Arnold Gamboa http://arnoldgamboa.com Pinoy Technopreneur posterous.com Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:22:05 -0800 On viewing pictures: Facebook loves Google+ http://arnoldgamboa.com/on-viewing-pictures-facebook-loves-google http://arnoldgamboa.com/on-viewing-pictures-facebook-loves-google Ever since Google+ launched, we all have noticed that Facebook made it a habit to pick up bits and pieces of what Google has done right. Nothing's really wrong with that, I think. We do that all the time. It just shows the maturity Google has over Facebook, in a lot of ways, I guess.

I noticed that Facebook just 'shipped' a new way to view your pictures today. And, I thought I was on Google+ :D Take a look at the screenshots below. Judge for yourself.

Photos_-_google Facebook
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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/208849/1_383173642m.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4bhvyg0QmQfv Arnold Gamboa arnoldgamboa Arnold Gamboa Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:17:58 -0800 Beware. Your online photos from your cellphone can be a security threat http://arnoldgamboa.com/beware-your-online-photos-from-your-cellphone http://arnoldgamboa.com/beware-your-online-photos-from-your-cellphone First, watch this. Very informative and at the same time alarming. 

For tech geeks, this information is basic. But I'm thinking about just anybody else who has a smartphone and posting their pictures online. You should know that your phone is producing geographical locations embedded on your pictures' metadata. This enables practically anyone who knows about this to track you down through the picture you posted.

Here's a guide on how to turn off your phone's location settings from ICanStalkU.com. 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/208849/1_383173642m.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4bhvyg0QmQfv Arnold Gamboa arnoldgamboa Arnold Gamboa Mon, 28 Nov 2011 07:39:00 -0800 Project: KapatidTV http://arnoldgamboa.com/project-kapatidtv http://arnoldgamboa.com/project-kapatidtv
Kapatid_tv-3
This year is probably one of our best, not only because of the new web applications and partnerships we've established, but most notably, we were given a chance to work with TV5 on several web projects they launched this year -- one of which is launched just recently - KapatidTV (http://kapatidtv.com).

We only have TV5 and Carlo Ople, their New Media Head to thank for for trusting us and giving us a chance to prove that even a small web development house can provide quality products and services. And working with their bunch of really cool new media staff is definitely an advantage.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/208849/1_383173642m.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4bhvyg0QmQfv Arnold Gamboa arnoldgamboa Arnold Gamboa Mon, 24 Oct 2011 11:05:27 -0700 The story behind GroupHug.ph http://arnoldgamboa.com/the-story-behind-grouphugph http://arnoldgamboa.com/the-story-behind-grouphugph
(Warning: might be long and filled with gramatical errors :D -- I decided to just write this once and not bother with copy editing. Quick summary: I recently joined the Start-up Weekend Manila and the idea I pitched placed 5th over-all. Not bad!)

The story behind the idea

Last month, we had this message series at church entitled "Change Your World in 52 Days". Craig Groeschel asked "What breaks your heart?" and then challenged us -- "Somebody has got to do something. It might as well be me".

And so I asked myself, what breaks my heart? My answer: aside from seeing people far from God (my first on the list), it breaks my heart whenever I see kids who needs healthcare and are not getting any because of poverty. 

TV stations like GMA and ABS-CBN have been so far successful in bringing these concerns to TV viewers. They will create program segments that features these kids and would ask you to donate and support their hospitalization. 

If you really care, your heart is pounded. I would normally have that feeling -- I want to donate, I want it now! And so the TV programs will tell you where to deposit the money, the name of the child and assures you that your money will be able help the kid survive the predicament. And sure it will. So the next morning, you'll wake up, eat your breakfast and go back to work. You forgot about the heart-breaking segment you saw on TV last night. I don't blame myself, or anyone for that matter, who will have this routine. We're human beings. We forget. That's our nature. Our nature is the problem.

Somebody has got to do something. It might as well be me. There's a solution to this problem. And as a web entrepreneur, I can see a solution. 

Imagine if you'll see this same program, same images, same story of a kid who needs healthcare -- the same intensity, the same emotion, the same willingness to help -- this time on a website while you're browsing, or checking your emails, or lurking at Facebook. You are presented with the opportunity to help the child right there and then -- not tomorrow in the bank -- right now, with your Paypal accounts and your credit cards. Assuming that you have the real desire to help, the possibility of you making that step has increased by a hundred fold. Multiply that with hundreds of possible donors, pitching in to help the child. I'm sure raising funds will be faster than just featuring his story on TV.

