Published April 27th, 2005
in Politics, Technology and American Voices.
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I put together something to help flush out my idea for an American Voices portal similar to what is being done at Harvard’s Berkman Center with Global Voices. Feel free to submit changes and suggestions on how to better shape this idea I could use the help.
American Voices
The primary mission of American Voices is twofold: 1) To call attention to the most interesting conversations and perspectives emerging from citizens throughout America by linking to text, audio and video blogs and other forms of grassroots citizens media being produced by people living in America. 2) To facilitate the emergence of ethnic leaders of the digital era and provide a means of mentorship for minorities in America.
At a time when minorities in America increasingly look towards the Internet and technology for answers now more then ever a resource that connects minority leaders in technology with aspiring youth and adults is necessary. Who are the digital voices for Philippine Americans, Mexican Americans, and African Americans in our country? What are these groups saying and who’s listening? American Voices will function as a clearing house of Bloggers and Internet visionaries that will act as pseudo voices for their respective ethnic communities. By utilizing a mix of open source blog and Wiki software it will be a community built by its community.
Published April 24th, 2005
in Entrepreneurship.
I’ve been working Ball’s to the Wall. The past three months have been very busy for SecurityLab. Its been both a blessing and dear I say, curse? Curse is probably too strong a word. We have been busy working and that’s great because we have some money and don’t have to go crawling to VC’s and Angels which I’d rather avoid for as long as humanly possible. But the work has been consulting work, we haven’t begun selling products. And I want us to be a products company. The catch is you can’t build a product with no money. Being so busy I’ve had no time to do fundamental business planning and management, this is frustrating me.
We are at a point where we need additional employees but I wouldn’t be able to guarentee that we could afford them one year from now. So what do you do? Everything! Luckily my first clients have been very understanding of our growing pains. I haven’t been so easy on myself. When it comes to product development I still have the mentality that everything has to be perfect when at this phase the reality is things just need to work! I have to keep having conversations with my advisors and fellow entrepeneurs to keep me focused on what’s important. Especially when things get so hectic. Its been crazy, but this is what I signed up for. 
Published April 21st, 2005
in Travel and Politics.
I’m back in Boston. I’m been to upstate NY numerous times before but this trip was the longest. Spending so much time in upstate New York was a real experience. It was the closest I’ve come to spending a considerable amount of time in what most people would think of as the Heartland, generally the midwest or “red-states” (I don’t like red state - blue state labels).
Once you get outside of NYC, New York is a amazingly beautiful state with rolling hills and farms as far as the eye can see. Small towns and kind people. I felt a real appreciation for New York and a draw to return. Some people might find it suprising that if you removed NYC from NY State it would be considered a “red state.” Complete with Christian radio stations on FM, gun lovers, hunters, and conservative church going people. And while I am sure upstate NY has its racial tensions it wasn’t apparent to me during my brief trip. One thing I have always disliked about NYC and Boston is that despite its diversity they are racially charged cities. Only when I am in Boston or NYC do people worry about me walking behind them or follow me in stores. These are tough cities for minorities that spend time outside of minority communities.
Eventually I would like to get a vacation home in upstate NY while living in NYC to remind myself that it is a state with trees and land that’s sold by the acre, much like the majority of America. Us city kids can easily become disconnected with the rest of the country. I’d like to try and connect back up.
Published April 12th, 2005
in Travel.
I find myself in the middle of nowhere-NY bored out of my mind. I’ve been here for nearly two weeks and other then work related activites there hasn’t been anything worth blogging about, especially since most of my work has to stay private. I can say what I’m doing is VoIP related 
Actually one interesting thing happened to me yesterday. I did a session on one of the local radio shows here in upstate NY called What The Tech. They have a podcast but my appearance won’t be up for a few weeks. I am a contributing editor for the show which means I will appear regularly in 5 minute spots to talk about computer security.
You may have noticed the website layout has improved. I found Boris a pretty solid designer and from hanging out with him in Tokyo- a cool guy too.
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