Modern Means L.L.C.

Project "Tabletop" is completed.  The newest application from Modern Means LLC is now available on ITunes.  We've created a tabletop gaming application that allows users to roll up to 100 dice at once, and tabulates the results instantly.  It also allows users to reroll some of the dice while holding the results of others in place. 

Furthermore, we've included an "Add Bonus" or "Subtract Penalty" option, making it the perfect dice rolling application for virtually any tabletop gaming system.

Making it even easier, we've incorporated a "Save Combination" option, which allows the users to save the combinations they will use repeatedly, so that they can quickly access whatever they need, and since they can name their saved combos, they can return to them with no confusion any time they like.

As an additional bonus we've created some dice skins that allows users the ability to customize their rolling preference to a degree.  I confess we could not do all that I wanted in this application, but I am nonetheless quite proud of the result, and having used it in some tabletop gaming sessions myself already, I can say with confidence that it works flawlessly.

Next on the agenda:  Project Bacchus.  Stay Tuned.

I went onto ITunes today to check to see if there had been any commentary or ratings regarding the Modern Cigar Journal.

I was both "not" disappointed...and yet..."disappointed" at the same time.  The ratings are not perfect, therefore my work was not perfect.  And in that regard I am disappointed.

Yet I am also pleased that those who used the app have taken the time to comment upon it.  And I have heard what they have to say.

With that in mind, I announce that Modern Means L.L.C. is going to begin working on an update to the Modern Cigar Journal, and its twin, the Modern Cigar Journal Lite.  This update will be free for both versions...though I admit it was tempting to charge for it, I cannot bring myself to charge customers to improve upon work that I had already believed to be perfect.

Charging for "bonus" items or small "extras" is fine, but not charging to do what was already promised when paid, and that is to provide the best application there is.

The Update I am presently considering will change the following:

Include an accurate ring gauge calculator, the present guide is not bad really...but a more accurate slider bar which expands a circle in the center of the screen and displays its circumference in both the American Standard & the Metric Standard.

Change the name of "Memorable Moments" to simply, "Take a Photo".  This should reduce some confusion on the part of new users.

Allow users to sync their entries with their computer so that they do not risk losing their information.

Now on the final point readers and customers, I cannot promise that I will deliver.  I am looking at it, and I am going to try, I promise that much, but the cost in time and attention, as well as payment to employees for the extra work, may be to great to offer this one as a free update.  I MAY have to release that option as a paid for downloadable option.

If I can afford to make it free, I shall.
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I would like to say two final things to close this entry.  First I would like to make a special Thank YOU to a user who I know only by his review name:  "Az in Tx Dude" for taking the time to provide such helpful commentary and allow me to make this app that much better for all of you.  Thank you man, from one cigar smoker to another.

Second, I would like to ask that all users of Modern Means applications take just a moment of their time, and let me hear their voices.  Your ratings, even if it they are merely stars and an "I Like it!" help spread the word and increase the business that I am able to do, and the more that happens, the more that frees up for me to develop other new applications.  I have a list of 60 apps to work on, but can presently only afford to work on one at a time.

The more favor these gain with the public, the more I can provide to the public.  As someone once said, "Help me to help you."

Pleasant days to you and yours one and all,
Robert H. Butler
CEO, Modern Means L.L.C.

Well viewers and customers, I suppose its time I talked a little bit about my company's latest project.  I'm working on an all purpose app to support table top gamers everywhere.  And quite frankly I'm pleased with progress.

I will admit it has run longer than I anticipated in its development, but it is near completion, and as soon as it is ready to be put on display, it shall be.  I'm testing it out personally right now, and with only a few minor issues to correct, a new app will be available to support table top gamers everywhere, before the end of the month.

As you no doubt know, the latest and greatest on the next Modern Means release is that there has been a small delay.  While this is true, we will be back on schedule by this Monday, but more importantly, our DLC (DownLoadable Content) is actually going to be released ahead of schedule.  It may even be released in tandem with the product launch date.  Now I know readers, that I haven't said anything yet about just what this product is.

