It's the "Bonfire of the Vanities" meets the "Road to Perdition".
People loving to see someone of stature defaced and the only way out is calling for blood.
Knowing in advance my comments may or may not be welcomed... what the heck.
I know Adam, for a couple years now. Not in person, via chat and phone. We have spoken about doing a few things together, none of which have come to fruition at this moment. I have paid Adam NO MONEY. Granted his communication skills could use a few "tweaks" and he is generous with "positive statements", and in my opinion a nice guy.
I cannot speak to his business ethics as technically we have done no "real" business with the exception of a couple of small niche related domains that related to his company's services.
What I can speak to is my experience with both startups as an employee who didn't get paid, a domainer (with 10 yrs experience buying, not selling... another story) as well as website design.
Start up Company 1990
Startup company was one of the first Mac based software companies that depended solely on the main owner's coding expertise as well as 1 other in house coder.
Short story, company went under due to lack of funding and an owner who couldn't speak the truth as to the financial state as well as his in ability to get the "bugs out" of the program code which was not written from scratch but trying to be salvaged from an existing program he bought the rights to. He actually had us ship "Bad Code" and the SHTF. Needless to say, many of "US EMPLOYEES" who realized it was a start up and "stayed on" longer than we should have with no pay believed in the company and product (we knew it was not good but not to what extent). Alas, first $15k lesson in working for a start up. We were promised many things as well, stock, salaries... if the company succeeded.
Let me be clear, I am not blaming the "victims" in this case. Most people who get involved with start ups want them to succeed and will take a risk.
But as it turns out, the owner was just to embarrassed to let everyone know things were failing and deadlines weren't being met because of his inability to get the bugs out. To be honest, at the time I had no family, was young and could afford the risk, so to speak.
Moral of the story, Honesty is the best policy.
Domainer
Started with one personal domain in 2003, saw the value in virtual real estate, started buying domains for future development ideas as well as possible long term holds until someone comes looking. Life was good and I could afford to maintain the portfolio. Now life is not so good and need to look to my portfolio to start working.
My personal view is, if you haven't gotten into domaining within the last 10 years... then don't. There are NO MORE "affordable" great names available to the "average joe". New gtld etc included. Mom and pop need to sell their stuff on ebay or amazon unless they have deep pockets.
Web Development
IT TAKES MONEY TO MAKE MONEY!!!
My personal experience in trying to find and partner with others in the business who are willing to work for vested interests in ventures has lead me to learn all things web in regards to design, databases, php etc etc. It still takes money to get a site known, ranked and recognized.
I personally have dealt with customers who ordered a "website" for their business. Not a website with maintenance from me, just a website. Many think it's an automatic process that just because you have a site all of a sudden you have a ton of new business. They don't understand what's truly involved with "their role" in getting that site recognized. They may need to hire their own web guy to upload products, maintain databases, contacts, advertising, adwords, blogging etc etc....
When they do realize that, all of a sudden "I" am the bad guy and should refund them.
I mentioned the last thing about the refund because we don't know how many of them "unsatisfied" customers fall into that category in Adam's situation. A website not being delivered and a client not knowing what to do afterwards are two different things.
- end of my words of great wisdom.
In closing let me say, I hope Adam (and it looks like he is) makes things right as best he can and move forward.
Also let me say, I think that the title of the thread with the word "criminal" is indeed slanderous despite it being in a "questioned" form. Many other words come to mind that could have been appropriate, considering. Yes we can say freedom of the press/speech and all that. It is my personal opinion that such a title could and will have irreparable damage to Adam's future.
Call me a shill, whatever. I am not defending anyone's actions only sharing my real world experiences and thoughts.
Regards,
WPM