February 27, 2008 20 Comments

Why Reinvent the Wheel

Websites that build directions information instead of just giving me a Google Maps widget are silly. Making me use your email system instead of sending mails to my box is silly. Building your own amazing video player when there are tons of players out there that you could’ve just collaborated with to manage whatever thingy you needed added in is silly.

Just stop. Stop building the simple stuff. If someone’s done it and it works well, use that part, and add VALUE on TOP of that.

Just a rant as I had to find directions to a place.

ChrisBrogan.com runs on the Genesis Framework

Genesis Theme Framework

The Genesis Framework empowers you to quickly and easily build incredible websites with WordPress. Whether you're a novice or advanced developer, Genesis provides you with the secure and search-engine-optimized foundation that takes WordPress to places you never thought it could go.

With automatic theme updates and world-class support included, Genesis is the smart choice for your WordPress website or blog.

Become a StudioPress Affiliate

  • http://allnarfedup.com Bryan Villarin

    Amen, Chris! =)

  • http://allnarfedup.com Bryan Villarin

    Amen, Chris! =)

  • http://Lx7.ca Vergel Evans

    Unless it’s taking something that is in a Walled Garden and making it more open… then I whole heartedly support re-building it.

  • http://Lx7.ca Vergel Evans

    Unless it’s taking something that is in a Walled Garden and making it more open… then I whole heartedly support re-building it.

  • http://pardonthedisruption.com Chip Griffin

    I agree. Up to a point. There are cases where existing widgets and services may not accomplish precisely what you’re trying to do. If the gap is important enough, it may be worth starting fresh.

    Of course, I also believe (and advise anyone who will listen) that one must be careful about building an essential part of one’s business or web site in such a way that it is dependent on one provider. Now, in the case of maps, you’re likely to be able to find alternate providers down the road should Google or Yahoo pull the plug.

    But if I were offering a service highly dependent on mapping, I’d be loathe to outsource it — especially to someone with whom I have no contract (and thus no fixed terms and known duration).

    In short, do what you do best and outsource the rest. But make sure whatever you outsource you can live without or replace easily.

  • http://pardonthedisruption.com Chip Griffin

    I agree. Up to a point. There are cases where existing widgets and services may not accomplish precisely what you’re trying to do. If the gap is important enough, it may be worth starting fresh.

    Of course, I also believe (and advise anyone who will listen) that one must be careful about building an essential part of one’s business or web site in such a way that it is dependent on one provider. Now, in the case of maps, you’re likely to be able to find alternate providers down the road should Google or Yahoo pull the plug.

    But if I were offering a service highly dependent on mapping, I’d be loathe to outsource it — especially to someone with whom I have no contract (and thus no fixed terms and known duration).

    In short, do what you do best and outsource the rest. But make sure whatever you outsource you can live without or replace easily.

  • http://Lx7.ca Vergel Evans

    Hey Chip, Thats just good business sense. Anyone who’d outsource a core element of their product to a 3rd party without a contract is looking to have that product eventually hit a crisis should it fail.

  • http://Lx7.ca Vergel Evans

    Hey Chip, Thats just good business sense. Anyone who’d outsource a core element of their product to a 3rd party without a contract is looking to have that product eventually hit a crisis should it fail.

  • http://pardonthedisruption.com Chip Griffin

    Vergel, you’re right, but it is amazing how often companies these days rely on “Web 2.0″ services for their own company products. Even some of the big hits out there — like Amazon S3 — come with few guarantees and no long-term commitment. Or how about companies developing Facebook apps? What happens if Facebook decides to change the rules … it could kill a company on the spot if they are too deeply invested in it.

    Or what about companies using Yahoo Pipes behind the scenes. Are they ready when/if Yahoo decides to either monetize it or end it since it is an R&D project?

  • http://pardonthedisruption.com Chip Griffin

    Vergel, you’re right, but it is amazing how often companies these days rely on “Web 2.0″ services for their own company products. Even some of the big hits out there — like Amazon S3 — come with few guarantees and no long-term commitment. Or how about companies developing Facebook apps? What happens if Facebook decides to change the rules … it could kill a company on the spot if they are too deeply invested in it.

    Or what about companies using Yahoo Pipes behind the scenes. Are they ready when/if Yahoo decides to either monetize it or end it since it is an R&D project?

  • http://www.ldpodcast.com whitney

    This is the beauty of the iphone for me. I type in an address, or a search for a business, get the address, and then the google maps feature will both locate me and the place and give me directions. No fuss. Used it this weekend on my drive to Toronto both for overall directions and to monitor how close I was to the goal.

    I agree, don’t spend time , money and effort duplicating what’s been done and done well. Instead figure out what is a big plus for you and your company and put your efforts into that. Remarkability is where the success will lie- doing what’s been done will not. And if you are going to “improve” on someone else’s thing, it should be a substantial improvement- tiny things won’t allow you to win in the marketplace.

    Things are volatile out there, and the most vulnerable place to be is on the cutting edge- it’s exciting, but if you plan to make your first billion trying to undercut someone else’s business model, expect that the same will also happen to you in turn.

  • http://www.ldpodcast.com whitney

    This is the beauty of the iphone for me. I type in an address, or a search for a business, get the address, and then the google maps feature will both locate me and the place and give me directions. No fuss. Used it this weekend on my drive to Toronto both for overall directions and to monitor how close I was to the goal.