The idea: a web app that non-government organizations can use to facilitate online donations for kids that need healthcare.

When I was sharing this to my LifeGroup, my original plan is just to partner with a huge organization that works with children healthcare (like ABS-CBN Foundation, GMA Kapuso Foundation), offer my services in building this platform for free. I wasn't planning to earn anything out of it. Just the thought of having my skills gone to good use is a huge blessing and an accomplishment for me. I have in fact contacted a friend at a TV station to try to pitch this idea to him to see if his organization can support this partnership. But Start-up Weekend Manila happened sooner.

Start-up Weekend Manila's pitch

Start-up Weekend was finally coming to the Manila. (To know more about Start-Up Weekend Manila, click here). I know I'll join -- not for anything else but to just be immersed into the Pinoy geek community. The energy of multiple geeks and entrepreneurs in one room would definitely blow my mind. That's what I looked forward to. On the side, I was thinking about pitching an idea. A "cool" start up. 

Unfortunately, I can't think of anything original. My other ideas have been implemented already either by my team or with others around. The only other idea that I have in mind is this one -- the non-profit web app for children's health care. So I thought, why not pitch this idea and see if this is viable. 

However, if this will be pitched it needs to be profitable. So, I kinda modified the idea. Instead of just doing it for free to partner with one huge organization, I would be presenting it as a Software-As-A-Service, Social Entrepreneurship start-up that will provide free tools to multiple organizations that takes care of children's healthcare donations. The revenue stream will come from processing fees. Not bad, isn't it?

Friday night pitch fire

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I pitched the idea. I was among the less than 70 ideas that stood and pitched for 1 minute. My goal is simple: no competition, just wanting to know how people will react to the idea. Is that something worth pursuing? Will people actually find it interesting?

I named this start up GroupHug.ph. As in, "come on, let's group together, hug this kid by pitching in our money for his hospitalization" group hug.

Wasn't expecting anything actually. When informal votation came, my piece of paper was average. Compare to that Voodoo App's popularity, mine was ... well.. :D 

Team formation

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But then, it made it to top 20! We were asked to form a team to work on a prototype over the weekend for presentation Sunday night. Some really passionate individuals approached me and interested to work on the project with me. 

Meet Chris, Sam, John and Dayle. With the exception of John, everyone else I just met that night. We started rough and extreme. That's natural for people who do not know each other, with different goals and directions. My goal was simple -- I just want the idea to come out. Not to win or anything like that. But these dudes, they're on to something. They want to win. They so believe in the idea that they actually believe this will win the Singapore incubator gig! They're so passionate about winning that they got me to believe about the project's winnability, too! And I'm saying this on a positive note. Sometimes, you need people to believe in you to so you can believe in yourself.

They're not just about winning, they coupled the passion with hard work. I saw them worked their ass off over the weekend to be able to come up with a prototype.

Sunday night presentation

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I've marveled as I listened to the presenters. Filipinos do have wonderful ideas. We have skills to match the ideas. Just being in the midst of that room with those really talented individuals makes me want to go home :D But, I still need to present what we have.

My presentation focused not just on the web app. It focused primarily on the benefit. And since this web app is primarily for a cause, my goal is to trigger the emotions of those that will be watching it. That's how GroupHug.ph differed from the rest -- it's not just about technology, it's technology with a heart. 

People's reaction

Seeing how great the other apps were technologically, I already knew we're not going to be #1. But still, we'd be winners if my goal of confirming whether people can relate with the project or not, if the project is viable or not, will happen. And somehow, it happened.

After my presentation, several people came to me telling me how they loved the idea. It's the cause for children's healthcare that grabbed their attention and touched their hearts. An incubator gave me a card, interested to talk about GroupHug.ph further. 

Some people Twitted:

@iamLadyVera: I used to think that I don't have a heart but GroupHug.ph just touched it.

@renzmarv : Hope to see GroupHug & Startup Mavericks to get live soon! Aside from ours, those two are my personal favorites! #swmanila @jasontorres

@dazedndconfused: #swmanila GROUPHUG very socially conscious app- " technology with heart"

jfdiasia: #swmanila GroupHug: web application facilitating donations for children's healthcare services

5th place finish

Hearing the people's reaction makes us winners already, seriously. That's the primary reason why I came here, to validate this idea. The icing on the cake being part of the top winners -- 5th to be exact.

