So. I have been working on a cool new thing for a year now, and I finally get to talk about it. Whee!!

It's a new company launching an awesome product. (I'll be the President + COO.) We couldn't agree on a Codename for the company, so we... uh... incorporated as "Codename Enterprises". Cheeky, right? ;-)

Here's an overview of what we're doing:

Codename Enterprises is creating an open social publishing platform allowing ordinary people, companies and organizations to create extraordinary websites. The company is led by Ed Sussman, former President of Mansueto Digital (where he ran Inc.com + FastCompany.com among others), and is a partnership between Lullabot (the company I run as Managing Partner) and Bond Art + Science (an awesome usability company with amazing people).

The platform will provide a simple way for average users to create dynamic, feature rich websites that previously required extensive work by developers. The product will offer a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface along with easy-to-use design tools. The product leverages the popular open source Drupal framework, and will be entirely free from lock-down. Users will be able to choose between functionality such as wikis, media sharing, social networking and social publishing. Pretty exciting, right?

This will be built on Drupal. One of my passions is running a business built on open source software, and I am super-excited to get to start up a new company based on the open principles that we've used to run Lullabot.

The platform will be super-empowering, and always have a free version. The product will always be open - users will own their data - unlike, say, Facebook, where your friends are not "owned" by you - or like when you pay a small web design company to make your website but they control the access instead of you. Also, open source is inherently a meritocracy, and it feels good to be in a workplace where things work the same way.

From a personal standpoint, I am looking forward to getting to be a part of a product that is going to empower so many people. From a professional standpoint, I am excited to work to build a platform that will benefit so many other businesses (both development shops, who will use this as a starting point from which to build kick-ass websites, and those small businesses who will now be able to have free or lower-cost dynamic websites).

A lot of what's hit the press so far is about our CEO, as well as some about the general launch. Here are some resources to read more about it:

*The big (rushed) announcement
*My colleage Jeff Eaton's post
(A great technical overview)
*Our new CEO's explanation of why we are doing it now
(In the midst of all this financial turmoil)
*A bit in MediaBistro
*A gossip piece in Valleywag
(not truth - the truth is in the comments, but apparently they care, which must be a good sign)
*Our entry on CrunchBase
(A company tracking site)

I'll post again when we start tracking for Beta invites, which will be shortly. Exciting times are ahead!

automagic

n. things that happen as if by beautiful accident

usage: "When she leaned up against the wall, the door behind her opened automagically!"

via eaton

I'm getting ready for Sunday's tweet-up brunch, and I'm making my ingredient list for the bloody mary bar. Now hear this:

I make a mean bloody mary.

You should see me stir, blend, and concoct with the best of 'em. In fact, the pursuit of a better bloody once resulted in a broken foot for me. True story.

Anyhoo, it occurred to me that I make the same list over and over again (always forgetting things), so I thought I'd throw it on here to share. Here's the things I always try to have on hand:

The Base
Good vodka (I prefer Absolut, & Absolut Peppar is *great* for this.)
Tomato Juice (I prefer V8. Spicy.)
You'll catch on quickly that I like mine spicy spicy.

Garnishes / eats
Celery, always. For the drama.
Olives (Mine are jalapeno stuffed)
Pickles
Limes
Jalapenos
Some people think bloody mary's are a breakfast drink.
I think it's *lunch*. Garnish me up, baby!

To Coat the Rim
Lemon or Lime Juice
Season salt
Sea salt

The Guts
Worcestershire Sauce (Lea & Perrins is just the best.)
Horseradish (fresh)
Celery salt
Tabasco
More sea salt
Cracked black pepper

Do It
Throw it all on a tray. Add a bucket of ice, a cocktail shaker, & a flat bowl to do rim-coating in, and you're set. Set it all up beforehand, and your guests can help themselves. It's the lazy hosts answer to playing bartender. And if they don't like it? They can drink it fast and make another. :-)

Some ideas worth thinking about:

*Marinating things with bloody marys. I saw flank steaks and burgers. What else could be done?

*The garnish makes the drink. Giant shrimp look cool. I think I might try cucumbers. Some people use sausage, string beans, or asparagus. What else?

It's time for the ladies to do some Tweet-Up-Ing! I'm gonna have a brunch for all the Des Moines Twitter ladies. We'll eat, drink, wear funny hats, and gather donations for the shelter.

Sunday, August 24th, 11a-1p.

Wanna come? Sign up on Upcoming and then DM me on Twitter for the address. Bring your friends.

See ya soon!

Project Runway is looking for fabulous new designers for their next season (their 6th). I just got an email from Kasha Foster, Casting Director for the show, who says she is looking to tap into some of Des Moines' promising designers.

Applications and more information can be found on their website:
http://www.seenon.com/project-runway/season-6/casting/

(Please note: the submission deadline has been extended to Friday, August 1st.)

Let's see a Des Moines designer on the show!!