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As of 10/11/2019 it was announced all software templates will be FREE... this text below may not reflect that yet...
The DIY Software Club was created to provide small business owners with fully customizeable, enterprise level software solutions and full data independence at an affordable price -- a combination of offerings which does not currently exist anywhere in our market place today. Since Software As a Service (SAAS) vendors never truly want users to be data independent, we decided we'd teach others how to just "Do It Yourself".
The DIY Software Club serves several markets:
Most of the software solutions currently offered are "just" a bunch of Google Sheets, but never underestimate the power of the word "just", nor what can be done with Google Sheets and cloud based spreadsheets when some worthwhile magic is applied.
With a little direction, most will find this to be paradigm shifting technology whose time has come. All code related to our software is view-able to the user, so in that sense we provide open source software. And for clarity, while the option is available to us, we do not use shared Code Libraries with our software templates. Each file stands alone, as that ultimately is in the best interest of the users.
There is a long term goal of providing much greater instruction and insight into building true, web-based database software the "old fashioned way", but that is not part of this publishing at this time. Everyone needs to get their data to independent systems with a higher understanding of data management before that thought can ever be more formally entertained.
The DIY Software Club was created to provide small business owners with fully customizeable, enterprise level software solutions and full data independence at an affordable price -- a combination of offerings which does not currently exist anywhere in our market place today. Since Software As a Service (SAAS) vendors never truly want users to be data independent, we decided we'd teach others how to just "Do It Yourself".
The DIY Software Club serves several markets:
- We create and GIVE AWAY customizable software templates for web-based database solutions for soloprenuers and small businesses. Our software templates utilize enterprise level business logic and it brings it down to a point that makes it both understandable and affordable for the small business owners with no ongoing monthly or annual subscription fees - for life.
- We provide free and fee-based education for individuals who need to use these solutions in their own lives.
- We provide free and fee-based education for technologists seeking to become Value Added Providers for software integrations and ongoing support.
- We provide free and fee-based education for technologists seeking to learn how to create their own web based software.
Most of the software solutions currently offered are "just" a bunch of Google Sheets, but never underestimate the power of the word "just", nor what can be done with Google Sheets and cloud based spreadsheets when some worthwhile magic is applied.
With a little direction, most will find this to be paradigm shifting technology whose time has come. All code related to our software is view-able to the user, so in that sense we provide open source software. And for clarity, while the option is available to us, we do not use shared Code Libraries with our software templates. Each file stands alone, as that ultimately is in the best interest of the users.
There is a long term goal of providing much greater instruction and insight into building true, web-based database software the "old fashioned way", but that is not part of this publishing at this time. Everyone needs to get their data to independent systems with a higher understanding of data management before that thought can ever be more formally entertained.
Google Drive for a Soloprenuer or Small Business
Google Drive for a Soloprenuer or small business is:
- A Personal Data storage repository (like the old My Docs directory in windows and like the Desktop in Mac)
- A Business Data storage repository (like the old My Docs directory in windows and like the Desktop in Mac)
- A Network Drive (it can be setup with shares much like a network drive and/or more recent things like DropBox)
- A Server of Content for other websites
- A Web Server
- A Video Streaming Server
- An Audio Streaming Server
- A Knowledge Base
- The home for your DIY Software
- And it has other uses too...
And with all of those things squashed together under a single folder the User calls their Google Drive "Root Folder", there is in fact very little to protect the user from becoming a star in their own universe other than the perils of poor organization and data management. And the only way to preclude missing out on this great resource is "education" and "knowledge" (and thus, this website was created).
Google Drive and DIY Software solutions can be engineered to meet the complex functional needs of most small business professionals and they can provide avenues for business expansion and contraction in ways the most advanced and complex Software As A Service (SAAS) vendors can not match.
Data Management Outsourcing has not gone well...
Businesses small and large as well as Governments have all sought to "outsource" their data storage and data management needs to others thinking it was in their own best interest -- thinking it would enable them to focus on what they do best -- and while conceptually that sounded like a good idea, what has transpired has been nothing short of an epic game of "capture the user".
"Capture the User" is a game in which the majority of the Venture Capital money has gone into starting ventures for the purposes of capturing users -- for the purposes of selling out to Cartels and Monopolies as opposed to providing long term solutions for eager customers.
As a result of this grand greed game gone ganglion, billions upon billions of dollars have gone into the software industry, yet surprisingly little has resulted in truly great, usable solutions with the flexibility needed by small and mid size users to expand, contract and survive in our competitive world.
"Capture the User" is a game in which the majority of the Venture Capital money has gone into starting ventures for the purposes of capturing users -- for the purposes of selling out to Cartels and Monopolies as opposed to providing long term solutions for eager customers.
As a result of this grand greed game gone ganglion, billions upon billions of dollars have gone into the software industry, yet surprisingly little has resulted in truly great, usable solutions with the flexibility needed by small and mid size users to expand, contract and survive in our competitive world.
- Microsoft Users -- Mostly frustrated slaves to their monopoly -- who hides a start button?
