skysight-inc/HackerNews huggingface dataset:
Ask HN: Email Marketing
Does anyone here has any experience with sending bulk mails to acquire new users. I believe, if targeted appropriately it offers best ROI and in very short time...

Should a startup engage in bulk mails to buildup user base or is it an abuse of the system and must be avoided (at the cost of growth)..

If yes, to what level before it is considered SPAM?

-----

PS: Assume I have a very targeted list and I am offering product/service that they are really looking for..

My question is - How many can I send before I am being labeled as a spammer by the anti-spam filters on mail server?:-)

I plan 500 mails daily.. is it too much/too little?
Zero or five?
How do you hook up the screen into a nice position? The reason laptops work well is because the screen can be positioned well.
There's a few others that have found success with similar methods:

1. Build a blog, get large readership, convince them you're *awesome*!
2. Release reasonable product
3. Sell to blog readership
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Trucking Company Ray Bellew and Sons Inc in Houston, Texas specializes in transportation. We offer timely, economical, and safe transportation of legal and oversized/ overweight loads.
where are you intending on getting your list of users to email from?
Ebuddy hits 11m downloads of its mobile app
These are all java downloads e.g. phones other than iphone.
I almost never give in to direct email marketing (and these emails almost always get marked as spam, so lot of prospective candidates also do not recv it) - but I do trust my friends tell me to join a site, and I do. May be it works differently for diff people, but I think spreading thru a social networking platform may work better. My 2¢
MTV Teen Cribs aside, this guy's house is really, really sweet. Ridiculously over-the-top, but sweet. There's a whole site dedicated to the house at http://www.scottajones.com/index.php?q=residence .

How can he afford all this? Scott Jones is better known as the inventor of voicemail. (!) His company built one of the earliest voicemail systems (1986) and he holds a bunch of patents related to it. So he can afford an extravagant house, especially since it's in Indiana.

For example: His master bathroom has a "waterfall shower" that streams 300 gallon per minute. Normal home showers are restricted to 2.5 GPM. But "because this is a high-tech home, not an ounce of water is wasted. It is sanitized by an ultraviolet-light disinfecting system, stored in a holding tank in the basement and then recycled." (http://www.forbes.com/2002/05/17/0517home.html)
In short, tech recruiters are non-technical dolts who use bad metrics to squeeze the highest dollar out of the companies they're contracted to while alienating otherwise prospective talent.

It sounds like you just got burned by one company/person? Not all recruiters are like you described. I've got my biases though, just like you've got yours.
Could you kindly elaborate as to the details of being "funded" in this situation? I am very interested in real numbers. (Obviously you may not be able to provide specifics, but even meta info would be nice, considering the product and the economic climate etc.)
Additionally, decorators with method chaing are not necessarily monads. AFAIK a monad has to be able to wrap any type, while a decorator is usually constrained to wrap some specific type (e.g. DOM nodes in the case of jQuery).
Nursing Home Negligence Lawyer
When to hire a Miami, Florida nursing home negligence lawyer for help with your case.
But I am tho´, 2359 at the moment :-)
It reminds me UMPC thing from MSFT, but cheaper.
Well, just one example: until last year, Red Bull was banned in France for health safety reasons.
This is older than the sun. But still clever.
That's cool if it has VGA I could charge it and then at same time have it connected to my LCD TV to watch Internet TV. Use wireless handheld mouse for remote.
This article seems to gloss over or misrepresent an important distinction. It's not that MS fails to conform to web standards. Surely the problem is that MS extends those standards, and then people create web sites and web pages that use those extensions. Thus it becomes necessary to use IE to view those sites, even though MS has conformed to all standards.

The problem is those who create web sites that require the MS extensions to IE, and no amount of legislation is going to solve that one. Do we want suppliers such as MS, Google, Opera, etc, to stop enhancing their browser's capabilities?
> probably the best large organization for a real , cs focused, software engineer

Makes sense, it's the only multi-billion dollar business based on an algorithm.

