Building a complex system? Take easy steps.

Posted by Frank - March 21, 2010 - For techies

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After launching Fwd:Vault last month, it’s been a race to add the necessary features and functions to take the service broader. First on the list was more subscription tiers. I launched with just two: free and “unlimited everything.” I did this because, well, it was easy. Your instinct may be to dismiss my decision as [...]

Get domain out of any URL string (yes, really)

Posted by Frank - October 27, 2009 - For techies

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It’s a common problem with no single right answer: extract the top domain (e.g. example.com) from a given string, which may or may not be a valid URL. I had need of such functionality recently and found answers around the web lacking. So if you ever “just wanted the domain name” out of a string, [...]

Fix emails dropped or blocked by Comcast

Posted by Frank - August 31, 2009 - For techies

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As an email-based backup service, Fwd:Vault ran into spam filters pretty quickly. Most of this can be mitigated with proper server configuration and getting records in the right places (i.e. abuse.net). From there it’s simply a matter of reminding users to check the spam folder when things are missing. However through the tribulations of one [...]

Opera hanging on page load on your site? Check for missing files.

Posted by Frank - April 15, 2009 - For entrepreneurs, For techies

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I recently discovered an issue with the mailing list signup on the Fwd:Vault placeholder site. [Aside: It was perfect when I set it up, I swear there are gremlins in my code sometimes. If you tried to sign up and were unable to, I apologize, try it one more time.] After fixing the issue, I [...]

Where is the Google Analytics code block?

Posted by Frank - April 13, 2009 - For entrepreneurs, For everyone

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This is the kind of “usability fail” that drives me nuts, especially from a company of Google’s caliber. When you add a new site to Google Analytics, they present you with the Javascript code block you need during the setup process. But what if you need to look up that code block again? What if [...]

Do the upfront planning

Posted by Frank - April 2, 2009 - For entrepreneurs, For techies

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Since announcing my work on Fwd:Vault, a few friends have come forward expressing interest in being angel investors. From what I’ve read, most entrepreneurs have to seek such people out, so I’ll take it as a compliment that these friends either (a) really like me, or (b) really trust my technical and prowess. I’m leaning [...]

Trouble logging into anything Google from Firefox

Posted by Frank - February 13, 2009 - For everyone, For techies

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That’s what I keep getting everywhere I go in the Google universe for the past several days using Firefox (using latest stable release, v3.0.6). I know I’m not the only one, I’ve found a plethora of recent support posts discussing the same issue. Normally I’m the one writing here to say “Hey, look out for [...]

There are still kinks in Apple’s armor

Posted by Frank - February 2, 2009 - For everyone, For techies

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To: Anyone at Apple who works on iPod/iTunes From: Annoyed iPod Shuffle user Subject: Stop deleting my songs Message: A recent run was rudely cut short when I realized that my iPod Shuffle contained just two of the hundred or so songs that I listen to while working out. Some sleuthing lead me to discover [...]

What not to put on your homepage

Posted by Frank - January 24, 2009 - For entrepreneurs, For everyone, For techies

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I have a friend who showed me something on the WineAccess homepage tonight that just made me laugh. Check it out. See anything wrong with that picture? How about the “What You Missed” section at the bottom? It contains wine bottles that you can’t purchase, because they’re sold out. Hence the title. Worthless information with [...]