I do hope you'll forgive my lack of information on this one, but I wanted to wait until I had some screenshots to demonstrate it.  So with that in mind, expect a complete update next week.

Well readers, I've had to revise my timeline for the next project a little bit, not much, only a few days beyond my original estimate, and if truth be told, I expect the final completion date to be actually later than the contractor's estimation.  They say that the final project version will be out on the 25th.  Frankly, I have my doubts, not because they are incapable of doing so, but rather because they underestimate how much testing I will do between the initial version and my critique publication stating what they need to fix.


Its ironic, the benefit to being your own boss is that you set your own standards, but the problem with being your own boss is that you become a perfectionist and reaching those standards takes time.


On the up side of this whole thing, the page providing a full description of the app is already created.  I simply haven't published it yet.  I won't do that until I've finished the work and gotten the copyright taken care of.

Well the company has embarked on a new project, details are not yet available, but it is under way and scheduled for release by early November.

Great news, The Modern Cigar Journal has now been released for sale/download in both the paid/free formats.  I fully expect that those who download this product will be more than satisfied with this latest product by Modern Means L.L.C.

I read a story once a little while back about the CEO of Apple, Steve Jobs.  The story goes that there was a company producing a video game due to appear for Apple systems, and one of the persons involved in its creation was due to give a keynote speech on the matter.  Well as it happens Mr. Jobs watched a video of the game in action, and he noticed one of the cars in the game was not casting a shadow when it should have.  He canceled the keynote.  


His devotion to high quality work with an eye towards the little details is what has made his products great.  And while I am not a man that much favors Hero worship, I do admire those who have high standards for excellence.  And it is that which I am striving to emulate with my company's products.


Just yesterday I was making use of my newest app, the Modern Cigar Journal, and I noticed an error in the data entry for the ring gauge information.  Within the span of an hour I informed my team and had them cancel the upload to apple and fix the mistake before sending the app back up.  I will not sell what I cannot be proud of, and I cannot be proud of something that does not meet the highest standards of quality in form and function.


My company's motto is: Prosperity, Comfort, & Security.  My personal motto is: Good enough, isn't.


I invite all users of my company's applications to inform me of any bugs or mistakes they find.


Some people have said "Don't sweat the small stuff."  Would we want that to be the motto of our doctor? Our mechanic?  Our plumber?  No, I don't think so.  And I will not do, what I would not have done.

Hello vistors and customers, and welcome to the first entry to the Modern Means Blog page.  I could not be more pleased to welcome you, except of course by hearing from you also.

I'd like to begin with a brief introduction to my company, and then talk a little bit about what I hope to accomplish.

First and foremost, I am an American, not just by birth, but in spirit.  The spirit of the go getting entreprenuer, the businessman who makes his own way, and asks for nothing that he does not ask first and foremost of himself.  I was the kid selling lemonade, doing neighborhood chores to earn money to buy things like video games and toys growing up, and I'm the son of a hard working entreprenuer as well...so I suppose you could say its in my blood.

It was with that in mind that I began the company we now call, "Modern Means L.L.C.", and it is with pride that I offer all of our products and services to our customers. 

But as to what "Modern Means" stands for, well you need only pair the name with our motto:  Modern Means, Prosperity, Comfort, & Security.

I take pride in my work, and pride in my company, and I take that motto seriously.  All of our products are meant to improve your quality of life, whether through entertainment and lifestyle products such as the Modern Cigar Journal, or through utility and tracking products such as the Watchit Ultimate Countdown, everything we make is meant to make those 3 words of our motto...that much easier for everyone to have for themselves.

In closing to this first entry, I offer this pledge to visitors and customers alike:

I will never release a product, or offer a service, that I do not have good reason to be proud of.