Robots and Pencils Inc.

We make things for the iPhone, iPad and Cloud. http://robotsandpencils.com
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iPad Tricks I wish I knew and didn’t have to wait for my husband to tell me.

Camille Sikorsky


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What it takes to start your own business

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When we're deciding what to name our company a few years ago, little did I know the ups and downs of having a real business. It's super hard work and takes a ton of perseverance and commitment to make great stuff and keep the clients happy. To run a company takes True Grit. I think the entrepreneurs of today would totally be the cowboys of the past.


Michael had decades of business startup experience before we decided to take one on together as husband and wife - so he had an idea of what to expect. I only ever had a one person team (myself) prior to Robots and Pencils. I didn't have a clue of what to expect - but naively, I thought it was going to be fun. (I've been accused of wearing rose coloured glasses.)

The photo says it all of what it takes to make a business work. We were getting windows installed in our basement office. It was noisy, dirty and very distracting and Michael was still working.

I definitely don't have True Grit, since I was the one taking the photo. :P

Camille Gross-Sikorsky


 

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Why I am not in sales at Robots and Pencils

We get some nice emails and some not so nice emails regarding World Explorer made for Minecraft. I have to sit on my hands most of the time to keep from sending emails in response to some of the nasty or unintelligent comments. (We had someone send us an email asking for a 2$ refund because she missed the sale. (And her email signature had something professional on it.) Michael forbid me from responding to her. 

This post reflects a conversation between myself and a Minecraft fan. Not so much a fan of World Explorer for Minecraft (our iPhone / iPad app that allows users to explore and create their desktop worlds on their iPhone), but I'm confident we'll make him happy in the long run. Many users expect the app to be a complete replica of the game, but that is not the case. World Explorer for Minecraft is a tool to compliment the desktop game.

Subject: You guys are a descrase to life!!!!

On 2011-03-11, at 8:16 PM, Forrest wrote:
> Minecraft world explorer misses the point of the real minecraft if you guys make it more like the pc version and make it less laggy I will be happy but right now this game can EAT SHIT!!!!
  [insert: these little boxes were a pleasant surprise of about 80 poo icons]
> I can list thousands of problems I have with this game but here are a few

 •No mobs
 •Super laggy
 •No crafting
 •No day/night cycle
 •Starting out with everything
 •And well everything else the game lacks

On Mar 11, 2011, at 8:02 PM, Camille Sikorsky wrote:
> What, are you 12?

> Read the app description before you buy and learn how to spell while you're at it.


On 2011-03-11, at 9:06 PM, Forrest wrote:
> Why yes I am 12. And this isn't a freakin test. Your game sucks and you know it. Leave it to mojang.

On Mar 11, 2011, at 8:34 PM, Camille Sikorsky wrote:
>Duh....


On 2011-03-11, at 9:30 PM, Forrest wrote:
> Are you guys going to add crafting and mobs in the future.

On Mar 11, 2011, at 8:42 PM, Camille Sikorsky wrote:
> Maybe... But not for your phone.

> We got your phone I.d. And we're watching you.
> P.s. Love the poop emoticon. How'd you do that? :)

> P.P.s. I'm kidding about watching you... Don't be scared.

On 2011-03-11, at 9:41 PM, Forrest wrote:
> Why not for me and you have to add a keyboard thats called emoji.


On Mar 11, 2011, at 8:52 PM, Camille Sikorsky wrote:
> I was just playing with you. Sorry. You'll get any updates just as everyone else. :)

> Since you're so passionate, I'll make sure you know before anyone else of any new, exciting updates. :)

> Thanks on the tip for the poo icon.

On 2011-03-11, at 9:48 PM, Forrest wrote:
> Yup your welcome and sorry for the mean stuff I said I was really bored and so I thought how bout I go criticize something


On Mar 11, 2011, at 8:42 PM, Camille Sikorsky wrote:
> No worries - have a good night. :) Use that passion for something productive. ;)

> Will be in touch with game updates.

Camille Gross-Sikorsky


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Interior Design Vs. Graphic Design

Since I've moved to the graphic side of design from the interior side of design I've noticed some major differences, pros and cons. (The Interior Design I'm referring to is more like Interior Architecture, not the decorating side.)

These are my findings.

