Ideas are useless unless used

Ideas are useless unless used.
by: Theodore Levitt (b. 1925)
U.S. management theorist, writer, and editor.

ProximityCast.com was born as only an idea. A remarkable set of events caused it to be birthed into a reality. It is still only an infant, but it has seen the light of day.

I personally use ProximityCast. I also use and enjoy Google Maps and Street View. ProximityCast can get you there quick if you know how to Navigate the Site. I'll get to that toward the end of this post, but now I'll share a small story.

I love GPS and the navigational possibilities it provides. As a helicopter pilot I cut my teeth on navigating before GPS became a reality. A fact of life back then was that it didn't matter how smooth and talented a pilot was at manipulating the controls, if he couldn't navigate he was worthless. Successfully getting to where you need to go is more important than a smooth ride. A pilot who could do both was "Top Shelf".

GPS changed all of that. Now it doesn't matter if a pilot has no navigational skills. As long as he can plug in the correct numbers into his/her GPS he/she is good to go! Any dummy can do it. GPS was the solution to prevent DMZ overflights into North Korea. GPS drives EMS. I loved navigating without GPS. Dropping into an LZ (landing zone) for the first time just by reading a topo map from tree top height is quite a thrill! But now all that is obsolete thanks to GPS. I still love GPS and what it allows us to do. Simply Awesome!

Have you ever had a street address fail you on Google Maps? I have. GPS coordinates are ten times better especially when they are certified correct. ProximityCast gives you that. Submitters will receive an accuracy rating as soon as we get a plethora of users making a photographic contribution. With a submitter accuracy rating you can know who to trust and who to be skeptical of.

Expect "deja vu upon arrival" and NOT the disappointment upon arrival a street address sometimes gives you.

Okay, here's the easy way to get from ProximityCast to Google StreetView of your Establishment of Choice!

Like "Norm's Diner" in Groton, CT:

Click the MAP VIEW button at the top of the 6 pack of Cast Results:


Once in the MAP VIEW click on the Establishment Picture you wish to view in Street View and then click "Directions" on the PopUp to go into the actual Google Maps Site:

From there if you are familiar with Street View you can see if the area is covered and click on the "B" marker then "Street View" to see how the two compare.
Norm's Diner looks pretty good. What do you think?

I didn't create ProximityCast just for me, but for all of us. Check it out, try it out, and let me know what you think. I am interested in making it a site you like to use!

Thanks,

Founder out...ciao

Considering Something Ideal

When you consider something "ideal", you lose the opportunity to improve it.
by: Shoji Shiba (b. 1933)
Japanese academic and author.

ProximityCast is not "ideal" yet. If you know of a location based service that is, please leave a comment of how I can look at it and why you think it is ideal.


ProximityCast does meet its basic goals even at this stage:

• Location based service where users can add content and correct content for everyone's benefit.
  
  • Try doing that with the Points of Interest in your GPS
  
  


• Provide a quality picture so you know what your destination looks like before you get there.
  • Deja Vu upon arrival! Only with ProximityCast.com


• Provide location's Latitude and Longitude on the picture.
  
  • Once again, this acts as the Photographer's certification that if you arrive at the coordinate location you will see what is in the picture. Try doing that with a Street Address in a Location Based Service; sometimes they get you there, sometimes they don't.

ProximityCast is following the Wikipedia model now as in relying on user's input. Anyone have any tips for me as to how to get more users to input pictures?

On the Menu: The "Tour" item

The "tour" item is the first menu item on the bottom horizontal menu on the Main Page!

This is some of what you'll see there:

How to do a ProximityCast Search!

1. Enter Cast Initiation Point
   
   
   
   
   • Enter a location to search from.
     
     
     
     • Your home town.
     
     
     • A Street Address
     
     
     • A Latitude and Longitude
     
     
   
   
   • Click help for details.
   
   
   


2. Select Desired Category
   
   
   
   • The top box uses autosuggest to help you find what you want fast.
   
   
   • The bottom drop down box lets you browse all available categories when you are unsure of what you want.
   
