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The slogan "Think Different" has become a mantra for a generation of Silicon Valley entrepreneurs. So when high-tech-millionaire-turned-restaurateur Kimbal Musk envisioned a network of Learning Gardens for public schools, he didn't settle for the usual framed, raised beds.
Instead, he thought of swooping, curved planters made of food-grade plastic, each with an irrigation system tucked away inside: a "product" that could be replicated quickly, at relatively affordable prices.
Product is not a word usually associated with organic temples of experiential learning. But like chef-restaurateur Alice Waters, who launched the American school-garden craze 15 years ago in Berkeley, Calif., Musk, 39, says such gardens are essential to reversing obesity, which now afflicts one in three American children.
According to the Journal of American Dietetics, sixth-grade students involved in a garden-based nutrition education program increased their fruit and vegetable consumption by 2.5 servings per day, more than doubling their overall consumption. A class of fifth-graders who participated in garden-based lessons scored 15 points higher on science tests than students who learned in a traditional classroom.
"For me, there's no point unless we are reaching a critical mass of people," says Musk. "It's not that small projects aren't doing good things. If you serve four schools, you can feel very good about yourself. . . . The only way to solve the problem is to reach all of America's 100,000 schools."
Musk's first step toward mass-producing school gardens is to install 60 Learning Gardens in Chicago, 60 in his home state of Colorado and 60 more across the country over the next year. An announcement with Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the city's schools chief, Jean-Claude Brizard, could come as soon as Thursday, depending on the city's teachers' strike.
"Learning Gardens are great for Chicago and for students, and I'm pleased that 60 more of these gardens are coming to our schools," Emanuel said via e-mail. "These gardens teach our kids about sustainability and help them learn to make healthy food choices in an engaging way. By developing healthy lifestyles and gaining the hands-on experience of working outside, the Learning Gardens improve the lives of thousands of our students and their families."
Musk left his native South Africa in 1991 for Canada. But he soon migrated down to Silicon Valley where, with his brother Elon, he started a software company called Zip2. The brothers sold it in 1999 to computer firm Compaq. That year, Elon started a new company called PayPal in which Kimbal was an investor.
With money in the bank, Musk headed to New York to explore his interest in cooking. He enrolled at the French Culinary Institute and graduated right before the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. In the weeks following, he cooked for firefighters and police working near Ground Zero.
"The energy I felt — that awful and incredible energy — made me want to open a restaurant," he says. "One with that sense of community I had experienced in New York."
The result was the Kitchen, which opened in 2004 in Boulder, Colo. It was a farm-to-table restaurant before the term became fashionable; supporting farmers was one way to build community. The Kitchen offered students cooking lessons and took them on farm tours. Soon, it started raising money for the Growe Foundation, a local school-garden organization.
Colorado might seem like an odd place to become radicalized about the threat of obesity. It is the leanest state in the country with an adult obesity rate of 20.7 percent. But the rate of childhood obesity is rising faster there than in any other state except Nevada, according to the National Survey of Children's Health. Musk thought school gardens could halt, and possibly reverse, those numbers. In 2011, he and his business partner, chef Hugo Matheson, established a nonprofit organization called the Kitchen Community to bring Learning Gardens to schools across the country.
The gardens are designed to fit into any school footprint, whether it has acres of surrounding fields or only a small rooftop. Designed by Musk's wife, artist Jennifer Lewin, the plastic containers come in three sizes and fit together to create an array of curves and spirals. Additional pieces create shaded areas, benches for seating and "art poles" for students to decorate.
So far, the costs are still high. A large garden and installation can cost as much as $50,000 — a huge sum for schools in challenging economic times. (Through fundraising — JP Morgan Chase has been the lead donor in Chicago — the Kitchen Community has raised $1.3 million to cover the costs.) But the modular nature of the gardens means that a small plot can cost as little as $3,000. As the program grows, Musk says, the costs will come down.
The planters are all but indestructible. And that's important, says Musk, because Learning Gardens are integrated into school playgrounds.
"I wanted a place kids could hang out," he says. "The layout is like a maze. It's easy to run around. It's easy for them to come check on their planters. It's a place that they'd like to be."
At Irma C. Ruiz Elementary in Chicago, the Learning Garden is called Playground 3. Unveiled in May, it has 19 planters, in which the students grow collard greens, peppers, Swiss chard, tomatoes and herbs. There's a metal arbor with large rocks beneath it that serve as chairs, tables and objects to climb on.
Seventh-grader Luna McWilliams says the garden is different from the playground but just as fun: "The garden constantly offers a place to work and learn in nature. I find it a lot of fun to care for the plants, and I know my classmates do as well."
Principal Dana Butler says the garden has been transformational "in the sense that beautification and things growing distract" from some ugly realities of the school's tough neighborhood.
"It's one more opportunity for authentic learning," he says. It's "an outdoor science lab. It's about health and restoration. It's a lot of wonderful things that the kids can be a part of and be connected to."
Butler applauds Musk's ambition, but he cautions that Silicon Valley timelines won't be easy to pull off in a byzantine public school system, where even conducting a simple survey, as the Kitchen Community suggested last spring, requires multiple levels of approval and translation into foreign languages. "They need to come to terms with working with [Chicago Public Schools], which doesn't work in ways that many people might think are efficient or common sense. I think they will be successful if they do it slowly, if they don't try to do too much too fast," he says.
But the challenges inherent in the country's third-largest school district are exactly what attracted Musk to Chicago. The city has alarming rates of childhood obesity: More than 20 percent of low-income 2- to 4-year-olds are obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, compared with 14 percent nationally.
"If we can make it work in Chicago, with harsh demographics, the diversity, the difficult weather," says Musk, "we will prove it can be done."
- - -
Black is a former Washington Post Food section staffer now based in Brooklyn, N.Y.


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subset: commoncrawl


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You know how some foods just send you back in time? This pie is definitely one of those foods for me. We didn't have air conditioning when I was a kid and Lodi apples ripen in mid July, when it's usually pretty hot and humid outside. It made for an exceptionally hot day in the kitchen with the oven on, but we didn't complain because we knew before long we would sit at the table, under the ceiling fan, eating slice upon slice of pie, more than likely with vanilla ice cream on the side.
The filling is my maternal grandmother's recipe. She was a top-notch cook. Her fried chicken was unlike any others, I've mentioned her angelfood cake before, and her chocolate cake recipe is the reason my husband married me (true story). Her apple pie has become a summer time staple for our family. Tart apples in a bed of sugary custard in a pie crust…what could be bad about that? I can remember my mom making two of these at time for dessert and there would still be just a small sliver or two left by morning if we were lucky and there were only 4 of us in the house!
I always use Lodi apples for this pie. I have tried other varieties for the recipe but haven't had much luck finding another one that works as well. Thankfully, there is an orchard nearby that still has a few trees so we always pick up some every July. The kids and I picked two baskets this morning.
Cj suggested we divide them, one basket for making pies, one basket for him to eat. I think you would be hard pressed to find another person who likes to eat tart apples more than he does.
apple custard pie
for the crust
This recipe makes enough for 2 pies, but half can be wrapped in cling wrap and frozen for another day.
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) cold butter cut into small pieces
1/4 to 1/2 cup ice water
Put the flour, salt, and cold butter in bowl of food processor. Process until it resembles a course meal.
Add ice water, spoonful by spoonful, through the tube with the machine running, just until the dough holds together without being wet or sticky; do NOT over process.
Split the dough in half and shape into a disc on a piece of plastic wrap and then wrap it up. Chill the dough you will be using today for one hour and freeze the extra disc of dough for another day (like tomorrow)
Once chilled, lightly flour your workspace and roll dough to 1/8 inch thickness. Place in pan and chill while you get the filling and the apples ready. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
for the filling
In a bowl, mix together:
1 cup sugar
3 Tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
(If you are using a large pie pan, use 1 1/2 cup sugar and 4 Tablespoons flour and 1 teaspoon cinnamon)
Peel and core 6 Lodi apples and cut into chunks. Place in a single layer on the UNbaked pie cruse. Sprinkle the sugar mixture over the top.
Fill to the bevel of the pie pan with milk. Place in oven. I bake mine on a cookie sheet, just in case it bubbles over. Plus that gives me a place to bake the left over strips of pie crust (sprinkled with cinnamon sugar before baking).
Bake in 425 degree oven for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake for 45-50 minutes.


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In terms of significant problems, substance abuse among our elderly is of epidemic proportions and it is one of the fastest growing health concerns we currently face. With approximately 35 – 40 million people in the US over age 65, and nearly 17% of those dealing with some form of substance abuse (this does not include the untold numbers of unreported abuse cases), and that figure expected to double by the year 2020, it can clearly be seen that an epidemic is at hand. (www.hazelden.org/web/public).
Our elderly are not only abusing alcohol. Prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications in our society are out of control and causing significant medical issues through the combination of the above substances (alcohol and drugs).
