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Startup infrastructure setup | dave_s_wang: ikea or craigslist for all the chairs and tables. backups I would use s3 like everyone recommended. for pcs, let everyone use their own laptops. versioning - github. online meetings - skype. mail hosting - google apps. printers - go low end that can handle internet or wifi. whiteboard - get ideapain... |
Pick My Career | bhousel: I'll probably get downvoted, but I have to say it, I feel like these kinds of Ask HN are getting a bit ridiculous. I'm sure it's just my knee-jerk reaction to the title "Ask HN: Pick My Career".Don't ask a bunch of strangers what you should be doing. In most cases, it doesn't really matter anyway - what is m... |
When are you most alert? | dylanz: Not in the mrnging |
Pick My Career | tjr: Some ideas:It seems from comments in this thread that you are already back in school, studying, uh, nothing in particular, I guess. If you're sure you're interested in math/computers, then majoring your studies in computer science (possibly with a second major in mathematics) may be a good route.But no degree rec... |
Is there a stack-overflow-like site devoted to graphic design? | ScottWhigham: It seems to me that I saw a subdomain graphics.stackoverflow.com or something like that recently but I can't find it now. They do have http://doctype.com/ which is for "web designers" |
Extending the morning rush of ideas | ScottWhigham: Stay in bed longer. I do that sometimes and it works for me. Once I've opened my eyes I am out of that state so keep your eyes closed. |
When are you most alert? | le_dominator: Generally around 11 am for a few hours and then again from maybe 6-10. I try to get to bed by 1:30 and wake up around 8:30.If I don't eat and have coffee I'm like a monster. |
Startup infrastructure setup | spongefrob: If you are going to have servers, backups and other items that are both mission critical and environmentally sensitive then you need space that is air conditioned, expandable, properly sized for power and lockable. Unless you are both a licensed electrician and a trained HVAC engineer I guarantee you that ... |
Review my Startup - KaBadge.com - Achievements and Badges | iterationx: You want to somehow make it more compelling for the sites whose badges you are using. I think you should brainstorm a bit more on that sales pitch. |
Your most successful side project? | byoung2: I have an outsourcing business that brings in about $3000/mo profit. Clients include web design/development companies, and small businesses who need "intern" work done. All work is done in Cebu, Philippines.I had a comparison shopping site with affiliate links back in college (1999-2000) that I started with ... |
Legal resources for startups? | vibhavs: I've had some friends who have had success using DocStoc's DocStore: http://www.docstoc.com/store/They seem to have some number of legal documents such as "Trademark License Agreement" and "Letter of Intent for Business Transactions." I cannot attest to their quality though. |
When are you most alert? | mkramlich: When a gun is pointed at me by a man with very good aim. |
Pick My Career | icey: Statistics. I think statistics will be in high demand over the next few decades as we all try to make sense of the mountains of data that have become available.Just think of all the things we aren't tracking right now. There aren't a lot of people who are well equipped to analyze that sort of volume of data. |
What's the best way to distribute closed beta invites? | rokhayakebe: InviteShare |
When are you most alert? | branden: Hah, my schedule is just outside the bounds of the BBC poll. I must be a freak. My ideal day is 12 PM to 4 AM. |
Legal resources for startups? | teej: http://www.gabrielweinberg.com/startupswiki/Ask_YC_Archive#t... |
Pick My Career | Mankhool: Computer Science with as much emphasis on video encoding and streaming media as you can. I'm a freelance Digital Archivist and one of my clients (a multinational telecommunications company) cannot find anyone to fill the position. They have one guy who has been with them for 8 years, but need another. |
What's the best way to distribute closed beta invites? | milkshakes: i'll take one,narf at milk shakes dotorg |
How to check if your website works for all ISPs and locations? | byoung2: I don't know if there is a tool to check every ISP, but this one checks about a dozen different cities:http://www.alertra.com/spotcheck.php |
Your most successful side project? | vdibart: Doesn't exactly fit your criteria in terms generating revenue, but I wrote a plugin for TiddlyWiki (http://www.tiddlywiki.com/) that allows you to store your address book inside a TiddlyWiki file. It includes import and export, and since TiddlyWiki is JavaScript based you can fully script your address book to... |