   


3. Click "Perform ProximityCast"
   
   
   
   
   • This will take you to your CastNet Results
   
   

Understanding the Search Results Page!

1. Always shows what you entered into the Cast Initiation Point box.


2. Clicking the ProximityCast.com logo image always returns you to the search page.


3. Shows the Latitude and Longitude of your Cast Initiation Point.


4. Shows the "straight line" distance from the Cast Initiation Point to the Establishment that has the focus.


5. The Cynosure Image!
   
   
   
   • Initially this is the closest establishment to your Cast Initiation Point.
   
   
   
   • Clicking this picture will take you to the Details Page for the shown establishment.
   
   


6. Shows the database coordinates in all three formats for easy comparison with the coordinates shown on the cynosure image.
   
   
   
   • This is IMPORTANT because it lets you discover errors before traveling to a chosen destination.
     
     • Coordinates on the image serve as the photographer's certification that the location is correct.
     
     
     • A discrepancy usually indicates an error was made during coordinate entry into the database.
     
     
   
   
   


7. Allows you to perform another search using the the cynosure image as the Cast Initiation Point.


8. Allows registered users to flag data that has changed or is in error.


9. Thumbnail of all establishments returned in the ProximityCast. Clicking any thumbnail makes it the cynosure image.


10. Takes you to a Google Map mashup where you can visually see where all establishments are in reference to the Cast Initiation Point.
    
    
    
    • Get Driving Directions from the Cast Initiation Point to any selected establishment.
    
    
    

Now you can Quickly Master ProximityCast.com!

ProximityCast on the iPhone

The Safari Lite Browser on the iPhone and the iTouch is pretty nice. This is a picture of ProximityCast's home screen.

I find I prefer sites on the Safari Lite Browser that have not been optimized for mobile devices due to the ability to zoom in and out which is lost with mobile device optimization.

Making a ProximityCast is as EASY as 1. 2. 3....

1. Enter your Cast Initiation Point ~ the place from where you wish to search.
   • ProximityCast takes Lat/Long or Street Addresses


2. Enter your desired search category
   • Simply start typing what you want. e.g. cof...ProximityCast will complete your selection cofFEE
   
   
   • or use the Category Selector to browse all available Categories


3. Click or touch: Perform Proximity Cast

Then view your results!



ProximityCast is loaded with features which require a little time for familiarization, but once that is done... It is super easy to use.

Compare a ProximityCast Establishment Picture with a picture from Google's StreetView. I really like street view, but the pictures are not always the greatest.

ProximityCast is in BETA and can use input so we can plan the best improvements to meet your needs.

Till next time,

Founder out!...ciao

Aiming for the "B" Quadrant ~ Rich Dad/Poor Dad

In Robert Kiyosaki's book he describes the four quadrants income can come from. E/S/B/I...

ProximityCast is currently in the "H" quadrant. The "H" quadrant doesn't produce any income and it is called a Hobby. Even though it is only a Hobby at this point in time being developed on a bootstrapper's budget, I have my sights on the "B" quadrant.
I have been in the "E" quadrant all of my working life. This is the employee where you derive your wage by working for someone else. It is hard to really get ahead as an employee. Not impossible, just difficult. Then there is the "S" quadrant which is for the self employed. The self employed is mostly just a glorified employee. The biggest benefit for the self employed is that they don't have a boss they have to answer to because they are the boss. The biggest drawback to the "S" quadrant besides having to work twice as hard and wear multiple hats than the typical employee is that once your time on this earth is all said and done, so is the business you worked so hard to create. Basically you are the business. When you cease to exist, so does the business. Currently ProximityCast would be in this quadrant if it was making any money.
Then there is the "I" quadrant. I could use some people that are players in the "I" quadrant to help move ProximityCast into the "B" quadrant. I've had an interest in the "I" quadrant which is all about investing. To get into the game you have to have marbles in your bag.
Now the "B" quadrant is the business quadrant. Many in the "S" quadrant may feel they are players in the "B" quadrant, but there is a BIG difference. The "S" quadrant always requires the main player's presence where the "B" quadrant does not once the system is set up. I know ProximityCast has all the raw ingredients to become a system that can exist long after I'm gone. Whether or not I will be successful getting it there is another story. But, I press on.

