Face Detection at Hipstamatic
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Since I joined the ranks at Hipstamatic a few months ago, I've been working on a lot of different things (including some really exciting new stuff I'll be able to show off in a few weeks).
My first big project here was refactoring all of our image processing from Hipstamatic, IncrediBooth, and some upcoming stuff into a library that we can reuse called HipstaProcessor.
This has been a great project. HipstaProcessor runs on iOS and Mac (which I was pretty proud of). This gives us the ability to test out effects quickly as we build them instead of the tedious process of change the effects, putting a build on the device, and testing with whatever images are on the device.
The Worst Recruiters
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The Andiamo Group is the worst recruiting group I have ever encountered. I have asked them repeatedly to stop emailing me and they will not. Their "job leads" are always uninteresting and often irrelevant to my skill set.
I sent this email as my last reply from Mark that I received on September 6. I doubt it will be successful, but I thought I'd share my truly awful experience with them.
Daniel from your company first contacted me on March 31. Jens contacted me on April 29 and I politely asked him to remove me from your list and to not contact me again. Daniel then emailed me again on May 11. You then emailed me on May 18. Daniel emailed me again on May 12 and I replied for him to please stop emailing me. Daniel emailed me again on June 21 and I replied again asking him to stop emailing me. You emailed me again on August 3.
Please, please, please stop emailing me.
Sam
How To Rock at Craig's List
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Not to brag, but I rock at selling stuff on Craig's List. I often sell things for close to what I paid for them. A few friends can vouch for my Craig's List skills.
Anyway, it's easy to sell stuff to rock at Craig's List. Here's a few things to think about.
List stuff for a bit higher than what you want to get for it. People always offer lower than the listed price. This gives you room to go down the price you actually want.
Be firm with what you're willing to accept. People will usually respect that.
People usually email asking if the item is available. When you reply, say that is (if it is of course) and ask when they want to meet. Making the transaction as soon as possible is key. Waiting gives them time to change their mind, find something cheaper, or whatever else.
If there are other people interested, I always mention that. People knowing that other people might get it before they can makes them move faster. I've had people cancel dinner plans and come meet me to buy something because they didn't want to lose the chance to buy the item.
Only accept cash. If anyone won't pay with cash, they are trying to scam you. (While we're on scamming, if anyone ever offers to pay more than what you're asking, that is definitely a scam.)
People love stuff in the original box and when you say what cables are included and such.
Good photos are a must.
Keep descriptions short and to the point. People rarely read them anyway.
Hey, Synthetic
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As of September 1st, I will be working at Synthetic, the makers of Hipstamatic! You may remember, I was contracting there, but now I'm no longer a freelancer and a full time employee. My title will be Lead iOS Engineer. I'm way excited. We are working on some really, really exciting stuff.
It's really cool to be a part of something instead of a hired gun. The decision was easy. This is an amazing place to work. I really can't wait for our releases coming up! We will blow some minds.
If you wanna work on some awesome too, we're hiring iOS and Rails engineers. Email me: sam@synth.tc
Notebooks
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I've found whenever I get stuck on something hard, notebooks help. There is something about writing stuff down in a notebook that really helps me think.
Whiteboards are fun and all, but I think they are a little more distracting than useful when you're working by yourself. All of the setup required to just put your thoughts down is a bit much most of the time. Once you're done at the whiteboard, then you have to figure out a way to save your thoughts so you can reference them later. Don't get me wrong, great when brainstorming in a group, but I've found they are way less productive than a notebook when working a lone.
My favorite notebook is the Behance Dot Grid Book (only $14). It's super high quality. I'm a big fan. (I also really like Moleskin too.) The Pilot G2 Pen is my all time favorite pen. I've used it exclusively (when possible) since 2007.