Open Mic Night is Thursday night!
January 12, 2010
One of my favorite things about entrepreneurs is that they are always usually working on cool stuff. One of the misconceptions some entrepreneurs have is they feel like they have to keep their ideas a secret. But sharing your ideas with others is one of the best things you can do to help test your idea and put them through the fire!
This Thursday, ReInvent Abilene is hosting Open Mic Night for any and all to come and let people know what cool things you are up to. Come prepared to share the cool things you have going on in technology and business development! The event will be held at Texas Tech University in Abilene across from the downtown Post Office from 5pm to 7pm. Drinks and snacks will be provided.
Hope to see you there!
Internet Programming and My Attempt at being a Professor
January 11, 2010
Last Fall, I was fortunate enough to be an adjunct professor at a local university, McMurry University. The Dean of Business gave me a call asking if I knew anyone with a masters at Milsoft who would be interested in teaching, and those I asked didn’t seem to be interested, so I thought I’d give it a shot. Sure enough, I was picked and the rest is history.
I really enjoyed the experience, and from the student responses, I’m pretty sure they learned a thing or two. The course was Intro to Internet Programming. Even though the students feared programming, there was no way they were getting out of Internet PROGRAMMING without learning some code. So, I set out to cover the primary technologies and languages it takes to create a web application in a hands-on sort of way. For the first half of the course, I talked a lot, but once the basics were covered it was all hands-on, programming assignments. Having recently graduated from college, I tried to mimic the professors that I really enjoyed learning from. So, for starters: no attendance policy, real-world problems and hands-on training.
I’ve posted all my slides and assignments below. I’d love to hear your questions, comments and feedback.
*** For any computer science / business-related university staff or faculty reading this, I’m curious to know your thoughts on how I think databases should be taught in universities.
The “Anatomy of Web Apps” slides covers the flow of web applications, showing how data is transferred and introduces the basic technologies required.
“Introduction to XHTML” simply gives a breakdown for how to use the markup language, tells what it is and what it isn’t.
“Designing Websites with CSS” breaks down the CSS language and gives some examples how you can use it.
“Javascript Programming Basics” outlines the basics for most programming languages.
Everyone needs to use a Javascript library when programming in Javascript, there’s really no reason not too. Learn the “jQuery Basics” and make javascript fun again.
And here are the slides for a very “Basic User Authentication with PHP & MySQL”. Please read the disclaimer slide at the end.
And for the assignments:
As I said before, I’d love to hear any questions, comments and feedback. Thanks!
Database Courses in Universities
After going through the Computer Science degree plan at Abilene Christian University and being an adjunct professor at McMurry University, I think a slight change in how we teach databases at universities would make a big difference. I give credit to Dr. Barton, who taught Database Theory when I was a sophomore at ACU (nearly 5 years ago?! wow.), as being one of the most useful computer sciences classes I ever took. Reason being: databases are used in nearly all forms of software. I had already dabbled in PHP/MySQL before taking the course, so my biggest benefit from the class was learning how to utilize joins and indexing. From talking to others students, it doesn’t seem like they’ve had as lucky of an experience as I, and I think that is because they didn’t see the practicality of the database course. Having already played with relational databases, it was much easier for my to comprehend the deeper theory behind databases.
So, on with my suggestion:
If you have anything to do with course curriculum for any degree plans that requires a database-related course, I highly recommend the topic of databases be split into two courses. The first should be a hands-on, 100/200s level, “Intro to Relational Databases” course that is entirely about learning SQL and writing queries, nothing that goes too deep into the theoretical and mathematical side of databases. Reserve the theoretical and mathematical course for the upper-level, 300/400s course. I suggest this for a few reasons: 1) Simply knowing how to create and structure a database and using SQL to SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE and JOIN records can take someone a long ways, in many different professions. 2) By having a lower level intro course, you can open up the basic knowledge of databases and SQL to other degree plans. 3) You just don’t need the theoretical and mathematical knowledge behind databases to make effective use of databases.
By all means, relational databases and SQL barely scratch the surface of the entirety of databases, and the in-depth science behind databases is absolutely necessary for those who want to learn, research and improve databases, so it should still be a required, upper-level course for any Computer Science major. I believe giving the “Intro to Relational Databases” course a lower barrier to entry and a higher hands-on experience will dramatically improve students’ understanding of databases and incline them to be more interested in the deeper theory of databases.
Thoughts?
ReInvent Abilene is Tomorrow Night!
December 9, 2009
If you haven’t been to a ReInvent Abilene yet, you really need to carve out a couple hours of your time tomorrow night and check it out. Tom Dolan does some great work with the event by bringing in some really cool speakers.
So… here’s the info from Tom Dolan for tomorrow night’s ReInvent Abilene:
Larry Williamson of EarthCo Building Systems will tell his story of inventing the Megablock extruded earth block machine which is now complete and building structures including a couple in Amarillo. Larry hopes to soon build earth block homes with a developer in Abilene. Many of you will remember Larry as a regular ReInvent attendee in the early days. I believe you’ll want to hear Larry’s story of research, invention, development and company formation.