So, what's next?

What's next for GroupHug.ph? Are we going to continue on with this? Quick answer: of course. Why not? The idea has been validated. People loved it. It will make a difference in the lives of children who needs healthcare. And quite honestly, it will also make a difference in the lives of people who will be given the chance to donate. Giving is always a blessing, it changes you more than it changes the recipient of your gift.

HOWEVER, the reality is, to launch this project requires a lot of time and energy. It's not a simple iPhone app that you upload on iTunes store. GroupHug.ph requires vision casting to non-profit organizations. The webapp itself, as I envision it, needs dedicated time to make it work. And I can't make my company, TeamSparrow be involved in this. We're really full at this point and a man-hour investment is something my team cannot provide. On top of that, I just launched a start up (in partnership with Abe of YugaTech and James, a long time client) called YugaDeals. And, together with my buddy Jerameel and Abe, we've started working on another cool, kick ass web app which we hope to launch by early 2012. Plus, I have another start up: LifeChurch Makati (which technically is a start up too). I can't have too many start ups all at the same time. I need to do outsourced work to feed my family. LOL! :D

BUT, this thing is real. And it needs to happen. Maybe, if I'm going to run this from the leadership capacity without involving my current company and with an incubator or VC supporting it, maybe things will be much easier and it'll fly as it should. So, GroupHug.ph is on the fridge right now as I try to follow up on those incubators and possible VCs and partners.

Start-up Weekend is both a fun and a challenge

I have learned a lot from this experience. I honestly have some reservations, but overall, the Start-up Weekend is what the Philippines need to promote entrepreneurship and technology in the country. We have really great minds locally. These people don't need to go abroad to work. Work is here. 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/208849/1_383173642m.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4bhvyg0QmQfv Arnold Gamboa arnoldgamboa Arnold Gamboa Wed, 05 Oct 2011 18:55:03 -0700 Farewell, Steve Jobs. You're an inspiration. http://arnoldgamboa.com/farewell-steve-jobs-youre-an-inspiration http://arnoldgamboa.com/farewell-steve-jobs-youre-an-inspiration
Apple

We will "always be hungry. Always be foolish."

 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/208849/1_383173642m.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4bhvyg0QmQfv Arnold Gamboa arnoldgamboa Arnold Gamboa Mon, 29 Aug 2011 23:56:16 -0700 Steve Jobs and Bill Gates together http://arnoldgamboa.com/steve-jobs-and-bill-gates-together http://arnoldgamboa.com/steve-jobs-and-bill-gates-together It was a holiday but I'm working on a pet project. During break, these videos kept me company. I know, with the recent Steve Jobs resignation at Apple, he is on top of the searches now a days. These were educational for most and inspiring to some (including myself) to see 2 giants in our industry in one stage having fun and discussing the past and the future of technology. Very rare occasion indeed. 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/208849/1_383173642m.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4bhvyg0QmQfv Arnold Gamboa arnoldgamboa Arnold Gamboa Thu, 25 Aug 2011 01:08:32 -0700 Quote: Rick Warren on Determination http://arnoldgamboa.com/quote-rick-warren-on-determination http://arnoldgamboa.com/quote-rick-warren-on-determination Most people never succeed because they give up too soon. Is there a dream you’ve always had that you’ve given up on? ... Great people are simply ordinary people with an extraordinary amount of determination. Successful people just don’t know how to quit.

Abraham Lincoln was probably America’s greatest president. He lost more times than he won. If you ask any school kid who Abraham Lincoln is, you’ll hear plenty of answers. You won’t hear anything about his defeats, his failures, his lost elections or his embarrassing rejections. You just hear about the Emancipation Proclamation and the Gettysburg Address, and that he saved the Union.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/208849/1_383173642m.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4bhvyg0QmQfv Arnold Gamboa arnoldgamboa Arnold Gamboa Wed, 24 Aug 2011 21:59:14 -0700 On Steve Jobs resignation and leadership http://arnoldgamboa.com/on-steve-jobs-resignation-and-leadership http://arnoldgamboa.com/on-steve-jobs-resignation-and-leadership
Steve-jobs

If you are an Apple fanboy (like me) and you woke up today with the news that Apple rockstar and visionary Steve Jobs has resigned his post as CEO of the company, I know you're disheartened (err.. like me). 

