Some interesting excerpts from 3 different posts/quotes on what it means to be truly experienced as a “startup founder”. I share it because I admire the action, drive and tenacity of “people that make it happen”.  I love this quote from Theodore Roosevelt in a 1910 speech about “The Man In The Arena“, mainly because it’s more about “making it happen” versus exalting startup vets over others… as I think that you can make-it-happen in many different arenas.

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.

What are your favorite quotes or philosphies on action, execution and making-things-happen?

Hey Friends, I’ve joined a team trying to change the face of men’s health. By changing my face. I’m growing a moustache for Movember, and I’d like you to join me.

Movember raises funds to fight cancers that affect men (and roughly one in two men will be diagnosed at some point during their lifetime). I have an uncle fighting late stage prostate and bone cancer, so it’s certainly personal to me.

Funds go to the Prostate Cancer Foundation and Livestrong. So please join the over 137 members of Team Austin and grow a moustache. Or, for the women, join Team Austin and not grow a moustache. We need your support either way.

Growing moustaches and participating in Movember events helps. So does donating. You don’t need to donate much. Can you donate a dollar? I’d like to see 100 people donate a dollar. Last year 50 people on Team Austin raised over $18,000. This year we’d like to do more. Even $1 per supporter could easily take us there. Click the button to visit my MoSpace, where you can join Team Austin, or donate, or both.

Thanks so much for your support!!!

I’ve always loved Yoda’s famous line to Luke when he was intimidated by a big job… “Do, or do not. There is no try.”

Seth Godin has a great corollary to that sentiment:

I don’t feel like it. What’s it? Why do you need to feel like something in order to do the work? They call it work because it’s difficult, not because it’s something you need to feel like.

Even when it seems like an insurmountable or even unpleasant task in front of you, both contend that you approach it with the end result in mind. Looking at the next step in front of you isn’t as helpful as looking at the top of the hill and your goal. Don’t worry about how you feel at this step, just keep moving and you’ll reach your goal.

I like it. It’s my thought for the week.

First the good news; I’ve been keeping pretty busy with some new clients, partners and projects… Unfortunately, that’s pushed my blogging here down lower on the to-do list. Apologies.
I’ve been focusing my blogging updates to my FriendFeed microblog, rather than longer form blog posts, this gives me enough time to share some of the great news and happening from around the web, but in a more concise (and faster) way.

I hope you’ll enjoy the updates there, or you can join me on FriendFeed directly here.

Since I’ve had my iPhone, over 14 months or so, I’ve reveled in my ability to check email, do research, watch videos, get directions and product/service ratings and generally keep myself occupied where ever I am. In my car, at a restaurant or even when I don’t want to get up off the couch and walk to my desktop computer.

I also see it’s limitations, and still make use of my notebook computers and desktop computers most of each day, if not over the weekends. But as I travel, and my 2 year old daughter wants to watch movies/games when we are traveling, I’m interested in a “netbook” PC for more mobile use that I can’t always accomplish with my iPhone. This new generation of light, mobile PCs has come down significantly in price, from over $1,200 or $1,500 to $300-$500 in some cases. Dell has a Mini 9 Netbook with a 9 inch screen, and MSI has a Wind line with a 10 inch screen are some great examples.

This article from CNet on the “big bang” of conflict between computer manufacturers getting smaller products to market and phone handset builders going more full featured was very interesting. They focus on the handset and the small netbook pc at the ends of the spectrum of “mobile computing” but of course I think it’s smarter to look at the human side of “getting my computing/information needs met”. Broader and more holistic I think.

I see the trend of my needs/wishes from work computer, to desktop home computer to some type of notebook computer to phone handset. Depending on my tasks/intentions, I’ll choose the right tool for the job… much like my kitchen knife set, paring knives, steak knives or chopping knives on call all at the right time. It’s a simple analogy, but I think it works… as computing becomes another tool of our environment, our options multiply and conform to our work styles.

