End of the day, probably users and a self-sustaining business model. This was/is a side project among friends so we're not expecting anything too crazy
We're definitely aware that site is uuuber slow. Because we're 100% bootstrapped (and not generating revenue) we recently scaled down from Engine Yard to a small instance on Slicehost. We figured we'd cut our costs while deciding what to do. EY was about $240/mth but 10x faster
It's possible. One thing we looked at was working with personal trainers, or programs like weight watchers. Another variation was to use mechanical turk to 'guesstimate' calorie counts and charge as a premium service
Awesome! That was great fun night. We've tried to hold true to our roots with quantified self/personal tracking. However, most feedback (here and from friends) suggests we pivot away from this
Agree with the iPhone app. We do have a basic Facebook integration that allows users to post to their feed. Also agree with deemphasizing the calorie/health aspects, though overtime, I still believe the stronger value prop for an app like this is to become the mint.com of eating rather than another food porn site. But, yes, in the near term more emphasis on social, food porn, etc is prob the way to go
I'm currently based in NYC, but thinking of moving to SF. I'm looking to join or start something though I could care less about the title I'm given. I don't code per se, but have an excellent sense of product, marketing and biz dev. I've raised angel and VC and sold one company. I can get shit done. A recent side project of mine is http://eat.ly. I'm open to whatever and have a few technical folks who'd join the right project I was involved with. Email in profile.
i believe that when mahalo launched it was meant to be a competitor (alternative to google). However, they have now revised their model and leverage google to drive traffic. So when cuban invested he may have seen it as a different play than it now is
For one thing it is not obvious how to contact you. Your blog has one ambiguous link for email but it doesn't even load. Maybe obvious, but you need to make it simple for someone to reach you.
Nevertheless I am actually looking for RoR help. Hit me up: sam dot huleatt @ yahoo dot com
Great points by Altgate. I have been wondering why no one mentions the opportunity costs associated with the Internet vs. its alternatives. Information and products need to get delivered...the web seems pretty darn good to me as a green solution
We've been working to assemble lots of great talks and videos both from entrepreneurs and investors on StartupTweet. We're working on a prettier interface as well...