ICS 691 News, 1(1)

[Philip Johnson <johnson@hawaii.edu>]

ICS 691 News, Week 1, Issue 1

Contents:
 * Email list issues
 * Topic bids
 * Company assignments
 * Business Planning Lecture online
 * Active Server Page research
 * VCommerce company brainstorming
 * Review of homework
 * Updates to web site
 * Don't freak out

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Email list issues
 
If you're reading this via email, you're on the mailing list for ICS
691.  If you're enrolled in the class and reading this via the Web
and didn't get the email, you need to send me email
(johnson@hawaii.edu) immediately to get your name added.  

If you're not going to enroll in the class, and receiving this email,
please send me email immediately to let me know.  I need to update my
records and make sure I'm not assigning you to a task.

You can send email to the entire class using our mailing list.
Please be respectful of bandwidth and don't use this list for
spamming. Anything related to the class and entrepreneurship more
generally is welcomed.  If you wonder whether your email is
appropriate, you can always send it to me and ask me to forward it if
appropriate.  

-----
Topic bids

Several people have replied with bids for topics.  Most bid on only a
single topic.  That's fine, but if you don't get that one, you're
going to be randomly assigned to another.  It will be more helpful to
me if you submit at least three topics, in descending order of
preference.  That way I'm more likely to give you something you want.
Those of you who have already bid can re-bid to replace your original
one.   I will announce topic assignments at the next Friday meeting.  

----
Company assignments

I will announce company assignments at the next Friday meeting. The
sooner you send me an URL to your online resume, the more likely I
will be able to use this information in company assignments.  Also,
several people have asked if they can express preferences, such as
people to work with, or people with certain skills. (Already a
computer person asked to be assigned with a business person, and
vice-versa).  I welcome you to submit your preferences, and the
sooner you express them, the more likely they are to be honored.
However, I cannot *guarantee* in advance that your preferences will
be honored on this first round.

----
Business planning lecture online

Unfortunately, I was unable to present my lecture on business
planning during last Friday's meeting.  However, through the miracle
of modern technology, you can listen to a RealAudio version of that
lecture that I created over the weekend.  You will need to download
RealPlayer (free) from the web.  I have added this as a homework
assignment; please listen to this lecture before next Friday's class. 

---
Active Server Page research

EVERYONE in the class should immediately begin learning about Active
Server Pages, regardless of their background.  Those without any
programming background will need to acquire elementary concepts,
while those with a programming background will need to acquire
advanced ASP skills.  Depending upon your level, you should buy a
suitable ASP book.  Most of you will want to go to a bookstore first
and physically page through several of them to make your choice.  I
have made some online resources available on ASP, but you will still
need a decent textbook/reference manual.  

---
VCommerce company brainstorming

There were some excellent ideas brought up on Friday regarding online
businesses.  Not all of them are well suited to VCommerce, however.
After reading the VCommerce documents, you should begin thinking hard
about product/service ideas that "make sense" within the VCommerce
world. (Note that most product/service ideas that "makes sense"
within VCommerce should also "make sense" in the real world, but the
converse is not necessarily true.)  I came up with two or three
product/service ideas and then selected Pizza Portal as the most
promising.  Don't assume that your first idea is a winner. Try to
come up with two or three potentials.  Don't wait to find out who is
in your company before starting the thought process.  

----
Review of homework

Just to keep you up to speed, I want to go over your tasks for this
week in this email in case there are any misunderstandings:

1. Print and read both "volumes" of the VCommerce documentation (Vol
1, Entreprenuer's User Guide, Vol. 2, Example Business Plan).  Come
to class on Friday with any questions.

2. Send me an email with your bids on topics. Include at least three
in descending order of preference.

3. Send me an email with an URL to your online resume.  These links
will be posted in an index page so you can see the background and
skills of your classmates. 

4. Send me an email with any preferences you have for your company
assignment.

5. Begin reviewing ASP.  You should create a couple of webpages using
ASP in the next week. You should get one of the recommended textbooks
on ASP, and also consult some of the online resources.

6. Go to Wayne Brown site, www.venturecapital.org, and read through
links on Classic Venture Prototypes.  Then apply your findings to the
Pizza Portal business plan. Write a one page paper on the strengths
and weaknesses of this business plan and bring to class on Friday. 

---
Redesigned website

I have restructured the ICS 691 website.  The top-level page now
points to an intro page (the former home page), a schedule page (same
as before), a "resources page" (now containing a bunch of online
links), and a "Mail Archive" page (that will contain an archive of
selected mail messages sent to the class, such as this one).  I hope
this will make it easier for you to find appropriate material.

---
Don't freak out

Perhaps you are feeling utterly overwhelmed right now.  That's
OK---it's the habitual state of the entrepreneur!  The important
thing is to not let it paralyze you into inaction.  Get started,
dedicate a couple of hours a day to this material, and you'll soon be
on top of it.  I believe that everyone who came to class on Friday
has the intellectual capacity to succeed in this course. The question
is--who has the energy and commitment?  If you simply don't think you
can handle this course, please let me know as soon as possible so I
have an accurate count of the participants. 

Cheers,
Philip
Editor-in-Chief
ICS 691 News