Legal resources for startups? | DarkShikari: Thanks to #startups, I ended up contacting http://www.moglenravicher.com/ about this--they're apparently the for-profit arm of the SFLC and provide legal services to for-profit FOSS projects--exactly what we need.Hopefully they will be able to help. |
When are you most alert? | joe: Around 30 minutes after I eat dinner, which I usually do around 8:00 PM, up to or through midnight, thereabouts. |
Startup infrastructure setup | justin_vanw: Most people here are guessing and have no clue.Get furniture at a local university for almost free: http://www.purchase.umd.edu/ttrader/ for example.- Hosting: Doesn't matter at first. Get a VPS, or use Amazon EC2. Do not buy any hardware and do not lease rack space. Don't get anything you have to physi... |
Your most successful side project? | haasted: Many years ago, I developed an extension named AdBlock for the Phoenix browser, instead of studying for an exam.I unfortunately haven't taken part in its development for a long time, but I still get a small kick out of seeing it mentioned around the net, and I love seeing how the project has been adopted by pe... |
Your most successful side project? | DaniFong: My company, LightSail Energy, started as a simple question: whether enough power could be recovered froma garage roof to power a daily commute. It's now a small startup that's raised money from a top VC, we have a working prototype and excellent forward momentum. :-) |
Automated shipping calculations for a shopping cart | MicahWedemeyer: Direct link: http://www.doleaf.com - The actual site isn't really related to the problem, but come take a look anyway ;) |
Automated shipping calculations for a shopping cart | sarvesh: With shipping calculation there is usually two options you can use FedEx or UPS provided standard size boxes or you can use your own boxes. The latter option is what you are looking at for your problem. The bare minimum information you need about the shipping item is weight. FedEx and UPS both return your rate... |
Your most successful side project? | kirpekar: All "side" businesses, concurrent with growing up, education, sports, jobs, etc.Age 6: Ran a neighborhood service "Rent a Kid for Odd Jobs" ($25)Age 10: Made wax candles in my backyard and sold them to a Mom & Pop store ($100)Age 12: Grew tons of plants at home and sold them to a nursery ($400)Age 18: Created... |
Can a poorly presented startup website do well? | tsally: Tarsnap has reached profitability with a website that has no style. http://www.tarsnap.com/ Of course, the crowd he is catering to doesn't really care about frills. Heck, frills can actually be dangerous in the security world. And Colin's got the reputation to back his company up.For your average case though... |
Can a poorly presented startup website do well? | aditya: It does not have to be highly professional, but it isn't that hard to make something that's not half-assed these days. Even if you don't know HTML. |
Can a poorly presented startup website do well? | RiderOfGiraffes: It depends entirely on your audience. My parents hate almost every web site they go to, and the only ones they like are clean, clear, spare, minimal graphics, minimal color, and have a real "empty" feel. Anything that current people call "professional looking" sends them away almost instantly.Compare... |
when and how should programmers be judged on their actual written code? | jacquesm: I would only go by track record, not by code samples because it is way too easy for someone to get a chunk of code somewhere and display the sample as theirs.Track record is much harder - if at all - possible to fake. |
when and how should programmers be judged on their actual written code? | TallGuyShort: Perhaps a better alternative is to have them write code during the interview. That way everyone has the same chance to produce code, everyone gives you code that you know is theirs, and you have the added benefit of seeing how they think while they're writing. |
when and how should programmers be judged on their actual written code? | seasoup: After interviewing someone in person, so that you do not waste their time, have them take some time to program a take home assignment in a language of their choice. This assignment should take no more then a couple of hours and they should be prepared to discuss why they implemented it in this way, what alter... |
Can a poorly presented startup website do well? | pclark: plenty of fish? |
when and how should programmers be judged on their actual written code? | petesalty: Ah, and here we have the crux of the problem with the software engineering hiring mindset today.