I’m considering a “netbook” (somehow I doubt this term will catch on with mainstream consumers) for traveling and light work when my MacBook Pro is too much, and my iPhone isn’t enough. I think it will also replace the need for a mini travel dvd player for long flights to Argentina with my daughter. It won’t replace my desktop (Mac Mini with 23 inch display), my work notebook or my iPhone, but I think it’ll find it’s niche in my life and computer use.

What about you, will you go with a netbook and a simple phone handset? Or a desktop and smartphone? Is there ONE perfect device for you or is “perfect” the option of micro, mini and maxi at the right time?

Just came across an interesting “science 2.0″ blog at www.ScientificBlogging.com. It has a fun feature/post series about “what happened in scientific history on specific days… of course my birthday (8 Sept) is of particular interest to me… This Day in Science History: September 8th.

Highlights include: the unveiling of Michaelangelo’s David, key steps in epidemiology and spatial analysis regarding cholera in the U.K., devastating hurricane in Galveston, Texas and even the introduction of Scotch Tape! Enjoy!

Charlie

I’m working on updating my WordPress install on this blog, and refreshing the design/template too. I love how easy it is (most of the time). It really does give non-technical people access to personal publishing with a pretty amazing level of personalization and customization.

While I was looking around for inspiration, I found this interesting post here on visual design trends in 2008.

I look forward to your comments as I refresh the site… of course, let me know if anything breaks!

Here is a well written article on “focus”… well, that’s the point of it, but it’s about Microsoft’s lack of it.

In many ways I agree with the point of the article, Microsoft is a bit fragmented. While I also think that some of the efforts he describes as tangental, actually work out quite well. I’ve just jumped into the whole XBOX world of games, media center functionality and movie downloads, and I’m finding it is a very compelling experience.

If I bring this back around to me and my experiences, “focus” is definitely something that I’d like more of. Every few days/weeks I stop myself and evaluate the my activities and how they support my high-level life goals… surprisingly (or not surprisingly) I often find I’m spending too much time on low-value or tangental efforts. It’s a good “reset” of my efforts, focusing me in on what I really want to accomplish.

I also have to do that with my team’s project list… a recent count of non-client-related, internal efforts came up with over 20 projects!!! Wow, talk about lack of focus… I’m going to try to trim them down some so each person has no more that 2-3 efforts outside of client work. I think it’ll make us much more productive and help us focus.

What can you or or project team cut to enhance your focus?

Neudesic is sponsoring NuCon 2007!
NuCon will feature what’s Nu and upcoming in Microsoft’s Businss Technology offerings!

Topics Include overviews of Visual Studio 2008, Server SQL 2008, and Microsoft Business Platform Value.

WHEN:
Thursday, November 8th 2007 – 8:30am – 5pm

WHERE:
Hyatt Regency Irvine
17900 Jamboree Blvd., Irvine, CA 92614

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Should be an interesting overview of what’s happening in Microsoft’s tech offerings. I’m especially interested in the Silverlight/WPF stuff.

FYI Silverlight is a cross-browser, cross-platform plug-in for delivering the next generation of .NET based media experiences and rich interactive applications for the Web. Silverlight offers a flexible programming model that supports AJAX, VB, C#, Python, and Ruby, and integrates with existing Web applications. Silverlight supports fast, cost-effective delivery of high-quality video to all major browsers running on the Mac OS or Windows. More here.

I found a link to the internet anagram server, it’s loads of silly fun.

Charlie = rich ale, real chi, ah relic
Neudesic (my day job) = Nice Used, Nice Sued, Nice Dues, Deuce Sin, Ice Dunes
Snooze Alarms = Alas! No More Z’s
Vacation Times = I’m Not as Active
Software = Swear Oft
The Morse Code = Here Come Dots
The Meaning of Life = The fine game of nil
Slot Machines = Cash Lost in’em
Conversation = Voices Rant On
Mr. Mojo risin’ = Jim Morrison
The Railroad Train = Hi! I Rattle and Roar
The Check is in the Mail = Claim “Heck, I sent it (heh)”

Try it… it’s a nice way to break up your day!