The combination of medications can easily go unnoticed and certainly uncorrected, especially if the elder senior lives alone or has family that either does not notice the effects of the abuse. Also, sometimes we can be afraid to confront the elder.
In referring to individuals who were born between 1946 and 1964 (the leading edge of the baby-boom generation), Frederic Blow, professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Michigan and a Huss Research Chair on Older Adults and Alcohol/Drug Problems at Hazelden's Butler Center for Research said, "These individuals have had more exposure to alcohol and illegal drugs, and there is more acceptance among them about using substances to 'cure' things. We expect to see an increase in drug and alcohol use; and more use means more problems."
As glum as the facts and statistics make it sound, there is hope. Dr. Blow states, "There is less shame and guilt associated with substance abuse now and more acceptance of treatment as a way to make things better."
One problem is the natural change in our bodies as we age. This tends to make elders more susceptible to the affects of alcohol and drug abuse. For example, as we age we become more sensitive to alcohol, and the affects of alcohol and drugs are heightened as we age do to less and less water in our bodies, thus creating a less soluble situation for these substances as they make their way through our systems.
The Center for Substance Abuse Treatment has published a list of signs that may indicate substance abuse in our elderly:
With our elder folks consuming nearly 25% of the prescription medication, it is clear that we have a significant problem that must be addressed immediately. In next week's Weekly Message, we will look at some of the suggestions for how best to identify and reduce this problem of substance abuse in our elderly.
Other Articles
Thank you for the loving care provided by your Visiting Angels organization. It allowed us to keep mom home with us till the end.
Thank you for the loving care provided by your Visiting Angels organization. It allowed us to keep mom home with us till the end.


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Reiki - Wanlip
Wanlip is a small village and civil parish in the Charnwood district of Leicestershire, with 68 properties and a population of about 150, being measured at 305 at the 2011 census. Wikipedia
Heather Holistics
Birstall, Leicestershire
Welcome to Heather Holistics. I am Heather Winterton and I have been using complementary therapies for the last 10 years. I am passionate about holistic [...]Distance: 1.34 miles.
Leicester, Leicestershire, le4 8gq
Hi, thanks for looking at my advert. I am a fully qualified Reiki Master, Advanced Reflexologist and Aromatherapist. I qualified in complementary [...]Distance: 1.45 miles.
Vintage Soul Studio
Leicester, Leicestershire, LE7 1GG
Vintage Soul Holistic and Beauty Studio is based in the tranquil settings just across from Syston's Central Park. Lyndsey is our fully qualified and experienced [...]Distance: 2.09 miles.
Reiki Master/Teacher
Anstey, Hampshire, LE7 7EX
www.thehealingzone.net is a naturopathic well being centre based in dubai, we also offer distance healing through Reiki and Shamanic healingDistance: 2.82 miles.
R R Therapies
Leicester, Leicestershire, LE7 7DE
Welcome, my name is Ros, and I am a Wellbeing Holistic Practitioner. I am passionate about health and wellbeing and offer Reiki as part [...]Distance: 3 miles.
Reiki Master Guido Terzaghi
Leicester, Leicestershire, LE5 3GJ
075 085 593 04
Guido practices EFT, TFT, CBT, Acupressure and Reiki (in the original Japanese form). Energy Meridian Therapies such as Reiki, Emotional Freedom Techniques and Acupressure are [...]Distance: 4.04 miles.
Meditation4all – Meditation, Sound Therapy, Reiki and Life Coaching
Leicester, Leicestershire
Looking to heal and discover yourself? Come along to one of reiki treatments or book onto on of our courses. We offer reiki treatments [...]Distance: 4.09 miles.
Divine Angelic Reiki Healing
Leicester, Leicestershire, LE1 6QH
Divine Angelic Reiki in Leicester offers angelic reiki healing – soul healing to heal the soul of sickness and heartbreak. We also offer powerful [...]Distance: 4.33 miles.
Angel Sourced Holistics, Reiki and Beauty
Leicester, Leicestershire, LE30RA
We hold REGULAR Reiki and treatment share events as well as entertainment mini event evenings for half price mini treatments, readings & therapies. Angel [...]Distance: 4.57 miles.
IDF Holistic Therapies
Glenfield, Roxburgh, Ettrick and Lauderdale
07720 746025
Josie is afriendly, caring therapist with over 15 years experience. Usui Reiki treatments are available from 10.30am to 8pm Monday to Friday [...]Distance: 4.64 miles.
Healing Tree Therapies
Leicester, Leicestershire, LE3 0UB
I offer Reiki in person and distance healing treatments.I am a Trained and experienced in many energy systems, both as a healer and a [...]Distance: 4.74 miles.
Tim Deville, MAR, Azurite Holistic Training and Therapies
Groby, Leicestershire, LE6 0FS
I have been performing Reiki for many years now and it always amazes me how people react to it and what they get out [...]Distance: 5.26 miles.
Leicester, Leicestershire, LE3 2BG
If you're serious about changing your world, then Reiki is the perfect tool to help you do this. Reiki is a healing and personal development [...]Distance: 5.37 miles.
Reiki Leicester
Leicester, Leicestershire, LE2 2AD
0116 202 9990
Hilary Kingston, is a Reiki Master in Leicester, based at The Ashleigh Clinic. With over 18 years experience helping people with issues such as [...]Distance: 5.41 miles.
Natalia Veneziani Reiki healing
Leicester, Leicestershire
Hello, I have been sharing Reiki since 2016, I hold private reiki sessions in my home studio. I have had some inspiring and amazing [...]Distance: 5.45 miles.
TSL Holisitc Centre
Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 2TZ
01509 239600
Welcome to the TSL Holistic Centre, we offer professional holistic and beauty treatments and training through a wide range of complementary and natural healing [...]Distance: 6.1 miles.
Angel Alchemy
Loughborough, Leicestershire
At Angel Alchemy we believe that is important to take care of the body, mind and soul to have a balanced and fulfilling life. [...]Distance: 6.31 miles.
Reiki Natural Healing
Markfield, Leicestershire, LE67 9UG
Across the globe people are awakening to the power of their own energy and science is backing this with evidence proving our bodies amazing [...]Distance: 6.67 miles.
Leicester, Leicestershire, LE142NH
A Homeopath, Registered with the Society of Homeopaths. Working in Melton Mowbray, Leicester, Leicestershire. Rural setting in peaceful surroundings. Relaxed atmosphere, unhurried, sensitive and [...]Distance: 7.48 miles.
Reflective Healing
Glen Parva, Leicestershire, LE2 9TB
07546 936428
The practice of Reiki is a method of healing developed by Mikao Usui in Japan in the early part of the 20th century. The [...]Distance: 8.03 miles.
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SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) — Gold futures neared $1,700 an ounce Thursday, settling at their highest in a month as investors weighed the metal's safe-haven appeal against a backdrop of lower U.S. jobless claims, a jump in housing starts and disappointing data on manufacturing activity in the Philadelphia region.
Metals investors also looked forward to data at the end of the week that will shed insights on the health of China's economy.
Gold for February delivery US:GCG3 added $7.60, or 0.5%, to settle at $1,690.80 an ounce on the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange. That was the highest settlement since Dec. 17, according to FactSet data. Prices earlier traded as low as $1,666.40.
Gold prices had lost more ground after the Labor Department reported that the number of first-time applicants for jobless benefits fell last week to the lowest level since January 2008. Economists polled by MarketWatch had forecast a drop to 368,000. See: Initial jobless claims fall 37,000 to 335,000.
Separately, data from the Commerce Department showed that construction on new U.S. homes jumped in December to the highest rate in more than four years. See: Housing starts jump in December.
"Good news on the U.S. economy will always be bad news for gold and silver bulls, as expectation of early withdrawal of [the third round of] quantitative easing ... by the Federal Reserve increases," said Chintan Karnani, a billion analyst from New Delhi.
Copper, however, likely got a boost as upbeat economic data raised potential for higher demand of the industrial metal. March copper
Meanwhile, gold prices turned higher after the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia's gauge tracking manufacturing in the region disappointed. It came in much weaker than forecast for January, falling to a negative 5.8. See: Philly Fed index turns negative in January.
U.S. dollar-denominated gold saw added support from some weakness in the greenback, with the ICE dollar index
March silver US:SIH3 also settled up 27 cents, or 0.9%, at $31.81 an ounce.
Silver will need to trade above $30.66 until Monday "to be in a bullish zone," Karnani said.
Gold prices on Wednesday eased by 70 cents to settle at $1,683.20 an ounce, falling back after having reached its highest level since Jan. 2 earlier in the week. Read: Gold slips, but demand prospects look good.
"All the fundamental data that gold bugs love to talk about is already priced into the market," said Jason Rotman, president of Lido Isle Advisors in Newport Beach, Calif.
"With global equities markets picking up steam, and with the [Federal Open Market Committee] indicating a possible end to QE3 this year, we believe this might be a very quiet year for gold, and it might even retrace some of the rally which occurred over the past decade," he said.