Over the years I've hired many software engineers and I've never hired anyone based on their ability to write code, in fact I never even ask about it. It's completely irrelevant. Why? Because I've never hired co... |
Am I crazy? | revorad: Not quite the same thing but Sean Aiken did something similar - http://www.oneweekjob.com/Sounds like fun. |
Am I crazy? | tc: If you don't have any other streams of income, you might want to think about ways you could get $1k/mo flowing into your bank account to keep you afloat while you flesh this out. $1500 isn't a lot of money, but perhaps that constraint will just make you more creative.As for the validation that you're seeking, I've... |
Am I crazy? | dylanz: Do it. You just graduated college. This will be an educational breather, and, it could end up influencing your future career. It's going to be tight on $1.5k, but where there is a will, there is a way :) |
Am I crazy? | bemmu: How about reaching out to Mixergy and see if he needs any help? |
Am I crazy? | odvious: Set up a website to chronicle your journey posting photos, interviews (even summaries), etc. and put a donate button on it. I wwould donate once I see you're doing it and committed. |
Am I crazy? | SwellJoe: Yeah, you're a little crazy, but there's no better time than now to do crazy things. It won't get easier, cheaper, less stressful, as you get older. I think you're underestimating the expense of some aspects of this...but if you plan extremely well and live extremely cheap, you can probably live a couple mo... |
Am I crazy? | nostrademons: How able/averse are you to living with or taking money from your parents while you do this?I think it's a great idea, but there's no way you've got enough money to do this and take it to the point where it's publishable or monetizable. $1500 is like one month's rent in SF. While you can stretch that out... |
Am I crazy? | zackattack: Where did you go to college? |
Am I crazy? | lleger: Do it. Just do it. |
Am I crazy? | jmtame: you're not crazy, this would make for a good read. it's like founders at work, but improvised and down in the trenches.we have a tent you can borrow for a few nights if you'd like, won't charge. look up the palo alto hacker house and if interested email me (jared /at graffitigeo /dot com). we have people who... |
Am I crazy? | mfalcon: I don't think you're crazy, it's something uncommon and it'll be a great experience no matter what happens.If you are happy about your idea, do it without a doubt. |
Am I crazy? | donw: You're totally nuts. And can crash at my place for a day if you end up in the silicon valley as well. |
Am I crazy? | mdoar: Do it, because you'll not get time to do five years from now, and you might even meet someone who'll want you for a job. Just don't expect to necessarily return from it.~Matt (met my wife while travelling and ended up in the USA) |
when and how should programmers be judged on their actual written code? | makecheck: You can't really trust anything they give you (they could have copied and pasted it from something interesting that they Googled, or for that matter any open-source project), so you have to judge code in person.And you can't, because a whiteboard is not a place to write code.Instead, ask them to describe the... |
Am I crazy? | Tichy: Normally I wouldn't advice spending everything to your last penny, but I take it that if you are broke you'll just stay at your parents house?If I understood correctly, you plan the trip so that 1500$ pays for the trip. So on day 1 after the trip you have 0$? Then what?That aside it is a good idea, probably you'... |
Am I crazy? | QNguyen: I'd be willing to put you up in LA when I'm down there for school (late September). I can also introduce you to someone in San Francisco who is a UIUC alum and is running a web dev business (I think there's a few other UIUC guys there too working with him). E-mail in my profile. |
Am I crazy? | mahmud: Get a paypal account and put a donate button on your blog as you chronicle this :-) go ahead and do it but keep us posted, you will be fine. |
Am I crazy? | anamax: You need to be able to convince your interviewees to participate. What's in it for them? See http://scobleizer.com/ for someone else who has solved that problem.One problem is timing. It's not sufficient to turn the interviews into enough money, you have to make that happen at the right time.I think that you... |
Am I crazy? | cschep: If you're on your way up to Seattle from SF, I live in Portland and would totally let you sleep on my futon. I'd even share some beers for a good story or two.Good luck, and definitely do it. |
