Downsize Brad!

The Magic Suite!

I should be downsized. Those bastards at Stardock should downsize me.  When I was in my 20s, I was able to get so much done it was crazy.

Some people spend hours a day playing World of Warcraft or other such things.  That's the kind of person I am.  Ever see the South Park episode of World of Warcraft where the kids are playing against this griefer who lives on his computer?  That was me in my 20s and early 30s. Except I wasn't playing games.  I was writing them and skinning and working to create desktop enhancement software.

But now I'm 36 and have 3 kids.  You should see my 1 year old girl. She's so cute.  She owns me and my two sons.  And my wife and I find ourselves spending increasing amounts of time being parents.  Which has slowed my work time down considerably. 

Where I used to be able to do 84 hours a week easily (and it's really not hard to do that - it's just 12 hours a day, 7 days a week. Don't scoff, think of all the MMO players who do that sort of thing and pay for the privilege to do it).  Now, I'm lucky to do 60 hours a week.  That's a net loss of 14 hours each week

Needless to say, it greatly reduces my productivity. So I'm in the process of bringing my successors up to speed. People who can pick up some of the things I used to do.  You already see Zoomba and Island Dog all over.  They have taken over a lot of the stuff I used to do on WinCustomize and elsewhere. 

One of the places my reduced productivity has affected people is in the Magic Suite.  It's a premium suite we're giving away to Object Desktop users who have renewed until past January 1, 2009.

Here's some screenshots of it running on my desktop:

Like it? I sure do. But the gadgets are missing. Why? Because on Windows Vista, the UAC causes problems for gadget deployment from a suite. We're working on it but it's going to require an update in one of our programs. It's a pain in the butt.

So as you can see, it's almost done. But it's not quite there yet.  But it will totally rock when it's done.  Our ETA is about another week.

But much of the hold up has been my fault because there's a lot of coordination in this particular suite and I am the one doing the coordination and I budgeted my time based on what I've historically worked.  So we're on it. It's coming.  It totally rocks. Stay tuned!

19,034 views 39 replies
Reply #1 Top
and then there is focus. You just wasted 2 minutes making this post.
I wonder if they make ridilin for Frogboys.
    

We all appreciate the long hours you guys work.   
Reply #2 Top
uh... 84 hours... minus 60 hours... equals 14? Hmm....
Reply #3 Top
Dammit Jim, I'm a programmer not a mathmetician!
Reply #5 Top
Sorry . . I was logged in as CerebroJD.
Again . . so sorry.
Reply #6 Top
You only get one chance to enjoy your family. Your little girl will never be 1 again.

I spent the first 5 years after my 14 year olds birth trying to maintain the 70-80 work week while spending as much time as possible with the family which meant a whole lot of 2am work times. I finally gave it up and delegated responsibility. It was VERY hard at first but eventually I became comfortable with it. I occasionally put in an 80 hour week but only occasionally. I even learned how to take a vacation.............

It's all about priorities and I could've had a much more successful business had I made that my priority. I think your doing the right thing and I applaud you for it.
Reply #7 Top
Zubaz......An identity thief. Who would believe it     Brad, we all appreciate the work you do and I bet the numbers were over 84 hours a week sometimes but it's good to see that you've got your priorities right and that 'family come first'. Can't wait to see the new suite which looks like a 'world beater'..........  
Reply #8 Top
Sorry . . I was logged in as CerebroJD
End of quote


  
Reply #9 Top
thanks for the update . . . family's the GREATEST magic!! Enjoy while you can!
Reply #10 Top
So . . I finally got around to becoming zu1337.  I must have that suite!
Reply #11 Top
I wonder if they make ridilin for Frogboys.
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nor a good speller.. mathematician
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Uh.... NightTrain, it's spelt: Ritalin!!

The suite looks pretty hot..
Reply #12 Top
nor a good speller.. mathematician
End of quote


Too funny...

Thanks for the update Brad... We all appreciate the time and efforts you and all the staff put in to designing and creating this wonderful site and the Suite looks too cool.. I am very excited about it.
Take your time and make it GOOD.....   

And enjoy your family... It all goes so fast, you won't believe it..

Thanks again..

Reply #14 Top
Got three kids myself.. trick to being productive is this..

Ignore 'em  

JK of course... I probably sit at this desk working on and off about 16-18 hours a day so I know where your coming from.
Reply #15 Top
gots to spend time with the kids..but i regret renewing my subscription
Reply #16 Top
Okay Brad,

You're fired


If I were you, I'd quit worrying about spending less time at work. I did the same in the past, and as much as I got into it at the time, I discovered that I didn't get out of it what I put in. Spend your time with your family, work will do just fine.

Reply #17 Top
My boss seems to think he has to do everything by himself too. He was used to work for himself, but now has to lead a team. I keep on telling him that he slows down the whole group if he attempts to micro-manage every little thing by himself.

So don't feel guilty about spending time with your family. Just delegate the responsibility and spread the load a bit. Your kids will be ever grateful for that.
Reply #18 Top
If it takes till Christmas - I'm game for the reason I know it will be done right and have the other's that follow done like-wise.
TAKE YOUR TIME BRAD~!
Some of the very best skins ever made where long and delayed.

Oh and take them guys out to Hooters or something this weekend too! They need it!!!

SGT
Reply #19 Top
That's not fair, I just updated OD and it'd only until Oct 2008.

will you give a 3 month grace period?
Reply #20 Top
You're only human and family comes first.It's a nice suite but it can wait.  
Reply #21 Top
I renewed ! sooooo it's FREE , oh my   

this is a Suite just beggin' for a Screenie !!   
Reply #22 Top
That's not fair, I just updated OD and it'd only until Oct 2008.

will you give a 3 month grace period?
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thats the same situation with me dwax

Reply #23 Top
You can renew your Object Desktop subscription as many times as you want. It adds a year to the end date.
Reply #24 Top
Frogboy said.

You can renew your Object Desktop subscription as many times as you want. It adds a year to the end date.
End of quote


But I can't afford another update,sure there are others like me too.

Reply #25 Top
Stardockians have to eat too.