Stress
Interior Design - High to Really High
With Interior Design, there is so much at stake. Just annotating the wrong finish accidently could cost you $1000s. There are ALWAYS surprises on site (mostly with renovations) and no one wants to take the liability. I was working on a basement renovation with a designer friend of mine, and the contractor wanted her sign off on custom door drawings "stating that XXXX Projects Inc.  and XXX Building Materials Ltd. are not responsible for the calculations of the construction of the doors." As designers, we generally want the person who is making the stuff to be responsible for the final measurements, because even when you blatantly dimension the heck out of your drawings, somehow, things don't always end up like the design drawings. Even with 3-D computer drawings, it's impossible to see the final product until it's made. Natural light, even man-made light can change the colour of paint on the walls dramatically. There are always deadlines. With commercial design, it's more intense. With residential design, you can usually gain extra time while waiting for the clients decisions. They usually have a job and a family so aren't generally 100% focused on getting the job done.
Graphic Design - Medium to Low
There are deadlines usually set by unrealistic client expectations, but because I don't have to rely on anyone else to get my job done - this hasn't been a cause for concern yet. Also, if the client doesn't like it, it's VERY easy to move a few pixels around and everyone's happy. You also see the finished product before it's 'finished'.

Creativity
Interior Design - High
I find that Interior Design has so much going on in one single project that I'm not expected to drain my creative juices all day long. The client usually has an idea of what they want which we help them with in concept development, then there's space planning, finish selection, working drawings and project management and a lot of 'creative' problem solving. For someone like me with ADD, this is a job come true. There's always something going on that keeps me moving. (i.e. I'm not stuck at a computer 40 hours a week.)
Graphic Design - Really High
I have to be on almost constantly with graphic design. I've come up with so many concepts/designs in a very short period of time compared to Interior Design, most times, with not much to start with. My brain really hurts at the end of those days.

Financial
Interior Design - Medium High to Really high (If your'e famous)
Maybe this isn't true for everyone, but Interior Designers generally do pretty well-The bill out rates are $95-$135/hr and up. Granted, these are the same wages I've seen at mechanic shops. So I say medium high because many 'professionals' charge this rate out. And if you're an employee, I'd say the wages are medium-low. (In Canada anyway)
Graphic Design - Medium to High
I think you can make higher wages depending on your skill level and ability to read the client's needs. This is still new to me, so I can't really make a valid call on the wages to expect as a Graphic Designer. With Interior Design, a lot more education is required (I have a degree and I still learn on every job after 8 years) and no one seems to expect you to have a degree in Graphic Design (it's kind of like being an artist, it's easy to pick up if you have the talent and school isn't necessarily required). Although, I would love to go to school for Graphic Design, we're just too busy. Also, I find it relatively simple to guess how much time it's going to take to get a job done, where with Interior Design, you always have to add to the contract, "Changes are extra" because there are ALWAYS changes in the design stage and after. :)

Wardrobe
Interior Design - High
Interior Designers should look like they know how to put themselves together, and be presented well. It's kind of like, would you hire an over-weight personal trainer? Probably not. Many of the firm owners shop at Holt Renfrew and buy Hermes Bags. I had a past client tell me she didn't go with a designer who came to their home because she wore frumpy clothes and her hair was frizzy. Yes, it's true. I think my clients must be really nice.
Graphic Design - Low
Well, not really low. But jeans and t-shirts are totally ok. Even grunge is cool. I guess the general look is 'artist' so blatant high-end names brands are not cool.

Satisfaction - End Result
Interior Design - Super High
The transformation when things are built in real-life is incredible. That's probably why there are so many before and after design shows. I love to see an inefficient and drab space transform into something beautiful and functional. The end product is often worth the pain! (Like having a baby). I've seen many co-workers (including myself) crying because of the stress along the way, but when it's all done, it's magical and the tears are forgotten. (Kinda.)
Graphic Design - High
It's always wonderful to see your product working and enjoyed by others. The only reason I rate it lower than Interior Design is that you only can experience it on a 2 dimensional level - and the transformation is from white screen to art screen. Not as painful. I base how rewarding the outcome is on how much suffering is experienced along the way.

When I decided on Interior Design 14 years ago, (YIKES) I choose it for different reasons than why I've chosen Graphic Design today. They're both creative fields, but in my opinion, very different. Graphic Design fits in with family life. It's easy to work from home and the jobs can generally be finished in 1 - 4 weeks. Interior Design projects are 2 - 24 months, or even longer and there's much more that can go wrong.

(Photo 1. The interior designer (girl in black dress) is a friend of mine who always looks that great.)
(Photo 2. The graphic designer is on the far right of the boys - he is one the coolest dressers I know. The other boys are programmers. They were doing a pose for me to look subdued.)

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The MAC VS. PC War

Granny_0074

What is the debate?


When Michael was forced to switch to a MAC because he started programming apps for the iTunes store, the Mac Vs. Pc war began in our home. He watched the Mac ads and laughed at me. But his laughs just fell on deaf ears. I had just purchased a souped-up ACER for just under $1000. The screen was huge and it was FAST. Although, getting started took hours because of all the FREE software, then I had to spend another hour deleting software I'd never use. And I couldn't install my Adobe CS2 properly (Vista's folders wouldn't let me install the software in them so I had to create a new folder). But other than that, I was happy. Happy especially not to have had to spend an extra $2000 to get the comparable Mac.

