ProjectX Blog

Some of books on the ProjectX bookshelf.

Business Books

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Tech Books

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Sometimes you need to take a minute to catch your breath. Its nice to stop and think about what we’ve actually acheived. It’s great to get some recognition from the industry for the hard work we’ve put in for the last 14 months. Score one for the little guys!

I want to dedicate the awards to my team. You are truly world class and it’s been my pleasure and honor to work with you.

Tomek (The Rock) Piatek – Your attention to detail and dedication to ZoomIn have been an inspiration.
Nick (Local Search) Chapman – The brains behind our search engine. Thanks for sticking with rails and making ZoomIn fast !
Ross (Map Master) Lin – Your map fu is superior! Thanks for making ZoomIn maps the best looking maps in NZ!
Ben (Javascript Master) Nolan – You took the idea of ZoomIn and made it real ! People are finally starting to get it!

Thanks for doing the hard yards guys and thanks for making it FUN!

Also thanks to all support from everyone in and around Creative HQ.

Finally, a big thank you to Lulu – my partner. Thank you for the support and putting up with all the long hours, the weekends, and the endless ranting about ZoomIn and ProjectX.

Its been a big night – Thank you and Good Night ! – Go ZoomIn !

Here are the top 50 places of all time on ZoomIn New Zealand…

1. <a
   href=”http://www.zoomin.co.nz/nz/wellington/wellington+central/-bucket+fountain/”>Bucket Fountain ,Wellington Central, Wellington, New
   Zealand
   

2. 
   Awakairangi Park ,Upper
   Hutt, New Zealand

3. <a
   href=”http://www.zoomin.co.nz/nz/wellington/wellington+central/bond+street/14/-syn+bar+hell+pizza/”>
   Syn Bar – Hell Pizza ,14 Bond
   Street, Wellington Central, Wellington, New Zealand
   

4. 
   Taupo Hot Springs Spa ,
   Taupo, New Zealand

5. <a
   href=”http://www.zoomin.co.nz/nz/wellington/wellington+central/blair+street/-cwa+new+media/”>
   Cwa New Media ,Blair Street,
   Wellington Central, Wellington, New Zealand

6. <a
   href=”http://www.zoomin.co.nz/nz/whangarei/tamaterau/-tree+top+lodge+accommodation/”>
   Tree Top Lodge – Accommodation ,Tamaterau,
   Whangarei, New Zealand

7. <a
   href=”http://www.zoomin.co.nz/nz/lower+hutt/kelson/-fraser+park/”>Fraser Park
   ,Kelson, Lower Hutt, New
   Zealand

8. <a
   href=”http://www.zoomin.co.nz/nz/wellington/wellington+central/marion+street/25/-creative+hq/”>
   Creative Hq ,25 Marion Street,
   Wellington Central, Wellington, New Zealand
   

9. 
   Alex Moore Park ,Johnsonville, Wellington, New Zealand

10. 
    Wakefield Park ,Berhampore,
    Wellington, New Zealand

11. <a
    href=”http://www.zoomin.co.nz/nz/wellington/thorndon/hill+street/44/-british+high+commission/”>
    British High Commission ,44 Hill Street, Thorndon,
    Wellington, New Zealand

12. <a
    href=”http://www.zoomin.co.nz/nz/wellington/wellington+central/willis+street/75/-foot+locker/”>
    Foot Locker ,75 Willis Street, Wellington Central,
    Wellington, New Zealand

13. <a
    href=”http://www.zoomin.co.nz/nz/auckland/auckland+central/queen+street/371/-the+white+house/”>
    The White House ,371 Queen Street, Auckland Central,
    Auckland, New Zealand

14. <a
    href=”http://www.zoomin.co.nz/nz/auckland/auckland+central/quay+street/188/-price+waterhouse+coopers+tower/”>
    Price Waterhouse Coopers Tower ,188 Quay Street,
    Auckland Central, Auckland, New Zealand
    

