iBegin Blog

Warning: this post is rather geeky!

At the beginning of the month, Google announced v2 of the API interface. As I was busy with a recent server crash (unrelated to iBegin), there was no time to update the system before I left on vacation. Updating the system is also a lot more tricky than it appears - the search, Explorer, and highway traffic maps all use different methods in displaying the data, so updating all three is far from trivial. I am still on vacation (my first in years) so still no time to really bunker down and update to V2.

So things could break. Google says 99% of maps should be fine, and since we use mostly documented features (just some undocumented ones to combat memory leaks), there shouldn’t be any problems.

There is good news. I have started to research V2’s extra features, and there is some good stuff added. Especially promising is that the JS size is cut in half and there are tabs for InfoWindows. This should allow me to put in a lot more information without overwhelming the window.

So good things are coming, will take just a while.

Our first few months have all been about adding in features / fixing bugs, but as the pace slackens a bit, I have been focusing on making the site easier to user. At the same time, I also have been working on making sure things properly ‘flow’ across the entire site (eg size and style of search box).

If you see anything that doesn’t make sense or could be made better, do leave in a comment.

PS. As spammers seem to have found this blog, have added a captcha image check for adding comments.

UPDATE April 26: As we continue to streamline elements, the Account links have gone from the top left to the top right. Hopefully the confusion will be minimal

UPDATE April 30: The updates continue. The most notable is that the search system now also supports phone # as a search parameter. Example: (416) 967-5956. The system of course matches 416-967-5956 and other variations.

The notifications system is now fixed and running fine.

I believe that iBegin as a concept is pretty unique. I also believe our execution is excellent.

But what I truly believe really separates us is our philosophy. And I mention this for two reasons:

1. The recent controversy around Digg’s and its editorializing of content (when it claimed none). What this really taught me is that if I ever slip up, I will get busted. So even more reason to make sure the philosophy is stickied on my monitor.
2. The sixth interested ‘party’ that has come to us wanting to invest in iBegin (it would be seven but that ‘party’ keeps wanting to talk, refusing to tell me why. But their email domain gave it away). I keep looking for a ‘we are looking for investors’ sign but can’t seem find it anywhere. Then again, maybe its just the bubble and they feel the same way I feel about iBegin.

So where does that leave us? Just reminding everyone that in the madness, I have said we won’t sell out. If we do, you are cordially invited to throw rocks (not too big please) at my home, wherever it may be. Of course we are in a way ‘lucky’ - I don’t need their money. Server infrastructure etc - all being put together without external money.

On a related note, email notifications seem to be broken. Doh! Working on it (taking a break with this post), so hopefully it will be fixed soon.

Some people have asked me qusetions regarding my earlier post on looking to hire someone, so to quickly clarify:

You do not need any programming experience. It can be an asset, but if you don’t have a clue how x=x+1 can be true, that isn’t a problem

You do not need a college degree. There is no college degree for ‘fun and sociable’. Again, college/university can be a good experience, but not having one is not a problem.

You do not need to be tech savvy. But, you will be expected to learn and appreciate a lot of tech aspects. So not knowing is fine, but you will have to learn the basics.

When I say parties, I refer to the entire web-culture around. Web 2.0 conferences, DemoBarCamp, blog meetups, etc. You will be expected to show up, be friendly, and get to know others (and show them what iBegin is).

There are not ’set’ specifications. I say this because the person hired will be managing an ‘entire city.’ In that vein, we may add a feature that we had not thought about right now. You may have to concentrate on X item today and Y item next week. So flexibility is important.

This is fulltime.

Think you are the person for the job? Then be sure to contact us.

And this is no April’s Fools joke

As we grow, and my concentrations are on various items, keeping up with Toronto is becoming harder and harder. Scouring for spam, proceeding with modifications, promoting the site - that in itself is a full time job.

And with that in mind, we are now looking to hire someone to run Toronto. Requirements include:

• Outgoing. Dinners, parties, etc - you will be going and representing us
• Passionate. Sifting through hundreds of modifications can be a bit tiring. You have to believe in our philosophy.
• Perfect english.

The person hired will be in charge of the city. Eg if someone has a specific problem with iBegin Toronto, they will come to you.

Thats about it. Exciting, fun, and never dull. If you think you are the (wo)man for the job, or know of someone that would be perfect, please be sure to contact us.

UPDATE: To clarify, this is one position, fulltime, work from home (but must be in Toronto).