Then the PC commercials started (the ones where the consumers compare the specs of computers and are happy to save A LOT of dough by getting the cheaper PC instead of a Mac). And then, I laughed at Michael because he spent almost 3x as much as I did for his Mac. I also laughed everytime I heard him complain about something er other going on with his Mac. Yes, a lot of laughing was going on in our household.


Then, suddenly, the laughing died.

About a month and a half after I purchased my Acer laptop, something weird happened. Without me doing anything, Acer Arcade software self-installed and then the laptop died. The techs at Future Shop couldn't even extract my 1st anniversary photos from the hard drive it was THAT dead. Whatever, I must have got a bunk one, because the guys at the store told me they never had ANY Acers returned and to be really nice, since I didn't purchase the extended warranty, they'd do a straight exchange for ANOTHER Acer.

That's cool, I thought. I was happy they were so accommodating to poor old me. But, just to be safe, I bought the extended 'no-lemon' warranty this time. (It only cost 30% of the price of the machine for the 3 year warranty - please detect sarcasm in the only).

After losing a day and a half of work, I started not laughing so much at Michael for buying a Mac. I started fantasizing a Mac Ad that mocked the PC Ads, where the interviewer would be running up to unhappy consumers with computers to return and asking if they are returning a Mac or a Pc, and how much time they've lost due their return.

And then, two months later, the same thing happened. Acer Arcade Software loaded itself without any warning and then my laptop died. Not as dead as before mind you, because we could extract my photos this time. (Everything else was heavenly backed up on Dropbox).


Back to Future Shop. Thank God for the no-lemon warranty. I said I didn't want another Acer. I was working on a deadline, so I needed another laptop, that worked. Argh! I had used HPs in the past with no real issues, so I thought, lets go with a HP. The nice guys at Future Shop (Nick Lee - you rock) really tried to steer me towards a Mac if I didn't want any more problems. He said the PCs had really gone down the toilet in the past few years - the race to the bottom, as Michael puts it. We debated for almost 2 hours (barely avoiding a cry-fest)...with the deadline looming. I know, I've got problems (I grew up in controlling home, so all of my siblings have the same "indecision disorder" if there's such a thing). But in the end, because I was really afraid of learning the ins and outs of a new computer, we went with a top of the line HP.

*Sigh*

Back home. The HP didn't have as much junk software, but when it came to click on 'Go' to get my laptop going, it crashed. Omigawd. Michael just looked at me. I was defensive, and said, "I've never had problems with an HP before, what's going on?" I was hoping it was just a fluke and the rest of my HP experience would be nice. But it wasn't. Eveything was waaaay slower than even the cheap Acer. Click, wait 5 seconds, action completed. Click, wait.... I wanted to hide in a hole and never touch Photoshop again. AutoCad was painfully slow too. And the laptop was hot to touch. Whuh???

Back to Future Shop.

Michael forbid me to get another PC. Decision made easy.

Yes, I had to spend almost 3x the price as the Acer, but I went with a Mac Book Pro - 17". I do graphic design all day long and don't like duo screens, thus the bigger screen option. But guess what. Weirdly enough, I turned on the laptop and I could actually use it almost instantly. And, this is really weird, the same software that had annoying glitches on my old PC works incredibly smooth on my Mac. Here's another really strange thing. When I use the program on my Mac that allows me to use Windows (I use AutoCad which only works on Windows) my laptop gets super hot. And, switching over was super painless! It's only been a few days and I already feel adjusted. There are lots of other really neat things about the Mac that make it a better experience, but overall, it just works.

Now I look at those PC ads and want to warn everyone of false advertising - can you really decide whether you should buy a 15-year-old car or a new car based solely on one being cheaper than the other? Granted, they both have tires, a gas tank, a steering wheel and can drive 100 km/hr but really, it's not a fair comparison. In my experience, I've driven the clunkers and I'd much rather drive a car that doesn't cause me anxiety every time I put the key in the ignition, afraid of what's next to go.

If you can afford it, go for a Mac. That's my advice. :)

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Code for posting an iPhone 3.0 push notification to UrbanAirship from the Google App Engine.

