In part 1, I geeked out about what Runescape was. In part 2, I covered some of the most likely strategies for enterprising merchants. In this post, we’ll don our black hats and explore the darker side of Runescape’s markets. Wildly
Read moreTrading Strategies in Runescape in 2007 Part 2

In part 1, I provided historical context. I explained what Runescape was and why Runescape was so great in the mid-aughts. I also provided details pertaining to the machinations of the in-game economy and the player-to-player trading system. In this
Read moreTrading Strategies in Runescape in 2007 Part 1

Back in 2007, Runescape was one of the most popular games on the internet. Today, an “old school” version of the game, released in 2013, that preserves beloved late-2007 mechanics regularly has over 100,000 concurrent players. This warms my heart.
Read moreThe Roach Motel Business Model

I tried to do some honest research for this article, but nearly every person I surveyed was hesitant to admit whether they’d stayed at a motel. The motel has a bad reputation because the lodges are commonly located in seedy, desolate areas frequented
Read moreIs Forced Redirection of New Tabs Ethical?

Whenever I eat lunch near a computer, which usually happens every day, I open a new browser window with all of my favorite news sites pre-loaded. During a short lunch period, I cram in as much information and as much food
Read moreSession Expiry During Checkout

I spend a lot of time online shopping. I’ve encountered a bevy of payment systems, each with its own quirks. By now, though, payment and checkout processes are overwhelmingly fluid and user-friendly. For more than a year, I’ve been involved with
Read moreThe Flippa Myth

uWant to be your own boss? Earn income passively? Make a small initial investment and then stack paper on auto-pilot? If so, Flippa will seem like a marketplace where you can fulfill your greatest fantasies. The tagline on the landing
Read moreDealing with Online Reviews

I estimate that I’ve written north of 800 reviews. Books, vacation spots, restaurants–I just like writing. I like forcing myself to think critically about the things I purchase and experience. I’ve also been involved with businesses and products that have
Read moreLetting Someone Handle the Business Side

It was early in my undergraduate studies when I was first approached by someone with a startup idea. I didn’t know the would-be founders particularly well, but I quickly realized that they had no technical skills whatsoever. They were going
Read moreUsing Stripe for Your Startup

I became involved with a SaaS startup last August. Stripe was the natural choice of payment processor. It’s been a learning experience. Rather than mindlessly recount the myriad benefits of using Stripe, I want to provide some of my personal
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