GoFetch Value Proposition
In this blog entry, I’ll explain the built-in features of GoFetch and the inspiration guiding the user interface.

Built-In
There are four built-in features which streamline surfing for GoFetch users. These features are designed to get the most information with the least amount of effort.

1. Open multiple websites with 1 click, see the movie
2. Save content with 1 click download, see the movie
3. Collect personalized headlines from multiple RSS feeds, grouped and summarized, see the movie
4. Open links in new tabs without losing your place, allowing you to finish reading the current page and open interesting information easily, see the movie

User Interface
Two macro principles influence the design of the user interface: Speed and simplicity. As a consultant, I strive to complete project requirements with the least amount of coding and complexity. By providing simplistic solutions, my customers realize benefits quicker, maintenance improves, and the initial version provides a spring board for increased complexity and evolution. Here are some quotes I often think of when constructing a new system.

“Any customer can have a car painted any color that he wants so long as it is black.”
Henry Ford - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Ford
“Make things as simple as possible, but not simpler.”
Albert Einstein - http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Albert_Einstein
“The simplest explanation or strategy tends to be the best one.”
Occam’s razor - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occam%27s_razor

Here’s an excellent article by a brilliant technologist, Richard Gabriel. Worse is Better - http://dreamsongs.com/WorseIsBetter.html
Also known as “Less is More”

1. Make the interface simple and clean, with as few buttons, dropdowns and NO menu options. Show as much of a web page as possible. Check out the comparison between GoFetch and another popular browser. Notice the menu options, toolbars, buttons, options, etc!
2. Make the functionality easy and quick to access. Note: see movies above.

Profile Sharing
Imagine you could easily share your bookmarks with a group of like minded professionals. I’ll write about the social aspect of GoFetch in the next blog entry.

GoFetch provides easy and clear Internet access, fetching relevant web content quickly to the forefront of user’s view. Let me know your thoughts!

Steps Taken
• Marketing meetings with rep, planning for the year
• Contacted Jefferson County, Evergreen Country Day School –pilot programs with GoFetch Kids
• Completed 1 click download with bundled HTML pages, fixed DOM issue
• Digg and Reddit stories setup in the home pg for GoFetch

Next Steps
• GroupOn – offer a special on GoFetch via GroupOn

Cheers! And GoFetch
Will Thayer

Early Post - Marc A is back browsing

I've had many ideas on posts - but delayed till the next full post due on Feb 1. This story was too good to pass up though:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/14/technology/internet/14browser.html?_r=1

I'm not the only one noticing the renewed importance of a browser. Browsers will evolve and niche browsers are going to be more important with the evolving web.

1 size doesn't fit all, and it's not just a "browser" anymore. We're dealing with a client server environment: always on, always connected. The browser can become more intelligent with the evolution of intelligent web apps.

Web applications obviously have the bulk of attention, but the possibilities of coupling intelligent web apps with intelligent browsers is a powerful and logical next step.

Marc A is backing a browser called RockMelt. It appears that RockMelt is a social niche browser - like Flock (http://flock.com/).

I'm excited about this - the response to GoFetch is awesome. People want the functionality. Let me know what you think.

Will