Jobs has revolutionized the way we see tech gadgets. He's a charismatic leader, a visionary. If he'll ask all Apple fanboys to jump off the cliff so he'll tell them the next big gadget, everyone will follow.  

I'm exaggerating, of course, but looking at how Apple gained grounds in the last decades because of his leadership, I think that description is not far from the reality.

He has resigned, the Apple community is disheartened, and Apple stocks are down by 5% today. Who knows how further the stocks will react to this news in the next couple of days more.

My thoughts on his resignation from where I'm coming from as an entrepreneur and an "idiotes" leader of an organization:

1. While Jobs has made Apple strong almost single handedly, all organizations will have to come to reality that everyone has an "expiration date". No leader can lead forever. And to build an organization around a leader might be a mistake that can be felt when the leader leaves the organization. This is

2. This is my case for personality-driven leadership vs. vision-driven leadership. In my opinion, an organization that has built their organization around a strong vision and mission can better withstand the time and storm of its life.

3. I think Steve Jobs is a great leader. And as a great leader, his leadership can be further acknowledged on how he has positioned others to succeed, how he has driven a vision for his company and how the community and members of the organization will respond to the vision and not with the person.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/208849/1_383173642m.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4bhvyg0QmQfv Arnold Gamboa arnoldgamboa Arnold Gamboa Thu, 11 Aug 2011 06:30:00 -0700 Projects I'm proud of : NasaanSiAga.com http://arnoldgamboa.com/projects-im-proud-of-nasaansiagacom http://arnoldgamboa.com/projects-im-proud-of-nasaansiagacom

Every once in a while, we're able to work on some exciting, not your typical website/webapp project. Let's call this my "Projects I'm proud of" list.

Just recently, TV5 approached us to work on an ambitious project. It is unique, in a sense that I I have never seen anything like that done in the past. The concept is simple but the technology behind it is not.

TV5 is about to launch a new tv show hosted by Aga Muhlach. Pinoy Explorer, as I heard, brings Aga to different places. And to hype up this show, they launched a site called NasaanSiAga.com. The concept: people will guess Aga's first destination (hence, "NasaanSiAga?"). They will tweet their answers together with the hashtag #nasaansiaga. But that's not all. While people are tweeting, the website collates the Twitter thumbnails of those who participated in, transforms it into photo mosaic on top of a portion of the flag where Aga is actually going to. As the number of tweets goes closer to 10,000, the flag is revealed little by little. All happening on-the-fly. Sort of (we update it every 10 minutes). 

As of writing, the flag is on 14.1%. And with all those Twitter thumbnails photo-mosiac'ed, man -- what a beautiful sight.

I'm not sure if I'm ok to reveal the technology behind this. Not while it is running, I guess. But definitely, no Flash technology involved. All heavy weight PHP, Linux, cron jobs and Twitter API programming.

Carlo Ople, TV5's new media head, calls this "mission: impossible". I'd say, it probably is. Before the cool dudes at TV5 and TeamSparrow pulled this thing off ;) 

Nasaan_si_aga Nasaan_si_aga-1
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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/208849/1_383173642m.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4bhvyg0QmQfv Arnold Gamboa arnoldgamboa Arnold Gamboa Wed, 10 Aug 2011 22:25:39 -0700 QUOTE: Be prepared http://arnoldgamboa.com/quote-be-prepared http://arnoldgamboa.com/quote-be-prepared Coach: I prayed so hard, but I still can’t seem to win.

Mr. Bridges: I heard of a story of two farmers praying to God for rain to come. Both prayed but only one prepared the land. Who do you think trusted God more to send the rain?

(From the movie "Facing the Giants")

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/208849/1_383173642m.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4bhvyg0QmQfv Arnold Gamboa arnoldgamboa Arnold Gamboa Tue, 09 Aug 2011 01:13:52 -0700 Steps to Financial Peace - a public seminar http://arnoldgamboa.com/steps-to-financial-peace-a-public-seminar http://arnoldgamboa.com/steps-to-financial-peace-a-public-seminar
Stepstofinancialpeaceposter-sm

Times are tough. And in times like these, knowledge is your best friend. We've got to know how to get through the hoops. 