Patent-based businesses seem to encourage fundamental technical research. Consider: Bell Labs (Alexander Graham Bell's telegraphy patent); PARC (Xerography patent); IBM research (many patents).
The [Haskell] IO Monad for People who Simply Don't Care (old, but cool)
Currently I'm considering ideas and want to choose one to work on in the following 6 months. And I found that even though I know ideas don't cost a thing, it's crucial to choose a good and promising one, not just start working on a random idea saying "implementation only matters". It seems to me now, that you can almost never know if your project is a success, but you can often tell, if it's a fail. Thus, increasing your chances.

The bottom line is that posts like that create an illusion that no matter what you do, math will make you rich. This is especially untrue, because with each new random project, I assume, your motivation and desire go level down.
The use of aleph-0 for countable sets is not discouraged. I think what you mean is that using aleph-1 to mean "of the same cardinality as the reals" is discouraged, because it's only appropriate in models where the continuum hypothesis holds.

There's a not-so-commonly-used notation using the Hebrew letter beth instead of alpha, where beth_0 = aleph_0 and beth_{n+1} = 2^beth_n (note for experts: and you do the obvious thing at limit ordinals). So the cardinality of the real numbers is beth-1, whatever model you're in.
I made a simple tween function a few months ago that has served me very well. It modifies any property of an object that can be calculated using floating point math (eg: it doesn't do hex colors). There's even a variable for what type of tween (1 = linear, 2 = forgot-the-word, 3 = cubic). Every line counts.

var tween = function(params, time, onFinished){
var setProperty = function(el, property, value, unit){
if (property=="style.opacity")
if (value==1) el.style.filter = "";
else el.style.filter = "alpha(opacity=" + value*100 + ")";
eval("el." + property + "='" + value + unit+ "'");
}

var start = function(){
var ticks = Math.ceil(time/10);
var getFn = function(percent){ return function(){go(percent);}; };
for (var i=1; i<=ticks; i++) setTimeout(getFn(i/ticks), i*10);
go(0);
}

var go = function(percent){
var tween = 3; var u = Math.pow(2, tween-1);
percent = percent < .5 ? u*Math.pow(percent, tween) : 1-u*Math.pow(1-percent, tween);
for (var i=0; i < params.length; i++){
var data = params[i];
var value = data.start + (data.end-data.start)*percent;
var unit = data.hasOwnProperty("unit") ? data.unit : '';
setProperty(data.element, data.property, value, unit);
}
if (percent==1 && onFinished) onFinished()
}

start();
}

//usage:
var props = [
{element: someElement, property: "style.left", start: 0, end: 100, unit: "px"}
];

tween(props, 450, function(){ alert('im done'); });
When in Rome: Newcomers on Facebook | 20bits
No relation. Just years of playing Diplomacy.
40 manhours is HUGE if you have a day job.
The problem that I notice on two monitors already is that I really need focus-follows-mind. I too often forget which monitor / app has the input focus and start typing away in the other.
Mulch cultivator for conservation tillage
A mulch cultivator that seems like a robust and competitive tillage implement. The website also features a short video clip of its work and it performs nicely in various stubbles and even in neglected and strongly weedy fields.
You should always, obviously, pick the idea that you believe in the most. Both because it's probably the best (assuming you have good judgement) and because it's the one you will be most motivated to work on.

The reason I wrote the post is that I've seen people hanging on to a project long after it was apparent to everyone else that it wouldn't fly. I've made that mistake myself. I don't want others to make the same mistakes I did if it can be avoided.

And math won't necessarily make you rich - but it might improve your chances :-)
Professors prefer

1. Distribution of Wealth rather than Creation of Wealth

2. Socialism aka Preventing Race to The Bottom
A mulch cultivator that seems like a robust and competitive tillage implement. The website also features a short video clip of its work and it performs nicely in various stubbles and even in neglected and strongly weedy fields.
*my sweet escape*
Very clever businessmodel.
I think VGA is only there for prototyping purposes. This tablet probably doesn't have the power to output a very good resolution or decode high quality video for your LCD TV. You're better off getting a cheap computer and sticking MythTV on it.
What do you use to get sub-pixel anti-aliasing (aka ClearType) in portrait mode?

