Just over a month ago, my beloved baby, JustBBall.com, was acquired by SportsTwo.com. I'm still working with my members over there, but I have a much more reduced role than before, which is perfect because I'm using the time to focus on my career. (S2 is still in it's infancy, but I'm working with the webmaster on making it more user-friendly.)

JBB was started back in January 2003 and since then, had acquired 11,828 members. I've made some good friends and amazing business contacts along the way. Hell, I got my current job because of my co-administrator. Everything I know as a working man in the internet industry is because of JBB. All the stuff I learned from textbooks has been long forgotten, but here are a few of the real-life business lessons I learned.

• Internet people are extremely impatient. Piss them off just once and they can leave your forever with just one click.

• It's possible to build a very strong trust and loyalty with people you've never even met in person.

• It's absolutely impossible to please everybody.

• If you have to make a change that affects your customers, give them a heads up, stick with your gut and you'll be alright.

• Negative feedback is always louder, more passionate and comes in all at once.

• When dealing with an uproar, ride the storm for a few days. When the dust settles, you'll be left with honest and constructive criticism.

• There are some truly, tragically bad apples out there that will carefully plan out ways to destroy you.

• Never make promises on timelines (unless you really, really have to).

• Don't put your eggs in an unreliable basket.

• Don't put your eggs in an unfinished basket.

• You only get one shot at a good first impression.

• Rushing and cutting corners is a wasted opportunity.

• You need a plan from the very beginning or the loose ends will grow to gapping holes down the road.

• The first few of a community are the most important. They set the trend from the start.

• Most startup communities die within a year.

• Focused instant messaging is 100x more efficient than email.

• Don't force users to do stuff (i.e. register). Encourage and inspire them instead (i.e. by sharing everything to everyone).

• Listen to everyone. There's no such thing as a stupid customer. There's always another point-of-view to learn from.

• Its easy to merge business and personal life on the internet; its damn near impossible to undo that. (cough myspace)

• On the internet, sarcasm is the root of all drama.

• Less is more? No. Balance is more.

• Nobody cuddles up to their computer monitor to read a long story. Internet users skim read for something to catch their eye.

• It's who you know that gets your foot in the door.

• Internet Explorer 6 is the worst piece of shit in the history of the world. Use Firefox.