- Apple Users -- Very happy slaves to their monopoly -- at least their stuff is pretty and is generally liked by their "users"
- Intuit Users -- Miserable slaves to their monopoly -- is there any software company targeting individuals and small companies that is more disliked by its users?
- Oracle Uses -- Slaves to their very controlling and very greed monopoly who uses all aspects of confusion for financial gain...
- SAP Users -- Slaves to their monopoly...
- Sales Force Users -- Optimists that were trying to break free of the Microsoft, Oracle, SAP traps -- but they now see the slave traits too...
Answer: Seemingly not in our current commercial paradigm. Open source software is buzz worthy, but it just hasn't found a strong foothold in day to day commerce yet.
A 220 Club Resource
The DIY Software Club's ethos is easier to understand when it is viewed in the context of the larger educational framework put forth by the 220 Club. While this resource can generally stand on its own, especially for Technologists, when this resource and those familiar with it are combined with the information found in the Soul Proprietor Guide material and other 220 Club resources, synergies can be realized that can benefit many in this emerging Digital Age.
Network65
The Grandest goal for the DIY Software Club is related to Network65. Network65 would combine the power of web based database systems with the power of Google Drive to create hybrid data management solutions and business systems which have not been seen in our current enterprise systems today. A working prototype exists and the concepts have been proven, but the current level of cooperation (monopolization) among necessary technology vendors along with a few cognitive blocks have kept this in cold storage for now.
Much progress can be made towards data independence with Google Drive and Cloud Based Spreadsheets, and all of that would feed into the Network65 paradigm, so all good.
The Grandest goal for the DIY Software Club is related to Network65. Network65 would combine the power of web based database systems with the power of Google Drive to create hybrid data management solutions and business systems which have not been seen in our current enterprise systems today. A working prototype exists and the concepts have been proven, but the current level of cooperation (monopolization) among necessary technology vendors along with a few cognitive blocks have kept this in cold storage for now.
Much progress can be made towards data independence with Google Drive and Cloud Based Spreadsheets, and all of that would feed into the Network65 paradigm, so all good.
Custom Payment Processing Systems
There are numerous payment processing needs which are not being met and could be easily handled today but are not due to the monopolistic payments processing industry. As with Network65, the mindset to explore these solutions still isn't there yet, but a glimpse at the pressure companies like Square, Paypal and others are putting on the system is refreshing. We have some prototype models for refreshingly simple payment systems that would be beneficial to users, but some paradigm shifts will need to transpire prior to bringing those into the mainstream.
Again, there is much work to be done with Google Drive and Cloud Based Spreadsheets, and some of that will likely feed into the Custom Payment Processing Systems too, so all good, no rush here.
There are numerous payment processing needs which are not being met and could be easily handled today but are not due to the monopolistic payments processing industry. As with Network65, the mindset to explore these solutions still isn't there yet, but a glimpse at the pressure companies like Square, Paypal and others are putting on the system is refreshing. We have some prototype models for refreshingly simple payment systems that would be beneficial to users, but some paradigm shifts will need to transpire prior to bringing those into the mainstream.
Again, there is much work to be done with Google Drive and Cloud Based Spreadsheets, and some of that will likely feed into the Custom Payment Processing Systems too, so all good, no rush here.
GDrive Enterprise Systems
Have you seen who's moving to Google Drive / Google Suite? Have you seen the productivity increase claims those folks are making? In one case, employees of a Big 6 type consulting firm were claiming an increase in efficiency of 9 hours of work per week per employee. I personally don't have much experience with it in Big Business yet, but given what I've been able to do with it in small business, I don't find the claims to be outlandish in the least.
Google has set up separate industry channels for Government, Education, Health Care and Business (big and small). While everything in this site is primarily geared for the small business person, there's no reason to think the Big Guys can't or won't benefit in some ways from this sharing too.
Have you seen who's moving to Google Drive / Google Suite? Have you seen the productivity increase claims those folks are making? In one case, employees of a Big 6 type consulting firm were claiming an increase in efficiency of 9 hours of work per week per employee. I personally don't have much experience with it in Big Business yet, but given what I've been able to do with it in small business, I don't find the claims to be outlandish in the least.
Google has set up separate industry channels for Government, Education, Health Care and Business (big and small). While everything in this site is primarily geared for the small business person, there's no reason to think the Big Guys can't or won't benefit in some ways from this sharing too.
GDrive Business Systems for Individuals and Small Businesses
In the lower right quarter of the drawing above you will see a schematic presenting the core components of a Miniature Enterprise Resource Planning System (ERP System) for a one person wellness office (a Soloprenuer).
Victim 0 for testing this mini-ERP System concept was a 58 year old Acupuncturist with a heart of a Gold and a head NOT pre-wired for small business.
Over a period of 3 years, a technologist worked with this small business person, and what came out is surely to surprise many, impress a few, and provide liberation to those who realize what this can do for their small business life and their personal life too.
Our goal now is to "commercialize" this... the only problem is it's "just" a bunch of spreadsheets... the intellectual property thingy on this is a real bear... my my.. what to do... what to do??
