I packed up my belongings and did my taxes (unfortunately, in that order), so I’m free this afternoon to kick my project in the butt. What I did was line up all the people I’ve contacted with various questions, what they’ve told me so far, and what the next steps are with that person. (It seems I have a people-centric vision of this project at least at this stage). There is one critical path factor which is getting online at my new place, and getting the box that will be my server. This won’t happen for a couple of weeks. In the meantime, here’s what would be useful:
* Talk to a unix person who has set up a real web site (I think this means fixed IP) before in that environment. Diagram how I should set things up, what software I need. For example, say I have the domain www.egrigg9000.com – how do I make sure my IP is fixed? How do I assign my domain via DNS so that browsers are directed there? Also, I want to use a cable modem connection and Wi-Fi on the unix box to connect to it. Is this possible and what do I need to buy?
* I’m very confident I will be able to come up with a text based proof of concept for my project. I’m much less confident that graphics will make any sense technically, even a single still to accompany the text. This has made me tentative to proceed (after all, I want the graphics). But so what. Let’s diagram this out and get it working with text anyway. I will learn loads and it will make the content that much more important. So, yes, I need another large diagram with the technologies I understand on it that are good enough to do text. (Need to find that big pad of paper!)
* Lots to find out from my existing contacts, but one thing boils to the surface: I looked at the comic-book service from gridbloc, and the delivery to phones is a link to a browser. I need to find out why they made this design choice: is something fundamentally broken about sending pictures to phones? It’s not like I care where the data resides, but since some browsers on phones display only in black and white, it seems like the short shrift.

The Scobelizer’s article on April 27 caught my eye. I hadn’t scoured the weblog too closely yet but I have now done so and am very impressed. The Scobelizer had, for me, occupied that upper strata of bloggers who got themselves recruited and now are being paid to write the same awesome weblog they write anyway for free. But now, my image of that strata is shattered! It seems the Scobelizer lives in the real world where people get laid off, and productivity is as elusive as respect. Apparently he lives in a world of townhomes and Toyotas, and may or may not get an exit interview from his old job at NEC. Sigh. If the Scobelizer puts his pants on one leg at a time, then what is there for the rest of us to aspire to? (Answer: noticing this is one of the signs you’re already *there*). So, in short, this is as good as it gets, and that’s okay. The chance to have fun all day with gadgets is definitely worth it.

comment []3:53:35 PM