HN user
Oh, thanks for the info! I checked our Google Analytics and indeed, the only registered traffic from Medium.com is from Chrome.
Updated the post to clarify this is Chrome specific.
I happened to write an article about this a few weeks back. My answer is a concessional yes. But in my limited sales experience I don't do it myself. Thus making me a poor salesperson. See excerpt:
"These tactics are part of all sales. To large degree, it’s accepted and understood to be part of the game. It usually works out in the end since many if not most companies provide valuable services to their customers. At times customers just need a little encouragement to get over their hesitation to commit to buying. For better or worse, these little lies and half truths keep the economy churning."
I agree with getting rid of the signup requirement to test drive. I was about to write a review about it, but then was feeling too lazy. Maybe I'll get around to it later!
For better or worse, I blogged about Chords! http://slapstart.com/2009/06/chordsfm/
Now I'm wondering if this isn't a start-up at all, as per the CBMS Networks comment. I was wondering about that too.
For better or worse, I wrote a blog about your site. Hope you don't mind the critique. :) http://slapstart.com/2009/06/iconfu/
Thanks for the feedback. Yes, it definitely needs more relevant demo questions.
It could work as part of another system. We (or at this point, I) am not planning on building that other system so in the near future it's a stand alone application.
I hope to achieve value above cute curiosity, but I appreciate hearing that perception. The utility is when it becomes a habit to utilize this method for decision making rather than just deciding. How to train, convince and alter people's behavior to do so is the next challenge. I know my business partner and I began to value using it, not just because we built it.
The long term goal would be to move it away from the donationware model and provide varying levels of service for utilizing the tool. For instance, you get 5 decisions for free and if you want more then pay $X/month.
Yep, comments are on the long term goal list.
Whenever I see the words "Free" and "New York" in the same sentence I get a little skeptical. As the followup comment from the author indicates, his primary goal is to find someone to build his million dollar idea in exchange for shared equity. There's nothing wrong with that, but do him and yourself a favor. Respond only if you are interested in assisting with his million dollar idea or if you know someone who's a good lead for him to follow up with. Just clarifying for those who are going gaga over the prospect of free copy review.
Here's an article describing some of the differences between C-Corp, S-Corp and LLC. http://www.mynewcompany.com/entity.htm
I'm not an expert either and am approaching this decision with my business partner shortly. Here's what I understand so far.
If you're accepting funding, go with C-Corp since VC's will insist upon it. If you're not accepting funding or angel funding (friends/family) etc. then LLC will be the cheapest and least red tape. VC's prefer C-Corp because it requires you to maintain more paperwork, reports, filings, etc. (though I'm not sure exactly what that entails).
Regarding Delaware, Here's an interesting article on Nevada vs. Delaware. It advocates Nevada for "tax reasons." http://www.val-u-corp.com/whynev.html
Anyhow, I hope that helps. (and that people more knowledgeable in this area respond).
Cool.. that's all very helpful. Especially the links and extra reference material. That's all we do these days is pass books back and forth. haha.
Thank you for the thoughtful reply. Especially for the incite into the world of academia. Minor aside, being able to post comments like this on our website is on our TODO list. Placing your comments here in the meantime was the best option. The fact that you had to do so will bump that up in priority. ;)
Yep. I agree. And, it's not like grad school pays very well. I think his grant is for 10-15K/yr.