Curious how other small teams handle this.

Most of our support questions were the same few: "how do I set up X", "I paid, why is my plan still free?", "can I cancel?". But the ones that mattered needed real data (payment status, account state).

OP-ED?
Recently I've been finding myself actually buying and downloading apps more than before. The common thread? They're all silly things that almost do nothing.
I say almost because what they do offer is a bit of joy during my work day. Some of the recent apps I've purchased or downloaded are @Klack, Googly Eyes, @Docko, @Ball,@TabTab, and @NotchNook.
Some of these do have productivity or quality of life improvements (looking at the last two) but others are simply about making the computer fun again.
For example @Klack has genuinely made me more focused when I type and I've been able to zone in on work. It's like each clickity-clack is driving me closer to where I want to go and idk, the feedback just feels GOOD. The audio is also really nice, not sure how I can explain it, but feels very high-def for something that is mimicking a tactical feeling.
All these apps remind me of a time where shareware and P2P ( @Limewire ) was more popular. Where you might be okay buying a CD or floppy and installing something fun on your computer, then telling (sharing) your buddy about it. And with the rise of vibe coding, I think we're going to see vibeware become a thing. Where users will create something fun, quickly, using AI tools like @Cursor, @Replit, or @bolt.new/@Lovable and then put it at a super low cost or have a free-trial (shareware).
Those that don't want to pay, will create their own iteration of it and choose their own distribution method (P2P) but it won't eat at the original.
It's my genuine feeling that the internet is about to become fun again (it's already started) and I'm curious if I'm the only one feeling this way and/or embracing it?
What do you think? Is the era of vibeware a good thing? And if not why should we refute it?
This piece was written with FKJ - Just Piano in the background.

3 weeks ago, we discussed the topic of how AI affects your work.

After seeing yesterday s Instagram post by Morning Brew, I ve decided to change the questions.

According to the post, even a major player like Duolingo is looking to replace contractors and employees with AI.

A company and a proprietor are inseparable. Their liabilities and assets are tied together. but as a company grows, it the leadership becomes more and more diversified. Now there are directors, investors, big names who are separable from the company.
Many a times if the proprietor is a known businessman the business will take off almost immediately. Investors will be willing to pour millions into research. Media houses will cover everything and a lot of capable people will start applying.
Many a times startups don't have that luxury. All they have to show for themselves is a good product. But all it takes is an already established company to see your idea. They have all the manpower to replicate it and have distribution channels that will push their product in the blink of an eye. An established player has the balance sheet, the engineering bench, and the captive audience to clone your core feature in a quarter and bundle it to 50,000 existing customers by next Tuesday.

It feels like an impossible game.
For founders who launched without an audience or big backing: how did you survive the clone threat?

Hey everyone

I ve been continuing to explore the question:

How do we use AI without outsourcing our thinking?

Building software is literally getting easier and easier. What I ve noticed is that just a few years ago, you really needed knowledge, a team, and solid know-how to make the whole process work.

But now, with all these tools popping up on the market almost daily like Cursor, Bolt, Lovable, and so many others it s incredibly easy to build software.

One thing I've been learning while building my startup is that finishing a product and earning the trust of the people you want to serve are two very different things.

Over the past year, I've spent a lot of time building the technology, but I've also realized that getting a foot in the door requires more than having something that works.

I've started focusing on building credibility in other ways:

• Publishing research in an international project management journal.

• Writing a LinkedIn newsletter to share what I'm learning about business and technology.

• Preparing to speak at an international technology conference.

• Working through security, integrations, and the requirements of building software for organizations.

• Participating in industry communities and building relationships with people who understand the problems I'm trying to solve.