Web 2.0 Entrepreneur

Launched a new “Unofficial” CakePHP Forum @ cakephpforum.net

• Posted by Tengku Zahasman on November 5th, 2007 filed in CakePHP


• 3 Comments »
• (5,236 Views)

So I have launched this new forum for CakePHP developers to get together and discuss about any issues related to the framework, knowledge sharing, tips & tricks, etc. I just had to, the CakePHP community needs a forum.

CakePHP already has quite a number of useful resources for Cake developers to refer to:

• The Bakery - compiling CakePHP-related articles, Components, Helpers, code snippets, etc
• CakePHP Google Group - the official place for Cake Bakers to discuss & share knowledge
• The official CakePHP IRC channel - for quick Q&A

However, I believe some people are just more comfortable doing discussions in a forum board environment (yes… people like myself. Somehow Google groups just seems a bit off to me ). So I bought the domain, designed the logo (can’t use the trademarked CakePHP logo), themes & the header, setup some forum boards & categories, and launched it straight away.

If I’m not mistaken, someone had previously created a CakePHP forum at cakephpforum.com, but I heard it died off miserably (even the domain has R.I.P).

So for CakePHP users out there, welcome aboard!

How to build your Startup in 16-steps

• Posted by Tengku Zahasman on October 27th, 2007 filed in Entrepreneurship, Financing/funding, Startup


• 3 Comments »
• (1,026 Views)

While I was browsing through my collection of downloaded e-books earlier today, I came across one titled “How to Build A Bulletproof Startup” which I found on Business 2.0 magazine somewhere last year.

What’s really interesting about this e-book is the use of illustrative pictures with easily understandable English to explain the processes of how Startups are found and built. It throws you the big picture straight into your face without digressing so much. The e-book lists down 16-steps guide in chronological order of how you can create your own startup from as early as establishing your company to developing your idea to funding strategies to launching your app to marketing your product.

While I noticed that most of the financial requirements stated in the e-book seems to be exagerrated A LOT (I mean hey… $500K needed to build a prototype and $1 million to build the beta app?? Come on….), but they did raised some major important points that needs to be considered for establishing a professional startup such as staffing considerations and how your end-product might evolve and change from your initial idea.

So go ahead, download the e-book and read it. Just remember to turn a blind eye for any financial figures found in it, because you want to create a bulletproof startup, not shooting a bullet through your startup.

When I can’t entertain everyone…

• Posted by Tengku Zahasman on October 24th, 2007 filed in Ramblings


• 1 Comment »
• (447 Views)

Ever since I started this blog, I’ve received numerous amount of requests through my contact form. Some asked if I could be free for programming works, some offered me interesting job positions, some asked for my opinions on their Web 2.0 ideas, some wanted me to review their web apps in this blog, some proposed for becoming business partners while others simply sent supportive messages for my writings. Thank you to all of you and I appreciate every messages sent

My concern now is when people ask me if I could work with them on certain projects. While I do take some of the projects and programming works proposed, I had to pass few of the rest even though I’ve seen some of the most brilliant ideas you guys poured. It’s not that I don’t want to take those projects, but sometimes I just can’t. Allow me to state some of the situations when I just had to say no:

1. I can’t take up big projects that needs to be settled by the next week - because that will only mean sleepless nights with high amount of caffeinated drinks to me, which won’t make me feel any better. If I am to accept external projects, I hope it’s something I can do on a steady progress. No client-work-with-urgent-deadlines please. I prefer working on self-initiated projects.

2. I can’t work on controversial apps - especially when adult content is involved. While I do understand that there’s huge business opportunities for porn-based applications these days, I just can’t find myself working on something I believe to be morally wrong. And even if I do, it definitely won’t go into my portfolio - which means there’s nothing much for me there. I’m sorry if we disagree on this matter.

3. I can’t work on unplanned apps - Even if you can’t provide a complete functional specs, at least point me to some highly-similar apps and sites with the designs you wish it would look like, perhaps some working examples…. anything. A simple naked idea won’t do much. If I have to think 90% of how the app will turn out myself, I’d rather declare it to be mine in the end. Your idea is great, but we need to work together to make it a reality.

With these said, I hope to hear more ideas while keeping the constraints within my ability. Remember that I also have my own projects to work on. So give me some space, and I’ll give you your idea