• 09/28/2008 - My Lovely Wife Lou is Pregnant
• 12/14/2007 - ArtistServer News and a new site: FreeMusicLicensing.com
• 09/18/2007 - AritstServer and ToneThis Serve Up Indie Ringtones
• 09/11/2007 - Running LightTPD and PHP on Windows
• 09/06/2007 - Compete.com -vs- Alexa.com - Comparing Website Rank
• 08/29/2007 - HostMySite.com Limits ColdFusion, Does Not Tell Customers
• 08/14/2007 - New Song: Chocolate Rain - Sonic Remix
• 08/03/2007 - If You Use Open Source, Leave the License and Credit
• 07/31/2007 - Add Links to Profiles on MySpace, Facebook, and More
• 07/23/2007 - SocialNetwork.in API Promotes Cross Site Networking

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I was just talking with a new friend the other day about CEO types, and how they can greatly shape the tone of a company. While I'm no expert on the subject, I can tell you that I've tend to run into two main groups: the "sales and marketing CEOs" and "engineer CEOs". While ArtistServer doesn't have a CEO, I'm the only one here, so that makes me the CEO. I would be considered an engineer CEO.

Just saying those two CEO categories, and pondering them for a moment, you probably start building two distinct profiles in your mind, and watch the branches spread away from each other. When I think about this, it tells me that the ideal team would include both of these people.

The question is, how do you find that person? Or - How do you gain the skills of the other group? Personally, I'm not sure how to look for that person. I hope that that the person who has the skills I lack will show up sometime in the next 8 months.

Until then, I've been reading Seth Godin's books, reading blogs on marketing, and have tried to keep this blog going as a means to help push my marketing skills and to promote ArtistServer. By the way, did I tell you I started stuffing press kits at the age of 7? My parents do marketing and PR, as well as my sister. Since we all work in tech, we're able to hammer though topics fairly fast - no explanations - it's fun :) Anyways... this post isn't about marketing nor my family, it's about my development goals for 2006!

Since I am a developer, ArtistServer has a strong focus on devlopment. While I should spend some more time promoting and networking, my strategy for the site re-launch has been to surpass my competition first, by focusing on functionality, coolness, and ease of use. I don't have the numbers, nor the marketing campaign, nor the staff that most sites have, but soon, they will all start taking notice of ArtistServer. In 2006, we will start pulling ahead and will establish a new standard for music hosting services.

In order to keep increasing the gap, I have organized a listing of development goals for 2006, and have it printed out here on my desk where I can always scan over it - mull over the topics, and brainstorm on them before they come up. I thought it might be a good idea to post this, as it might stimulate a few people to ask questions, or make suggestions. Or, if you run your own service - maybe you'll consider posting your goals - development or marketing or even just your goal numbers.

Unfortunately, I had to remove an items from the list. The subject is 'top secret' - but I'll tell you a bit about it... I've worked out a VERY cool new aspect of my service - something that bands and their fans will love - something that works for the cafe strummer on up to the stadium packer. If the competition hadn't heard of us yet, they all will after a few press reviews of this new service. I have a fair amount of development to make this new feature function, but my current estimate is the of 2nd quarter.

1st Quarter 2006

• Send to Site – Send photos and messages to your gallery or blog from your mobile phone
• Integrated Flash Player - embeded flash player, with tools in admin to manage
• Forums - Integrated as the site's forum - will allow groups to have fourms - possibly upgraded artists
• Music Stats Data Exporter - Needs to be Fixed, currently commented out

• Calendar/Event system - For all artists and members, post events, subscribe to calendars,etc
• Mobile site v2 – Launch the second stage of the mobile site, making adjustments based on use and feedback
• Search - Redo the Search area to function as social bookmarks and to provide better resuts, new UI
• Subscription Services - allows artists to sell access to a collection of content. An extension of 'Groups' that will integrate with PayPal directly. No % to ArtistServer.com

• Cumulative Stats - For artists: total plays, total page views, Avg Rating, etc
• Content Transcoding – Server setup to transcode audio, video and images
• Alternate Audio Format – Support for OGG, WMA, or other formats
• Support for Blogger API – Add/Edit Blog functions only

• Graphical Stats - charts for artists and members covering site and muisc stats
• MSS API – Stage 1 of the MediaServer System API, which will allow developers to create solutions or creations which extend our platform into new directions
• Music Video Hosting – with genres and tags