David Notik

Here's an article on Blake Ross, the key kid behind Firefox, and news of his big idea. Read it, then read on.

In some way, this article will tell you a lot about me. Those who know me and my story would likely agree.

Think late nights on the computer, a passion for making them easier for mom and dad, starting young, and of course ePockets. The latter is my big idea (slogan: "Keep Stuff, Share Stuff") that grew even bigger, and it is strikingly similar to Blake's big idea as you'll notice. He, of course, is already getting the word out in a big way, buoyed by his success with Firefox. You still have a lot to hear from me, on the other hand.

So how did my big idea get even bigger? I had an epiphany. Sure, there's a need for easier ways of keeping and sharing stuff (photos, music, files, and more). Sharing stuff is inherently social, our stuff is increasingly in digital form, and handling it all is way too complicated. Yet, what's the whole point, really? What's the overarching purpose of being able to share and interact around all this "stuff"? How is this affecting the world?

I came to the conclusion that it's all about people, working together, much more effectively. Giving people the tools to better work with all this stuff, with the goal of making it easier for them to work *together* at its epicenter, is what it's all about. What's the biggest event of our time, folks? Globalization. More people are working together in more ways at greater distances than ever before, and the medium for all this activity is the computer, the internet, the ones and zeros.

I think Blake, whom I've followed from a distance for some time (I read his blog, for one), would be well served to realize this. Indeed he may have, though not expressed in that article. If he hasn't, here it is for the taking. I've divulged what I believe to be a crucial secret. Maybe you'll buy me a beer someday, Blake.

The challenge for me is getting from here to there. Please continue to follow, and have faith: my story is only just beginning.

(Those of us from Drupal land will notice mention of Chris Messina in the article. He worked on the Deanspace project, built on Drupal. It's all interwoven, eh?)