About Seven Goldfish

I began using the internet in earnest in 1991 shortly before the web was a reality. Hundreds of personal webpages have bloomed and withered in the intervening years, and many times I have sworn that I would never have one. With the creation of this website I eat my words.

I have always avoided the idea of having a personal website because I had nothing to say. Having seen the websites that were produced by people with nothing of value to add to the public discourse I was loath to create another. Now, because of either personal growth or hubris, I feel as if I do have words worth saying.

I have begun writing in earnest recently and need a location to host my compositions. It seems only reasonable that I also use this site as point of distribution for my portfolio of professional work and resume. I also have a software project that I am hoping will be used by others and it seems as if it belongs as well.

Whatever you are seeking at my website I hope you find it quickly and easily.

   --Harry Pottash

Writing

Recently I have taken my first tentative steps in the process of learning to write. Because I focused so heavily on math and the sciences throughout my education and carrier I have minimal experience with composition. Below you will find some of my first attempts

Simbi-Ajara Memetic theory

Memetics is a field of study that applies evolutionary and genetic theory to the world of ideas. Simbi's and Ajara's are two practical categories of memeplex that exhibit identifiable traits. This paper defines them and explores some of their predicted behavior. (3 Pages)

Intellectual Property and International Law

This paper discusses the inevitability, as predicted by game theory, of international IP agreements leading to an increase in the amount of IP granted around the world. Repercussions, possible solutions, and apparently illogical behavior are also discussed. (1 Page)

Portfolio of Past Works

Brochure Ape

Brochure ape is a software package designed to allow users to create and maintain a "brochure" style website as quickly and easily as possible. The primary focus of the software ease of use with a secondary goal of flexibility/extensibility. The project is currently in closed beta, though it has been deployed on production websites already.

Brochure Ape's homepage can be seen here: www.brochureApe.com Thanks to it's generous sponsor Best LA Web Design

Role Playing Games

I'm an avid pencil-and-paper role player and generaly involved in playing or running at least one. In addition playing RPGs I have taken my hand at designing a few. Neither of the games below are anywhere near ready for production, but even the simple first drafts of them are something I hope other role players might find interesting.

Hell Tempered

A simple game, Hell Tempered is designed to be short form (3-5 sessions) and highly naritive driven. The plot of the game is always the same: the players charicters have escaped from hell, and now must find some way to avoid being recaptured. The rules are simple and designed to provide as little interferance with the story as possible. Much of this game was inspired by sorcerer

Download PDF (15 pages)

Highschool of the Damnd

Originally concived of as a Buffy the vampire slayer RPG, HSotD asks the question how could Xander have been a playable charicter. The system revolves around the charicters emotional strenght and durability as well as physical capacity. Charicters must find ways to stay motivated and kep eachother motivated as well in order to remain effective, making Xander an example of a strong support/healer style of charicter.

Download Doc (24 pages)
Download Print & Fold PDF (12 pages)