I read this and I think - what would the creator of MS Paint think if he read this story. As a developer and a creator, if I would ever read a story like this, about a product that I had created, I would think my life to be complete. Stories like this inspire me to keep stretching the boundary of what is possible and to keep creating...
maybe it's just me but there seems to be a bug when viewing this on the ipad. I clicked on an image and could not figure out how to close the full screen preview. Just something you should look into.
just wanted to say that your book is what got me interested in data science and python. I would be in a very different place today if it wasn't for your book! So, thank you!
how exactly is WhatsApp "pushing around" Apple - that would indicate that there is a power & influence sort of relationship between the two companies. Rather, this is a case of WhatsApp outperforming Apple due to its multi-platform support, extended featureset and first mover advantage
just curious, is it legal to just send a balloon up in the air? considering there are so many different kinds of planes flying around, wouldn't you need clearance from the FAA or other regulatory authorities before doing this?
(a) No person may operate an unmanned free balloon unless-
(1) It is equipped with at least two payload cut-down systems or
devices that operate independently of each other;
(2) At least two methods, systems, devices, or combinations
thereof, that function independently of each other, are employed
for terminating the flight of the balloon envelope; and
(3) The balloon envelope is equipped with a radar reflective
device(s) or material that will present an echo to surface radar
operating in the 200 MHz to 2700 MHz frequency range.
<snip>
(a) Prelaunch notice : Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this
section, no person may operate an unmanned free balloon unless,
within 6 to 24 hours before beginning the operation, he gives the
following information to the FAA ATC facility that is nearest to
the place of intended operation:
(a) Each person operating an unmanned free balloon shall:
(1) Unless ATC requires otherwise, monitor the course of the
balloon and record its position at least every two hours; and
(2) Forward any balloon position reports requested by ATC.
That only applies if the criteria in 101.1.a.4 are met:
(4) Except as provided for in 101.7, any unmanned free balloon
that-
(i) Carries a payload package that weighs more than four pounds and
has a weight/size ratio of more than three ounces per square inch
on any surface of the package, determined by dividing the total
weight in ounces of the payload package by the area in square
inches of its smallest surface;
(ii) Carries a payload package that weighs more than six pounds;
(iii) Carries a payload, of two or more packages, that weighs more
than 12 pounds; or
(iv) Uses a rope or other device for suspension of the payload that
requires an impact force of more than 50 pounds to separate the
suspended payload from the balloon.
As long as those don't apply to you, you're pretty much good to go. I'd imagine that they're criteria where, should your ballon hit anything, it wouldn't cause any damage.
Awesome news, but I kind of felt Svpply had a very broad focus. I'm interested in seeing what some of the newer startups in this segment, with a more specific focus, will fair out (eg. http://lover.ly for weddings, http://www.threadmatcher.com for clothes and footwear, http://www.grandst.com for gadgets).
Anyone notice the name "Joeseph Schumpeter" on the sample card? Its a reference to Schumpeter's Creative Destruction - further implying them to be in the process of destroying the old ways of doing things (in this case banking) with a radically different approach. Love it!
Where? I cant find it. But I think its a fantastic idea. I really love the idea of "Creative Destruction". The people who always go "but that will cost jobs blabla" always pisses me off because they only see the bad and not the good. Until we hit "real" AI there will be alot more work to be done.
I have often been in situations like this one. I have always found it easiest to just give-up and leave - quit - pack your bags. Yet, after making such a mistake once, I have realized that it is not the right approach. The ideal approach is to give it _one_more_try_.
So my advice to you: If you want to leave the firm because you don't get along with the founder -> try to talk it out with him. Often the best solution is to have an honest discussion and see if you can resolve your differences. If after you have your discussion with the founder you still are unable to "gel" - leave, its not worth your while to waste your life in an environment that you're not happy in.
But a word of warning on another line... don't be tempted to discuss your grievance with colleagues, no matter how much you like or trust them, talking down something is like a virus: it might get infectious, and the worst is that people start to see you as not really buying in to the whole project. Both are not good outcomes.
Think about it another way too, does it matter if you don't get it? It's not your idea anyway, but you can help make it great and gain experience from that. It'll help you when it comes to making your own thing work - which I feel is probably what you want to do.
I agree with kloc - you are not the target audience for this market. The reality is that the digital divide is still so real in India. The idea is to not give [underprivileged] children a toy product for watching YouTube videos, but to give them access to a device, a technology and a revolution that they otherwise would never even have dreamed to have access to. I for one applaud the Indian Govt's efforts to "democratize" access to technology. Also remember this is just a v1 - I'm sure as things get cheaper, better, faster etc. so will this device.
