Posts from — March 2009

Every software company should have a good strategy for managing their code base.  At Everlater, we’re using git (a popular choice for open-source developers), and loving it.  The same things that make it a great tool for open-source development makes it a wonderful tool for a new startup as well.  We share lots of the same problems with open-source projects, including a decentralized workforce, no central office or server, etc. Git + Github has proved to be a great choice for our version control.

Initially we had a simple flow with no branching; simply basic remote repositories for each team member plus a master repo.  Since we’ve launched our live alpha version, we’ve introduced branching and a more complex workflow — our internal document for describing the workflow is below — we’re publishing this in hopes that it helps other new startups organize the way they develop code on a live web release.  Enjoy!

First, please let me apologize for the recent blog silence here at Everlater.  We’ve had our heads down working and making our dream a reality…

…and that reality has finally arrived!  On 3/3/09 we pushed Everlater up and live in a private alpha launch.  We have about 25 users testing out the basic functionality, providing feedback and suggestions, and finding bugs.  We are keeping the release private to ensure we can act on each users advice.  We are also still building features we want on a more open and widespread release.  We have a nice long list of users interested in participating in our alpha testing process, if you signed up and have not yet received a login you will shortly.  We are phasing users onto the site in waves so we can connect with each user and receive one-on-one feedback.  We expect this process to take a few months before we open up a public launch.

We’ve had good feedback so far and are really excited to have the site up and running!  Thanks to all our current and future testers!  More to come.