Everyone has run into a broken link on the internet before, but how many of you actually bothered to notify the webmaster? During my day job, I do occasionally do get an email from a sharp eyed customer informing me of typos or broken links, for which I’m incredibly thankful. However for every one that’s found and reported, I bet there are a good handful that isn’t. The problem, no incentive. Why write an email for no reward when you can just hit the back link.
And that’s from the relative convenience of a desktop computer. Now imagine errors and broken links on your mobile applications. If a user finds an error, there’s an even lower chance of getting it reported. Esp for the iPhone, since there are no running simultaneous apps. To send an email, they need to temporarily leave the app.
Solution? again it comes down to basic economics. Provide incentives for the user’s troubles. The Pay4Bugs Software Debugging Marketplace does just that. Setup a project and assign different bounties for different types of errors. When users see that your application is protected by Pay4Bugs, they will have the incentive to report them, simple.
Pay4Bugs is currently working on a system for one click bug reporting, coming in Q1. In the meantime, try it out, the service is free! Plus I assume some will buy your app just to test it, if it’s good enough, of course.
Yes, this is a post about yet another developer who is joining the iPhone application craze.
While most of the developers today who are making iPhone applications are seated comfortably in their coding environment and programming away, my focus is on doing the footwork, hitting the ground and doing research, and creating the perfect lifestyle applications. Similar to my friend who created ExitStrategyNYC, a neat little app that finds you the best subway exit for your commute, sometimes it’s still good to hit the pavement and doing things the old fashioned way. Think about it, Google Maps couldn’t have been what it is today if it wasn’t for the drivers going around in their VW Beatles.
In a day and age when programmers can come cheap, and many people simply flood the app store with junk. I really believe hard work and polish will be rewarded.
Oh, and lastly, make apps that impact your own lifestyle, and chances are there are plenty of people like you. Honestly if I’d use an app, or pay for it, chances are there are plenty more who’re willing to key in their PW for your hard work.
The app will hit in early spring.
Many of today’s greatest software developers started off doing little trivial projects for others, scraping together whatever dollar amounts they can get. Outsourcing is simply a means to acquire the funding necessary to keep the bus chugging along, until the big money maker arrives from big ideas.
My start-up is no exception, while we originally started with one grand idea of online Chinese language practice, we have since then branched out to offer 2 different B2C services, and picked up outsourced development projects from here and there. As a start-up entrepreneur, any income slows down burn rate and allows you to expand, which is critical to meet originally forecasts while weathering the tough economy.
I do find, however, that many companies get stuck in the mindset of outsourcing. Once you secure a few clients, outsourcing is much less risk than whatever business you were doing before, and if the business relationship works well, a partner you can potentially grow with. However, you are also moving downwards in the risk reward trade-off grid. As an entrepreneur, you must continue to innovate and create value for shareholders and yourself.
I always remind myself, innovate and don’t hide in the comfort zone, and it seems that the brainstorming is paying off. I’m thrilled to see Attigo is innovating again.
Finally, I’m not sure why there was a spike in traffic yesterday to my blog. One of the great mysteries on the internet. I hope these visitors clicked banners 
Now why don’t you?
