This is where I post whatever I feel like writing.

The good news is that Handtech is coming back. I found it hard to believe that such an awesome company, with such an awesome business model, could go under. Sure enough, Handtech has been revived. It seems that a buyer has been found for Handtech. I rather suspect that the necessary financing was being withheld in order to make the purchase easier. Like many dot-commers, there had to be an exit strategy for the founders. The buyers, on the other hand (no pun intended, really) Had to realize the potential of Handtech. With Handtech so close to turning a profit, it did not make sense that anybody would let the company's work go to waste. The fact that Handtech is being purchased should prove that the company is worth something. Actually, I would not say that the company is worth as much as the business model is. I've already got some sales lined up and ready to go as soon as Handtech is back online.

You may be thinking, why would you go back to a company that almost went under? The answer is that I truly believe in the Handtech business model. It makes perfect sense to somebody like me. I can't and won't divulge anything about the business model. But trust me, if you join Handtech, you'll find that it is well worth the membership cost. In fact, it is a bargain. As for the reasons for rejoining my business partner, which is what I consider Handtech, there are several. Firstly, I already know how Handtech works. It would be easy for me to get back into the groove. Secondly, I already have plenty of marketing material; I don't have to invest in more. Thirdly, my customers already associate me with Handtech; they expect me to continue with Handtech. Fourthly, competitors are nowhere near as developed as Handtech. The infrastructure the company has is astounding. For example, I can offer leasing, accept credit card payments without a merchant account, be an ISP, sell merchant accounts, sell training, and so many other things it would make your head spin. And, finally, Handtech is founded on great ideas. Handtech is commited to helping me grow my own business. If I succeed, the succeed. I can't wait until they are back online.

posted by Shaine Mata at 12:39 AM

If you've kept up with what I've been doing this past year, you know that I have been putting some work into my Handtech business. I'm a little bummed out right now; Handtech has gone out of business. I got home last night and read the email giving me notice of this. Apparently they were not able to raise any more capital for continued operation. I was looking forward to the release of the HandtechISP CD-ROMs. Oh well. I couldn't sleep well last night. I was thinking about what I need to do next. I have been able to satisfy my clients by having the products and services available through Handtech. I can't believe such an awesome business model did not work. In case you're interested in great bargains, Handtech will be liquidating all its assets starting 7/6/2001. So, if you're looking for a good deal, check out the clearance items at Handtech.com.I'll be busy this week pulling my advertisements at the various locations. They all have the Handtech logo. I need new business cards, etc...

So what next? You know, it's funny how things work out. I had been toying with the idea of setting up a second website, not for self glorification, like this site. The new website is really an attempt to make advertising my business easier. People inevitably misspell Shaine, my name, and will absolutely misspell Shainemata.com. So, I am working on SLMtech.com for my business. I chose this domain because it is shorter and easier to spell. This is great for me to put letters on my truck with my phone number and website. It's easier to communicate the domain on the telephone as well. I already signed up with a likely replacement for Handtech; it is NextDayPC.com. It is currently under this domain; I'll move it later. Hopefully, I'll have other options with time. This new company seems like it will do, but there may be something better. Also, now I'll start offering Quik Internet services.

I'll keep you posted on what I'm doing.

posted by Shaine Mata at 12:02 AM

Wow, so much happens in so little time. It's amazing how we can cram so much life into our days, months, and years. Well, my Handtech business has been doing OK. I have kept a consistent level of income, so far. It would be nice, obviously, to raise that. I haven't been marketing my business. I really should. The recent symposium brought something to mind that I know I should do. That is that I ought to market myself. I need to be visible. The only visibility I have so far is me. The problem is, I don't go out much. I must put my website address out for people to see. So, visit my site at www.handtech.com/SLMtech so that I can feed my family.