15. <a
    href=”http://www.zoomin.co.nz/nz/wellington/wellington+central/cuba+street/72/-eb+games/”>
    Eb Games ,72 Cuba Street,
    Wellington Central, Wellington, New Zealand
    

16. 
    Miramar Park ,Maupuia,
    Wellington, New Zealand

17. 
    Kapanui School ,
    Kapiti Coast, New Zealand

18. <a
    href=”http://www.zoomin.co.nz/nz/auckland/auckland+central/quay+street/110/-schooner+tavern/”>
    Schooner Tavern ,110 Quay Street, Auckland Central,
    Auckland, New Zealand

19. 
    Adventure Park ,Whitby,
    Porirua, New Zealand
    

20. 
    Onepoto Park ,
    Onepoto, Porirua, New Zealand

21. <a
    href=”http://www.zoomin.co.nz/nz/wellington/wellington+central/willis+street/161/-mojo+coffee/”>
    Mojo – Coffee ,161 Willis
    Street, Wellington Central, Wellington, New Zealand

22. 
    Sladden Park ,
    Alicetown, Lower Hutt, New
    Zealand

23. <a
    href=”http://www.zoomin.co.nz/nz/wellington/wellington+central/willis+street/185/-manna+christian+store/”>
    Manna Christian Store ,185 Willis Street, Wellington
    Central, Wellington, New Zealand

24. <a
    href=”http://www.zoomin.co.nz/nz/wellington/wellington+wharf/-frank+kitts+park/”>
    Frank Kitts Park ,Wellington Wharf, Wellington, New
    Zealand

25. 
    Nairnville Park ,
    Khandallah, Wellington, New Zealand

26. 
    Kura Park ,Titahi
    Bay, Porirua, New Zealand

27. 
    Cobham Park ,
    Kilbirnie, Wellington, New Zealand

28. <a
    href=”http://www.zoomin.co.nz/nz/auckland/newton/karangahape+road/270/-family+bar/”>
    Family Bar ,270 Karangahape
    Road, Newton, Auckland, New Zealand
    

29. <a
    href=”http://www.zoomin.co.nz/nz/wellington/wellington+central/willis+street/57/-kathmandu/”>
    Kathmandu ,57 Willis Street,
    Wellington Central, Wellington, New Zealand
    

30. <a
    href=”http://www.zoomin.co.nz/nz/auckland/-south+african+war+memorial+w+parkinson/”>
    South African War Memorial , W. Parkinson ,Auckland, New
    Zealand

31. <a
    href=”http://www.zoomin.co.nz/nz/wellington/wellington+central/willis+street/150/-catalyst+it+limited/”>
    Catalyst It Limited ,150 Willis Street, Wellington Central,
    Wellington, New Zealand

32. <a
    href=”http://www.zoomin.co.nz/nz/wellington/wellington+central/-graffiti+alley/”>
    Graffiti Alley ,Wellington Central, Wellington, New
    Zealand

33. 
    Raroa Park ,
    Broadmeadows, Wellington, New Zealand

34. <a
    href=”http://www.zoomin.co.nz/nz/wellington/wellington+central/marion+street/25/-projectx+technology/”>
    Projectx Technology ,25 Marion
    Street, Wellington Central, Wellington, New Zealand

35. 
    Liardet Park ,
    Berhampore, Wellington, New Zealand

36. <a
    href=”http://www.zoomin.co.nz/nz/auckland/kohimarama/tamaki+drive/18/-docksiders+bar+restaurant/”>
    Docksiders Bar & Restaurant
    ,18 Tamaki Drive, Kohimarama,
    Auckland, New Zealand

37. 
    Shed 11 ,Wellington Wharf, Wellington, New Zealand

38. 
    Chafers Skate Park ,Mt Victoria, Wellington, New Zealand
    

39. 
    South Island Connections ,Christchurch, New Zealand

40. 
    Petone Memorial Park ,
    Alicetown, Lower Hutt, New
    Zealand

41. <a
    href=”http://www.zoomin.co.nz/nz/wellington/mt+victoria/-graffiti+at+waitangi+skatepark/”>
    Graffiti At Waitangi Skatepark
    ,Mt Victoria, Wellington, New Zealand
    