See it syntax highlighted here:  http://pastie.org/551253#
## Sample code for using the GoogleAppEngine (Python) with UrbanAirship to send# out iPhone (OS3.0) Push Notifications.## @killingmichael # http://twitter.com/killingmichael## Based on code by:  http://twitter.com/bryanbartow#  #import loggingfrom django.http import HttpRequestimport urllibimport base64from google.appengine.api import urlfetchfrom django.utils import simplejsondef sendApplePushNotification(name):    # via UrbanAirShip    logging.info("sending notification... "+name)    UA_API_APPLICATION_KEY = 'APPLICATION KEY GOES HERE'  #Application Key from UrbanAirship -> App Menu -> App Details to Display    UA_API_APPLICATION_PUSH_SECRET = 'APPLICATION PUSH SECRET GOES HERE'  #Application Secret from UrbanAirship -> App Menu -> App Details to Dispaly.    url = 'https://go.urbanairship.com/api/push/'    auth_string = 'Basic ' + base64.encodestring('%s:%s' % (UA_API_APPLICATION_KEY,UA_API_APPLICATION_PUSH_SECRET))[:-1]    alertMsg = "Hello from " + name    badgeNumber = 3    deviceToken = "DEVICE TOKEN GOES HERE"    body = simplejson.dumps(   {"aps": {"badge": badgeNumber, "alert": alertMsg}, "device_tokens": [deviceToken]}  )    data = urlfetch.fetch(url, headers={'content-type': 'application/json','authorization' : auth_string}, payload=body,method=urlfetch.POST)    if data.status_code == 200:        logging.info("Remote Notification successfully sent to UrbanAirship "+str(data.status_code))    elif data.status_code == 400:        logging.error("Remote Notification not sent! Do something smart now or not :) "+str(data.status_code))

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Bee Herd

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I bet most people imagine that if they expressed their voice through the power of the Internet, people would listen, people would care. And maybe, just maybe, fame and fortune would come with it. With Twitter being the next big thing, I don't see many realizing their dream. When I look at the tweets out there for a certain topic, hoping to get a different - possibly wider view from the media, I'm deeply unmoved. Do those tweeters think they're doing anyone a favour by retweeting the news? Let me give you an example. I wanted to hear what regular people thought about the new Amercan Energy Bill. Would anyone have something insightful to say? Perhaps it's difficult with only 140 characters, but most of the tweets said simply - energy bill passed. So?


Hold on, I do have to give Twitter credit for providing me the first news that Michael Jackson had died, but I discovered it because I follow CTV Calgary, our local news channel. (I still don't trust the Internet as a reliable news source unless it's from a company that has a policy of fact checking). I've personally seen lies written and no one held accountable for them. If lies were written in the New York Times, heads would be rolling.

Anyway.... I regress. Sorry.

People, please have an opinion. Does being politically correct = don't have an opinion different than...well, anyone? Let's be grateful we have freedom of speech and can twitter to our hearts delight without fear of government imprisonment. (Iran)

Yes, you may be asking who really cares what I think? Possibly no one other than my family, because they would all be in the dog house if mumma's not happy. But, it actually doesn't matter.

It's having a voice that counts. Even if no one reads this. I'm happy to write what's on my mind.

And just you wait till my juicy biography comes out. I know more than a few people out there who will care then. And if you (yeah, you know who I'm talking about) get any ideas about silencing me before it's released, well. My finished biography is safely floating around in a boat with a reliable Caribbean fisherman whose been instructed to release it to the press if he doesn't receive my monthly phone call. ;)

Camille Gross-Sikorsky

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Wizard of Oz was a Real Human

Poop

 

To all of you who get tired of people complaining about software / websites / apps that cost money:

I'm having a little rant here after hearing another person complain about ads on the internet while at the same time, expecting everything to be free. And also after hearing how a friend of ours had his little $1.99 iPhone game get thousands of pirated downloads.

To all of you who think that software / websites / apps should be free:

Why don't you work for free?

Why doesn't anyone expect a movie or a chocolate bar or a plumber to be free while for various reasons the masses expect software, games, internet sites etc. to be free.

My guess is that they've been programed to expect it.
I used to. I didn't quite get that it was a real person behind it all. I thought for some reason because most software / websites / apps were free that it must be really easy to do what they do.
Wow, was I ever wrong. It requires tons of brains and skill and man-hours to do what the people behind those products do. Just because the other guys are fixing your toilet or giving you something you can taste or feel doesn't mean the non-tactile products / services are worth anything less. You'll also find, you'll have a really hard time getting someone non-related to fix your toilet for free.

I'm sure another reason is that digital goods can be mass produced easily, so the public thinks that stealing is ok (these guys make too much money anyway). Even a few of the good 'christian' people I know think pirating software is ok when they would never even think of short-changing the bus driver.

Yet another reason is that they can. It's relatively easy to steal digital content while kidnapping a plumber to fix your toilet will only find yourself in deep doo-doo.

I have a feeling that something will change. Too many businesses are turning to the internet. Can they all really make it on ads alone? Will the public pay to avoid ads? I don't think so. Where is the happy medium?

I'm sure this story will unfold in the next ten years. Tipjoy is a beginning.

Camille Gross-Sikorsky

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