diff --git a/content/log/2022/startup.md b/content/log/2022/startup.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..057f4f5 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/log/2022/startup.md @@ -0,0 +1,30 @@ +--- +title: "How I stopped my startup just before building it" +date: 2022-07-18T12:55:00+03:00 +slug: startup +draft: True +--- + +I almost started building a startup and stopped on time. I saved 2 years of my +life! Here is the short version: + +- I had the product idea, name, the landing page, a domain, a reasonable + financial plan. + +The landing page looks like this (from a static [excerpt](/2022/synctech.html)): + +foo bar + +- I just needed to buy the domain name and start making the product. +- Something did not feel quite right, so I kept sitting in the "ready-set--..." + phase for a couple of months. +- I read a book that [Avery Pennarun][apenwarr] recommended: [Crossing the + Chasm][book] by Geoffrey A. Moore. +- I am not doing this startup and keep having fun [at]({{ ref + "log/2022/uber-mock-interview-retrospective" >}}) [work]({{ ref + "log/2022/how-uber-uses-zig" >}}). + +What was the startup about? + +[apenwarr]: https://apenwarr.ca/log/20180724 +[book]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crossing_the_Chasm diff --git a/static/2022/synctech.html b/static/2022/synctech.html new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0b23bc6 --- /dev/null +++ b/static/2022/synctech.html @@ -0,0 +1,310 @@ + + + + + Synctech + + + + + + +
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+ + Synctech is a privacy-preserving way to back-up and synchronize files across + your and your colleagues' (or friends, or family) devices. With Synctech, + your files are always-synchronized, regularly backed-up, ensuring important + files are always there when you need them. Even though Synctech stores your + files, nobody can read them without a password, including us. + +
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Effortless and safe backup

+ + All files are backed up every few minutes and old copies are stored for + decades. Overwritten an important file by accident? No problem, restore it + with a couple of clicks. Synctech protects against ransomware: even if all + devices get compromised, backups will always work. + +
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Open-source

+ + Synctech is powered by syncthing, an open-source file + synchronization tool, first released in 2013. + +

Just like syncthing, Synctech is open-source, licensed under AGPL-v3. + +

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Privacy

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You can protect + a folder with a password. + + When the folder is password-protected, the files can be read only on the + devices where password was entered. Nobody can access your data without a + password, including us. + +

This is quite unique in the on-line synchronization and + backup space. While we very carefully protect your data, you are + additionally assured that it is impossible to read your files for anyone + else but you (or others, with whom you have shared the password). + +

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Synchronize among other devices

+ Your files will be automatically synchronized across your + devices and Synctech. You can also share folders with other devices + that you do not own — colleagues, friends or family. + +

If you are without an internet connection, but on the same network (e.g. + in an airplane, or on a phone hotspot), files will still be shared + directly. This lets you to collaborate (and move files between your own + devices) under any circumstances. + +

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Synctech is currently in private alpha

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Enter your email to learn as soon as it's available

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Frequently Asked Questions

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+ + + +
+ + Synctech is a privacy-preserving way to back-up and synchronize files + across your and your colleagues' (or friends, or family) devices. With + Synctech, your files are always-synchronized, regularly backed-up, + ensuring important files are always there when you need them. + +
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When setting up Synctech, you are entering your password on your trusted + devices. All your files are encrypted with that password. That way, + nobody can read your files without a password, even us (since you are not + entering the password on Synctech; it is deliberately impossible). + +

At Synctech, we are protecting our customer data very carefully (stay + tuned for a blog post with technical details). Even with that, it is good + to have extra assurances that the files are accessible only to the + devices you trust. + +

End-to-end protected files is very uncommon in today's backup or + synchronization services. It is now possible for us to offer a service + that does it securely. + +

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A backup is a copy of your data stored somewhere else. If the original + data is lost, it can be recovered from a backup. Backups are essential + for data that is worth saving. + +

Here are a few common ways how data is lost, when having a backup + becomes essential: + +

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  • Hard-drive failure.
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  • Loss of the computer (e.g. theft or leaving at the wrong place).
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  • Ransomware, + when data is locked out by an attacker unless a ransom is paid.
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  • "Whoops, I permanently deleted the wrong folder".
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+ + It is an automatic process that ensures files in two or more computers + (phones) are the same. + +

Synctech uses a free and open-source program syncthing to synchronize files both + across your devices, and across your devices and Synctech itself. Once + files are synchronized between your devices and Synctech, it will + periodically create backups. + +

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+ + Synctech is currently in Private Alpha. Which means it is open only for + the early adopters, who are not charged for the service. + + As soon as we are ready for a wider audience, we will start sending + signup invitations on first-come-first-serve basis; enter your email + here to add yourself to the queue. + +
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+ + Once signed up for Synctech, you are presented with a guide which will + guide through: + +
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  • Install Syncthing on your computer/phone/tablet.
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  • Select folders which you want to share.
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  • Optional: configure sharing: between yours or devices of your + colleagues/friends.
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+ + Once Synctech and your local Syncthing are ready, your files are safe, + backed-up, and always available. Folders can be recovered from backups + via the User's Control Panel in Synctech. + +
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+ + Source code will be released as soon as Synctech leaves private alpha + (i.e. we start charging for the service). As a heads up, Synctech + consists of two parts, licensed differently: + + + + We are licensing user's control panel under a more permissive MIT + license, so it can be uplifted to the MIT-licensed + syncthing more easily. + +
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+ + Synctech is run by Motiejus Jakštys, an engineer from Lithuania. I have a + software engineering dayjob, and am developing Synctech during my + personal time. Synctech is fully self-funded (bootstrapped). + +

My main ethos are: +

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  • Respect the customer. Since the business is bootstrapped, I have + all the means to behave ethically. +
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  • Attention to detail creates the best product.
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  • Accessibility (and bandwidth) matter.
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+ + Stay tuned for a series of blog posts about creating the business, the + technical details, and the guiding principles. + +
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