First quarter, things were so crazy I had gone to blocking off specific days for specific projects. I had gotten into a comfortable rhythm with my schedule and was able to move quite a few things forward quickly. Second quarter, things lightened up a bit and I went back to blocking off multiple projects per …
Author Archives: Garrick van Buren
Are Groupon’s Investors Asking for a Public Bailout?
Over the past couple years, I’ve consulting on a number of projects (at least 4) in the same space as Groupon (et al). This model of providing a heavily discounted coupon on local merchants just doesn’t sit right with me – for two reasons. it applies significant downward pressure on the merchant’s overall prices (even …
Continue reading “Are Groupon’s Investors Asking for a Public Bailout?”
Maybe with coupons?
“How do you value a business that could do $3 billion in revenue this year but might not be able to keep the lights on in 12 months?” – Conor Sen
Spring in the Browser
Last autumn, inspired by a conversation with Jamie Thinglestad, I took a couple lunch hours and hacked together a tool that dramatically improves my web browsing experience. Since then, I hadn’t used it much. Nor have I revisited it to polish it up. Jamie and I have shared it with a small handful of people …
Why Can’t Smart Phones Read?
I’ve been investigating useful uses for QR codes and while I’ve got a couple…they still feel rather flimsy. Like the QR Code is being used as a cute novelty – rather than a way to enhance communication. QR Codes are inherently temporary (as in, tomorrow a better encoding technology will exist and today’s readers aren’t …
John’s Phone
To this day – the Palm Treo, for all it’s flaws, was my favorite phone. The team that designed the phone UI – had experience actually making phone calls. Every phone I’ve had since – including my current one – I’m less confident of that. Instead, I have a pocket-size computer that always promises to …
Impression
I had a really fun lunch today at the Bewiched Deli (I highly recommend the roast beef w/ horseradish sandwich). As we were sharing some of the projects ideas we’re working on he stops the conversation suddenly and commands: “Stay away from advertising. If I have to beat it into you – I will. Stay. …
Fermenting: Sour Cider (Mach I)
I’ve been itching to make a cider. Yet, since it’s off season, I don’t feel like going too crazy. So, I thought I’d make a nice simple recipe. If successful, this should be ready around Thanksgiving. If really successful, it’ll be gone by then. Sour Cider (Mach I) 4 gallons Indian Summer apple cider ~2 …
Fermenting: Aloysius Amber Rye
Turns out, I’m addicted to Hopville’s Beer Calculus in much the same way others are addicted to Angry Birds. And the game play (get a group of ingredients to match a beer style) I find just as engaging. The first of many recipes I’ve been working on is this Amber Rye in dedicated to my …
Success: Actual Size
For the past 8 years, I’ve run my own company. A digital product consulting company. Across those 8 years, I’ve launched 3 products of my own that I’m very proud of – while doing interesting client work, that I’m also very proud of. I’ve also become a father of 3. As I write this, my …