The higher-res anti-aliasing is the only thing that got me to switch from CRTs. I've tried portrait mode for similar reasons, but the loss of quality leaves me looking at pixels instead of characters or words.
I was thinking the same thing. I know firefox on vista can get up to 1Gb of ram without too much trouble. My understanding is that webkit is a little less resource hungry though.

The article also says, "The software: currently we’re running a full install of Ubuntu Linux on the prototype with a custom Webkit browser." Sounds as though they are needlessly limiting themselves in the marketing spiel.
I've calculated this too (the same round numbers too: 10%, 10 years).

He doesn't mention that you might learn something from each attempt (if you stay in the same industry).

I think your success is (virtually) inevitable - unless there's something that you must learn that you won't learn.
Then you need a stand and a desk to use it. You'd be better off with a netbook/laptop.
Everything you've described could be done with a standard laptop and you wouldn't need to make all the sacrifices.
Sound Clips
Sound clips, quotes and ringtones from celebrities, politicians, movies, television and comedy.
Find out what's causing it... there's something wrong. Usually it is stress or anxiety. Is something worrying you?

The easiest way to solve it: exercise and/or eat more. This reduces stress and anxiety. It's easier said than done... I find insomnia (and most things in life) to be a feedback loop. Less sleep means I'm more exhausted and not hungry. More quality sleep gives me more energy to exercise and I eat right. So you've gotta do something that changes in which direction you're regressing.

It should be noted there's a difference between insomnia and sleep phase disorders. One is actually whether or not you sleep soundly for enough hours a night, and the other is at which hours you tend to sleep.

But take my advice with a grain of salt.. it's 6:15 here and I'm still awake :)
I actually liked the numbers, even remembered mine years after stopping to use ICQ.
Seems like an expensive recipe catalog.

I don't think it's a very good idea to use electronics while you're cooking. Getting grease on anything that can't be scrubbed under running water is very irritating. There's a more durable solution to this: paper. You don't have to worry about washing your hands before touching it and if you splatter food on it then it's disposable.
Labrecque Family Chiropractic
Your Maximized Living Health Center is your primary source for nutritional information, consultation, evaluation, and education on all matters related to removing the obstacles to your nutritional wellness and finding balanc.
I find the following sequence of testing is productive.

1. Smoke Testing

2. Performance Testing

3. Other tests
Clojure: 1, Common Lisp: 0
Watch TV for half an hour, then try to sleep again. Usually its because something is on my mind, so I need to put my mind somewhere else (hence, the TV).

However, I find that I sleep much better if I get off the computer early, say 9PM. That gives me plenty of time to wind down and get sleepy before a reasonable time to go to bed.

Otherwise I'll find myself still on the computer until 3AM, then I have no means of winding down, so I struggle to get to sleep all night, get up late the next day, and so the cycle continues!
How To Build a Successful Nation?

We need both Socialism and Capitalism to build and sustain a great nation.

(1) Prevent race to the bottom aka Socialism

Affirmative Action, Subsidy, Basic Income Guarantee, Stock Options to prevent Wage Slavery, Free Public Transportation, etc

(2) Promote race to the top aka Capitalism

Incentives,Free Markets,Extrinsic motivation,Appreciation,Awards, Rewards etc
your post here is better rational than the other stuff (although it was all well written).

I think it would be very useful to define processes by which entrepreneurs can better determine if they are hanging on too long. Processes that have more depth than just playing with numbers. Perhaps its simply soliciting more critical feedback from others at key points along the path?
It still does not solve the typing problem. You view the thing on an angle, but you want to type on a flat or slightly up tilted surface.
The sort of emails I clarify as spam are selling viagra, fake watches and all sorts of pills. They're sent in mass, multiple copies per day, every day to the same email and are in no way targeted.