I've been invited to attend the "Steps to Financial Peace" seminar this coming Friday, August 12, 2011. With life and personal finance coach Randell Tiongson (with popular leadership coach Francis Kong as guest, among others) downloading all these knowledge to attendees, I'm sure this whole day teaching will be a great time to be equipped with necessary tools to financial management. 

Every entrepreneur should check this out! Here's the complete description of the seminar.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/208849/1_383173642m.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4bhvyg0QmQfv Arnold Gamboa arnoldgamboa Arnold Gamboa Thu, 26 May 2011 02:48:25 -0700 Why we're sticking it out with Kohana (PHP) and not jumping ship to Ruby on Rails http://arnoldgamboa.com/why-were-sticking-it-out-with-kohana-php-and http://arnoldgamboa.com/why-were-sticking-it-out-with-kohana-php-and
Kohana-vs-ror

I have to admit it -- I have a "Ruby on Rails" envy. Ruby on Rails is like PHP 10 years ago. PHP was hot and the talk of the town back then. Now, every cool dudes I know are either iPhone developers or Ruby on Rails geeks. Ruby on Rails looked very sexy. Red hot sexy. Girl-in-2-piece-in-a-wine-commercial sexy. And us PHP guys? We looked old, slow, messy and uncool. I don't know if it's just bad press, but that's how they describe us these days.

We've made a living out of PHP for years. I've started a company that revolves around PHP. We've developed hundreds of websites in PHP. 

And I'd say, we're sticking it out with PHP -- at least in the next few years. Here's why.

1. It's a business move. We're basically an outsource consultant. While we're moving slowly to building our own products, we rely on clients paying our bills. Most clients still prefer PHP and we have to admit it, according to statistics 70% of websites are done in PHP. We'd rather just do the job than explain to the client why Ruby on Rails is hotter than PHP. 

2. Kohana (PHP framework) IS our Ruby on Rails. They say that RoR makes you code faster, easier. But honestly, it's an overstatement if we will keep it against PHP. There's been a lot of frameworks for PHP these days. We're currently using Kohana 3 and so far we're loving it. It makes our job easy, simple and we've able to make web applications for clients for days for others that is coded in months using plain PHP. Writing a Ruby on Rails simple blog in 15 mins? I can write a Kohana blog in 5 mins :D Kidding aside, really, if fast coding is the argument, we don't have any problems with Kohana. It's flexible, too! Wants to see your database queries or use ORM to reduce your RoR envy? You choose. It comes with HMVC. Not just MVC... that's HMVC. How about another letter in front to make it sound sexier than RoR, eh!. ;)

Don't get me wrong. Given a free time, I'd like to see RoR in action in the future. And I still do envy the RoR dudes. Seriously. You're all cool and sexy. You're the future of the web. But hey, Kohana does the job, and does it right, too. So we'll stick with our good old mama for now. 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/208849/1_383173642m.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4bhvyg0QmQfv Arnold Gamboa arnoldgamboa Arnold Gamboa Fri, 29 Apr 2011 06:56:20 -0700 You don't have to be first to be the best http://arnoldgamboa.com/you-dont-have-to-be-first-to-be-the-best http://arnoldgamboa.com/you-dont-have-to-be-first-to-be-the-best
Friendster_vs_facebook_-_googl

The recent admittance of Friendster that we have a Facebook world and bowing down in the social media war means you don't have to be first to be the best.

There was a time that innovation is what its needed to succeed. Be the first to launch a unique product, be the original in the field -- research and development is your best friend -- and you're famous and rich.

But there is also times like today where you don't have to be first to be the best. You can get an idea, improve it and be the best in that field. You pick up what's cool, place in some more colors and functions and features. See how more people can appreciate yours than the original.

That's what happened to Facebook. Friendster started it all. They are the first to offer social networking. Let's give them credit for that. But young Zuckerberg knows he can do better, old Friendster never improved. And, as they say, the rest is history.

I must admit I'm not an innovator. Just just not me. I'm not creative enough to be original. I'm a very technical, systems guy. I get excited when I see a product and thinks I can improve it. I can't be original, and I'm cool with that. I can't create, but I can fix. And yes, we do grab an idea or two from existing products, but we take it to another level. We improve the idea. And we may not be the best, yet -- but that's the direction we're taking.

