SpaceBase, by Parallel Universe, is real-time spatial database server software for applications that require very low latencies or very frequent updates.  Geometric structuring of data has many practical uses.  Massively multiplayer online games (MMORPG), military simulations, c4i systems, certain graphing scenarios, and dynamic moving object location services all rely on solutions like SpaceBase.  Understanding spatial data […]

Paul Graham recently interviewed with TechCrunch’s Ryan Lawler at the PreMoney Conference.  The discussion focused on the current inefficiency in Series A fundraising, including a possible solution.  Mr. Graham also mentioned the current state of Y Combinator and provided updated amounts regarding its portfolio.

Hacker News is upgrading to a new server, as originally reported on Hacker News.  The site should be down for “around 10 minutes” during the switch to the new server at about 6 a.m. EST on Saturday.  According to the post comments, Hacker News gets visits from 200,000 unique i.p.s on weekdays and just under […]

Virtual reality got me interested in technology in the early 1990′s.  Two decades ago, “cyberspace” was still an exciting new concept.  I’ve met several virtual reality pioneers over the years, including VPL Research co-founder Jaron Lanier, hardware hacker Mitch Altman, and cyberpunk sci-fi author Rudy Rucker.  The vision for virtual reality was the ability to put on a […]

Y Combinator held today its semi-annual Demo Day.  This time it’s for YC W14, which contains 64 companies.  57 of these startups either presented at today’s demo day or have already launched in the press.  Below are all the known companies in YC W14.

Teespring is an easy way to raise money for fundraisers, groups, and communities by selling apparel with a custom message and graphics.  Simply design the shirt, choose the price, and set a minimum sales goal.  Shirts only get printed if the goal is met, so there’s no upfront cost or risk.  Teespring handles buyer billing, […]

Sam Altman is replacing Paul Graham as president of Y Combinator.  An alumnus of YC’s original YC S05, Mr. Altman co-founded Loopt in 2005.  Sam Altman subsequently joined YC as a part-time advisor.  Loopt was sold to Greendot in 2012. Mr. Altman is also a partner of his own venture capital firm Hydrazine Capital.  This […]

Y Combinator partners may no longer participate in the first $500k a company raises, unless it’s 3 weeks past Demo Day, according to a recent announcement.  The reasoning provided is “other investors could treat investment by YC partners as an accurate sign of how promising [YC partners] thought a startup was.”  The side-effect was it […]

Funding non-profit organizations was a new initiative announced by Y Combinator in September.  Assistance to these organizations from YC includes a charitable contribution and the same techniques used to help startups.  Two non-profits have recently announced their participation in YC W14: Zidisha and Immunity Project.  Both of these organizations address global problems they’ve been working on for […]

Aaron Swartz’ death a year ago was absolutely a tragedy.  The grand jury indictment conceded Aaron had legitimate access to JSTOR through Harvard’s Center for Ethics.  Even though the alleged hacking occurred at MIT, how could he “steal” documents that were free?  If Aaron had no prior criminal record, why did a plea bargain require prison time?  Questions […]