A targeted one off email, to a business that you honestly think will benefit from your product or services is OK, surely? If it is spam, its not quite in the same camp as the above.
I got a very targeted list of users who I know are looking for product/service I offer..
Half of these are bookmarklets, which will work on any browser that supports Javascript.
My question is - How many can I send before I am being labeled as a spammer :-)

I plan 500 mails daily.. is it too much/too little?
RFID Controlling The "Choke Points"
Freightliner-Western Star, the best-selling brand of heavy-duty Class 8 trucks in North America, affirmed its commitment to innovation and technology through the deployment of a worldclass RFID solution to track inventory replenishment throughout their manufacturing facility located in Portland, Oregon. Freightliner-Western Star's management team, headed by Louis Fleischer, Plant Automation – Project Manager, was looking for a way to accurately and automatically track parts movement from inventory to the factory floor.
I actually meant split the on-screen keyboard, with one half at either side of the screen where your thumbs would be.
You've got to love the LEGO stand they've made for it..
From Gauntlet to Left 4 Dead - the history of co-op gaming
Why No Twitter Search from Google & Yahoo?
I think proliferation of Web has diluted the need for Program Managers.
My Eee PC 701 outputs at full 1360 x 768 on my 720p LCD TV. I can't imagine this tablet having less "power" than the Eee PC 701.

On the other hand, I would be a little surprised if the final version did have VGA out.
Great lead, frisco.
Perhaps if they eventually get stable and maybe offers some "advanced search" YC will want to incorporate it into HN site. [or at least put a link to it atop HN page - why should visitors have to ask a question to know where to go for a search feature?]
It's speed seems excellent (early on a Monday morning).
If you send a single email to each person on your list and don't email them again unless they request more information or signup to your news list, then I don't think it matters how big your list is, the only question that comes to mind is if your list is too big, it reduces the odds that its well targeted?

I guess it depends who the target market are, and how big it is. In my business id probably hand pick the companies on my list.
Apparently you use legos to build a stand.
Its not to businesses but consumers...
It's a very interesting thought. The problem may be that there aren't really anyone in the vicinity of entrepreneurs that have an interest in saying that it probably won't work out: Investors lose their money, partners lose their partnerships, etc. And friends often tell you you're doing great in an attempt to spur you on.

It might be possible to set up some system that you can judge yourself by. Maybe a quiz that you can take every month that is developed by psychologists, entrepreneurs, and VC's with questions on your progress, motivation, financials, etc. Your score reflects your chances of success, and you can track it from month to month. That way you will see more clearly whether things are going well or to hell. It would be like with small children: If they are your own you don't notice how quickly they grow because you see them every day. People that only see them every month notice right away.
Programmer's Dozen - programming best practices
The S3 SLA is broken (and how to fix it)
Gorgeous "Curling Page" JQuery Plugin
When you say, "My question is - How many can I send before I am being labeled as a spammer :-)"

Do you mean:

a) How many can I send before I am being labeled as a spammer by the people who are receiving the emails?

OR

b) How many can I send before I am being labeled as a spammer by the anti-spam filters on mail server?

Most responses so far are to (a), but I'm guessing you might mean (b)..?
This kind of assumes that the person in question is, in fact, a great coder. I've met people who claim to hve 30 years experience, but in fact have one year's experience 30 times over.

I'm not saying he isn't a great coder, but evidence would be nice.
How well does it decode video? It looks like your Eee has an integrated Intel GMA 900 GPU - what does the tablet have?

The MacBook Air can't even play HD video without stuttering. How does your Eee hold up?

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=636511
Arrington mentioned in the comments that the VGA was just for the prototype. Will be going away in the real version. The only ports will be 1 USB, headphones, and power.
To me as a consumer - If I haven't given you my email address - then it's spam.
(Even if I've left a box ticked saying that "partners can email through special offers', then I still see it as spam).