Am I crazy? | lyime: I don't really know who you are. But you can crash at my place, if you drive by Portland, OR. I would agree with others, set up a website. People will pitch in for your trip, funny how it works. |
Am I crazy? | mingyeow: do it! hit me up when you are in sf - 650 283 6558 / mingyeow@gmail (mrtweet.com/discoverio)(as long as you do not mind my creaking roof - ear plugs provided!) |
Am I crazy? | ismarc: I'd suggest going about the travel differently. Using a car to get from point A to point B is insanely expensive compared to other methods. Greyhound goes practically everywhere (just not on a convenient schedule/time frame for most people). Also, starting off in Chicago, you've got a fairly major Amtrak hub... |
Am I crazy? | modoc: You're welcome to hit my couch (just outside of Boston) and I"m happy to regale you with stories from our companies first almost-two years. |
Where do you go for web app design inspiration? | jacquesm: http://www.templatemonster.com/ |
Am I crazy? | hristov: Sorry to rain on your parade but perhaps you should think about getting a job first. Your savings are not much and if that is all you have in the whole world you can easily get in trouble (imagine, for example a car crash in the middle of nowhere).And even if everything goes smoothly you can find yourself at t... |
Am I crazy? | alaskamiller: I always wanted to do this too. Last summer I traveled to various cities talking to early-stage funds/incubators and their participants and learned a lot. Now I'm working on a similar blogging project. Pinged you! |
Am I crazy? | lsc: you are crazy.but it sounds like fun. if you make it to silicon valley be sure to check out the hacker dojo in mountain view: http://hackerdojo.pbworks.com/Do start a website, and make sure you give your sponsors plenty of publicity. But make the project cool.If I wasn't spending every penny I can on hardware, ... |
Am I crazy? | Modernnomad84: Great f-in idea. Do it. |
Where do you go for web app design inspiration? | profquail: http://alistapart.com
http://www.sitepoint.com
http://www.sixrevisions.com
http://www.smashingmagazine.com
http://psdvibe.com |
Am I crazy? | mcav: Yeah. You can crash in Des Moines if you want (e-mail in profile). |
Am I crazy? | Eliezer: If you haven't made money from writing before, don't count on being able to do it this time. Making money at writing is super bonus extra hard. |
Am I crazy? | jakewolf: Come to NYC and I'll buy you beers while you interview me about my startup. |
Am I crazy? | prpon: Do it. It's no crazier than this girl who set out to the end of the world back on a tractor collecting dreams of people.A great interview on NPR at http://www.pri.org/theworld/?q=node/14897and more information here:
http://www.tractortractor.org/english/ |
Am I crazy? | many: You're smart enough to ask "am I crazy" - it seems like a suitable piece of bait. You just graduated college and you want to do something? Yeah, shout me out. I do http://grantvote.com - you see it's quite entrepreneurial. Call me for free, 620.388.1771 - I'm Jesse. |
How do you want to be remembered? | brk: Bad Motherfucker |
Am I crazy? | petercooper: Please do it. My life situation means I can't do things like this anymore and I regret it big time. |
Am I crazy? | joshuarr: You can either do it, or always wish you did. Your choice. |
Where do you go for web app design inspiration? | replicatorblog: http://www.smashingmagazine.com is always packed with inspirational designs, often with downloadable templates to base your work on. |
Am I crazy? | dspeyer: Sounds like you've got interest....You probably ought to think a little about where you land after this if it doesn't become profitable, or decide that when your bank account drops to something ($200?) it's time to stop. On the other hand, this is the time to do something like this. It'll only be harder late... |
Am I crazy? | dandelany: You're only crazy if you don't stop in Boulder! |
How do you want to be remembered? | TriinT: Most of us are destined to be forgotten by all but our dear ones. Grow up. There's only one von Neumann born per millenium. The bright side is that not being von Neumann does not mean one can't do meaningful work. |
Am I crazy? | timwiseman: Definitely an interesting thought. I do have a few thoughts you may wish to consider:
1. Consider fewer case studies with more depth. 15-20 will involve a lot of contacts, possibly a lot of travel which will eat into the small savings, and limit your depth. On the other focusing on 6-10 but trying to get... |
How do you want to be remembered? | yan: Being remembered is irrelevant to me. Death is a pretty macro-scale occurrence and humanity is pretty much nothing but a blip in that eternity. Having said that, I do want my kids and loved ones to be happy and healthy. |