Waiting on China
A variety of factors have influenced metals markets this week, however, including Germany's Bundesbank announcing it will repatriate some of its gold reserves. See The Tell blog: The Bundesbank is bringing (some of) its gold home.
Edward Meir, metals analyst at INTL FCStone, said that markets will likely drift for the balance of the week "at least until some of the Chinese macro numbers slated for release this weekend provide the markets with more direction."
According to RBC analysts, the market consensus for Chinese fourth-quarter economic growth is 7.8%.
Also Thursday, April platinum US:PLJ3 added $6.40, or 0.4%, to end at $1,700.50 an ounce. Futures prices haven't settled above $1,700 since early October.
Platinum prices settled with a premium over gold earlier in the week for the first time since March 2012, so this is only the second period since September 2011 that platinum has cost more than gold.
The price of platinum had jumped nearly $32 an ounce on Tuesday, on news that Anglo American Platinum Ltd.
Also on Comex, sister metal palladium for March delivery US:PAH3 shed 30 cents to $726.15 an ounce.
In metals news Thursday, Rio Tinto PLC


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Kickstarter Is Not a Store
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It's hard to know how many people feel like they're shopping at a store when they're backing projects on Kickstarter, but we want to make sure that it's no one. Today we're introducing a number of changes to reinforce that Kickstarter isn't a store — it's a new way for creators and audiences to work together to make things. We'd like to walk you through these changes now.
Creators must talk about "Risks and Challenges"
Today we added a new section to the project page called "Risks and Challenges." All project creators are now required to answer the following question when creating their project:
"What are the risks and challenges this project faces, and what qualifies you to overcome them?"
We added the "Risks and Challenges" section to reinforce that creators' projects are in development. Before backing a project, people can judge both the creator's ability to complete their project as promised and whether they feel the creator is being open and honest about the risks and challenges they face.
The new section will appear below the project description of projects that launch starting today.
New Hardware and Product Design Project Guidelines
The development of new products can be especially complex for creators and seductive to backers. Today we're adding additional guidelines for Hardware and Product Design projects.
They are:
- Product simulations are prohibited. Projects cannot simulate events to demonstrate what a product might do in the future. Products can only be shown performing actions that they're able to perform in their current state of development.
- Product renderings are prohibited. Product images must be photos of the prototype as it currently exists.
Products should be presented as they are. Over-promising leads to higher expectations for backers. The best rule of thumb: under-promise and over-deliver.
We've also added the following guideline for Hardware and Product Design projects:
- Offering multiple quantities of a reward is prohibited. Hardware and Product Design projects can only offer rewards in single quantities or a sensible set (some items only make sense as a pair or as a kit of several items, for instance). The development of new products can be especially complex for creators and offering multiple quantities feels premature, and can imply that products are shrink-wrapped and ready to ship.
These guidelines are effective for all Hardware and Product Design projects that launch starting today.
We hope these updates reinforce that Kickstarter isn't a traditional retail experience and underline the uniqueness of Kickstarter. Thanks for reading, and thanks as always for using Kickstarter.
UPDATE (Monday, September 24): We just posted an update answering follow-up questions from this post. We've also pasted the content of that post below.
Kickstarter announced that it's prohibiting product renderings in the Hardware and Product Design categories, but "rendering" can mean a lot of things. What does Kickstarter mean?
To clarify, we mean photorealistic renderings of a product concept. Technical drawings, CAD designs, sketches, and other parts of the design process will continue to be allowed. Seeing the guts of the creative process is important. We love that stuff. However renderings that could be mistaken for finished products are prohibited.
Do the new guidelines mean that Kickstarter will only accept Hardware and Product Design projects with finished products?
Not at all. We simply ask creators to share with backers exactly what's been done so far, show how the product currently works, and explain how it will be completed. In short, we expect creators to show their work. Backers have shown that they're happy to get involved in projects that are in earlier stages when the creator is clear about the remaining work and their ability to complete it.
Do the new guidelines apply beyond Hardware and Product Design projects that are developing new products?
No. The new guidelines only apply to Hardware and Product Design projects that are developing new products. These guidelines do not apply to Design projects like the LowLine and +Pool or Hardware projects like Stompy: The Giant Rideable Walking Robot. Why? They aren't developing new products that backers are expecting in their mailboxes.
How will Kickstarter know whether something is a simulation or rendering?
We may not know. We do only a quick review to make sure a project meets our guidelines. If an obvious simulation or photorealistic rendering is spotted during that review, that project will not be allowed to launch. If a simulation or photorealistic rendering is discovered after a project launches, that project will be canceled. Everyone should continue to use their best judgment when deciding whether or not to back a project.
Kickstarter announced that Hardware and Product Design rewards could only be offered in single quantities. What if my product works best as a pair or as a set of five?
As we noted in the announcement, sensible sets are fine. If your piece of hardware is best offered as a set of five, that's okay, however you couldn't also offer it as a single piece. Creators will have to decide what works best for their project.
Final thoughts?
We created Kickstarter so more creative work could exist in the world, and last week's changes are in service of that mission. We're confident that these updates will lead to an even better Kickstarter. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us, and thanks for being a part of it!
Gray on
@Hamish: Their lack of any real prototype to show anyone means that they've relied on vague renderings. Just because the technology could possibly be feasible doesn't mean that they'll be able to deliver it. And I'll give you that big corporations can be slow, but what makes you think that a guy who's taken months after funding to deliver cardboard boxes will be faster?
Charles Waugh on
As a project creator who just finished shipping YESTERDAY (about 3 months late!), I can say that these rules are bad.
Mainly because it penalizes the creators of projects and does not effectively educate or warn the backers.
Savvy Backers (like savvy investors) understand that it is a risk to back a project. it may not actually pan out!
WOW! What a concept. That's the point of backing an IDEA as opposed to backing a PRODUCT.
Inexperienced backers think that everything should be perfect and ship on time with no problems. Savvy backers know that most things eventually pan out because the creator is deeply invested (financially and emotionally) in the project, but not all do end up panning out. Huh! That's life.
In my own project I was called an 'amateur' by one irate backer. And, I agreed - that's the point here - it's a START-UP, not a finished company.
In my project I was late - seriously late. Why? Because the prototype didn't scale up to the finished product. We then had to invest in injection tooling (thousands of dollars!) and try the design out to find out it failed. You see, a 3D printed proto is NOT the actual as-injected-with-the-exact-resin finished product. It didn't fail dramatically, it failed just enough to make me say "Don't ship it - redesign it." That sucked up a month and half of time and few thousand more dollars.
That's what Research and Development is all about - figuring it out!
We had other problems I will not bore you with.Suffice it to say: Life isn't perfect and development is HARD..
My responses to the changes are:
1) The 'Risks and Challenges' section is just words. Now, me, I'd be honest and say I'm a design engineer with a successful project completed (albeit late from my initial estimate), I work late at night sometimes and make silly decisions at times. But others? They could say whatever they want and wait for the internet to (possibly) 'out' them as not being who they say they are.
2) The 'No renderings and no simulations' rule is Draconian and Procrustean.It cuts off the best part of explanation because we don't fit the bed of 'actual'. Maybe the rule should be: Rendering and simulations are OK... IF and ONLY IF your proto can show the same general capabilities. Oh, wait!... but that makes it hard for KS to vet projects. They might actually have to engage the creators, which they currently don't in any meaningful way.
3) No multiples offered. Ridiculous!
The advantages of scale in manufacturing are real. Making a hundred of something can be darn near the same cost as making a thousand (as the book project I just published can attest to). That drives down the individual cost and makes the overall 'profit' much more.[BTW: 'profit' is in quotes, because, even though I raised $70K on KS, that is happily vacuumed up in all the other costs of patenting, producing the video, all the ancillary materials, prototyping costs, etc., etc., etc..)
Lastly, I suggest that there be a pop-up unavoidable window when the 'Back This Project' button is clicked. And, just like in an investment scenario in business, it would ask the backer to agree to these statements:
A) I understand that backing a project does not guarantee that I will receive the reward offered exactly when promised or at all. There is risk involved as well as reward.
B) The loss of my pledge will not harm me financially in any appreciable manner.
C) I have the funds available to back this project and understand that I will not be charged until the funding goal is reached.
That puts the backer on notice that this is a real-world fund-raising effoprt, NOT A STORE.
I disagree with these rules and I suggest that the onus be put more on the backers to be wise about their 'investment', not on the creators who have already risked so much to present their idea on Kickstarter.
Charles Waugh
Boring, OR (yes, it really is called Boring!)
Ben Floyd on
If people come to Kickstarter they should know what Kickstarter is all about, meaning that every project on Kickstarter is a risk of not coming to fruition. If someone pledges any amount of money without reading what the project creator has posted, and read it carefully, then it's 100% on the pledger. Putting up restrictions because some people don't understand the very nature of Kickstarter is silly at best.
