Archive for May, 2007

Flex has its own printing package (mx.printing) which adds functionality to the flash.printing package, making it easier to format output (slicing and paginating).

The following is a brief summary of each of the various entity choices for a operating a business in California:

Make sure you check with a lawyer as you consider the proper solution for your particular case. This was put together on Jan 2007 for a California business (us) as we were deciding to change from a general partnership to an s corporation. Things always change. Make sure you get the most current information you can.
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When considering the possibilities for your life and your career, I recommend stopping and asking yourself some questions.
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Early this year, we put blip.tv, studly video distribution team extraordinaire, up as a contender in the broadband category for the 2007 Webby Awards. After a little call out to the community, some funky dreams (can’t figure out why I seem to care so much) and a whole lot of compulsive stats checking, we got the news. Blip.tv is the proud winner of not one, but 2 Webby awards, both the people’s choice award and the jury award. A little UI & design on our part, a whole lot of development, planning & hustling on their part, combined with the dreams of thousands of show producers, actors and a few degenerates, and blip is a true phenomenon.

I have to say that the people’s choice award has some significant meaning to me. It strongly backs up my faith in their positioning in the industry and the power of their community. Michael Dell spoke about the key elements to success in online business some time back in 1999 and attributed it to three factors: content – basically a solid website that people can use ; commerce – having products or services people want; and community – a loyal community that will consistently choose you over your competitors. He then says that the business that figures out how to generate a truly long-term loyal community will dominate their industry. I look at the community blip has built, the talent and passion they bring to the table, and I see great things. We couldn’t be prouder to have S&P be a key part of their team!

When I first started contracting, I was amazed at the amount of paperwork stuff I had to figure out. Frankly, I just wanted to get paid. So in that vein, for those of you have sent the following type of message:

Dear Client,
Where is my money - its been over a month?
- xoxo Contractor

and recieved the following in response

Dear Contractor,
Upon reviewing your invoice, we noticed you are missing everything except for the amount. Please send us a revised invoice and we will place you back in the payment queue for next month.
-xoxox Your every loving AP department representative

I highly recommend getting a proper invoice figure out.
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When should we say “we” and when should I say “I”?

Shane and I have often stumbled over the we vs. I issue. Here’s what “I” think:

“We” serves the function of exchanging credibility with the others included in “we”. If I make something and say that “we” made it, I am at once sharing credit with the team (even if I’m the only one working on it) and sharing responsibility. If something goes wrong in my creation, it is our fault, not mine alone. “We” also serves the purpose of inspiring confidence by implying there are many people involved in a given commitment. For example, “we are accepting applications for the open position.”
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