How do you want to be remembered? | amichail: Everyone should work on a simulation of themselves that would be used after they die to remember them.In this way, people could influence how others remember them in a more direct way.This is why it is important for everyone to learn programming -- so that everyone could create such a simulation of themselves... |
Am I crazy? | JimmyL: You've put enough thought into the idea that if you don't do it, you'll be regretting it five years down the road, if not sooner. Plus, you're at the point in your life where you can't screw things up too badly if it doesn't work.I would, however, see if I could dedicate an intense two months to building up a b... |
Your most successful side project? | daltonlp: http://www.colr.org |
How do you want to be remembered? | p01nd3xt3r: The guy that did the thing. |
Am I crazy? | bmelton: I don't expect any upvotes on this comment, but if you're in the Annapolis, MD area, I've got a guest room (or couch if you really want) that you're welcome to. |
How do you want to be remembered? | unalone: "Aw, darn." |
Am I crazy? | jsz0: Sure, go for it. Why not? There's very little risk. $1500 is nothing in the grand scheme of how much money you'll make in your life. |
How much equity to give away for $100k? | rms: Convertible debt is the best thing from your perspective and means you don't have to answer this question. |
Pick My Career | bokonist: I would not go back to college unless it was absolutely necessary for my chosen vocation. The tuition/debt plus opportunity cost is just too high. So if you want to be a teacher or accountant, then a degree makes sense. But if you want to code, teach yourself, find freelance gigs to hone your skills, and t... |
Am I crazy? | tmikew: Do some research on a fellow by the name of Napolean Hill you may find it interesting.You will not likely have a better opportunity than now to do this. It sounds fun to me and I am an old guy. I keep wondering. Why would you not also earn a little money along the way as needed? Doing whatever. |
How do you want to be remembered? | JacobAldridge: "We were better for having known him, and he was better for having shared his life with us."The rest is detail. |
How do you want to be remembered? | terrellm: He gave more to this world than he took. |
Where do you go for web app design inspiration? | terrellm: http://emberapp.com/explore/categories/ is sort of like a Flickr for artists/designers with lots of user-submitted screenshots.http://themeforest.net/category/site-templates/admin-skins has actual HTML+CSS coded templates for sale. |
Am I crazy? | rman666: Heck, tell the entrepreneurs your interviewing your story and ask if you can sleep in their offices for the night. You'll probably get the real story if you spend a few hours with them after hours anyway.Aye, [do your tour-of-interviews] and you may [go broke]. [Stay home], and you'll [save $20/day] ... at lea... |
Am I crazy? | bufordtwain: You might be a little crazy. Why don't you put the money in the bank for now and find some entrepreneurs to talk to in Chicago instead of chasing all over the place? You have 37signals in Chicago and Adrian Holovaty of Django/Everyblock and that's just off the top of my head. If you want to go on the road ... |
Am I crazy? | jacoblyles: Sure. Why not? Just make sure you have someone that can send you $20 if you run out of food.Oh, and I'm in San Diego and should have a couch that you can crash on. Email is in the profile. |
How do you want to be remembered? | electronslave: Crazy Uncle electronslave.Also, the guy who invented that thing. You know, that replaced razors? (I remember this as being my favorite sci-fi trope, next to "name all the presidents from 1965 onwards.")Like this dude: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wan_HuIn all seriousness, I think anyone who aspires to ... |
As an "IT Professional" do you/should you get to claim overtime? | DanielStraight: I certainly think you should be able to claim overtime. I never work overtime myself, but if I did, I'm sure I could claim it. Then again, the company I work for basically rocks, so... your mileage may vary. |
Am I crazy? | ninjaa: you can telecommute. |
Startup infrastructure setup | Cherian: I’ve asked a similar question over here at serverfault.com http://serverfault.com/questions/47914/tools-servers-service...“For a dev who doubles up as a sysadmin in small web startup, what services/servers/devices do you recommend running?
I am also open to best-practices suggestionsTo get the ball rolling- he... |
How do you want to be remembered? | cmars232: "Hey! That bastard owes me a lot of money!" :) |
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