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Rising Tide - Hiram's blog

Writing about bootstrapping my own startups, no-code, infosec, privacy, social media, ethics, and everything in between.

A thought cloud with a thinking face generates several business ideas, such as TeeTweets, InThePaintCrew, OptikAnalytics, SwapMyOS, No-Code Calendar, CookieSlayers, OpenSourcely, Reddit Account Manage
build-in-public entrepreneurship startups

Indie Hackers interview: Generating ideas

Learn how personal needs and desires sparked my business ideas. Find inspiration for your own entrepreneurial journey.

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A rabbit and tortoise next to each other, symbolizing the contrast in hustle culture and building slow and steadily.
build-in-public entrepreneurship indie-hackers makers startups

Indie Hackers interview: hustle culture vs. building calmly

Grind the nonstop hustle culture, or build calmly? Here's my take based on what I've learned.

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Signal icon over WhatsApp and iMessage, illustrating that Signal the superior communications platform
apps privacy software tech

All the reasons why Signal is better than WhatsApp and iMessage

Escape the clutches of data-hungry giants. Discover why Signal is the gold standard messaging app that supersedes WhatsApp and iMessage. From end-to-end encryption to open-source transparency, Signal empowers you to take control of your privacy. Read on to uncover why you should have made the switch yesterday.

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A 3D model of a database floating in a server room.
software startups tech

Your stack's database is critical. Here's how to choose the best one

Discover the qualities of a good database, including being open source, allowing user role permissions, having open integrations and automations, centralizing information, making data portable, and being performant at scale. Prioritize building a robust, open database infrastructure for efficient operations and secure data management.

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A low-angle shot of a person stomping on the Twitter logo. The Twitter logo has a teardrop on its face.
enshittification twitter

Goodbye, Twitter. Here's everything that went wrong

Understand the closed-source and centralized nature of Twitter and its impact on freedom. Explore the consequences of a restrictive API and the loss of ownership. Learn about issues in biometrics, data mining, and surveillance. Discover the limitations of controlling your social graph and the invasive nature of ads. Delve into the anti-free speech and anti-net neutrality practices. Say goodbye to Twitter/X and embrace a better future.

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The components of the Business Model Canvas written on sticky notes, with a person holding a magnifying glass over the sticky notes.
business entrepreneurship startups

Launch your business idea with this free framework

The Business Model Canvas is a concise tool that helps you define your startup's vision and key elements like value proposition, customer segments, and revenue streams. It keeps you focused on building a viable business model, whether you're developing a new idea or refining an existing one.

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The Twitter bird logo looking into a tree, with a rat trap laying inside of it.
content ethics social-media twitter

Twitter/X revenue sharing is bait. Don't take it

Sharing ad revenue with users is just a phase in what remains an inherently flawed business model.

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Image of a lady looking so confused while being overwhelmed by social media platforms.
browsers ethics mastodon social-media tech

The modern internet is a pain to use

The modern internet's convoluted landscape frustrates with its Google account woes, photo-sharing dilemmas, fractured messaging apps, and proprietary platforms, highlighting the need for a more seamless, user-centered digital experience.

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A vibrant assortment of application icons set against a dark backdrop.
apps software

Setapp: Productivity suite, or risky discoverability tool?

Setapp, the "Netflix of Mac apps," offers convenience but harbors the risk of apps vanishing from the platform. Balancing discoverability with platform stability, cautious app adoption is urged, highlighting the need to weigh subscription value carefully.

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Two desktop computers adorned with a heart and a map icon are depicted in the image.
business customer experience entrepreneurship startups

5 key takeaways from doing live chat customer support

Live chat customer support revealed valuable insights, including the need for clear FAQs, the diverse nature of communication styles, managing rudeness, and sending recap emails for better customer experiences.

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A man donning a white hoodie featuring a Twitter message.
build-in-public business entrepreneurship marketing startups

Pros and cons of making yourself a part of your business

Embedding yourself in your business can build rapport and credibility. Deciding whether to be a visible face of your brand requires weighing the benefits against potential challenges.

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Blue Twitter hand coming through a laptop screen and hiding under a cloak.
ethics mastodon privacy social-media twitter

How to hide your Twitter following and why you should do it

Amidst discussions of shifting to decentralized social media, let's delve into hiding Twitter followers as a step toward escaping vanity metrics and advocating for user-centric platforms, promoting genuine connections over superficial engagement.

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The Txt Hub's webpage screenshot.
build-in-public entrepreneurship no-code/low-code (visual development) software startups

NoCodeFounders interview: How I built The TXT Hub

The TXT Hub is a no-code texting app for sending anonymous quotes from celebrities and TV shows. Let's delve into the experience of building the app using tools like Typeform, Twilio, and Zapier and reflect on growth challenges and monetization strategies.

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A bell curve graph surrounded by depictions of software ecosystems.
apple business ethics facebook social-media software tech

We're not in the software war, we're in the ecosystem war

Integrated ecosystems, like Apple's, shape user behavior, emphasizing the need for open standards and decentralized software to counter corporate dominance.

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A large billboard in the middle of two large streets in a big city at night. The billboard reads:
build-in-public entrepreneurship indie-hackers marketing startups

The idea behind building in public and why I do it

"Building in public" on platforms like LinkedIn challenges norms by openly sharing the journey of creation, even amid concerns of vulnerability. Despite social media's drawbacks, the push to raise awareness and spark new discussions keeps this approach relevant for authentic sharing and learning.

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A mastodon sending a Twitter bird in tears on a paper airplane.
content marketing social-media tech

15 things you can do on Mastodon that you can’t do on Twitter

Discover 15 distinctive features that set Mastodon apart from Twitter, offering a glimpse into the world of decentralized and ethical social media, from server customization to encryption options.

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A baffled woman holds up two signs, one displaying cross-selling and the other upselling.
business ecommerce marketing

Cross-selling vs. upselling: How to use each one in your business

Learn how upselling and cross-selling can drive business growth by offering upgraded products and complementary items. From Tee Tweets' success to broader industries, these strategies save costs, increase revenue, and keep customers satisfied.

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Wired magazine with a cover photo that reads,
build-in-public ecommerce entrepreneurship no-code/low-code (visual development) startups

Makerpad no-code founder story: Tee Tweets

Tee Tweets is a brand where people can wear any tweet. It was built in Shopify, embraced challenges, and looks forward to the evolving no-code landscape for collaborative growth.

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A depiction of no-code app development using Zapier.
apps no-code/low-code (visual development)

How to create a no-code app using popular tools and Zapier

I'll show you how to create apps without coding. Using tools like Typeform, Google Sheets, Twilio, and Zapier, I'll guide you through the process of automating tasks and building a functional app. It's a way to embrace technology and creativity without writing code.

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An image featuring The Txt Hub's homepage.
apps build-in-public entrepreneurship no-code/low-code (visual development) startups

NoCodeHQ interview: Building with no-code

Let's look into the importance of trying various tools, fostering collaboration, and advocating for standardization in the dynamic no-code community.

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