The "Risks and Challenges" section seems to be redundancy of the project page itself, and really the creator can say anything he or she wants to anyway.
Multiple copies of a product is an incentive to help fund more of the project. Why is this a bad thing? As I stated above, Kickstarter is what Kickstarter is. If someone doesn't understand that, it's their fault, not the project creator's, and not Kickstarter's.
But prohibiting renderings or simulations is quite ridiculous. A product gets started because there is an idea behind it. After the idea comes simluations/renderings. After simulations/renderings comes prototyping. After prototyping comes the product. It's the process of anything, not just Hardware and Product Design, so why are the restrictions limited to these categories alone?
Most of the projects I funded were simply an idea, with nothing but promises to woo me into giving them my money. Only one so far have I seen anything substantial. But I'm still going to support other ideas that have far less than even a rendering if it's something I would like to see come into being.
Kickstarter is a playground for new ideas. Restrictions actually stifle new ideas. Quit it.
6apcyk on
Way to discriminate against the inventors of hardware! Nice job!
Hopefully this brainfart will be rolled back before it does real damage to your backer community...
But I think the market has been opened and is being proven as viable.
If you stifle their growth here they will go elsewhere.
Good luck.
heathkid on
I can't imagine anything worse! As a backer of several projects... I'm providing funding for someone's dream and project. I agree a simply "click here if you understand the following terms" thing. But to limit quantity? and no renderings and no simulations? Really? How can you possibly be serious? I wouldn't have funded any of the projects I have so far without renderings. I want to know what it's going to look like... NOT a protoboard covered in wires. These are NOT "Products"... they are dreams. Please do NOT continue with these changes as I for one will probably be a LOT less likely to fund projects. Of course it's not a store. Don't treat us like we're stupid.
Jonathan Nation on
here is the thing I keep going to -
if you limit the quantity of items to one, all it will do it cause people to register multiple accounts when they want more then one item.
There have been CD, board game, and book projects where I almost registered a second account. With these rules, I see it as even more likely.
Also, with board games, now that I think of it, there have been multiple where me and some friends have got together & only one of us pledged. The others just gave me money & I sent them product when it came in.
heathkid on
I agree with corhen. I'll also add... even if the "current state of the project" is still in the idea phase and needs funding to get starting building a prototype... please don't hurt those developers. Kickstarter is not a store... but if you keep heading down this path... it'll be nothing and I'll be looking elsewhere to fund projects.
Ilikegames_1337 on
Hrm. Interesting, but I have to say I disagree with the restrictions on hardware schematics and renderings. A disclaimer would be a better idea.
The visual of the product in front of you is important, it allows potential funders to get a better idea of what the designer is aiming for and gives the opportunity to get feedback. Otherwise what is a hardware project going to be? A list of specifications and a rough looking prototype?
Having said that, I think requiring some sort of prototype before product drawings/renderings can be used might be a good idea, as the first prototype can change the direction of a project significantly...
sujannicky on
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Joe Adams on
This doesn't surprise me. During the approval of our last project they advised me that if I wanted approval I had to delete any quantities over my 5 level. It was not even yet in writing or posted anywhere and that was a big part of the plan. Before this posting today the limit was 10 of an item but some were still getting around it I guess by adding the reward after launch or something (which you can get deleted for I was advised).
We are set for another project and this will effect us again. We have several prototypes of one model and renders of the other but now we are heading back to the 3D printer and delaying the project. That is twice and just bad luck I guess. But how about a letter to creators "AS OF
Jeffrey Sue on
I have backed 45 projects, not all hardware. Risk and challenges, fine. If the other two rules are not rescinded, I will never back any future Kickstarter project.
Kickstarter, is that clear enough?
Joe Adams on
...AS OF 30 DAYS FROM TODAY'S DATE THIS NEW SET OF RULES WILL GO INTO EFFECT. IF YOU ARE APPROVED AND LAUNCHED PRIOR THESE RULES WILL NOT EFFECT YOU". That would be helpful since really good renders can cost as much as a 3D print and that still doesn't mean someone has the experience to make it. I would like to see renders stay with a disclaimer required on each rendered photo AND a required prototype. But I guess some percentage of the population does not even realize that these are renders. As far as the limit on QTY. Nobody is going to hire a lawyer for one $50.00 product that does not get shipped. But if someone bought (3) 100 packs on a project like Pebble then even Kickstarter could get dragged into something with the creator. (100% faith in Pebble by the way).
We have to play by their rule and be thankful that KS exists. I guess if you don't like the rules you will have to play somewhere else.
deathstarchris on
This is a GREAT start. Most inventors are HORRIBLE business people. It might help to start a tutorial on how to properly start a 'hardware' project. If you helped your Kickstarters as well as protect your investors than that dual headed approach can not fail. Side too much with the investor and you run the risk of alienating your Kickstarters, but no protection and Kickstarters get away with too much. I'm glad to see and hear you are listening.
Now please go help and be involved with Ouya or there will be hell to pay, maybe even site ending.
Good luck.
David Greekas on
I get the idea behind it, but face it you want to know what the plan on making and renders are important, force a major disclaimer if you must.
Also the quantity rules seems very odd..
I can't imagine pebble would have been so well funded had there been no renders and quantity was limited... I put down for two.
And YES i under stand they may never be made or could have problems etc....
PhoneJoy Solutions America, Inc. on
While we welcome the changes, and do agree that renders have been used by some projects to "deceive" backers, we also find that renders are important to show off for instance customized items (e.g. a limited edition) that would only be made if somebody actually chooses to back them. A disclaimer would be a much better solution in our opinion.
Marcin Wolny on
The shang prohibiting people from gaining multiple rewards from supporting projects is VERY bad.
Most of the time I ask (or want to ask) for multiple products as it's the only thing that makes sense if you'd like to support project with larger amount of cash.
If I can get only a single instance of the product then what's the point? Either I will support project with smallest amount of cash, or not at all. Simply because sometimes shipping can be more expensive then product itself.
It's most dumb rule ever invented on kickstarter.
Another stupid thing in it is limiting that to 2 categories. People will migrate their projects to different categories in order to avoid idiotic rules. Just like the kickstarter console was migrated to Games category even though it's not a game. Also the principle behind this rule stands truth for almost every category - board games being most obvious one, and yet... I
it does not apply there? Woot!?!
Simon on
"— it's a new way for creators and audiences to work together to make things."
"Product simulations are prohibited. Projects cannot simulate events to demonstrate what a product might do in the future. Products can only be shown performing actions that they're able to perform in their current state of development.
Product renderings are prohibited. Product images must be photos of the prototype as it currently exists."
Simon on
Statement from Kickstarter:
"— it's a new way for creators and audiences to work together to make things."
New Hardware and Product Design Project Guidelines:
"Product simulations are prohibited. Projects cannot simulate events to demonstrate what a product might do in the future. Products can only be shown performing actions that they're able to perform in their current state of development."
"Product renderings are prohibited. Product images must be photos of the prototype as it currently exists."
Project development on kickstarter is a two way dialog between creator, and backer, implementing the rules defined below stifle innovation and communication of free speech with regard to projects; Images weather rendered, drawn, or simulations for projects especially of a technical nature, is a very integral part of the design and engineering dialog between creators and backers. This also flies against the very purpose that kickstarter has been created for; and the project types that have gone through kickstarter, in that kickstarter is a space that is both entrepreneurial and participatory development.
There will be several effects that come into play with this sort of arbitration; whereby by limiting expression to only that of what is created, limits the imagination, and dialog that happens between creator and backer. People don't back something because they know its a certain thing, they back something because of its potential, its possibility. We dare to imagine that of what isn't to create that which doesn't exist. The discovery of the Atom is both born in the imagination, and by probing the nature of natural universe; it is the the interplay of the atoms & the bits...kickstarter itself is made of bits and atoms!
Limiting what dialog is appropriate or permissible will have meta effects: Is a video showing a lab / workshop space where the designs are being prototyped with cad models in the background disallowed? Will a demonstration with a simulation showing how precision engineering and parts fit together for adaptation and development be disallowed?
In the creation of Hardware and Design Project's there is a interplay between Atoms and Bits, and this concept of limiting the use of simulation, cad models, rendering, etc... severely limits peoples creative exchange of ideas, concepts, and use of the prefrontal cortex.
Simulation, Modeling, Rendering; numerical, graphical, creatively and otherwise are how human kind has landed craft on planets in our solar system creating some of the best art depicting alien landscapes in panoramic detail. Would NASA have gotten funding if they had only images of prototypes, and physical pictures? The answer is clearly no, they simulate, they render, the animate, the create prototypes, and more simulation is presented.
The tools that allow this are integrated into the Maker culture, and are supported by companies such as Autodesk that offer their software freely to students and creatives of many walks to prototype, simulate, design build and create. The use of high powered tools that amplify the capabilities of human beings is integral to tool using humans, and building upon past human knowledge to create that of which doesn't exist.
