Customer Problems

When you have a new site that is growing there are pain points in the
administration. It could be things like deploying new builds or
simply moderating the site.

Most people defer the infrastructure work until it feels like a
nagging two year old and can't be ignored.

One thing to be cautious of is that there is probably something that
is just as painful for your customers that use the site everyday.

Fix your customers problems before you fix your own.

Making Progress

Through the last year we have continually worked to improve the
Hubpages website and monetization. Progress, measured by monetizable
traffic has come in big steps that doesn't line up with new features
or improvements.

The biggest gains in traffic have been where few things change for a
longer period of time. While the biggest step backwards has been
after our most major changes.

However, after each major update the site does recover and hit new
highs.

A good thing to keep in mind when updating the site is can you
pinpoint causality for traffic changes and adjust quickly for unwanted
side effects.

Patxi's Pizza

Patxi's Chicago Pizza is located in Hayes Valley in San Francisco.
This has been one of my wife's cravings since she's been pregnant.
Not bad at all.

The J Stinks

It's packed, slow and terrible. At least the air-conditioning works
today.

Movie Dummy

Someone is shooting a movie outside our office. It looks like there
was an accident, but it was actually a dummy.

Good Kinds of Arguments

In general, I don't like arguments. However, there are good types of arguments in a startup. Things like which feature should we build next. Or should we add a feature or improve what we have. Should we change our Terms of Service. Should we remove a feature. Should we hire this person or get a contractor. What's a bigger opportunity for the business. Should we raise money, should we sell.

These are important discussions to have. If your startup is debating these issues. Good for you. You're developing healthy habits and having good arguments.

On the flip side. Be worried if nobody cares or if everybody just takes your word.

Tartine for Breakfast

Taking the girls to the bakery for breakfast. Yum!

Decorating Tonight

Georgia and I are playing with stamps and pens. The end, a
beautifully decorated sheet of paper.

Mitchells Ice Cream Run

I love Mitchells. But, could they scoop ice cream any slower.
Anyway. I'm waiting for my shake.

Rough Day

With several calls today, a new partner going live and several action
items from yesterday's board meeting, my computer gets a virus.
Mgrs.exe is a nasty sucker. It makes your computer unusable. I tried
cleaning it with spy hunter. No luck. Mcafee next. No luck and $100
spent. Damn. Finally. I rolled back to a two day old check point.
Back in business. James and I ate sushi. Now. Back to work.

Kill the Snake

I was reading Brad's blog about his wife finding a rattlesnake on their patio. I'm deathly afraid of snakes. I know it's not rational. I once caught a Kenya Sand Boa in Santa Clara. Apparently, they live there now. I thought, I'm going to get over this fear of snakes. I bought it a cage, a heat rock, and water dish. I brought it home and tried to go to sleep. But. I coudn't sleep. I was so damn afraid that the snake was going to escape and bite me. After several days of bad dreams and soaking my sheets in sweat. I gave the snake away.

I'd have to kill the snake. Just to sleep. No doubt I'm going to have nightmares tonight about getting bit by a rattlesnake

George Washington

I've been listening to an audio book of His Excellency: George Washington on my iPhone. It's very good and worth a read/listen. I love audio books.

Oso Flaco Lake

Just south of Arroyo Grande, off of Highway 1, you can find Oso Flaco
Lake. It's one of the jewels of the central coast. Just follow the
very nice path across the lake, through the dunes, and end up at the
beach. Great bird watching in an ecological wonder. Beautiful.

Rope Swing

My mom picked up two used kid swings for $5. I tied them up to an oak
tree in their backyard. Julia loved it.

Swimming

I'm going to take the girls swimming this afternoon at my folk's place.

Swinging Bridge

If you ever come to Arroyo Grande, go see the swinging bridge and eat
dinner at Ginas.

The Things Kids Say

Georgia looks at my mom and says, "Do the cracks in your face mean
you're old?"

Refinished Hardwood Floors

We replaced the carpet by having the hardwood floors refinished. I
think it will save us money in the long run. The floors turned out
great. I hope our new tenants like them.

Driving to SLO

We drove to San Luis Obispo last night. Traffic was fine, accept for
the small fire on the side of the road. See the picture. We ate
lousy Mexican food in Salinas and made it in about 11 am. Now back to
work on my board package.

Who Taught Julia

Julia loves to play with my phone. She knows how to activate the
screen, unlock it, and dial. I want to know, who taught her how to do
it?