42. 
    Bluespark Limited ,Eden
    Terrace, Auckland, New Zealand

43. 
    Chaffers Dock ,Mt Victoria, Wellington, New Zealand

44. <a
    href=”http://www.zoomin.co.nz/nz/wellington/newtown/hutchison+road/-te+whaea+national+dance+and+drama+centre/”>
    Te Whaea – National Dance And
    Drama Centre ,Hutchison Road, Newtown, Wellington, New Zealand

45. 
    Crawford Green Park ,Wellington, New Zealand

46. <a
    href=”http://www.zoomin.co.nz/nz/hurunui/hanmer+springs/amuri+avenue/45/-the+stage+post+information+and+giftshop/”>
    The Stage Post Information And Giftshop
    ,45 Amuri Avenue, Hanmer
    Springs, Hurunui, New Zealand

47. 
    Newtown Park ,Berhampore,
    Wellington, New Zealand

48. <a
    href=”http://www.zoomin.co.nz/nz/wellington/wellington+central/-civic+square/”>
    Civic Square ,Wellington Central, Wellington, New
    Zealand

49. <a
    href=”http://www.zoomin.co.nz/nz/wellington/wellington+central/willis+street/99/-pilates+exercise+specialists/”>
    Pilates Exercise Specialists ,99 Willis Street,
    Wellington Central, Wellington, New Zealand
    

50. 
    Wilton Park ,Wilton, Wellington, New Zealand

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<center>HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZOOMIN!!!</center>

With all the projects that we’re working on at the moment, I clean forgot that ZoomIn turned 1 year old on Saturday!

Its been a big year for ZoomIn and ProjectX. Here are some of the highlights:

• Oct 28th 2005: ZoomIn.co.nz website launches
• Nov 14th 2005: ZoomIn and ProjectX feature in the Dom Post.
• Jan 12th 2006: Places and comments appear on the map.
• March 7th 2006: ZoomIn features new street maps.
• April 5th 2006: New ZoomIn launches with users added places, photos and groups.
• April 6th 2006: ZoomIn launches Aerial photography.
• April 24th 2006: ZoomIn.com.au launches
• April 27th 2006: ZoomIn passes 1000 users.
• May 10th 2006: IFrame support launched.
• July 27th 2006: Smaps launches using ZoomIn search engine
• September 17th 2006: New maps on ZoomIn.
• October 2006: New content added to ZoomIn, Post offices, parks, schools, and bus stops.
• November 2006: New ZoomIn – ??

A big thank you to all our users for their support and feedback.

My thanks to go to the ZoomIn Team – Ross, Nick, Tomek, Ben and Lulu for all their help to make ZoomIn a reality.

There seems to be some mis-understanding about Creative HQ offers the residents.

Here are 10 things about Creative HQ from a resident’s prespective.

Creative HQ (CHQ) provides:

1. Subsidised Office space – ie. Internet, Fax, phone systems, desks etc.
2. Discounted rates for key services – Accountants, Lawyers, Employment laywer, business coaches, and media training etc.
3. Mentoring – Every company has a couple of mentors who work with the companies every month to help them accelerator their growth. They get at least 3 hours of mentoring time every month for free. The list of mentor includes previous CEO’s of EDS and IBM etc. They have a wealth of experience their skills covers a wide range of knowledge.
4. Network Opporunities – CHQ has plenty of functions. There is a lot of cross pollination between various business people, groups and associations in Wellington.
5. Access to VC funds – We have access to VC funding networks. Most companies at Creative HQ are at a pre-VC stage.
6. Knowledge share –
   * We have monthly seminars on a variety of topics eg. Funding, employment law, running accounts, tax, HR, company structure.
   * Learning from other companies inside the incubator about the in’s and out’s of running a start-up company.
7. Colloboration – Many companies work together on projects. Eg. LetUseIt and ProjectX are running the CreativeHQ “Summer of Code” for benefit of CHQ, residents and CHQ Alumni. I have met several CEO’s that I am sure that I will together on future ideas.
8. Free stuff – We get the opportunities to participate in seminars and training that benefit the CEO, and the companies involved.
9. Kudos – Getting into CHQ requires a bit of effort that prove the viability of the business idea and the level of commitment of the people. This helps open doors for those companies as they have been “qualified” by CHQ. I can personally say this kudos has helped us with PR and our grant applications.
10. Social side – Its great to have a support network of people who understand the trials and tribulations of running a company. We have a tight knit bunch of companies in here. We have a great time in our journey together in creating our businesses. ( Out of the companies that have graduated over the last 2 years, over 6 of companies that have moved into new premises together)

