Only we know (but don’t worry, we’ve got a good reason).

A number of new products are on the way. How many new products you say?

Well, would you believe Six!

Here’s the list that’s coming: Ponoko 3, Golf 1, Auto Racing 2.

Now I can’t share just yet (as they’re not completely done), but this should whet your appetite (and there are another 10 in the pipeline!)

Also we still have StickerTweets available and we’re rolling out new designs as we speak. The new Fresno State and Cal State Northridge StickerTweets are ready to go! Check out the new looks!!

All you Bulldog and Matador fans can get in on these now!

In terms of “Friends of DS4 Design” a lot has gone on, with current and soon to be announcements.

From ChumpCar.com’s new race series for crap can cars (go sign up!)

To Ponoko‘s cover story on Inc. Magazine (Go Dave!)

The Indy 500, look for news there (yeah really!)

So much more to come too!

I am a little bummed, that there’s pretty much no way I can get one for a year or two, (total bummer).

The new PRE looks amazing, I’ve seen a few reviews early, and if it’s what I think it is,, well,, just plain wow!

Keep it up Palm!

Yes, seriously, these are all mine (and I don’t have the original Palm Professional (I gave it to my mom years ago).

First, I got to go do one of my favorite things in the world, go karting at Gokartracer.com in Burlingame Ca. Reason enough to gush with happiness for me.

Then,, joy of joys, we went to In-N-Out (a California burger joint that has specialized grates at the door so that your drool is siphoned away (I am very likely making this up)).

To top it off the San Francisco 49ers beat the New York Jets, who’s favorite fan, and someone I’m a HUUGE fan of, Gary Vaynerchuk (and I think his brother AJ too) cruised into the In-N-out postgame for a bite before heading back across the continent.

Like a crazy teen fan I jumped up, went over and shook his hand, introduced myself, and then scampered back to my seat immediately. Why? Well, let’s face it,, the guy’s favorite team in the world just got beat by a team, that, until 2 weeks ago had been on the mediocre to crap list for a few years. Unfortunately, his team had been to the west coast 3 times this year, AND he follows them for each and every game (That is called being a great fan!) and lost every time. That’s just frustrating. Trust me, there’s no greater feeling than going into an opposing stadium wearing your team’s colors, and being able to walk out with your head held high with a win.

Anyway,, Gary was understandably dejected, so here’s the thing. Leaving there a while later (and knowing they’d only be there another 10 minutes, thus ensuring there wasn’t a flash mob of women, a la Casey Khane didn’t show up to bother him, I tweeted that we’d met).

Well, I got home not 40 minutes later, and there was a direct tweet from Gary.

THAT’S REPUTATION MANAGEMENT!! He was worried that he hadn’t provided the best front, and made sure to leave a positive impression.  He needn’t worry, and as a matter of fact, I was shocked that he had. I have previously recieved emails back from Gary, and knew the quality of his word, (plus he gives away the best content on the planet,, thanks again for the google blog tip!) but he STILL bothered to check in and apologize for his mood.

Think about what you do next people,, just people you meet every day, do you go out of your way to treat them right?  You’re not famous like Gary,, but even he works hard to monitor his image,,, so why aren’t you?!

note: this happened a while ago, and I’m only now posting it. (November 2008)

Gary with the Stones flag

I met Gary kart racing at Infineon raceway (you may have noticed I’m a bit of a racing nut). Upon meeting Gary I found out three things about him within the first 5 minutes.

1. He’d had a heart attack, and he was working on changing his life.

2. He, to that point when I met him had dropped 45 pounds (to date he’s at 64 pounds).

3. He is THE Rolling Stones fan., ok,, Fanatic. Here’s his site

His dream was to race the FJR-50 car at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma.  More than that, he made his dream a reality in a big way. Some people show up, race, and leave.  Not Gary,

Here he is, now get out there and make your dreams happen!!!

Dream it you @$# dreamer!

He makes some really great points about being particularly lightweight about his computing processes.  While I am not a programmer (something I still debate about changing ad nauseum, then simply remind myself that I can pay for that).

Here are some of Alex’s gems

• Do not use web applications that should be desktop applications.
• Do not use desktop applications that should be web applications.
• Buy as large an external display as you can afford if you’ll be working on the computer for more than three hours at a time.

He’s got a few items that don’t fit me personally, but he’s got a great point about listing this as a process. I’ve recently been getting into “processes and rules” thanks to “Beyond Booked Solid” (click the link here and get it!
I’ve been getting into these processes and breaking down my business processes all at the same time.

I have some slightly simpler rules on software, hardware, and file formats. So far (in my mind) they are as follows (by the way,, still go visit Alex’s page, he’s got some very good and different things there from what I have here.

Hardware:

• Get the best you can afford. When you can no longer run the processes required for your business function/software, a hardware upgrade is necessary. You should be able to support that upgrade with business income. Do not incorporate new technology you can’t pay for, or that you already know how you will use it to improve what you’re doing.
• Stay portable if you can.
• Minimize desktop space (actual not on screen) so that you can stay organized in real space.

Software:

• Testing software and hardware that may help you if fine, you MUST stay current with new tools, putting your head in the sand while working is just plain silly. Technology due to it’s name will always change. If you do not change, you will be left behind.
• This ties to the next one, use the cheapest, most useful software you can find that adheres to industry/commonly used formats.  You can download all the crazy programs in the world you want, but if you have to share the data, make sure you’re using something someone else can use.  If you’re building something,, make sure you can read what people need to send you!

File Formats:

Compatibility!!! Make sure it can be read (whatever you send out). Use the most common file format for each output, you will have to send things to people that can only do email,, just barely (no matter what the age) so make things execute in a manner that people simply can’t screw up what you’re sending them (thank you Adobe for the .pdf format!)

Peripherals:

• Everyone needs a USB steering wheel and pedals with force feedback.
• Or maybe that’s just me.
• Also, a wacom pad is key,, just get the 4″x5″ it’s one of those things that onceyou have it,, you’ll wonder what in the world you were doing before. I promise you.
• Use mozy.com the best 5$ you can spend a month. (I also back up locally on a half terabyte drive,, cause I’m paranoid).
• If you have a laptop, get a laptop bag/padded. You’ll need to take it places and that’s something you need to do to keep it safe (or do you drive like a little old lady and keep it under 20mph when your laptop is in the car?) I didn’t think so.

Have an unexpectedly fun day!