Anton Olsen . com

Are you a Genius?

Reprinted from Craig's list since it is likely to disappear sometime soon.

Are you a Genius?
Are you a Genius? (Palm Beach Gardens)
Date: 2008-06-30, 7:26PM EDT

Since this is a small company, you will use your not insignificant skills in a multitude of projects.

For instance if you are a self-sufficient SEO professional who can manage our significant PPC budget, and improve our search engine placement, we'll keep you entertained.

If you can help with business development by finding and contacting (no cold calling required) appropriate business partners, this will excite you.

I think you're getting the idea. Only the creative, intelligent and driven need apply.

* Location: Palm Beach Gardens
* Compensation: $12 - $14 per hour starting, with room for advancement

Something tells me that an internet genius in palm beach couldn't afford to live for $12-14/hr.  That would almost pay for an apartment and some broadband if you don't eat.

Rackspace Files IPO, Will Set Price Via Auction

Update: Rackspace Files IPO, Will Set Price Via Auction

Hosting provider Rackspace filed for an initial public offering with the SEC last night, as we predicted it would. The company will try to raise $400 million, and it intends to set the IPO price through an auction, much like Google did. The underwriters are Goldman Sachs, Merrill Lynch, Credit Suisse, and WR Hambrecht & Co. (the leading proponent of such IPO pricing). Pricing through an auction is designed to make sure the company raises the most money possible instead of giving up a first-day pop to investors who are allocated shares by the investment banks doing the deal. Shares will still be allocated to such clients, but anyone who bids beforehand in the auction at or above the eventual IPO price will also get shares. All in all, it is a much more efficient way to price an IPO and more companies should do it.

I'm not surprised, rumors have been batted around since I left Rackspace, but it is still interesting.

I suspect the biggest reason that RS needs to raise the cash is because of their tax abatement agreements with Windcrest and the state.  If I remember right they have promised something like 4,000 employees in a rather short amount of time.  The extra cash raised by an IPO would most likely be a part of that plan.

I wish them luck and hope that Fanatical Support doesn't get replaced with Fanatical Dividends.

300 miles later

I'm back in Greenville. I left home about 6am and managed to get into the office just after 10. Not a bad commute really. I think it took me that long to drive 8 miles in DC on more than a few occassions.

Just 6 round trips left before we're all moved up here. I think I better buy stock in Jiffy Lube. Let's just hope gas prices don't go up too much before then.

Lunch today was my choice and I picked Soulman's BBQ. Good ribs, turkey, brisket, and ham. The sausage had a strange spice but was still pretty good.

Now it's time to sleep, g'night all.

Day Two at IFI

I'm off to a good start at the new job.  For the curious, I'm working at Innovation First Inc.  They make the very cool VEX Robotics parts and participate in many of the High School robotic competitions across the country.

We're still waiting for our new office area to be built out so space is limited, but I've got my new computer and will be setting it up here shortly.

I "moved" into the house last night if you can call a folding table and an air mattress moving.  I'll be bringing a full car load up each weekend until the final move in December.

The Happy Sorrow of Moving On

Today was definitely the hardest day of my professional career.  I'm leaving a company that I dearly love and a wonderful group of individuals who challenged me to grow professionally and socially.

Many years ago I made a promise to myself that I would never pass up a good opportunity and one was recently presented to me.  My criteria are that it must be  interesting, challenging and lucrative.  It scores well on all three with bonus points for robots, and catered lunches.

Today was a real test of that promise but I'm confident in my decision that I must move on to grow.  I will really miss my friends and family from Rackspace and I will do my best to keep in touch.  I hope that you will do the same.