One effect that such draconian rule sets for a emergent self governing complex system will be that people will shift to external web sites rather than kickstarter to represent what they are censored from placing on kickstarter. The project will probably abide by the kick starter rule on content hosted on kickstarter, but the project website will continue to use what means of representation the creators deem in it their best interest.
JW Doom on
As someone who has zero interest in creating hardware, these new hardware & product design rules are stupid and I honestly don't understand what they're supposed to do. Why not allow renderings? How is one supposed to create a prototype without money? Is Kickstarter only for groups that have already burned up some venture capital?
I've always thought the criticism of Kickstarter's "reliability" was wrongheaded and off point (sorry, Consumerist, you're normally awesome), so I don't even get the point of these changes. The challenges or whatever item is okay I guess (what are you challenges? Well, we might flake and not make our record. Is that helpful?) but the new hardware restrictions sound like you guys have already gotten gunshy.
Chevykid on
Without multiples and a vision of the final product i would never back another Kickstarter project again. I treat every project as if it won't happen and i could lose my investment.
Kickstarter should crack down on times for projected Estimated delivery times. like one project ends say June 9 and is funded, and funds take 19 days to be released and the Estimated delivery is June so before they can ship would be June 28. there is no way this could happen, but kickstarter lets this happen and doesn't spell out in the project when funds are released and stop the June Estimated delivery dates they let be listed. And even if it was a small project tere is no way to start production and ship in 2 days.
Bill Waggoner on
As a many-time Kickstarter supporter I think the new rules are a bit too restrictive. I have supported two, that I recall, projects that were hardware designs. Both provided "concept" designs but were very specific that these were designs in flux. And for one the design was forced to change because of the end-use parameters but it was ALL done above-board and open during the process.
So I don't know how you can square the idea that designs and mock-ups are "bad" with the idea that Kickstarter is supposed to foster innovation.
The Good: make people aware that they are buying into an idea that may not come to completion. That they are "Venture Capitalists" in some way. That, in fact, the end result may be nothing at all but the satisfaction that you supported some, possibly failed, endeavor. Tough.
The Bad: many people will be very pissed that their favorite project produced nothing at all useful. Tough.
David Palchak on
I am a professional electrical engineer. I work for a product design company. I have helped design over a dozen consumer electronics and medical products. And I can tell you that these new prohibitions for Hardware and Design projects, however well intentioned, strike me as naive.
In every single product I've worked on, renderings and "smoke and mirrors" demonstrations (i.e. simulations) are some of the very first things we focus on creating. As many others here have rightfully pointed out, humans are highly visual creatures, and in many instances it is the form of a product that initially captures our attention. The aesthetic of a product is critical to its success. Would you even notice a cell phone made of fragile glass if it didn't look like the iPhone 4? I think not.
Prohibiting product simulations and renderings might seem like a good step toward improving investor awareness, but it isn't. It hurts creators, restricting their clever, useful, and creative products to amateur presentation. Investors are actually worse off as well, as they now get to see and understand even less of the creator's ultimate vision for the product.
I'm not just here to criticize. I have a suggestion for a far better way to accomplish the end goal of helping potential backers evaluate a project: require the creators to post and maintain an estimated schedule. The process of creating a schedule forces a designer to consider exactly what pieces have to be arranged into place, and in what order, to make the finished product. Schedules show how many rounds of prototyping are planned, and what features a prototype will prove out, so investors can determine how much risk exists in the idea. Schedules expose common yet wildly unrealistic assumptions for how quickly a design can be transferred to volume production, and schedules help keep creators focused on how much work is actually involved in product design and how precious their time actually is.
If Kickstarter is truly focused on improving the ability of potential investors to evaluate a Hardware or Design project, here's what I see as being the best path forward:
1) Start requiring creators to post and maintain an up-to-date estimated schedule
2) Roll back the prohibitions on simulations and renderings. As a compromise, Kickstarter could instead require renderings and simulations be clearly labeled as such and include an explicit disclaimer.
David Palchak
Festo O'Mani on
While complaints about these rules have come from both the creators and backers it seems like the majority of the complaints are coming from backers, the same people these rules were supposed to protect.
I think that the most foolish rule implemented is the multiple items rules. It shows a lack of understanding from the sites staff on the complexities and cost of mass producing an item. I think that it will limit the number of successful product launches from here on.
Many of the products on Kickstarter are targeting very niche markets and while some may get a viral backing many will need the advantage of having a small but passionate following to successfully launch a product by asking backers to purchasing multiples of the item.
Daniel Martin on
I don't understand the concept behind "KIckstarter is not a store." Why shouldn't it be used for that function? If I want to pre-purchase the product being offered by a team, well, that, and that alone is why I am here. Kickstarter simply gives developers the assurance/funding to create ahead of time, instead of having to get investments before even knowing if people will buy the product. If I can "buy" a product by supporting a project, and that is how developers want to use the service, HOW IS THAT A BAD THING?!?!? For a lot of products, Kickstarter is little more than a new form of store, and the desire to keep it from being that way is actually very very disappointing to me.
Joe Adams on
Renders: How about a 1:1 ratio? For every (labeled and disclosed) render you need to show one real prototype photo. that could give some balance between the current status and the plan or even the dream in some cases. After reading ALL of the comments I really feel for some of the tech products with huge time and money already in.
Risks and Challenges: Good Idea but it's buried in small print at the bottom where most won't even read it.
Quantities: I get elimination of 50 & 100 rewards months ago but hope KS is reading all of the comments. Some really good arguments for keeping it as is. I wouldn't be against boxing the projects to 500% of the amount we say we need for minimum funding. That will at least limit the projects spending 10's of thousands on Facebook ad's and such who may not even really need Kickstarter. If you sell out after two days then you get enormous preorders on your website that you can handle however you like. Supposed to be getting us to production, not the lottery.
Never though I would say that but when faced with loosing some key tools like renders there needs to be some middle. Love Kickstarter but Gizmodo must be having a field day with all of this.
Florian Schulze on
I think these changes are bad. Several posters already stated enough reasons on why. If Kickstarter wants to make it clear that they are not a store, then they should change the pledge pages accordingly with multiple warnings etc. For renderings there should just be a disclaimer on each picture and video if there is one, so people instantly know whether something is a real prototype or a rendering.
Maybe even embrace failure and state how many projects where unsuccessful and for what reason, so people can learn from that. Failed projects shouldn't be featured unless the project owners agree though and in such cases they should be able to write a post mortem for others to learn from. There are very valid reasons for why projects fail and they should be shown!
Svenne Krap on
How about a way to characterize where the project is in its development....
I currently back (amongst many others) two projects: the openvizlsa (which is horrendously delayed, but I am patient) and the teensy (which is almost ready to deliver mere weeks after being funded).
This is not to bash the openviszla guys, but clearly their project was mostly an idea and some small-scale proof of concept. They needed money and time to develop it before they began production.
The teensy in contrast was ready for productions and kickstarter was more a funding-for-productions and marketing tool.
Both types of projects serve a purpose and are fine by me, but as a backer that is an interesting thing to know what I am signing up to.
Also, please reconsider the 1-unit-only rule, a lot of electronics is highly dependent on volumen, and most electronics project I have backed I really WANT multiples (the blink(1) is a good example of a project where I want many)
Michel on
As an international backer I have a problem with your new 'multiple quantities rule. The international shipping may be very expenxive compared to the rewad fee (for example $15 shipping for a $20 reward). So I very often pledge for 2, 3 or 4 units (the USPS shipping fee is the same!). With the new rule I'll certainly not pledge for interesting Hardware and Product Design projects.
Ian Jeffray on
I don't think this is a sensible/useful change. If I back a project, I want the best idea what it'll look like and how well developed the idea already is. All this will do is move people to putting all the info on their website rather than on KS.
Ber on
Risk & Challenges Section = Good
No Prototype renders / No Multiple Item Rewards = Bad
I would like to see renders clearly labelled, but I still want to see them.
I would also like to see a clear opt-in warning on the pledge page that the reward selected may not ever get delivered, and also you may not get your money back in this case. Consumers belong in Walmart, KS is for BACKERS.
sgllama on
As many above have said, I don't think that a blanket "no renders" ban for hardware makes sense - sure, give us a view of the current prototpyes but we also want to see what the goal is - that you have thought the project out to know what its end-point is going to be. After all, *not* being to produce a render may be an indication that the project hasn't actually progressed as far as is claimed: the CAD models aren't complete and that big production order isn't going in as soon as the funding arrives.
The line "Projects cannot simulate events to demonstrate what a product might do in the future" seems to ban things like showing a demonstration of a GUI talking to, say, a mesh of 1000 devices, when the devices themselves are being simulated (because the large production run is the thing you are trying to fund). You'd be trying to show that the work on the GUI software is complete (or going well), "look, it'll even scale to daft numbers of devices without crashing" and isn't vapourware.
