Downsize Brad!
The Magic Suite!
Friday, October 12, 2007 by Frogboy | Discussion: WinCustomize News
I should be downsized. Those bastards at Stardock should downsize me. When I was in my 20s, I was able to get so much done it was crazy.
Some people spend hours a day playing World of Warcraft or other such things. That's the kind of person I am. Ever see the South Park episode of World of Warcraft where the kids are playing against this griefer who lives on his computer? That was me in my 20s and early 30s. Except I wasn't playing games. I was writing them and skinning and working to create desktop enhancement software.
But now I'm 36 and have 3 kids. You should see my 1 year old girl. She's so cute. She owns me and my two sons. And my wife and I find ourselves spending increasing amounts of time being parents. Which has slowed my work time down considerably.
Where I used to be able to do 84 hours a week easily (and it's really not hard to do that - it's just 12 hours a day, 7 days a week. Don't scoff, think of all the MMO players who do that sort of thing and pay for the privilege to do it). Now, I'm lucky to do 60 hours a week. That's a net loss of 14 hours each week.
Needless to say, it greatly reduces my productivity. So I'm in the process of bringing my successors up to speed. People who can pick up some of the things I used to do. You already see Zoomba and Island Dog all over. They have taken over a lot of the stuff I used to do on WinCustomize and elsewhere.
One of the places my reduced productivity has affected people is in the Magic Suite. It's a premium suite we're giving away to Object Desktop users who have renewed until past January 1, 2009.
Here's some screenshots of it running on my desktop:
Like it? I sure do. But the gadgets are missing. Why? Because on Windows Vista, the UAC causes problems for gadget deployment from a suite. We're working on it but it's going to require an update in one of our programs. It's a pain in the butt.
So as you can see, it's almost done. But it's not quite there yet. But it will totally rock when it's done. Our ETA is about another week.
But much of the hold up has been my fault because there's a lot of coordination in this particular suite and I am the one doing the coordination and I budgeted my time based on what I've historically worked. So we're on it. It's coming. It totally rocks. Stay tuned!
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Reply #2 Friday, October 12, 2007 3:40 PM
Reply #3 Friday, October 12, 2007 3:52 PM
Reply #5 Friday, October 12, 2007 4:07 PM
Again . . so sorry.
Reply #6 Friday, October 12, 2007 4:09 PM
I spent the first 5 years after my 14 year olds birth trying to maintain the 70-80 work week while spending as much time as possible with the family which meant a whole lot of 2am work times. I finally gave it up and delegated responsibility. It was VERY hard at first but eventually I became comfortable with it. I occasionally put in an 80 hour week but only occasionally. I even learned how to take a vacation.............
It's all about priorities and I could've had a much more successful business had I made that my priority. I think your doing the right thing and I applaud you for it.
Reply #7 Friday, October 12, 2007 4:39 PM
Brad, we all appreciate the work you do and I bet the numbers were over 84 hours a week sometimes but it's good to see that you've got your priorities right and that 'family come first'. Can't wait to see the new suite which looks like a 'world beater'.......... 
Reply #9 Friday, October 12, 2007 4:52 PM
Reply #10 Friday, October 12, 2007 5:02 PM
Reply #11 Friday, October 12, 2007 6:14 PM
Uh.... NightTrain, it's spelt: Ritalin!!
The suite looks pretty hot..
Reply #12 Friday, October 12, 2007 6:29 PM
Too funny...
Thanks for the update Brad... We all appreciate the time and efforts you and all the staff put in to designing and creating this wonderful site and the Suite looks too cool.. I am very excited about it.
Take your time and make it GOOD.....
And enjoy your family... It all goes so fast, you won't believe it..
Thanks again..
Reply #13 Friday, October 12, 2007 10:36 PM
In case you're interested, 43 Folders featured some time management tips for parents.
Cheers!
~ Alessandro (cavalierex)
Reply #14 Friday, October 12, 2007 10:46 PM
Ignore 'em
JK of course... I probably sit at this desk working on and off about 16-18 hours a day so I know where your coming from.
Reply #15 Saturday, October 13, 2007 12:28 AM
Reply #16 Saturday, October 13, 2007 1:40 AM
You're fired
If I were you, I'd quit worrying about spending less time at work. I did the same in the past, and as much as I got into it at the time, I discovered that I didn't get out of it what I put in. Spend your time with your family, work will do just fine.
Reply #17 Saturday, October 13, 2007 6:33 AM
So don't feel guilty about spending time with your family. Just delegate the responsibility and spread the load a bit. Your kids will be ever grateful for that.
Reply #18 Saturday, October 13, 2007 7:41 AM
TAKE YOUR TIME BRAD~!
Some of the very best skins ever made where long and delayed.
Oh and take them guys out to Hooters or something this weekend too! They need it!!!
SGT
Reply #19 Saturday, October 13, 2007 9:54 AM
will you give a 3 month grace period?
Reply #20 Saturday, October 13, 2007 10:02 AM
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Reply #1 Friday, October 12, 2007 3:01 PM
I wonder if they make ridilin for Frogboys.
We all appreciate the long hours you guys work.