I'm usually pretty good about answering all the email that is sent to me. At least all the email that is sane and not spam. I only get about four emails a day anyways.
Honestly, I'm really tired of answering the laser-etched laptop copycat emails though. They go something like this:
"Hi! My name is so-and-so from such-and-such place. I saw you laptop project on Digg/Ars Technica/Gizmodo and thought it was a cool idea. Since I live in such-and-such place and have an old computer could I try the idea for myself? How did you get sponsors? Did you send them email? How many companies rejected the idea?"
While I am incredibly flattered to get this type of email, I'm tired of having to answer the same questions every time. So I'll answer them here in my blog and point these nice emailing people here for the answers.
Yes, it is fine if you would like to try some variation of the laser-etched laptop scheme for yourself.
No, I did not cold call or cold email any companies. It took three months of going to tech events around San Francisco and the kindness of my friends to come up with the sponsors. I could have never gotten all those company logos without the help of many amazing people (Nick, Tantek, and Cameron to name a few). This was the key factor and the reason the scheme would be terribly difficult to replicate.
Now for the webloggy part . . .
I actually just created the plan from things I already had: access to a laser-cutter, a hilariously old computer, basic webpage making skills, friends involved in the web software business, and pure frustration. So if you want to try your own crazy scheme, I would probably recommend finding what you already have access to, what you're already good at, and what you would actually enjoy doing. Then, start thinking of your own bad ideas.
And don't give up if your ideas turn out to be so bad that they pass Terrible But Great and go right into Actually Terrible again. The very wise Tim Anderson, inventor of the 3D printer, once told me, "For every great idea I have, I have a hundred bad ones." Which I believe since he also invented Sun Dried Watermelon. Dehydrated WATERmelon. It was gross.
So, best of luck with all the crazy schemes!
