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brianlashon Designing for iPad: Reality Check

He didn't say an example was necessary, he said it could have made the quote clearer.

brianlashon Ask HN: What can I do to improve my website?

I wanted to tell you that I used Nova materials to study for the GMAT and absolutely loved them. I remember Nova's concern for teaching fundamental math and verbal stuff where most other companies were preoccupied with superficial strategies and one-trick pony tactics.

That stuff has its place in test prep, but there's a strong case for balance between theory and strategy. I really appreciated your materials for that.

brianlashon Hey HN: I made something to add Help to your startups. Thoughts?

Wow. This is really, really awesome.

Edit: I'm sure you guys felt the urge to add more features and customization right out of the gate, and I appreciate that you kept things simple. I see myself (and others) using this specifically because it looks so clean and lightweight.

brianlashon Whenisgood.net: Easy way to find out when everyone is free

I don't know. How "complete" do you need a one-off solution like this?

I'd have no qualms sending my friends or a work group to this site to solve a scheduling problem in a hurry.

brianlashon Bing keeps rising, now 11.5%

On this topic does anyone have experience with Bing (or Microsoft in general) as a PPC platform?

brianlashon Paywalls crumble with Google Buzz

It's interesting that this is just like their protocol they set for trademark complaints against AdWords advertisers.

brianlashon The decline of the MBA will cut off the supply of bullshit

eg means 'for example.' I wasn't summing 30+ books worth of economic thought.

brianlashon The decline of the MBA will cut off the supply of bullshit

I fail to see the connection you draw between Drucker's teaching (eg What gets measured gets managed) and the poor management you see in corporations today. Have you ever read any of his articles/books? Can you point to anything particularly offensive?

Anyway Drucker wasn't a "management as a science" guy. He was an economist, or a microeconomist if you're nitpicking.

brianlashon [dead]

What part of posting a publicly available work email address strikes you as inappropriate?

brianlashon Announcing Duck It, a new way to search

As others have mentioned here the search returns fantastic results in some highly-specificed domains (e.g. "schema migration django" according to user iamwil). There may be an opportunity driving a wedge into a niche, establishing a beachhead, then expanding with what momentum it affords you?

brianlashon [dead]

It's operated by nickb, so this could explain it: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=775507

brianlashon Ask HN: Are there any good university-affiliated incubators?

AlphaLab in Pittsburgh has strong ties to Pitt and CMU by virtue of its parent organization, InnovationWorks. That's not to say that the relationship guides decisions though. Steve Klabnik (username steveklabnik) could sound off on the incubator's success as he took part in its most recent investing cycle.

brianlashon CD Baby’s Shipment Confirmation Email

Seth Godin wrote about this in 2002. I guess they've been doing this for a while: http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2002/06/a_big_smile_...

brianlashon A terrible tragedy: Dan Haubert of Ticketstumbler (fallentimes) has passed away

I recall reading the anecdote at the first link. Without looking I wouldn't have remembered it was from Dan, or even that it was about Ticketstumbler, but I would have recalled the story.

That would happen over and over if I (we) were to sift through Dan's comments. He was such a selfless YC'er - we've gleaned so much from his activity here - but time tends to muddy the origin of ideas. It's like we know what we've learned, but we don't always recall where we learned it. I think it's for that reason I'm reluctant to read through his old stuff; I know I would discover Dan as the origin of so many thought-provoking entries we've been so fortunate to count on across his time here.

His was a tremendous contribution. The impact of this loss is equally so.

To his loved ones and family, to Tom, to my fellow news.yc'rs, I'm sorry.

brianlashon Ask HN: Purchase small site as launchpad?

AFAIK there are 2 reasons to acquire a company:

a) when there's an operational deficiency (and you have the wherewithal to solve it), and

b) when there's a management deficiency (and you have the wherewithal to solve it)

I imagine that's every bit as true on the web as it is offline. So from where you're standing, do you see an opportunity the current owner is missing? Do you have the skill and resources to install that value? If after a good hard consult with your gut you can answer Yes to both questions it may be a good idea to move forward.

brianlashon Pittsburgh paper launches online charging scheme

"The Post-Gazette, known locally simply as the PG..."

My family owns a small convenience store in the Pittsburgh area. Over 10 years of selling that paper I've heard Pittsburgh Press, Pittsburgh Post, Post-Gazette, and "the Post," but I can't point to a single time someone called it the PG.

brianlashon Own up HN: What are your craziest abandoned projects?

http://FleeTheShame.com

A "Post Secret" type of a blog that would allow people to anonymously own up to those times they broke the law and got away with it. Bad idea all around.

brianlashon TC50 Backstage: Why PG Was Mean and Which YC Companies Will IPO

You know that really is a sweet face at 3:28.

brianlashon Cheating the App Store: PR firm has interns post positive reviews for clients

It sounds a lot like one of the Mafia games. I know Mafia Live awarded points for sharing codes... think iMob did same.

brianlashon Hiring a sales person... Any advice?

Understand that money talks. There's nothing that will motivate a good salesperson like cold hard cash.

So make your commissions generous and (allowing your is a service people can believe in) you're going to find your guy. Make your commissions more than generous and you're going to find your superstar.

brianlashon Ask HN: Who is looking for a co-founder

Would you share a little more about yourself? Particularly, Do you already have an idea, If "yes" have you started working on it, Are you willing to share equity with a new contributor, What are your skills, Where are you located...

brianlashon Olark (YC S09) Is A Dead Simple Chat Widget For Site Owners

It's ready for iPhone chat out of the box? K, this is exactly what I've been waiting for.

I understand there are other developer-friendly chat services out there, but for a 'content guy' like me this is a dream. Not the first time a Y Combinator startup has empowered the everyday schmo to do business better. I truly appreciate YC and the companies it funds for that.

brianlashon Be a roaming hacker this fall: JetBlue offers all-you-can-fly pass for $599

I reblogged Alaska's tumblr update telling him same, and basically guaranteeing that you and Ed would be in for grabbing beers. Glad to be validated by your response here.

brianlashon [dead]

The approach is patently 'business school.'

brianlashon Poll: What other US cities for a YC like program?

Love finding other Pittsburgh YC'ers. Drop me an email sometime - I'd love to get together and shoot the bull.

brianlashon Ask HN: what unwanted domain names are you sitting on?

Sure. I'd sell or negotiate a fair trade. Shoot me an email:

brianklash at gmail dot com

brianlashon Ask HN: what unwanted domain names are you sitting on?

pixaruniversity.com

pittsburghfounders.com

snappyresume.com

careersauce.com

colonytech.com

allthebigstuff.com

findoozle.com

getfounding.com

fleetheshame.com

newmediamonthly.com

webkeynote.com

thetippingblog.com

brianlashon Neat & Simple Resume Template

I know you say that tongue-in-cheek, but it's a good point. I'd love to see a few samples of sales letters and business proposals that have worked for YC'rs. 'Softer' than term sheets, but it would still be instructional.

brianlashon Inspirational Video on Entrepreneurialism

You can disagree -- fine -- but we've been using entreprneurship, entrepreneurism, and entrepreneurialism to say the same thing (i.e., the act of being an entrepreneur). At least two of the previous three cases are fine. The third misses the mark because it describes "the act of identifying with those who do things an entrepreneur would do." It's muddy (not to mention inaccurate).

I just think it makes sense to be clear on a board where as many as half the folks identify with that cohort.