Category: Other

Book review for “Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months”

I'm my own boss
I'm my own boss

Here’s a book review I did on amazon.com

I’ve started a few small businesses that failed because of poor planning & structure.
Seeking for a change, I picked up this highly rated book on entrepreneurship to find out the essential skills and techniques needed to build a successful company.
Having finished this book, I’ve found what I’ve been searching for and realized my mistakes.
For example, I’m now aware that before I start my next company I need to develop a solid business plan, eliminate my debt, save up a year worth of operational cost and read this book again.
I really enjoyed reading this book since it’s simple, straight forwards and offers “Emerson’s Action Steps”, a list summarizing each chapter.

This book covers all the aspects of a start-up, from forming a life and financial plan to marketing and hiring employees.
I recommend “Become your own boss in 12 months” for anyone starting up a business, whether on-line or off-line.

Thanks Melinda Emerson for sharing your insightful knowledge to the world.

Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months

Larry Battle

Larry Battle

I love to program, and discover new tech. Check out my <a href="http://stackoverflow.com/users/527776/larry-battle">stackoverflow</a> and <a href="https://github.com/LarryBattle">github</a> accounts.

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Siebel eScript headaches.


Here are a few problems that I’ve encountered while spending a week programming in Siebel eScript 7.8.

  1. Siebel eScript is ECMAScript compliant.
    ECMAScript is the standard implementation of JavaScript as defined by the ECMA-262 standard.
    Beginning with Siebel Business Applications version 7.8, the script engine supports ECMAScript Edition 4.
    You can opt to use the updated functionality of this engine, including the Siebel ScriptAssist tool, or you can opt to leave this updated functionality inactive.
    http://docs.oracle.com/cd/B31104_02/books/eScript/eScript_JSLOverview.html

    Here’s a link to ECMAScript Version 4.0. proposed draft.
    Example code for ES4.

    interface I { function f() } 
interface J { function g(n) } 
class C implements I, J { 
	function f() { return "foo" } 
	function g(n) { return n+2 } 
}


    It should be noted that most major web browsers abandoned ES4 due it the complexity of feature implementations.
    So even if your scripts pass jshint.com and jslint.com 100%, and works on all major browsers you still have the possibility of your code throwing an during execution.
    Siebel eScript says it’s ECMA-262 compliant but I’ve found a few bugs in the engine that require some work around.

  2. Developing a simple way to unit test your code is essential.
    Here’s a easy way to add test function to your library.

    function logThis( name, result ){
	// Log this values to a Property Set Object that get's converted to XML.
	AddParameterPS( logObjs.Outputs, name, result, "logThis");
}
function testThis( name, func ){
	try{
		logThis( "Passed: "+ name, func() );
	}
	catch(e){
		logThis( "Failed: "+ name, e );
	}
}


    Test example

    function runTest(Input, Output){
 
	testThis( "Test strict equivalence support", function(){
		return "1" !== 1;
	});
	// This will fail since Siebel doesn't support the apply and call Object function calls.
	testThis( "Test isArray using call", function(){
		// Siebel eScript: FAIL, Browser: Pass
		function isArray( arr ){
			return Object.prototype.toString.call( obj ) == "[Object Array]";
		}
	});
	testThis( "Test isArray using instanceof", function(){
		// Siebel eScript: Pass, Browser: Pass
		function isArray( arr ){
			return arr instanceof Array;
		}
	});
}

  3. Siebel Business Applications in high-interactivity mode requires an ActiveX plugin, which forces you to use Internet Explorer on Windows.
  4. Siebel eScript has errors with it’s engine and it’s hard to debug eScripts for run-time business services.
    Here’s a strange bug in Siebel eScript.
    You can’t create return objects when they are generated from a function attached to an object.
    Example Code:

    	var x = {};
	x.getObj = function( a, b ){
		var obj = function(){
			this.x = a;
			this.y = b;
		};
		return new obj();
	};
	var getObj = function( a, b ){
		var obj = function(){
			this.x = a;
			this.y = b;
		};
		return new obj();
	};
	var arr = [];
	arr.push( getObj() );	// successful
	arr.push( x.getObj() );	// Run-time Error.

  5. Siebel eScript engine is pretty damn slow. So avoid writing these two performance killers.
    1: Wrapping all your code within a closure.
    2: Defining an object inside closure with the same name as an object in the outer scope.
    Example:

    	var x = (function(){
		var x = {
			a:1
		};
		return x;
	}());

Siebel eScript Reference from Oracle.com:
eScript Lanague Reference (2004 edition)

Larry Battle

Larry Battle

I love to program, and discover new tech. Check out my <a href="http://stackoverflow.com/users/527776/larry-battle">stackoverflow</a> and <a href="https://github.com/LarryBattle">github</a> accounts.

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Book Review for “The E-Myth Revisited”

The E-Myth Revisited
The E-Myth Revisited

First off, this book is about “why most small business fail and what to do about it”.
If you’re searching for a guide on how to properly setup a startup then read “Become your own boss in 12 months” by Melinda F. Emerson.

After finishing this book, I feel that I have learned a lot of useful tips.
His business tips are mix-in with the story of Sarah, an owner of a pie shop called “All About Pie”.
The general idea is this.

The goal of owning a business is to create jobs and sell it.
Work ‘on’, not ‘in’, your business by developing a set of “Francaise Prototype” rules for each role and situation in your business.
The “Francaise Prototype” is a manual with the key ingredients (developed by innovation/trail & error) on increasing sales and reduce cost.

I really didn’t like the story because it’s too long and predictable, which makes it boring.
I felt like he was holding back details so that you’ll buy into his “Turn Key Analysis” program.

I recommend entrepreneurs to read this book (“The E Myth”) but it’s not essential since it doesn’t go into the juicy details of starting up a successful business like the book “Become your own boss in 12 months”. For one, she warns you from the start not start a business without secure savings, since a lot portion of startups die from financial reasons. Also her stories are a few paragraphs and not a whole book.

Larry Battle

Larry Battle

I love to program, and discover new tech. Check out my <a href="http://stackoverflow.com/users/527776/larry-battle">stackoverflow</a> and <a href="https://github.com/LarryBattle">github</a> accounts.

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5 College Tips and My College Experience

Larry Battle

Larry Battle

I love to program, and discover new tech. Check out my <a href="http://stackoverflow.com/users/527776/larry-battle">stackoverflow</a> and <a href="https://github.com/LarryBattle">github</a> accounts.

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