The ban on multiple devices is also dubious, although KS have given themselves an out, with the part "of a sensible set" clause - but what would constitute a "sensible set"? With some of the microcontroller projects that have been mentioned already, like the Teensy or the DigiSpark, where some people may only see the point in having one at a time whilst others may only be interested because they open up new opportunities when lots of the devices are all working and communicating together.
J. Cranfill on
I criticized the decision about renders already, but forgot to add my thoughts about multiples as well. Banning multiples is an equally bad idea!! One project I backed, at a level of many multiples, was the CCG game Serpent's Tongue and I would not have backed it at such a high dollar amount had there not been an option for multiples of the finished product.
KS, you're making huge mistakes here just because a handful of backers can't understand the gist of what backing a project is. Make them read and accept a dire warning about what they're doing before they can fund a project, but don't hamstring the creators for the failings of a few backers.
Olaf on
When rendering is a problem then make a rule
that these must be identified as Rendereings in big letters.
When multiple rewards is a problem to handle costs,that makes two limits.
1 reward no price limit or more parts but the maximum of 1% backing goal.
After 20 years in the electronics business has been my experience,
it is easy to build 1000 pieces, 100 are the problem.
Most kickstaterprojects i spend money for, would not exist with the new rules :-(
John Arne Birkeland on
You guys kill me. First you start of with stating that "Kickstarter is not a store", and then the next second you turn around and demand that inventors must have working prototypes to show of, so that people can be sure there is an actual working product for sale?
I have no interest in nickel-and-dime home made projects with simple PCB boards and some electronics that pretty much anyone with some knowledge and motivation can build. I want real innovative projects pushing the creative and technological limits. And how do you make such projects? By performing exhaustive design and simulation work on the computer. The complexity of "common day" electronics has long since past the stage of just making something on the bench with a soldering iron. You need expensive specialized equipment and know-how to design and prototype anything considered remotely advanced by today's standards.
I though the entire point of Kickstarter was to give people without big pockets and specialized equipment the chance to show of their designs and ideas, so that they would get a chance to actually make a product of it.
With the new rules for technology and design this has become an elite club for those who already have the equipment and budget for prototyping. So if anything Kickstarter is now more of a store then ever..
Barry Beams on
In following this thread as it unfolds, I realize that accessories, consumables, wear out items, and auxiliary components need to be addressed.
Examples would be spare batteries, rechargers, power cords, o-rings, drive belts, mounting hardware, bulbs, wheels, sensors, filters, switches, and other general maintenance and repair parts.
Simon Lyons + VERSION 22 on
Kickstarter I can see what you're trying to do here in making backers more aware that you're not "Amazon", but the way you have gone about it seems all wrong to me.
YES making backers more aware of the risks involved is a good move, but disallowing renders is not. I agree that fully working prototypes should be mandatory in all hardware projects so project owners can show potential backers they've got most the functional aspects figured out and that the product they envision IS FEASIBLE. The backer however may also sometimes need a little extra help to visualise what the project owner's final goal is and what would actually be produced if the project was backed and completed successfully. With renderings backers can have greater understanding when delays occur as they can understand that what the project owner is striving to achieve is a step beyond the humble prototype they showed in their video. If backers can better share the project's vision (i.e. renderings) then they can better understand the process after successful funding.
Furthermore what if the project owner plans to offer five different colour variants of the product, are they expected to pay for five different coloured prototypes JUST to demonstrate what the different colours will look like to backers? This is an absurd and unnecessary expense.
Perhaps introduce a limit to the number of renderings allowed and only allow video showing the actual prototype/ product functioning rather than an animation, but please reconsider an outright ban.
With regards to multiple orders I also think this is the wrong move, for example, what if someone is aiming to produce a product people may have a genuine need for more than one of? Is there anything wrong with allowing backers to take a higher risk in pledging for a greater number of products as long as they are aware of these risks? Otherwise backers may turn to elsewhere to "pre-order" additional products.
Like others have said, in protecting the potential backers from themselves I believe many more projects are likely now doomed to fail.
I hope for Kickstarter's sake as well as all the backers and potential project owners out there that you rethink this.
William Twomey on
You are the doing the opposite of your stated objective. If you can't provide simulations, drawings, etc., than we are essentially forced to go all in and get full blown prototypes built up. At this point, Kickstarter IS just a store. It's a store that allows for pre-production purchase of a completed product to fund its production. You basically want to become an Amazon that has long shipping delays and includes a big warning that you might not get your product.
It's one thing to require working PCBs and software (even that requirement I don't agree with), but getting the tooling and manufacturing of mechanical prototype parts can be expensive - and there is very low risk with the mechanical assembly in comparison to the electronics for most products. The mechanical side to most Kickstarter products is just packaging. It represents a small portion of the overall design effort, but a large portion of the prototype cost, and has a big impact on would be investors (a circuit board in a cardboard box isn't sexy). And if engineers have devoted time to developing packaging and such in a CAD program, why shouldn't they be able to show that to potential investors? What are they supposed to say "we have a real sexy package designed but can't show it to you, so just trust us that this will look cool!" In Kickstarter's eyes, you haven't done anything until you've had it made (like a store).
Why not allow the community to dictate how much risk they're willing to take on? I don't need or want a nanny Kickstarter to "protect me" from a risky investment. If someone I've never heard of with no established engineering background posts a project with no work whatsoever other than a picture of a time machine, I'm not giving him money. But, I can see myself funding a project that is nothing more than an idea if a lot of work has been put into developing the idea and its implementation. I have no problem investing in schematics, block diagrams, computer simulations, etc., of say, a prof and a bunch of his students or in a mechanical design that has already been completed.
Plus Kickstarter's rules actually promote bigger risk. The best way to limit risk in to allow incremental funding. A project gets more expensive as it progresses, so it is better to fail early if you are to fail. It would be best to say, first fund the circuit board prototype build (~$500), then fund the 2nd round proto build with mechanical packaging (~$3000), then fund regulatory testing (~20k), then fund the first production run (~50k) (for a theoretical product). But instead of allowing someone to get $500 funding for their initial proto PCB build (which isn't allowed), Kickstarter requires you go for the whole thing at once and ask for a huge sum (after you've already funded much of the development).
Please let Kickstarter be what it is meant to be, a way to kickstart and crowd fund projects. A way for little players (without a lot of money) to fund the DEVELOPMENT of their idea or even for established players to gauge market interest in different ideas. A way for the community at large to fund projects that may have no commercial objectives. If a group of hobby engineers want to run a PCB build for an OSHW project, they should be able to use Kickstarter to get the funds to do so (which you currently would not allow).
By only allowing the funding of things that already exist, you are completely destroying the idea of what Kickstarter should be in my mind.
Rumen Filkov on
Most of the new rules are reasonable, but this one is an exception: "Offering multiple quantities of a reward is prohibited". It might be only a recommendation or yet another rule of thumb. But why a prohibition?!?!?
Craig DunnSuperbackeron
As a backer of 120+ projects (meaning you've made a lot of money off me), I'd like to chime in and say that....while I appreciate the fact that you are FINALLY responding to some criticisms regarding your unwillingness to chastise and go after scam projects (and just send out form letters to people who register complaints), I think your approach is faulty.
The fundamental goal needs to be education - for both backers AND creators. I am ok with the whole "risks and challenges and whatever" required clause in each project, though you can't MAKE a backer read it. What you can do is, as some have suggested, is force people to agree to a set of statements acknowledging risk awareness as they proceed through the steps of pledging, On the flip side, creators need to agree to certain things as they fill in the fields for estimated delivery dates and perhaps even set up a transparent system of schedules and milestones that are tied in to the gradual release of funds. If the project fails to meet conclusion, there is at least some recourse for backers and some penalty for creators for not following through. This notion may require some refinement if utilized, of course, as some milestones could be dependent on a large portion of the funding....but it's at least a thought in the right direction as opposed to some of these new rules being instated.
If there is a quantity limit or requirement to have an idea or,product to a certain stage of development (often the reason people need Kickstarting in the first place), I will either severely reduce or cease my involvement with this particular crowd funding venue....and that will be a shame for both the multitude of genuinely creative people I have backed at significant levels and, ultimately, to your own detriment as you lose your "cut" from both myself and many others who are driven away by these measures.
Please keep considering the goals behind any new rules first and then create changes that protect and educate without ruining the system for everyone. As you can see from all the comments, most of these new changes mentioned have been universally panned by creators and backers.
Thanks for listening.
Michael Meissner on
Some people have advocated schedules and holding project creators to them. While it is well intentioned, I think it is naive. The majority of KS projects I have backed have been late, due to glitches in the production end of things. #%^ happens, and a lot of times it happens when you are scaling up from building one or two items in your basement, to hiring somebody else.
Of the projects I have backed, TriggerTrap had perhaps the worst string of luck. Some of the problems were learning experiences where in their next project they will no doubt do it different. But also, they had a 2 month delay when one of the parts (the LCD screen) was no longer available and they had to redesign the whole unit around a new screen that met their requirements. And another 1-2 month delay when they had to search for another supplier after the company making the case scammed them. I'm not sure how these could be prevented.
