Davey Shafik's Pixelated Dreams

After over 3 years, my company "The Explosive Network" is now officially disbanded. With little/no public activity in over 6 months it is clear that I, and the others associated need to stop the facade and move on. Later on tonight, I will be taking down the X|Net site(s). I will be keeping my its-explosive.net e-mail address, I like it... and I will continue to hold onto the domain also, who knows, it could be used for a project or some such.

The only real members left of The Explosive Network are myself and my dear friend, Dobie. Our careers have now taken seperate - albeit linked - paths and I wish him all the best of luck. You can find Dobie and his work at Overdrive PC's website[1]

As for myself, I have FINALLY come up with my new company name, Ladies and Gentlemen, let me present to you; Davey Shafik - Founder of Synaptic Media (Ltd. - a possiblity)

I have yet to decide on what my new job title will be, I'm toying with keeping "Founding Director" though I dislike the word Director, it implies a board and does not float well with being a "Limited" company. I've lots of work ahead of me, but a logo is immediately necessary, I must stop using The Explosive Network logo on all the Miss England[2] and such websites.

Anyhow, PaWS website is coming along nicely, thanks to the literary talents of Amy from Spiffarific[3], content is almost done, then it will launch. I'm looking forward to getting to work on the *real* site, but IBM are breathing down my neck and I must deliver... it is already late.

That is all....

- Davey

[1] Overdrive PC, LLC
[2] Official Miss England 2003 website
[3] Spiffariffic

I managed to wangle my way into a private 1 on 1 chat with Tim Berners Lee today, on the subject on the PHP and Web Standards Conference UK 2004.

Whilst <abbr title="Tim Berners Lee">TBL</abbr> is unable to speak at the conference, he seemed quite impressed with my ideas for the PaWS Con website... a major boost to my ego for sure!

I must say, that TBL was a delight to talk to, he was pleasant, never seemed to be looking at his virtual watch waiting for it to end (although he was obviously busy doing other stuff).

This talk has re-affirmed my beliefs in the conference, I know it will succeed in all the areas I want it to - promoting PHP and Web Standards and the UKs involvement within these respective communities.

Thanks TBL for giving me a straight yes or no on being able to attend, much appreciated. I am now looking for a new opening keyboard speaker, any suggestions?

- Davey

I have been spending my week trying to get hold of sponsors for PaWS (PHP and Web Standards Conference UK 2004). Among the list, I have IBM and Apple.

Now, I rang IBM two days ago, I got through to a guy who gave me a number, who put me through to a dept. who eventually put me through to a guys voicemail that gave me a number of another guy who I rang and god HIS voicemail and left message even though I didn't think he was the person I needed from the message.

Today, I rang Apple, who within 10 seconds gave me the number for Apple Marketing and within 30 seconds of ringing them put me through to a woman. Although I got her voicemail, at least it was definately the right person (from her message).

I felt that Apple was 10 times more efficient and seeming 100e^{12123123123421} times more in control than IBM.

Good job Apple

- Davey