I have a new market writing about Space.
Univerese Today is a blog that covers space exploration and astronomy. The offer came out of work I was doing last year on Tomorrow is Here. Fraser Cain, who runs Universe Today, also runs the carnival of space, which often featured articles from Tomorrow is Here.
a new world and new civilization?
Perhaps this could lead to something bigger. I noticed that the coverage of the LCROSS Moon impact in the Daily Star was inacurate.
The article says that debris were “brought back to the Earth for analysis.” I am pretty sure this isn’t true. Both probes impacted the Moon. There was nothing to come back to Earth.
This will be my first writing assignments since I took a break in April. I stopped because writing had become such a chore. I wasn’t enjoying it at all.
Writers block had me in a strangle hold. Things had gotten so bad, merely sitting in front of a PC with Word open would give me a headache.
Maybe that’s more than writer’s block.
My first interest remains politics, so there’s an opportunity cost in writing about space. But it’s a way back into writing. A way around the writers block, if that’s what it is.
Recently, I’ve gotten back into the habit of writing daily. Or at least trying to. Even if I am only writing a few hundred words a day it’s something, hence this blog.
No pressure, and as yet no headaches. Perhaps, if I start on writing about politics again the headaches will come back.
So now to look for some suitable space ideas.
Popularity: 31%
Posted in: Filthy Lucre, The Rabbit Hole
I attended a market research workshop yesterday.
It was free, being sponsored by Business Link, a UK government agency. The information was useful and well presented. Attendees are entitled £200 of professional advice with a Business Link advisor.
good stuff
The most useful part of the workshop was meeting other people who are in a similar situation as me. Nearly everyone had a contribution to make. With some useful insights, such as, “people buy people”
The target audience is people who have just started up or will soon start up their own businesses.
This entrepreneur thing is fun. Much more rewarding the working in a corporate cubical. But you can become a little isolated. Mixing with others facing similar problems with similar motivations is great.
Several of the attendees had recently lost their jobs. Even so there was still a very positive atmosphere. I guess you have to have a positive attitude to go along to these things.
It’s a good buzz.
Several people suggested I could make a living writing web copy for small businesses. This is something they do not feel they can do.
It’s something to look into with my £200 of market research.
Popularity: 2%
Posted in: Filthy Lucre
I have been searching software packages to find an accountancy application to suit. Most have been designed for old style bricks and mortar businesses. None provide the functionality I need without providing loads of functions I don’t.
...makes the world go around
I want the package to:
- Be Web based
- Handle multiple currencies
- Track account payments
- Track expenses in same categories as UK tax forms
- Divide expenses into taxable / non-taxable categories
- Handel Micro-payments
- Be able to integrate with on-line payment systems
- Produce invoices
- Collate data for tax return
I do not need:
- Stock control
- Employee details payments
- Reams of financial reports
I tried looking for open source applications that I could hack, but there is none that come near my requirements.
I have decided to create my own application to the above specification. If I base it on the php / MySQL application I developed of “Getting Things Done” it should not take too long. It is a simpler application.
Other advantages in creating my own the application are:
- I will have to develope a clear understanding of my business
- I will have to understand the tax laws
- I will retain control over essential data
- I can tailor the application to suit my needs exactly
- No learning curve on third party applications
- No cash layout
- Mastering more web coding techniques (eg how to integrate with paypal or Amazon)
I have put aside 2 weeks to develop the basic application. Then a further week to enter all my data from the last three years.
Once complete, the application will make filing tax returns much simpler. Plus, I will be able to create and track invoices automatically once I get the on-line integration working .
This is my least favourite part of working for myself. Time spent now will reduce stress and free up more time for the things I want to do.
Popularity: 2%
Posted in: Filthy Lucre
