Interview
This is a copy of eHub Interview.
What is your web application/service about ?
Guten Tag's main goal is to help people discover what individuals publish on a specific subject of interest. It's basically a Search Engine based on tag aggregation.
Why did you start this project?
I started it because I wanted to get fresh content coming from people like me, not from marketing and PR professionnals. The Web2.0 is about sharing information, and I felt something was needed to distribute this information and gather it in interest hubs. So when I learned to use tags, I quicky saw how they could help achieve that goal.
How much time do you devote to its growth? Do you have a day job?
I'm starting another endeavour, so Guten Tag is more of a passion than a job. I spend less than 2 hours a week on Guten Tag, but I still have lots of exciting things to do with it. Hope I will manage to work on them and show you.
How large is your team and what are your backgrounds? (If you're solo, what is your background?)
I work alone on Guten Tag, but if anyone wants to help, he will be welcome. My background is being director of operations in a mid-sized professionnal services company.
What is your design philosophy?
Just make it, and keep on improving as long as it is not simple, useful, efficient and fun !
What technologies are you currently using?
Guten Tag is currently running on Php/ MySQL, but I'm considering a new version using RubyOnRails.
If your project is live, what are the most requested features from your users/community ?
Mainly to have language-specific versions. Still waiting for more feedback on the blog.
Does your user base reside in a primary geographic location or is it distributed?
Guten Tag is a international service, so users come from everywhere.
Where do you see the project heading in the next 6 months? The next 2 years?
Well that's not really public yet ! But expect personalization soon.
What is the greatest challenge to your success?
Time.
What is the one thing you need to get to the next phase of the project?
Time.
Do you have a business model? If so, what is it?
I have one, but I won't tell until I'm ready to unleash it.
If you're able to disclose this information, how much traffic or usage do you see on an average day?
I don't have a good stat package yet, but I know I have around 25 000 hits a day.
What is the one thing you're most proud of about the project?
Just starting it.
How would you describe the shift that's occurring with the web right now to future generations?
Internet 1.0 was about routers talking to each others and sharing IP tables. Internet 2.0 is about people talking to each other and sharing free information. Technology has evolved so everyone can create things himself. A massive creative tornado is on its way, that will shake all current markets, maybe capitalism itself.
What site(s) do you visit everyday other than your own?
I'm using Guten Tag because it's already aggregating 20 services, so no need to go further ;-)
How many hours of sleep do you get a night?
I try to get 8 hours of sleep, so my brain still works in the morning.
Can you tell us more about you ?
I'm French and live near Paris, France.
If you want to know more, read my blog.