I’m getting ready for the Business of Software conference in five days. “Getting ready” means fighting-off the inevitable pre-conference illness (happens nine times out of ten) and planning to not leave all the packing until the night before (happens ten times out of ten). Last year I found the experience to be similar to physiotherapy. Initially painful, but extraordinarily beneficial … Read More

I’m not an Apple fan. I like some of their products, but that’s as far as it goes. But Steve Jobs changed the world. The effects of his genius will outlive all of us, and I think that the world is a slightly less interesting place without him.

As you read this text, your Google AdWords account is wasting money. I guarantee it. It doesn’t have to be that way. On Wednesday October 12th 2011 at 9:00 AM Pacific Time (5:00 PM UK, 6:00 Central European) you will have your chance to ask your Google AdWords Questions to Dave Collins. Who? Dave is the founder of SoftwarePromotions, and … Read More

The Financial Times have withdrawn their app from the Apple Store in response to Apple’s greed with revenue and customer data. Apple not only demand a 30% cut of revenues, but also retain full ownership of the customer data. Apple’s terms may well be acceptable to companies with a relatively unknown name, but the FT’s move may signify the start of … Read More

I used to be strongly opposed to using Google Analytics and Google Ads together, but I used to be skinny and muscular too. Things change. My single issue with using Analytics was that it wasn’t as free as it appeared. You paid for the use of Google’s software by supplying them with your data. If you’re aware of this, and … Read More

When I give instructions to the person who cleans our house, I sound quite different from when I’m talking to a potential client. Aside from not grovelling as much, I use different language and a different tone. Most people speak differently depending on the context of who they’re talking to. In fact I recently noticed that when I pay our … Read More

I’m starting to feel that we’re about to enter interesting times. This far, the history of the software industry has been relatively straightforward: growth of computer usage, growth of PCs, growth in internet usage. All of which has been very good for software developers, with lower entry barriers, more customers and bigger opportunities. Yet all of this may be starting … Read More

As a long-term user of Skype, I’ve grown to depend on it. I use it daily for video conferencing (work and family), and for making cheap international phone calls when I’m travelling. I was therefore interested to see what a Skype Premium account would offer. Nothing. I don’t have any need for group video, I already have a webcam, and … Read More

Every few months someone sends me their business plan and asks how we might work together. Most of them are interesting. Yet every now and then the plan contains something along the following lines: Vision and optimism are essential when launching a business, but so is realism.