So the next time you get frustrated for not being the first thing to think about a cool idea, there's hope.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/208849/1_383173642m.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4bhvyg0QmQfv Arnold Gamboa arnoldgamboa Arnold Gamboa Sat, 02 Apr 2011 00:30:00 -0700 Workstation inspirations http://arnoldgamboa.com/workstation-inspirations http://arnoldgamboa.com/workstation-inspirations

Due to the recent changes in the my work routines, I had to sell my 2 Mac properties -- my 20" iMac and the 13" Macbook -- and buy a 15" Macbook Pro. So far, I'm enjoying it. I can work in between meetings. I can work on Starbucks or where ever there's WiFi. 

Investing in light, mobile technology can make your schedule much more convenient. If you have to travel frequently on business or visit several different places in one day, having the lightest Mac Airbooks, Blackberries or o2 Business Phones can really make a difference. These days there are so many different brands and gadgets to choose from. 

It depends, of course, on your work routine. More and more companies are requiring employees to be flexible and multi-tasking, which really demands the latest technologies. If you are a freelancer you might also find yourself frequently on the go, meeting with different clients or switching between your areas of expertise.

But then of course, there's nothing like having a workstation as your homebase. Here are some of the workstation inspirations I'm going to try to achieve. 

Desktop_inspiration_1 Workspace_inspiration_2 Current_workspace_setup__flickr_-_photo_sharing The_newness__flickr_-_photo_sharing
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So, hopefully, my next purchase is a 23" LED monitor. I'm eyeing a really good purchase on this one. Gotta be productive. Gotta be inspired. :D

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/208849/1_383173642m.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4bhvyg0QmQfv Arnold Gamboa arnoldgamboa Arnold Gamboa Thu, 24 Mar 2011 09:13:44 -0700 Pinoy Technopreneur at Asia Pacific College http://arnoldgamboa.com/pinoy-technopreneur-at-asia-pacific-college http://arnoldgamboa.com/pinoy-technopreneur-at-asia-pacific-college I had a privilege of sharing some thoughts about technology and entrepreneurship with the graduating students at Asia Pacific College today through the invitation of online friend and professor Boogie Boydon. Being away from classroom for 14 years and be back for an hour is an exciting experience. Along with my short story on why I am doing what I'm doing now, I shared a couple of principles that may probably help them after graduation.

1. Be weird. Because normal is not working. Normal is Friday night out with friends. Weird is staying home studying new technologies and listening to podcasts. Normal is being employed. Weird is trying the hard way of being your own boss. Normal is going abroad. Weird is staying home and be an entrepreneur. While I do not have anything against being employed and going abroad, being "normal" doesn't produce extra-ordinary results. Being weird, on the other hand, is doing something different to produce a different set of results.

2. If you know who you are, you'll know what to do. Entrepreneurship is not for everyone. The field of technology is huge. Early on, explore. But find out about your passion, your gifts and specific interests. If  you find it early on, pursue it. Focus on it. Do your best to be the best in that field. If you know who you are, you'll know what to do. If you don't know who you are, you'll just jump from doing one thing to another without being fulfilled. 

I do hope I was able to inspire a kid or two. :D

PS. If you attend LifeChurch Makati, you know by now that those principles aren't my original. These are spiritual principles taught by Craig Groeschel transposed to speak to the students' needs. ;) This is just a way of saying that what you hear on Sunday can really be incorporated into your life from Monday to Saturday.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/208849/1_383173642m.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4bhvyg0QmQfv Arnold Gamboa arnoldgamboa Arnold Gamboa Thu, 17 Mar 2011 03:03:07 -0700 YugaDeals.com - a gadget deals website in partnership with YugaTech http://arnoldgamboa.com/yugadealscom-a-gadget-deals-website-in-partne http://arnoldgamboa.com/yugadealscom-a-gadget-deals-website-in-partne
Yugadeals_-_the_best_tech_deal

With the popularity of group buying site Groupon crossing over here in the Philippines and giving birth to dozens of group buying sites, one thing we've noticed: everything was about food, travel, health and services -- nobody offers tech gadgets exclusively for tech hogs like you and me ;) And so, with the partnership of the country's top Tech blogger Abe Olandres of YugaTech and a long time client James Perez of IdeaLab, we're bringing you YugaDeals.com, the first tech gadgets centric group buying website in the country. Soon, you'll be able to buy gadgets in discounted prices with your friends!