Here are my weak links that impede progress as I see it.

1. I am a solo founder.


2. For my family's sake I choose to live in the Ozarks.


3. I'm working on a bootstrap budget.

#1 just fell out like that. My buddy in school whom I invited couldn't grasp the vision. I'd rather fly alone than have someone on-board that is not a true believer. I'm not opposed to having another one or others come on-board if they can be true believers and bring something to the table worthwhile. That something does not have to be technical skills. Those can be hired. Business savvy, a vision, able to be a team player with a focus on developing the system that can enter and be a real player in the "B" quadrant, are things I'd consider as valuable and would welcome to the team, if they are out there.

#2 kinda just worked out like that too. It's where I found myself when the idea began to come together. From what I've learned there are better places to be in the USA if you want to establish a "B" quadrant entity. I'm not opposed to moving, but the cards have to be ready to be played. I'd even consider Singapore or Hong Kong if that proved to be the true home for ProximityCast which is viable world wide.

#3 There are several ways I can see where that could change. I looked over a "Loan Package Development for New Business" for the U.S. Small Business Administration recently. I don't believe that is going to happen. I'm a free man right now where working on ProximityCast is a labor of love. I'm free to do it or not do it. I'd shift gears, but only with a deal that will squarely put ProximityCast into the "B" quadrant as quick as possible where it could continue on with or without me. I may be wrong, but I don't think a SBA loan would do that. So, I'll be content to creep along until something else takes ProximityCast into the "B" quadrant. Or not...

ProximityCast and Flying Helicopters

I have a passion for ProximityCast and I have a vision.

I don't know how far down the rabbit hole I will be able to take the vision, but I plan on having fun along the way.

Somethings are meant to be. The pieces just seem to fall in place and things seem to happen as they ought.

I became a helicopter pilot much like this. It just seemed to be my destiny.

I wish my journey to entrepreneurial success would be the same. The ProximityCast denouement is not yet written, so I'll try to enjoy my journey whether it remains a hobby or gets wings and takes off.

The making of a helicopter pilot...

I guess it is time to get off track just a bit and tell this story.
My dad would have paid for me to go to college upon completion of high school. I could see the writing on the wall though. With my attitude back then it would have been a waste of time and money.

I wish I could have known back then that I had a potential to love math. I made a D in 9th grade algebra. I think I probably deserved an F, but my other grades were okay and the teacher didn't want to be the one that flunked me. When I finally got around to going to college I learned how to make all "A"s in my math classes all the way through Calculus III. But I did it as an older man, so it took a lot of hard work and has not become as natural as flying helicopters (something I learned in my youth).

Anyhow, I have a bit of a pragmatic streak in me and I wanted to do something worthwhile and practicable. I never ever dreamed I'd be a pilot. Flying was for rich people. I grew up in a comfortable home, but we were a long way from being uber rich. But I was a certified SCUBA diver, and I thought the military could teach me to be a commercial diver. So, I set up an appointment to talk to a Navy Recruiter.

I told this man I was interested in commercial diving. He told me that the Navy has more combat divers than commercial divers. And he said if I was really interested in commercial diving I should talk to the Army.

Well that got me talking to an Army recruiter.

Back in those days the Vietnam War was going hot and heavy. Most people I encountered were pretty negative on the war and tried to dissuade me from going into the military.

I met an Army diver. He told me, "I scrubbed more toilet bowls than I got to dive." It didn't sound too promising.

Then I met a man that said, "If you really have to go in then you should go in as an officer. Cause they have it a lot better than enlisted men."

That comment caused me to ask my recruiter what it took to be an officer. He said, "Normally it takes a college degree, but we just happen to have this high school to flight school warrant officer program. If you successfully complete it the Army will make you a warrant officer."

That sounded like the ticket to me. Not so much that I would get to fly, I didn't know anything about that and whether or not I'd like it, but I could become an officer.

