I liked Kevin’s introduction so much that I’m going to encourage everyone else here to write one. Which I’m pretty sure means I should do one first.
I’m Ellen, one of the people who started Ilium Software, back in 1997. I’ve met some of the people who are reading this – many of the people who run the PDA and mobile related websites, as well as many other developers and even quite a few users – at various conferences and events over the years. I’ve also talked to a number of users (fewer in recent years, but still keep my hand in a little) over the phone and by email. And of course I’ve seen many companies and individuals drop out of mobile software completely. Like people say about old age, it’s definitely not for sissies.
If companies reflect the personalities of the people who started them, I guess Ilium Software reflects mine to a large extent. Certainly our emphasis on providing really good support is a direct result of my frustration with the very bad support I’ve received from too many companies over the years. I don’t accept bad support from anyone (at least not more than once), and as long as I’m in control, we won’t provide it.
Like Kevin, I use our software all the time, because I like what it does and how it works. This probably isn’t coincidence – I designed or at least specified much of it. But because my background isn’t in tech, I think (or at least hope) that I have more of an end-user perspective than other people might.
I don’t want to put up a picture of myself (like many people, I hate pictures of myself), and don’t have quite the collection of handhelds that Kevin does, so will instead put up my bulletin board. Since I’m writing about my personality, I think it’s a pretty good illustration.
The buttons say:
- Trust me; I’m a professional
- This is just my corporate image
- If you’re not outraged, you’re not paying attention
- Making the world safe for musical comedy
- I am a Jewish American Princess; please buy me a Tab
The bumper stickers say:
- Oh No, Not Another Learning Experience
- Don’t make me release the flying monkeys
The cartoons are about being impatient, easily distracted, grown-up, and short. I’d show pictures of them, but I think that’s a violation of their intellectual property, which, as a software developer, I’m of course very sensitive to.
The picture is the guys on Sports Night (TV series of a few years ago), in their shirts, ties and boxer shorts.
I think that pretty well sums me up.