However - I'm likely not your target audience.
I mean (b) ;-)
Arrington mentions in the comments that the lego stand was just for their temp use. The final product will ship with a stand.
SANS Top 25 Epic Fail: CWE-319
In the comments, Arrington mentions that the final product will ship with a stand, and also have a USB, earphones, and power port. I guess you could set it on the table, plug in a USB keyboard, and plug it into power. Then again, now it's a laptop.
this wasn't the real thing, as opposed to:

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., giving his “Beyond Vietnam” speech at Riverside Church in New York on April 4, 1967.

http://www.democracynow.org/2006/1/16/dr_martin_luther_king_...
I find TV and Computer the worst thing - I think the directed glow/light of the screen isn't good for your body clock... Try reading. Works much better for me.
sure, but what if you might not want to use inline assembly i.e. for easier portability across platforms. Forths before used it all the way, but gForth didn't want to.
Most Thin Film Photovoltaics Companies To Fail
If I was on the Outlook team at MS I'd have made the reply-all button 4x as big, for the lulz.

I am pretty sure with the Office Resource Kit you can disable it company-wide with a group policy, people just fire up Outlook one day and it's gone. No idea why Windows admins don't do that (you can still reply-to-all if you really want to using the Actions menu).
Great app, I installed it few weeks ago.

But I have a question - do you have some bug tracker, where your users can put bugs and suggestions? I would like to suggest to split the minutes in usage summary by the direction, incoming and outcoming calls separately (in addition to weekdays/weekends as it is now).
I first started programming with C and had a terrible time. I didn't really get anywhere and went through a cycle of repeatedly giving up and them returning to it after having a break.

I don't think it's a good way to start programming but I would encourage people to learn it at some point because of the reason you gave.

I'd also suggest that the best way to get to grips with C is to learn assembly with a simple processor at the same time. People always seem to get stuck on pointers etc and that's easy to understand when you know a processor's addressing modes. Plus, it's always fun to use gcc to output (unoptimized) assembly code and compare it to what you would have written.
Bananas: A Parable for Our Times
Ah, a fellow developer filled me in on the original joke.
Well it can, but it can't match the collective intelligence of them, and that's what ultimately matters. It's not how much you spend, it what you spend it on.
Verboten!
Would the same Clojure advantages apply to Armed Bear CL which also runs on the JVM?
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This makes sense. But I imagine it that it will be complicated provided that one table has a lot of other dependent tables associated with it. Am I right to assume this?

Perhaps if I had foreseen this, I would have made my database schema easier to archive. :-(
BitTorrent For HTTP Failover
Introduction to the ARM Instruction Set
I don't like white or black backgrounds, though I prefer white to black in a typical windowed environment. If my editor has the full screen it doesn't matter, but I don't like menus and other windows being a lot brighter than the editor. It's either distracting, or it's a jarring readjustment every time I have to change windows.

If it weren't for syntax highlighting, I'd prefer slight color variations, with not much preference towards dark-on-light or light-on-dark. If I have a lighter background I usually prefer the text to be black. If I have a darker background I usually prefer the text to be slightly colored. In web terms, an example would be "99DD99" text on "303030" background, or "99DD99" background with black text.
This might be a good experiment, but the examples seem a bit flimsy to me.

For example - Whilst it may well be better from his experience, Timestamp has always been an anomaly in Java (it doesn't necessarily play nicely with Date)....

Equally I've never found browsing the filesystem that superb in Java - in fact the whole FileFilter, FilenameFilter thing can be quite clunky to use... It's one area where I've never felt more than a smidgen away from C (even moreso now with the NIO library).

So - maybe better, certainly not perfect - Either way they didn't on the weight of it seem killer arguments.
This article: a paraphrase (of a book by the writer's former student), uncritical, little use of evidence, largely anecdotal = book plug.
I kind of looks like circuit city isn't doing it this way either, but you can never be too sure. Usually the liquidators either hire on some of the old staff, or dress their people in the stores old uniforms. The best way to tell is to find an item you know was $100 last week, marked $199 and then discounted 50% off.

One things usually certain though. Its not an everything must go!!! sale like you are lead to believe. They're more than happy to truck all the good stuff off and sell it elsewhere if they think they're not going to get near retail for it during the "sale".

Think of it like one last "President's Day Blowout!" before the parking lot starts growing weeds.