If providing technology solutions for Small Businesses was our only goal, keeping this for a more private business solution might make sense, but as can be seen, this is just a small portion of the things those in the DIY Software Club and the overarching 220 Club seek to explore, and we need users who "get" the small business stuff and spreadsheets first... and thus this DIY Sofware Club was born. The DIY Software Club is viewed as a resource for educating others as it relates to developing their own cloud based "software" .
In the lower right quarter of the drawing above you will see a schematic presenting the core components of a Miniature Enterprise Resource Planning System (ERP System) for a one person wellness office (a Soloprenuer).
Victim 0 for testing this mini-ERP System concept was a 58 year old Acupuncturist with a heart of a Gold and a head NOT pre-wired for small business.
Over a period of 3 years, a technologist worked with this small business person, and what came out is surely to surprise many, impress a few, and provide liberation to those who realize what this can do for their small business life and their personal life too.
Our goal now is to "commercialize" this... the only problem is it's "just" a bunch of spreadsheets... the intellectual property thingy on this is a real bear... my my.. what to do... what to do??
If providing technology solutions for Small Businesses was our only goal, keeping this for a more private business solution might make sense, but as can be seen, this is just a small portion of the things those in the DIY Software Club and the overarching 220 Club seek to explore, and we need users who "get" the small business stuff and spreadsheets first... and thus this DIY Sofware Club was born. The DIY Software Club is viewed as a resource for educating others as it relates to developing their own cloud based "software" .
The Bottom Left -- "The Cross Pollination District"
Let's face it -- Technologists are often nerdy, silent and protective types, and if they don't have plenty going on, sometimes they can be controlling types after they embed themselves in a business or company. Likewise, Small Business owners are often times scrappy survivors who blow off details, and they are typically either 1) too trusting of technologists or 2) far too fearful of them -- neither of which are good. Imagine what the world would be like if we could get individual technologists and small business folks to pair up in a healthy manner for mutual benefit? While the bottom right quadrant of this related to Mini ERP Systems expresses the goal of cooperation, this bottom left area of the drawing could be called "The Cross Pollination District" -- this area is an easier area for small business owners and technologists to build relationships and trust without slightly larger commitments.
Let's face it -- Technologists are often nerdy, silent and protective types, and if they don't have plenty going on, sometimes they can be controlling types after they embed themselves in a business or company. Likewise, Small Business owners are often times scrappy survivors who blow off details, and they are typically either 1) too trusting of technologists or 2) far too fearful of them -- neither of which are good. Imagine what the world would be like if we could get individual technologists and small business folks to pair up in a healthy manner for mutual benefit? While the bottom right quadrant of this related to Mini ERP Systems expresses the goal of cooperation, this bottom left area of the drawing could be called "The Cross Pollination District" -- this area is an easier area for small business owners and technologists to build relationships and trust without slightly larger commitments.
The Top Left -- The core of the Soul Proprietor Guide material less the technology piece...
Providing technology assistance to Individuals and Small Businesses for a fee is as tough. The seller of services (the technologist) seldom can succinctly explain the level to which they can provide assistance and it's darn near impossible to guess at $$$ amounts for custom work -- and on the flip side, the Buyer (the Small Business Person) is either too trusting -- in which case they get their clocks cleaned and become wary -- or they are too wary or crazy already -- in which case selling to them is a no go. So in general, trying to get Small Business folks to collaborate with technologists typically all makes for a gigantic mess in which few can successfully compliment each other as would be desired.
But what if Technologists got trained in the true aspects of Business, and what if one goal of this website and the 220 Club was to try to figure out how Technologists can in fact become their own small business people with technology solution offerings in a way that is beneficial for all?
The concept of a wellness model where some intense work is done for a introductory fee, and then remote support is provided in $25 to $60 increments is making some sense -- but the only way to get to something like this is via a more educated buyer (small business person) and via a technologist who is more business oriented and not gasping for air while trying to provide support.
Providing technology assistance to Individuals and Small Businesses for a fee is as tough. The seller of services (the technologist) seldom can succinctly explain the level to which they can provide assistance and it's darn near impossible to guess at $$$ amounts for custom work -- and on the flip side, the Buyer (the Small Business Person) is either too trusting -- in which case they get their clocks cleaned and become wary -- or they are too wary or crazy already -- in which case selling to them is a no go. So in general, trying to get Small Business folks to collaborate with technologists typically all makes for a gigantic mess in which few can successfully compliment each other as would be desired.
But what if Technologists got trained in the true aspects of Business, and what if one goal of this website and the 220 Club was to try to figure out how Technologists can in fact become their own small business people with technology solution offerings in a way that is beneficial for all?
The concept of a wellness model where some intense work is done for a introductory fee, and then remote support is provided in $25 to $60 increments is making some sense -- but the only way to get to something like this is via a more educated buyer (small business person) and via a technologist who is more business oriented and not gasping for air while trying to provide support.
Summary
On 10/11/2019 a decision was finally made about the Software Templates. They will be free to all for life.
- Our first goal with this material is to educate and inspire.
- Our second goal is to make some money.
- There is no reason to think both can't happen in that order to a degree that is great enough to bring satisfaction to our contributing 220 Club Members.