blog (that I've been neglecting while working on BHeardusa.com start-up), really into the #profood movement and have met many other very informed #profood -ies (as well as #agchat and #foodinc) on Twitter, including the son of the people from whom Michael Pollan (Omnivore's Dilemma) purchased his cow. There is great discussion in #profood from all sides of the issue. There are farmers, farmer's markets, attorneys, journalists, restaurants, etc. I can't think of any other resource that provides this kind of value right this second (although BHeardUSA.com will be taking it to the next level and using Twitter as one of the tools.)

I would argue that you can learn to succeed the same way that you learn anything else: From someone who knows how.

You don't learn to speak Mandarin from failing at it.

As someone who has been tagged as an overachiever by my friends (and also that I take things too seriously), as well as many sucessful accomplishments (and some failures), I have captured what I have learned about succeeding and teach it as a 'achievement coach.'

I don't do stuff to brag about it, so I'll list as my biggest personal achievement being the first and only woman to win the single-handed sail boat race from San Francisco to Hawaii on my Santa Cruz 50. My very first single-handed race was just a few short months prior to the Hawaii race.

How did I win a sail boat race where you have to sail the boat all alone? Primarily by learning winning strategy from others. Everyone in the race knew how to sail.

This is the main reason that we applied for this round of Y Combinator. To learn from people who know how to start companies.

Note that I said "primarily." There are many factors involved that I learned along the way and teach as a coach.

I believe that anyone can win with the right strategies and that you don't have to fail to learn them.

Yes it was!

TY TY - we really appreciate it. Already made one changed based on your feedback.

The post card gets delivered to the target person via USPS.

You can also send fake dog poop. Currenly looking for some that can be recycled.......

LOL - it's a cute commercial - probably meant to become viral.

Based on the spelling, I take it that you're drinking it while working on your costumes?

So, now you don't clean out your fridge?

After reading your library, I have something to say to YC, but no way I'm stupid enuf to post it on the Internet!

P.S. I'll give you a hint: the demographics celebrated in your start-up post vs. me. 49 yr old female: 2 level 80's in WoW + many other lower lvls, living with engineers at my house to get this great idea off the ground and get our application submitted (since Friday), .... YC can read the rest about me in my application, don't think that anyone else can :-(......

Woo Hoo!

We couldn't be happier because we had already integrated Twitter and now know what API's that we can use for our on-line debates!

On-line presence is limited and only static right this second, however, it is our goal that anyone who looks at them will 'get it' (especially our moms). Feedback appreciated.

http://bheardusa.com/

@BHeardusa

#BHeard