We're still on our pre-launch stage and will launch very soon. For now, sign up with your emails, like us and share on Facebook and Twitter -- help us spread the word out -- and we'll let you be the first one to know when we launch.

Read Abe's post on YugaTech. 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/208849/1_383173642m.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4bhvyg0QmQfv Arnold Gamboa arnoldgamboa Arnold Gamboa Mon, 07 Mar 2011 09:02:00 -0800 Philippine bloggers' association? http://arnoldgamboa.com/philippine-bloggers-association http://arnoldgamboa.com/philippine-bloggers-association

The talk of Philippine blogsphere town these days is the proposed "national bloggers' association". Janette Toral (digitalfilipino.com) and Tonyo Cruz started the proposal. As a blogger myself, and since they've been asking for opinions regarding this matter, here's mine -- it's sweet and simple:

Anyone has the right to start an organization. Anyone is free to join any organization. I might even join one. Janette and Tonyo, therefore, are welcome to start an advocacy with their organization. Or Abe Olandres, or Carlo Ople can start their own bloggers' association, too, for that matter. This is just a way of saying that any organization can be started to help achieve a mission and pursue a vision.

Having said that, while anyone is free to start an organization, no one has the right to represent anyone -- or any blogger -- that are not part of their organization. If they will start going around telling companies and the government that their sentiment is the sentiment of the entire blogging community here in the country, that's just going beyond what any blogging association should do. I just feel that, with the kind of dynamics and diversity, it's impossible for a single organization to represent the entire blogging community -- even if they'll just try to find common grounds among bloggers, as Tonyo Cruz said. It's a simple principle but has a huge impact in the way it can be used in the daily course of business.

My 2 cents.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/208849/1_383173642m.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4bhvyg0QmQfv Arnold Gamboa arnoldgamboa Arnold Gamboa Fri, 04 Mar 2011 06:02:35 -0800 The worst moments are your best opportunity - Seth Godin http://arnoldgamboa.com/the-worst-moments-are-your-best-opportunity-s http://arnoldgamboa.com/the-worst-moments-are-your-best-opportunity-s

That's how we judge you and how we remember you.

You are presumed to be showing us your real self when you are on deadline, have a headache, are facing a customer service meltdown, haven't had a good night's sleep, are facing an ethical dilemma, are momentarily in power, are caught doing something when you thought no one else was looking, are irritable, have the opportunity to extract revenge, are losing a competition or are truly overwhelmed.

What a great opportunity to tell the story you'd like us to hear about you.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/208849/1_383173642m.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4bhvyg0QmQfv Arnold Gamboa arnoldgamboa Arnold Gamboa Thu, 17 Feb 2011 04:51:31 -0800 Marketing tips from Justin Bieber http://arnoldgamboa.com/marketing-tips-from-justin-bieber http://arnoldgamboa.com/marketing-tips-from-justin-bieber
Justin_bieber_internet_marketi

I assume you're not a Justin Bieber fan. If you are, then I'm probably reaching the wrong segment ;)

First time I heard about Justin Bieber is not through his music. It is when everyone on Twitter is making fun of him for being a consistent trending topic for weeks. He even made Twitter change the trending topic algorithm just so it wouldn't be exploited.

The kid is, I heard, an international phenomenon now. He's got young girls shouting his name. Makes me think about Menudo. (Yes, I'm 35 years old!)

And now he's got a movie. I am laughing about that movie until I started reading a lot of good reviews from internet marketing blogs today. 

Here's a good read from Blist Marketing: Justin Bieber - Internet Marketing Guru.

Makes me want to really watch this movie. Not sure if I'll consider this for a date movie with my wife. Maybe I'll just see this one afternoon instead of working -- it's a work-related research anyway. *wink*

So, technopreneurs, are you watching the Justin Bieber movie? What about making this a group activity? LOL! 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/208849/1_383173642m.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4bhvyg0QmQfv Arnold Gamboa arnoldgamboa Arnold Gamboa Fri, 11 Feb 2011 23:12:47 -0800 Quote: Need more time? http://arnoldgamboa.com/quote-need-more-time http://arnoldgamboa.com/quote-need-more-time "You don't need more time, you just need to decide."

-Seth Godin

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/208849/1_383173642m.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4bhvyg0QmQfv Arnold Gamboa arnoldgamboa Arnold Gamboa