    I agree, don’t spend time , money and effort duplicating what’s been done and done well. Instead figure out what is a big plus for you and your company and put your efforts into that. Remarkability is where the success will lie- doing what’s been done will not. And if you are going to “improve” on someone else’s thing, it should be a substantial improvement- tiny things won’t allow you to win in the marketplace.

    Things are volatile out there, and the most vulnerable place to be is on the cutting edge- it’s exciting, but if you plan to make your first billion trying to undercut someone else’s business model, expect that the same will also happen to you in turn.

  • http://www.communityguy.com Jake McKee

    I agree, but also to a point. Why just Google though? I wish there was an alternative link to the other big services too, since not everyone (strange as this seems) uses Google.

    But.

    There are cases where either the mapping is too much info for confusing intersections, or has the info wrong. My buddies at Red Knight Learning Systems have a great, reduced info map that helps clearly tell people how to get to them when the mapping might confuse or mistake:

    http://www.redknightlearning.com/images/map.gif

    I think the bigger point is here to

    a) clearly list your address in a format that is COPY/PASTE FRIENDLY

    b) double check what the major mapping systems do with your address to ensure they’re helping not hindering

    c) provide direct links if they are, or offer a better alternative if not

    d) great your visistors with milk and warm cookies when they’re actually able to find you!

  • http://www.communityguy.com Jake McKee

    I agree, but also to a point. Why just Google though? I wish there was an alternative link to the other big services too, since not everyone (strange as this seems) uses Google.

    But.

    There are cases where either the mapping is too much info for confusing intersections, or has the info wrong. My buddies at Red Knight Learning Systems have a great, reduced info map that helps clearly tell people how to get to them when the mapping might confuse or mistake:

    http://www.redknightlearning.com/images/map.gif

    I think the bigger point is here to

    a) clearly list your address in a format that is COPY/PASTE FRIENDLY

    b) double check what the major mapping systems do with your address to ensure they’re helping not hindering

    c) provide direct links if they are, or offer a better alternative if not

    d) great your visistors with milk and warm cookies when they’re actually able to find you!

  • Pingback: Sunday Brunch - March 2, 2008 | Words of a Broken Mirror

  • http://www.sekstvizle.com porno izle

    Money and effort duplicating what's been done and done well. Instead figure out what is a big plus for you and your company and put your efforts into that. + whitney ağzına boşalayim sikimi sokayim.

  • http://www.pornozirve.com porno izle

    Remarkability is where the success will lie- doing what's been done will not. And if you are going to “improve” on someone else's thing, it should be a substantial improvement- tiny things won't allow you to win in the marketplace.

  • Ugg boots sale

    1.Ugg footwear is a great regard for your base like many reasons.cheap uggs for sale. Probably the most rocky landscape. Another equally important disputeugg uk is the ever-mounting medley of styles ugg boots saleand ensign that you are removable to buy ugg boots, actually form to the shape of the arch.。 UGG Bailey Button★UGG Argyle Knit★UGG Cardy★UGG Crochet★UGG Flower★UGG Leopard★UGG Mini★UGG Paisley★UGG Short★UGG Tall★UGG Elsey Wedge★UGG Infants Erin★UGG Langley★UGG Lo Pro★UGG Lo Pro Button★UGG Locarno★UGG Mayfaire★UGG Nightfall★UGG Rainier Eskimo★UGG Sundance II★UGG Ultimate Bind★UGG Ultra Short★UGG Ultra Tall★UGG Suede★UGG Upside★UGG Roxy★UGG Seline★UGG Corinth Wedge★UGG Liberty★UGG Highkoo★UGG Knightsbridge★UGG Bomber Jacket★UGG Adirondack★UGG Suburb Crochet★UGG Bailey Button Boots★UGG Classic Argyle Knit★UGG Classic Cardy Boots★UGG Classic Crochet Boots★UGG Classic Flower boots★UGG Classic Tall Boots 5684 Leopard★UGG Classic Mini Boots★UGG Classic Paisley Boots★UGG Classic Short Boots★UGG Classic Tall Boots★UGG Elsey wedge Boots★UGG Infant's Erin Baby★UGG Women's Langley Boots Black★UGG Lo Pro Button Boots★UGG Women's Locarno Boots★UGG Mayfaire boots★UGG Nightfall Boots★UGG Rainier Eskimo Boots★UGG Sundance II Boots★UGG Ultimate Bind Boots★UGG Ultra Short Boots★UGG Ultra Tall Boots★UGG Suede Boots★UGG upside Boots★UGG Roxy Tall Boots★UGG seline Boots★UGG Women's Corinth Boots in Cocoa★UGG Liberty Boots★UGG Highkoo Boots★UGG Knightsbridge Boots★UGG Bomber Jacket Boots★UGG Adirondack Tall Boot★UGG Suburb Crochet Boots★
    2.MBT Habari★MBT Karani★MBT Kaya★MBT Kisumu★MBT Lami★MBT M.Walk★MBT Moto GTX★MBT Sapatu★MBT Sport 2★MBT Tariki★air jordan shoes

  • http://www.savetubevideo.com youtube downloader

    Just stop. Stop building the simple stuff. If someone’s done it and it works well, use that part, and add VALUE on TOP of that.

  • http://www.savetubevideo.com youtube downloader

    Just stop. Stop building the simple stuff. If someone’s done it and it works well, use that part, and add VALUE on TOP of that.

GetSocial