Occasionally projects ship on time. Teensy 3.0 looks like it will, in part because the creator already has created several projects before and had gone through the learning steps most of the project creators have to go through from having a bright idea, to finished result. I thought this was what KS was all about in the first step, to give people seed money to create their projects.
KS Backer and Producer on
As a hardware designer (and Backer of other hardware projects):
1) Great Idea: Risks and Challenges section
2) Half-Baked Idea: Product simulations and renderings prohibited.
3) Bad Idea: Multiple Product quantities prohibited
On point #2: I certainly understand the intent there...but it is unnecessarily hampering a large majority of the hardware developers who are doing a good job and who are clearly and truthfully communicating project status. There are plenty of example already posted here.
On point #3: As a Backer, I would rarely, if ever, consider buying just quantity one of the product. Digispark and Teensy 3.0 are great examples. And yes, I have bought multiples of each because just one is rarely enough for initial usage. Again, there are plenty of posts already explaining the need for selling multiple quantities. A simple example...if it hasn't been raised, is the cost of plastic mold tooling. A simple mold tool for a 1" x 2" x 4" part can easily cost $2000 and up to $10,000. And that is for one part. It takes at least two parts to make an enclosure...so you are looking at $4000 to $20,000 just for two parts of the assembly. I am a mechanical engineer, and I am giving you very real costs. Without backing, these custom enclosures that customers want are simply unattainable. Without backing, the designer must result to much less attractive means to make the project happen (e.g. signing the rights and any intellectual property over to a big company). It stifles the ability of the designer to truly own the work, and it really stifles innovation. I am speaking from experience!
The bigger picture: these new guidelines (or are they indeed rules?) taste rather bitter to those developers who are doing a good job and who are clearly and truthfully communicating project status. It sounds like KS is having issues with a small percentage of cases creating a big mess (unhappy backers, broken promises, misleading advertising). I call it Employee Handbook Syndrome. New rules being implemented to handle the handful of bad eggs out there. Simply put, the more restrictions...the more you stifle innovation. Looking back at recent KS projects, a whole slew of truly cool ones would not have made it with these new guidelines.
Yes, product renderings and simulations are a very sharp, two-edged sword. Used properly, it conveys to the customer the end use of the product. Used improperly, the customer falls in love with air and empty promises. ******Consider this approach instead: if any product renderings or simulations are used...then the developer must make, in big bold print, the disclaimer(s) associated with the rendering/simulation.****** This approach might satisfy the backer, the developer, and KS.
I am taking the time to say all this because:
1) KS is great and has given birth to very cool projects that just wouldn't be same without it
2) I feel like a large number of good developers are being punished for a small number of bad egg projects out there.
2a) The fact that these rules have not been implemented until now is a testament to a vast majority of developers doing a good and fair job.
3) I will be developing hardware through KS...but perhaps not if all of these new guidelines stick
4) Summed up and after more thinking on it, I hope you will see the new guidelines actually violate what KS intends to do: allow anyone to innovate and bring a great idea to fruition. I think that if you replace the new guidelines with my suggestion above and keep the new Risks & Challenges section...you have a formula for success for everyone.
5) Please do some more deliberation on the new guidelines.
Aaron Wilson on
This sort of shoots many of their greatest products in the foot, and undercuts their usefulness as a product development fund raiser.
Lets look at a couple of these things here:
Offering multiple quantities of a reward is prohibited. Hardware and Product Design projects can only offer rewards in single quantities or a sensible set (some items only make sense as a pair or as a kit of several items, for instance). The development of new products can be especially complex for creators and offering multiple quantities feels premature, and can imply that products are shrink-wrapped and ready to ship.
Of their top selling Kickstarters, Reaper Bones, Ouya, Pebble Smartwatch, Zombicide, and many of their other physical product related kicks fall under this.
This means that you can't, for instance, streamline your reward tiers by using the simplified "Donate $100 for reward C or $300 for three of reward C"
But that's just a hump in the road, this one seems like it will kill software and game titles on Kickstarter
Product simulations are prohibited. Projects cannot simulate events to demonstrate what a product might do in the future. Products can only be shown performing actions that they're able to perform in their current state of development.
Product renderings are prohibited. Product images must be photos of the prototype as it currently exists.
Products should be presented as they are. Over-promising leads to higher expectations for backers. The best rule of thumb: under-promise and over-deliver.
Kikctstarters effect are along the lines of Shadowrun Returns, Shadowrun Online, Doublefine Adventure, Pebble Smartwatch, Reaper Bones, Planetary Annihilation, Wasteland 2, Zombicide, and pretty much anything else in the "Game" category.
The reason this has such a drastic effect on the games trying to get Kickstarted is that it eliminates any type of in-development drawings, concept art, or discussion showing what the product will eventually be. For the vast majority of the games on Kickstarter (and even technology kickstarters) the only physical product when the Kickstarter begins is a few sheets of notebook paper detailing what the developers want it to be and a handful of early concept drawings.
This is also a highly counter-intuitive rule that actually makes Kikcstarter MORE like a shopping experience. Because now when you go to Kickstarter they have the same rules as walking into Wal-Mart, what you see is what you get. As a development tool, you need to be able to show the development of the product, and to be able to show what it is that the product will eventually be. It's counter-intuitive to expect people to back a product when the developers are contractually forced to not explain what the product will be when it's finished.
Michael Jacob on
Just one word: absurd.
What really need to be done:
* Change the wording from "Estimated delivery" to "Earliest delivery".
* Add a note to the delivery date (and send an email to all existing backers) once a project hits 125% funding saying something like "Reward deliveries will most likely be delayed because the project has to produce more rewards than initially calculated."
* Add a note to the delivery date (and send an email to all existing backers) once a project hits 500% funding saying something like "Reward deliveries will most likely be extremely delayed because the project has to produce way more rewards than initially calculated."
* Split hardware projects into "funding development" and "funding (mass) production". Impose different restrictions on those sub-categories, e.g. no pre-sales resp. fully working prototype. Allow development projects to give coupons for the later production project' rewards as their rewards.
* Add a way to select shipment costs to a pledge (e.g. drop down box on the reward level selection screen), but do NOT add the shipment costs to the projects total funds. If a project needs $5000, getting $7000 including $3000 of shipping cost will just make a project fail...
* Create a web shop platform so that projects can actually continue selling their products after the Kickstarter. This would reduce pressure from both projects (need to collect money to build a distribution networks, too) and the backers (need to pledge for as many as I might need for live, as I don't know if I will ever be able to buy it in a store).
* Get a deal (or two) with some fulfillment companies. Right now shipping rewards is a big problem for many projects, even more so for international delivery.
* Stop approving projects that do not clearly state what they need the money for. At the moment there is at least one project out there that looks like they need the money to develop a product when they actually need it to bulk-order and brand an existing product.
* Allow project pages to have tabs. Force them to have at least the tabs "Our vision" (initial tab), "What we have so far", "Your risks and our challenges" and "What the money is for". An (optional?) "Timeline" tab that automatically produces some nice pictures from entered dates and texts would be nice, too.
Michael Jacob on
* Add a preview for comments, profreeding just doesn't work in this tiny box.
Charles Waugh on
@Michael Jacob:
Yes sir! You hit the nails all rather squarely on the head.
Wanna start a competing site to KS?
(and you formatted your post for readability!)
John Beale on
Renderings can be used to mislead the gullible, but they are part of the design process in every professional product design setting I've been a part of. An outright ban on showing anything rendered seems like a step back to the last century.
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text: Hi all, I finally joined the PRS club back in 2010, when i bought a Whale Blue 2009 PRS Custom 22 from Guitar Center. I had wanted a PRS for over 10 years and finally bought one to celebrate my passing an important certification test in my field. Since then I've bought a SingleCut SE PRS as a nice workmans guitar as well. I am impressed with this guitar as well, which I only bought when another guitar I owned got damaged. Of course this thread is useless without pictures, which I'll post later of both. My next big purchase is amplifier related, I'll either be getting a boutique amplifier or a modeling device like Axe FXII. When I do get another electric, it almost surely will be a PRS, but which one is uncertain. I love the McCartys, but on a totally different note am very interested in checking out the P22 as well.


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I am looking for an othogonal basis of functions over the interval $[0,1]$ with weight function $(1-x^2)^{\alpha-1/2}$. Gegenbauer polynomials are frustratingly close to what I need, but they are defined over the interval $[-1,1]$, and a change of variables ends up changing the weight function.
None of the orthogonal polynomial families I have looked at (Chebyshev, Gegenbauer, Legendre, Laguerre, Jacobi, Hermite) have this property.
Does anyone know of a family that does? Suggestions for references that may point the way would also be very helpful.