The focus of Creative HQ is to help people take a smart idea and turn into reality.

IMHO I would thoroughly recommend that any person who has an idea, to come and talk to the people at Creative HQ or (other incubators in NZ). For one, its good practice to have smart people asking the right questions about your business ideas.

In our case, we had difficultly explaining our idea, and this process really helped us to define our pitch.

Idealog’s article is now online. ProjectX features in the section “
Mash it Up”.

And here’s the link to the full article on Silcion Welly

ProjectX are in the news again. We have just featured in an article in this month’s Idealog. The article is profiling on how Wellington is helping to make the web cool again in New Zealand. Trade Me, SMH aka. Starnow and ProjectX are highlighted as some of the Wellington companies leading the new wave. The article also offers some sage commentary from Web 2.0 guru Richard McManus and O’Reilly veteran Nat Torkington.

Wellington is hotting up with start-up fever. I know of 4-5 startups that are currently in the pipeline. With Weta now scaling up in terms of people and projects (more movies, animation and games) , Wellington is a buzz with all the activity. There are going to be some good opportunities for skilled people to work on some kick ass projects.

I’ll post a link to the article once its live online.

Working for a startup is hard. You never know what’s coming around the corner. Trying to predict what will happen next is nearly impossible. It’s very easy to get caught up in this never ending simulation of “what if” scenarios. At the end of the day you find that none of those scenarios actually happened and that you ended up doing something completely unforseen.

Well, you can strategise, plan for every eventuality and worry all you want. Nothing good will come out of it because by the time you achieve your goals (if you don’t go mad first) you will be so tired (and possibly mad) that you won’t be able to enjoy it.

So what’s the answer? The answer is very simple. Plan but don’t let your plans fix your direction. Acknowledge life’s inevitable obstacles but don’t be discouraged by them. Believe in your idea but stay open to changing it. Oh, and every now and then sleep in and be late for work. It’s good for your brain and your soul.

You won’t have any less work to do if you choose to follow these deceptively simple rules but you will be more relaxed, happier and productive. And when you finally reach your destination you will be able to look back and smile as you remember your hard but pleasant journey.

I just want to squash a rumour that is currently floating around.

ProjectX is still owned 100% by ProjectX. Trade Me has NOT brought ProjectX contary to the rumours floating around.

We provide map services to Trade Me and several other companies in New Zealand and Australia.

We have over 350 developers using the ZoomIn Mapping System in NZ and we are working hard to provide the best mapping system for all our users.

ProjectX is one year old today.

We’ve had a lot of highlights.

• Aug 2005: Set up ProjectX in John’s apartment, start working on a number of ideas.
• Sept 2005: Moved into a temporary office, and hired our first staff member – Nick.
• Oct 2005: Launched ZoomIn
• Nov 2005: Released ZoomIn Mapping System to the public.
• Dec 2005: Tomek joins ProjectX
• Jan 2006: Map guru Ross joins ProjectX
• Feb 2006: New Maps release.
• Mar 2006: New version of ZoomIn with user added content and added Aerial Photography.
• Apr 2006: Launched ZoomIn Australia – ZoomIn.com.au website.
• May 2006: Launched Australian ZoomIn Mapping System
• Jun 2006: Ben keynotes at Where 2.0 2006.
• Jul 2006: Release of ZoomIn Mapping System v7 and Smaps website.