PHP Performance Hack – Throttling During Load Issues

Categories engineering
I''ve had some performance issues lately with the server buckling under the pressure of a high peak user load . Other times, I''ve had issues with process intensive tasks that kept recursively spawning more instances of themelves. Creating performance intensive scripts require a good amount of design & architecture forethought, and sometimes you can''t always foresee the ways things could go Read the article >>

Recommended Tool: RescueTime Time Management Software

Categories protips, technology, tools
I love tools that help me be more productive or more self aware (especially where Time Management is concerned). What it is. (from Rescuetime.com): Personal time management software. Get the focus you need to get things done! Features. (also from Rescuetime.com): - Automagical app & site tracking (with no data entry!) - Beautiful time & attention reports for managers only - goals, alerts, Read the article >>

Follow your vision. Follow your analytics

Categories technology
Jeff Widman, an old friend from Techstars ''08 writes about his analytics vision: If you heavily rely on analytics, you might miss breakthroughs because you‚Äôre so stuck on gradually evolving‚Ķ how do you balance learning from feedback loops and simply taking a leap with your gut? My 2 cents: If you''re tracking the right metrics, and view those analytics as the validation part of Read the article >>

Be a digital boyscout: What my laptop backpack looks like

Categories protips, startups, technology
One of the biggest distinctions between my previous corporate job and my role in a startup has been the lack of support and gear immediately available to me in the later. To compensate, I must be carry a hefty laptop backpack with lots of goodies. I carry around a good deal of gear with me in my travel bag. Here''s my gear list: Macbook Pro   DVI & VGA Adapters (for presentations)     Extra Read the article >>

Build for Scalability, but beware of Premature Optimization

Categories technology
-- This post is part of a series of ongoing tips on lessons learned & experiences I''ve had as the lead developer of the online dating startup, at Ignighter.com. Though these tips are focused primary at consumer startups, they ring true elsewhere too. For a full list of these tips, see 10 things I''d wish I''d known as a lead developer at Techstars. -- I spend a lot of time worrying about Read the article >>

Eliminate Inefficiency with Automation

Categories technology
-- This post is part of a series of ongoing tips on lessons learned & experiences I''ve had as the lead developer of the online dating startup, at Ignighter.com. Though these tips are focused primary at consumer startups, they ring true elsewhere too. For a full list of these tips, see 10 things I''d wish I''d known as a lead developer at Techstars. -- I spend a lot of time building and reading Read the article >>

CTO Tips #3 – Develop Code Standards (and Stick To Them)

Categories startups, technology
-- This post, on code standards, is part of a series of ongoing tips on lessons learned & experiences I''ve had as the lead developer (CTO if you want to be fancy) of the online dating startup, Ignighter.com. Though these tips are focused primary at consumer startups, they ring true elsewhere too. For a full list of these tips, see 10 things I''d wish I''d known as a lead developer at Techstars. Read the article >>

Startup CTO Tips #2 – Develop a rhythm

Categories startups, technology
-- This post, 'develop a rhythm', is part of a series of ongoing tips on lessons learned & experiences I''ve had as the lead developer (startup CTO if you want to be fancy) of the online dating startup, at Ignighter.com. Though these tips are focused primary at consumer-focused startups, they ring true elsewhere too. For a full list of these tips, see 10 things I''d wish I''d known as a lead developer Read the article >>

StartupComix : Lessons Learned from a Failed Side Project

Categories startups, technology
It''s been about 4 months since I discontinued StartupComix.com, a side project where I had created daily comics about startup-isms, technology, and hacker life. Initially, the idea was the share ideas, make jokes, and be involved in the hacker community. The idea was heavily inspired by Awkward Rules, xKcd, and Abtruse Goose. It was way harder than I thought it''d be. Especially as a side project. Read the article >>

Ignight-ing Boulder

Categories life
Team @ignighter spent this past weekend in Boulder, visiting our mentors & friends from last summers Techstars program. It''s been exactly one year since we made the trek from the east coast to Boulder, joining the 2008 mentorship program. Wow. what a weekend. I''d forgotten how much Boulder is the type of place that will just humble you. Beyond the natural beauty in the town & the Read the article >>