A couple of you had questions about the engineering of the EarthCo MegaBlock - especially integrity when flooded with water. What we haven’t said is that several entities considered these and other issues including the Texas Tech University Whitacre College of Engineering departments of Mechanical and Civil Engineering as well as the TTU Small Busienss Development Center.
Come find out if the MegaBlock melts away or stays together in a flood! Earthco founder Larry Williamson will fill you in on engineering integrity and business development details at the ReInvent Abilene gathering 5pm tomorrow. Free food and beverages!
“Inventing Megablock”
Thu Dec 10, 2009
5:00pm to 7:00pm
Texas Tech University at Abilene
302 Pine Street - Across from the Downtown Abilene Post Office
Open Coffee - Free Lunch - Tomorrow!
December 2, 2009
Read about what happened at the event in the followup post.
Here are the details from the Facebook Event:
On Thursday Dec. 3rd, ACU’s College of Business Administration is hosting an Open Coffee (i.e. bring your laptops and work, hangout, study, network, etc.) from 9am-4pm in the SpringBoard Accelerator (corner of Washington & 16th).
Lunch provided and guest speakers Chad Hutchins & Garrett Winder will speak @ noon on using the social web in business.
Open Coffee this Thursday!
November 18, 2009
UPDATE: No Open Coffee tomorrow. It will be rescheduled for the week after Thanksgiving. More details to come.
It has been a few months since the last open coffee in Abilene. We’ve abused the Open Coffee event to be several things here in Abilene: co-working, networking, showcasing, etc. etc. The cool thing about it is we make it what we want it to be. So, bring your laptop and business cards and be ready to get some work done, meet like-minded entrepreneurs and drink some coffee. It is a come-and-go all-day event.
The Open Coffee will be at Brew Net coffee shop on the north side of Abilene. The event is hosted by the ACU SpringBoard Accelerator, and they will be buying your coffee and food. Around noontime, Garrett Winder, co-founder of GANDR Web, and I will be giving a talk on how you can use Social Networks to benefit your businesses.
I hope to see you there! If you have any questions, give me a call or shoot me an email.
hutchins.chad@gmail.com
903.539.0014
Blogging Your Way Into Your Niche
October 20, 2009
Yesterday, I ran across a great article from a blogger who has been working hard at building his blog for the past two years. If you are new to blogging, you should check out his great post he wrote about the 25 things he wish he knew when he started blogging.
There is no easy way to create an effective blog. It takes more than just setting up a Blogger or Wordpress account and posting something every couple weeks. You have to dedicate a lot of time and effort to create a quality content and a healthy readership. My three favorite points in the article are: “Content doesn’t matter. Promotion matters.” “Social Media isn’t a Silver Bullet” and “Twitter is worth it”.
Blogging for your niche can have a big impact for your business, but it won’t happen over night. At Milsoft, we’ve created a niche Smart Grid blog. It is still very young, but because of the nature of the niche, a little promotion and quality content, in five months it has become the top referring website (excluding search engines) to Milsoft’s primary website.
How is your blogging experience going?
Don’t forget, ACU is hosting another one of their distinguished speakers events today. If your lunch is open, be sure to buy your ticket and come listen to James Lentz, president of Toyota USA, talk about his experiences.
James Lentz of Toyota to Speak at Abilene Christian University Tomorrow
October 19, 2009
On Tuesday, October 20th, Abilene Christian University will be hosting James Lentz, president and board member of Toyota USA, at their latest Distinguished Speakers event. The event starts at 11:45 and lunch will be served. Tickets are $15 but should be well worth it. Visit ACU’s website to buy your tickets now.
It is really amazing how far the alumni networks of universities extend. With the Six Degrees of Separation, it really doesn’t surprise me the level of speakers ACU is able to bring to their events. At the first Springboard Challenge there was Kenneth Starr, at COBA’s yearly Leadership Summit retreat there was John Aden (Walmart’s Senior VP of International Operations), and the list goes on.
If your lunch is open on Tuesday, I highly recommend you buy your ticket and check out the event.
Perspectives from Inside the Organization
October 7, 2009
This is a guest post written by Haley D. Dilling. Haley is a freelance graphic designer and marketing consultant, currently living and working in Abilene, Texas. You can learn more of her marketing perspective on her blog and by following her on Twitter.
“A house divided against itself cannot stand.” ***
Why do so many organizations try to stand divided? Their many departments operate in functional silos, each doing its own thing, protecting its own territory, and criticizing the selfishness, ignorance, or disagreeableness of the other departments. The designers can’t understand why the developers won’t build the product to match their elaborate renderings. The developers can’t understand why the marketing team treats them as incompetent one moment and expects them to be all-powerful the next. The marketing team can’t understand why the designers convolute the marketing message with their intricate visual details.