One product, I want to mention is Internet service. Through Handtech, I am able to offer a great Internet Service. It's called HandtechISP. I use HandtechISP for my dial-up access to the Internet. We have local dial-up numbers in McAllen, Harlingen, and Brownsville. Other benefits of HandtechISP include:

• 100 MB of free web space
  
• 10 e-mail boxes per account
  
• a huge national network
  
• web-based e-mail
  
• 24/7 technical support
  
• Powerful filtering tool
  
• great price...$19.95/month
  

If you're in the Rio Grande Valley and you're looking for Internet service, call me at 1-877-474-6084. I can help you out.

posted by Shaine Mata at 1:45 AM

Now that school's out, I've been working on my Handtech business. Right now, I am preparing for a seminar at the Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce on the 31st of May. I have been invited to offer credit card processing services for local merchants interested in e-commerce. I do have all the necessary tools. My work, really, has been preparing the speech. So far, I have the PowerPoint presentation ready. I'll need to rehearse 5 times to get the presentation down. There is a great deal of information to provide; but I need to keep it close to 30 minutes. The rehearsals will help accomplish this. With any luck, there won't be an problems.

The other people involved in this are Johnny Cisneros of the UTPA-MBOC; Alex Valdez of the UTPA-HUB (Historically Underutilized Business) program; Shavi Mahtani, owner of watchzone.com; and Hector Astorga & Stephan Mignon of Quik Internet.

posted by Shaine Mata at 3:07 AM

You know, sometimes I wish I were a smoker. You probably know the feeling you get when you've been studying some intensely complicated subject and you need to take a short break. The problem is, what do you do during that short break? A cigarette gives you just enough time to straighten out your thoughts before going on again. It also give you a buzz. I used to smoke when I was younger. It didn't take too well because I never got sufficient satisfaction from the actual smoking itself. The buzz was too short-lived and I actually felt sicker than better after a cigarette. Yet, I miss the quiet time of contemplation while taking a drag off of the burning vegetable matter.
I figured out that I am a batch worker. I can go all out on one project or activity for as long as it takes to get it done. I don't do too well when I have to transition from one matter to another. It takes a while for my mind to adjust from one situation to the next. Too bad school requires that sort of thing. Sometimes I hate starting on projects because I inevitably have to stop to go do something else. It is difficult to get into the same thought patterns once I've stopped. Once I can afford it, I'll hire people to take care of daily stuff so that I can focus on whatever task occupies my concentration. That way I don't have to stop what I am doing until I am done. Dream, dream, dream.
posted by Shaine Mata at 5:01 PM

The dumbest thing happened this evening. I was leaving the UTPA library after some studying (yes, I study on weekends) when I heard a bird singing a variety of calls. It would sing one way three times before going on to the next. It didn't take long to figure out that it was a mockingbird. Why else would the things be called mockingbirds if they don't mock other birds? In any case, I just stood there fascinated by the bird's ability. I'd heard of mockingbirds before, but never seen one; at least I did not pay attention to them. When I got home I looked up the bird on the web and found out that they are the state bird of Texas and other states. It's a cool bird. I hope that I don't end up running around with binoculars and a bird book anytime soon. Maybe the lack of sleep or the extra studying made me susceptible to excitement over a bird.
posted by Shaine Mata at 8:45 PM

Funny how time flies when you're living your life. The big news lately, is that Alma and I are expecting a new child to arrive in November, more or less. Tien is happy with the good news. She has been praying for a sibling. After five years, perhaps it was time. Of course, all I need to do is make sure that none of them Alma, Tien, and the new one, starve to death. By the way, to help me support my family, feel free to visit www.handtech.com/slmtech. Buy something, would you?

I recently had the opportunity to speak to a person who has made a success of himself. He was once a waiter. Now he owns three restaurants and could afford to stop working for a few years, if he chose. He knew something that I just realized recently. That is that there is no way that I will make myself wealthy or comfortable. In order to support myself, I need other people to work for me. Granted, I can't afford to have anybody now. At the moment, I need somebody to hire me. In any case, it became obvious to me that I would end up maxing out my income at a certain level if I worked for myself.

This person also pointed out something that I had a good feeling about. It concerns my field of work. If you visit computer manufacturer websites, you'll see that computers are super-cheap. Also, everybody and their sister is into computers. Although we rely on computers more than ever, they are getting easier to use and are a dime a dozen. The days that you could make cash on your own in computers are long gone. If you want to earn good money in computers, you've got to work for somebody. I have to think about my options for the future. Granted, CIS majors do make good money when they get hired. This means, however, I'd have to relocate. There are no good jobs here in the RGV. I should look into a degree that is marketable in my area. We'll see what I do. I have a good feeling about the future.

posted by Shaine Mata at 11:14 PM