Many wannabe helicopter pilots have approached Army recruiters asking about helicopter school only to be told that it is a tough program to get and they'd have a better chance if they became a crewchief (helicopter mechanic)first. Actually, the truth be know, it was probably easier paperwork for the recruiter.

I happened, just by luck of the draw, to have bumped into a straight shooting recruiter. When I told him I'd be interested in that program he got the gears rolling.

There is more to this story. I passed my FAST test (Flight Aptitude Selection Test) with only two points of gravy. I remember halfway through a sequence of questions where you had to determine the attitude and direction an aircraft was going by a picture of an attitude indicator that I was looking at it wrong. It was a timed test. I didn't have time to go back and correct my error, so I just started answering the remainder correctly. But I made the grade and was set to have my chance at Army Flight School.

I had a written guarantee that they would send me to Flight School. That didn't mean I was guaranteed to pass. That part would be up to me. But if I did pass, I would become an Army Warrant Officer with an Aviation badge.

I ended up getting set back during instrument training. It was a pretty precarious position from which I could have easily been eliminated. That is a story in itself, but I passed my final check ride by some small miracle and was on my way. I spent six years on active duty flying two of them in the Republic of South Korea where I became a Buffer Zone pilot and then a Buffer Zone check pilot as well as being chosen to be flight lead on most of the Air Mobile training missions we flew. Then I finished up my tour of duty as an Army Instructor Pilot back at the home of Army Aviation teaching Contact, Tactics, NOE, Night Hawk, and Night Vision Goggles. It was quite an adventure. I often wonder how life would have went if I elected to stay in.

I did well in Aviation. But it wasn't all because of me. There were tons of resources and people that aided in my success. The Vietnam Vets in my unit in Korea took this young kid under their wings and groomed him. Those were and are some remarkable men.

I find the entrepreneurial journey quite different. It is a pretty lonely place. You may find a few books, some blogs, and forums. But, for the most part you are on your own. No body cares if you make it or crash. It depends on your product. Are you developing something people really want? Or, are you missing the mark? There is not much feedback. Some people, Wikipedia, Farmville, Hot or Not, Google, Microsoft, Yahoo, Geocaching, and others seem to just hit success like I did with flying. At this point and time, that is not happening with ProximityCast. Maybe it is not meant to be, but I have a passion burning and a vision calling that won't let me let go. Perhaps I'm like Don Quixote chasing windmills. Time will tell.

Consider talking about ProximityCast with your friends. Ask them what is wrong with it. Ask them what it really needs. Ask them what they would like. A Chinese friend of mine told me my name was wrong. I explored ProximityCast in the Chinese language. He may be right. I should have used something like Nearby. He had other objections, but my passion won't let me let go. Spread the buzz and share the awful news with me. Play devil's advocate and tell me why ProximityCast will never be like any of those mentioned above... Let me know.

Thanks,

Founder out...ciao

Wideangle photography for Proximitycasting

Here is a link to a photography blog that belongs to a friend of mine: ScottEversPhotography.blogspot.com Scott's post for today makes me really ready to try some wideangle proximitycast shots. All I can say is WOW! And, what wideangle lens should I get for a start?

ProximityCast allows a lot of room for artistic license. ProximityCast also appreciates the "plain Jane" shots taken with a just a cell phone. Anyone who registers is allowed to submit photos. ProximityCast.com is in Beta, so all is not perfect yet. But, with your help and feedback, ProximityCast aims to become the ultimate location based service application on the Internet worldwide.

Latitude and longitude is a bit strange to those who are not hard core geocaching enthusiast, but lat/long works anywhere and everywhere in the world regardless of street addressing systems which vary from country to country.

Paste a latitude and longitude coordinate pair into Google Maps and you are immediately and accurately taken to the location designated by the coordinates. You can't do that with street addresses. Sometimes street addresses work great, but many time they miss the mark by a long shot.

Welcome to the world of ProximityCast and proximitycasting! Please consider being a user and contributor if you're not already. It is only our users and contributors that can truly make this a great internet web application for our time!

Consider getting a ProximityCast buttion for your blog or website to help spread the word.



Thank you for your help,

Founder of ProximityCast