ifttt: Digital Duct Tape for the Web

ifttt-logoAPIs turn web applications you love and use everyday, like Facebook and Twitter, into more seamless and connected experiences. For instance, the Facebook app Selective Tweets allows you to update your Facebook status from Twitter with just a hashtag. But building these connections require countless apps made by different developers. With If this then that, or ifttt, you can create your own connections, allowing you to streamline your online activity to work together.

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[INTERVIEW] Flowtown Cofounder Ethan Bloch on Timely and Gift Marketing

ethan-bloch

Photo by SFGate

Awhile ago, I discovered one of my most frequently used Twitter tools in Timely, which automagically posts your tweets for you based on their optimal times. (Quora thread on how Timely works.) Timely was a product built by the folks at Flowtown, a social media marketing company founded by Ethan Bloch and Dan Martell. I thought it would be cool to email Ethan some questions for an interview, and luckily he responded. In our discussion, I asked him about the origins of Timely, Flowtown’s recent evolution, and some of the things he’s learned as a startup founder.

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Techcrunch Disrupt SF: Day 2

loner

It was a rather unexciting day at Disrupt. Most pitches bored me to tears. After awhile, every startup sounded like they were the next Quora. “Oh, so you’re a Q&A/crowdsourced knowledge base? But, I prefer Quora! What makes you any different?”
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Techcrunch Disrupt SF: Day 1

startupalley
I awoke this morning uncertain if I would attend Techcrunch Disrupt. Foremost amongst my concerns was actually getting into the conference. I did not purchase a ticket beforehand like I was supposed to. I had actually signed up as a volunteer during the weekend, but hadn’t received any confirmation whether my presence was expected. How could I possibly convince the gatekeepers guarding the entrance between me and the technology utopia inside?

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10 Best Apps for Your New Mac

Mac-Apps

Recently made the switch to a Mac but have no clue what applications to install? Thanks to The Mac App Store, it is easier now to discover the coolest apps around, eliminating the need to search painstakingly through the interwebs for that “killer” app. Whether you consider yourself a power user or just a mere mortal, I’m sure you’ll find something on this list that will meet your needs.

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