Organizations cannot function this way – at least, not for long. The word “organization” implies multiple parts arranged into a whole. An organism, if you will. The organization should function as one unit, with many parts working together, much like the human body.
In the human body are present millions of cells and tissues and organs, all working in coordination for the survival of the body. Each part of the body has a specific and specialized function, and all of them contribute to the life of the body. Christians have used this metaphor for almost 2,000 years to describe how the church should function, and the same principle applies to any organization. The Apostle Paul put it this way in 1 Corinthians 12:
“There are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor.”
In the body, each part carries unique abilities, perspectives, and needs. The eyes see. The ears hear. The nose smells. The mouth speaks. The hands touch and clasp and lift and push. The legs walk and stand. Each needs different kinds of nourishment, support, and protection. Each senses things differently, and each provides sensory information that the others cannot.
And each part of the body would be useless if it were not connected and working in harmony with all of the other parts.
The legs would be useless for walking if the eyes could not see, and if the brain could not communicate where to go. The digestive system could not fuel the body if the hands did not respond to hunger pangs and input food to the mouth. The body could not heal itself if the immune system did not redirect platelets and white blood cells to the areas of disease and injury. The many parts of the body contribute to the survival of all the other parts, and of the body as a whole.
In the same way, the survival of any organization requires that each member appreciate the needs and abilities of all the other members. Each member in an organization should understand what he and every other member can and cannot do, and what the function and importance of each member is. He should learn the key factors that affect the abilities of every other member to function, so that he can understand how he can help the other members to succeed. He should trust that every other member is doing his or her job well, and is acting in the best interests of the whole, just as he himself does. And he should communicate continually with the other members, realizing that the entire organization must be coordinated in order to reach its goals.
Working together within an organization is not a matter of “us” vs. “them”, but of truly working together, understanding one another, appreciating one another, and seeking the success of one another. When this happens, the entire organism can thrive.
*** Jesus, Mark 3:25
Interested in being a guest blogger on the Abilene Startup Blog? Shoot me an email or connect with me on Facebook or Twitter.
I’ll do whatever It takes. Will you?
October 6, 2009
Every Tuesday night, fellow Milsoft employees and I play softball in a corporate softball league. And every Tuesday night, I come home with new bruises or strawberrys on my legs and arms from sliding or diving on the field trying to make a play. I’ll come home from the game and show my wife that night’s injuries, and she thinks I’m crazy for playing that hard for just a company softball game. She just can’t understand it. After our last game she asked me, “Why do you do that? I just don’t understand”. My only response is: “I don’t know any other way to play”. We play in a competitive league, so we play softball to win softball games. I’ll do whatever it takes to help my team win softball games.
The whatever it takes mentality is a valuable thing. I wish more people had this mentality. I think the world would be a better place if more people would do whatever it takes to accomplish their goals and ambitions.
In a startup, you’re never going to make it without a whatever it takes mentality and surrounding yourself with co-founders who have the same. Businesses should look to hire nothing but whatever it takes-minded people. Companies should partner with partners who will do whatever it takes to make a partnership successful. If you’re in charge of a fund-raising or community service event, you should be doing nothing short of whatever it takes to help out the persons or organizations you are supporting.
When I say whatever it takes, I don’t mean the back-stabbing, short-changing, relationship-ending sort of whatever it takes. I mean doing whatever it takes while preserving everything else that is important. The best way I can describe this is with an example. I have been married for a year and a few months now to my lovely wife. It was tough in the beginning because I was working all the time. I would work late, while my wife would go to bed alone in many cases. This took away from my relationship with my wife. I had to find another way. Now, I could have told my wife, “Sorry hun, this is just part of being married to an entrepreneurially-minded, hard-working husband” or I could find another way to do whatever it takes to be a great husband and continue my side-ventures. My solution, I keep my nights open for my wife and I get up every morning at 2am-ish and start hustling. Easier said than done. Does this mean I had to stop watching Lost and trade it for one of my wife’s favorite shows? Yes, I had to start watching “Drop Dead Diva” (ok, I have to admit I sort of like it). Does this mean I can’t go out and play in the weekly pick-up basketball and football games? Yes. There are may trade-offs, but to maintain the relationships that really matter and work on other things that I really care it about, you have to do whatever it takes.
Some new blog, business venture, side project, etc. etc. will never be worth cutting off those around you. The relationships you have today are your biggest asset in getting anything off the ground.
So I ask, why spend your time on something that you aren’t going to put all your attention and best efforts to? If you care enough to be doing something in the first place, you should do nothing but whatever it takes to make that something happen.
I write this to encourage you. I believe it is possible to accomplish everything you want to given a whatever it takes attitude. Please, don’t be lazy and waste this precious gift of life.
Are you doing whatever it takes to accomplish your goals and ambitions?
