I’ve created a Mind Map of my project and posted it here. A mind map is a visual way to put ideas down and rearrange them as necessary. It’s kind of like brainstorming with sticky notes on a whiteboard. You keep putting ideas down until you get exhausted, and the begin a process of combining similar ideas and thoughts into categories. In this case, I’m using a piece of software called Mind Manager to put the notes into. I’m able to categorize items, add notes, hyperlinks, etc. This becomes valuable as a tool becuase it organizes the different thoughts, and in my case, different information I’ve come across and applies to those thoughts.
This mind mapping application also allows me to export to html, which means I can post it on the internet and navigate it using just about any browser. This also allows me access to the information no matter where I am, as long as I have a computer handy and can get on the internet. The map on-line is arranged into two basic frames, a table of contents and a map/notes area. In the structure I have now, most of it is simple headings and maps without a lot of notes. However, there are many links to various articles and vendors I have researched so far. This helps give a person an indication of what my thought process is and where the ideas are going.
Please browse the mindmap and see how things are going.
In other news. . .
I recently got in touch with a gentleman by the name of Tim Martin. Tim founded SpokLAN, an internet gaming group that gets together to do LAN parties. A LAN party is a gathering of like-minded computer geeks, normally for the purpose playing computer games against each other or in teams against other players across the internet. I found Tim and SpokLAN through a magazine from the SBA, in and advertisement for GameFest, a computer festival of gaming held at the Spokane Interstate Fair.
Tim has agreed to meet with me sometime later this week so I can talk with him about SpokLAN and GameFest. My goal is to understand more about the demographic of games, as well as find out information on the kinds of equipment they use to host their LAN parties. Part of this is to understand what kind of equipment I would need to install in order to appeal to that demographic and lure gamers in to the internet cafe. This is of course only one type of user I’m trying to target, but this will be a good group to talk with. I’m excited about meeting with Tim.
This week I’m also going to get started reading about Break Even Analysis. This is a targeted piece given to me by Christie that I need to learn and understand. Just the name alone tells me it’s something important I’m going to need to know when I start putting all the numbers on paper. The idea of owning a business is to make money, and I need to know at what point I’ll be able to do that. I know the basics about expenses versus revenues, but in business there can be a whole lot more to it, as I understand some businesses don’t make a profit for two or more years. That could be difficult if it’s the only income for a family. So I’m dedicated to doing reading this week, besides, I need to get the book back to Christie. 🙂
I also need to work on a spreadsheet I can post on line that makes it easier to see where I’ve been spending my time. I need to account for 120 hours by the end of December, and with only a few months left, I’m starting to worry. I better get busy.
Asa Jay
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