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text:
last weekend was the Charm City Cyclocross Event as presented by C3 (Charm City Cycling)
here it is Friday a number of days have passed since that day's event, but I will try to dredge up a few memories of that day as I start to turn my attention to this weekend's cyclocross event
in the classic Gwadzilla Style this post is tucked and hidden
written more for me than for you
the usual pattern is to stop thinking about the weekend past by Wednesday
then come Wednesday start looking forward
I started writing this on Wednesday... but did not find time to focus back on it until now... Friday morning
this has been an odd year on the bike
at the start of the mountain bike season I had the intention to try and focus on racing at events/venues that were not within my usual routine
there were some West Virginia events that I was considering
as well as getting back to some old favorites like the Hoo Ha!
the winter was good... I was feeling strong on the bike... I started out with an attack on the Baker's Dozen multi-lap relay race on a three man squad with Cargo Mike and Thomas MacKay
this race did not go as planned
I raced on an unfamiliar squishy bike and put in less than dynamic lap times
my race times were solid... but I think I could have hammered harder on my rigid single speed than I rode on my unfamiliar geared Rip Nine
on my second or third lap I crashed for no particular reason
I got and banged my body up pretty good
when my body hit the ground I felt like I had run head on into a Mac Truck
there was injury to my neck and ribs that had me off the bike and in physical therapy for a few months
there was time off the bike
there were many races that passed without my participation
this put me behind in my fitness
racing is training
racing motivates me to ride
racing also acts as training
so the season passed and I missed some key events that are usually on my race calendar
no Greenbrier Challenge... no 24 Hours of Big Bear... and no Shenandoah Mountain 100
not even one single Cranky Monkey!
the summer had me focused more on family than the bike
there were weekend trips to Chicago and Pittsburgh
as well as a nice day mountain adventure in Colorado
life and work detracted from the bike
my commutes were shorter than normal
my post work rides were infrequent
racing is training... I had not been racing
not only is racing training... but racing is the motivation to train
I had not been riding
which had me wondering how my body would feel in a cyclocross race
RACE REPORT: 2009 Charm City Cyclocross Event
while on that family trip to Chicago my faster and fitter brother asked if he could use my laptop with Verizon Aircard to register for Charm City... since I was logged on and connected I decided I would register as well
the Wednesday before is usually my version of pre-registration
registering the day of has often been my style
this year I thought I would take advantage of the pre-registration line up
come Sunday morning race day the early registration had me lining on the third row with the 35+ Master Bs
I was heavily caffeinated and excited to be on the bike
the Specialized Tri Cross had been tinkered with the week prior
a sick and sweet race level bike that had been out of action for two years was back front and center in the queue
mountain bike riser bars were put in place of the classic road drops and after market Empella brakes were in place of the stock Shimano brakes
it was exciting to be in Druid Hill Park
the race site had some back to school excitement
everyone was filled with butterflies
I arrived a little later than expected
there was just enough time to register, suit up, and take one mellow pre-ride lap before taking my place on the line
my number told me which line to take
at the release I did not have a good or a bad start
I started the race and tried to flow with the pack
no one bobbled in front of me
no one got tangled
I managed to get the bike on the grass in a solid position... pretty much my starting position
it was my intention to finish where I started...
I knew that there would be some racers who would pass me
I would try to make sure that I passed some racers back
at the start of the race I tried to fuel my body with some nasal breathing
the intense effort had me racing like a mouth breather with a soundtrack like everyone's favorite Star Wars villain... Darth Vader
it amused me that the cluster of cyclists around me were all a foot shorter than me and 50-75 pounds lighter
the first lap's start involved a prologue loop that seemed to alleviate the first lap bottle neck pile up that I had experiences at Charm City some years prior
my one lap slow pre-ride had revealed that there were very few surprises on the course
as I made this lap around the course I tried to learn the lines
trying to avoid roots and rocks that could cause a pinch flat
trying to avoid divots and potholes that could cause an endo
trying to take the line that could let me corner fast
trying to race the course rather than just ride the course
on each transition from the pavement to the grass at the start of each new lap I did an ugly little bunny hop
the laps counted down and my body seemed to be maintaining pretty well
I had no concept of the time that had passed
only the marker at the start finish could tell me how many laps remained
onto the grass with three laps to go I my spidey senses started to tingle
I scanned the area around me
then I saw it... my wife walking away from the course
she was on the phone and appeared to be upset
still racing I tried to piece together her situation
I tried to guess at what was happening
around her I saw once child... not two
I shouted out, "where's Grant?" "is everything okay?"
in a winded tear filled voice Lisa yelled back... "everything is fine... I got it... keep racing"
there was definitely some panic to the tone of her shaky voice
I thought about what could have happened to my five year old son Grant
various worst case scenarios raced through my head; injury on the monkey bars... alien abduction... or maybe he wandered off
more than likely he had wandered off
my focus was lost... I worked the course scanning the area looking for my blond haired blue eyed son
when ever I saw a familiar face on the sidelines I shouted out an unintelligible request to get to the loud speaker announcer and send out a message about my lost child
my eyes looked at the trail side rather than the trail
I scanned at three and a half feet high trying to find my son
trying to remember what shirt he was wearing in an effort to make a positive ID
in my mind panic grew
I started to think about how my time should be spent
part of me wondered if my pre-race hug was the last time I was to hold my child
although I know that child abduction is more of a paranoid fantasy than a reality... it does happen
roughly 115 kids are abducted a year
versus the 250,000 that are injured or killed in auto accidents
I tried to be rational
we have all been that kid lost in the super market
I tried to be rational
this is not the first time a child has wandered off from their parent at an event like this
nearing the finish of that lap I saw him... there he was!
Grant was looking a little lost... but in the hands of two women who appeared to be looking for the parents of a lost child
I yelled something to Grant and the two women... none of them heard me
two turns later and I saw my wife Lisa... I screamed out and pointed back to the basic area where she would find Grant
then returned my focus to the race
Lisa heard me and headed in the direction of our son
it is hard to say how many slots were lost on that lap
more than anything the racers in front of me were able to pull further ahead
while I think I may have drifted back thus allowing trailing racers to reel me in
my body felt pretty good
with just a few laps to go I could tell that I was dropping some intensity
relaxing at some points instead of attacking
resting instead of pedaling
it was important that I get back in the game
I reached for my flask of GATOR-RAGE!
a Gatorade/Red Bull fusion
my throat was dry... and my system needed a kick
while trying to regain focus I noticed something... my seat had slipped
that is a rookie mistake
a mistake that I have been making since I was a cycling rookie so many years ago
with my seat inches below where it should be my legs burned not from extended effort but from an awkward lack of leg extension
with no time to worry about this I had to focus on the finish
there were cyclists around me
there were cyclists behind me
and of course...
there were of course cyclists in front of me
I tried to focus on the cyclists in front of me which would aid in keeping the cyclists behind me behind me
the body was feeling the effort of the day
I tried to reel in those in front of me
my guess... they were trying to reel in those in front of them
I looked at the course and thought about where I could attack
then I thought about smart racing
wanted to ride it hard and fast
but had to play it conservative
I did not want to crash and lose ten slots in an effort to gain one
I was depleted... instead of hammering on rails
I was snailing on the trail
knowing that there was not much left in the race I dug deep and attacked the final sections
out of the saddle pushing it hard I attacked the three foot tall barriers and 180 loop around the old oak tree
tried to remount fast and smooth
back on the bike
tired I coasted down the hill then tried to attack back up the hill
attacked the next set of barriers at speed
a flurry of energy came to my body as I could feel I was nearing the finish
at the tail end of the last lap I hit the asphalt climb
the bike in front of me was out of rational reach
I hammered... he hammered as well
on the flat with the finish in sight he looked back to see if he needed to push it harder
I was no threat so he coasted in
I glanced behind me in the same fashion and there was no one involved in a close chase so I coasted across the line as well
it was a good effort for the day
when the posted the top twenty finishers I was nothing short of stoked to finish 18th
I finished roughly where I started
the MAC races are packed thick with talent
it was a good day on the bike
a solid effort with a solid finish
I felt good
I did nothing to cool down
just past the finish I saw my family and went to them
exhausted I dropped the bike and practically collapsed on the ground
five year old Grant jumped on me
it was good to be reunited with my family
it felt especially good to have my son Grant in my arms
I had a fatherly talk with the Dean and Grant about what had happened
about the proper thing to do when you can not find mom or you can't find dad
after that discussion I took my bike back to the car and walked back with the boy's bikes
the time that followed involved connecting with friends, cheering on racers, snapping photos of racers on the course, and trying to get my boys involved in the lil Belgians event
the boys each pre-rode the kid's course 20 times
but neither of them wanted to race
Dean was suffering some soreness in his arm that sent me to the ER later that week
and Grant... well... I was not looking to make him do something he did not want to do
and I was ready to head home
it was a good start to the season
I look forward to doing a few more cyclocross races
as well as getting out on the mountain bike


text:
Please contact the selling broker for details about the property.
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Septembre 28 2020
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