Show HN: I learned to code to launch my new startup • Hacker News Board

Re: Show HN: I learned to code to launch my new startup

#131

Post by spencerfry » Thu, May 09, 2013, 12:31 AM UTC

dangayle wrote: post #126

spencerfry wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I actually bought it back in 2006-7. I was working on a local reviews site for a few months before working on Carbonmade, which was my last startup before Uncover.

You made carbonmade? I still have a portfolio on there ( http://dangayle.carbonmade.com/ ). The pricing was too steep for me to pay for the full service though. RE: url Even in 2006-2007 that domain wouldn't have been cheap. Kudos for sitting on it that long without getting ants in your pants.

Yeah. I was one of the co-founders/CEO for ~4 1/2 years or so. My other co-founders have since moved the company from NYC to Chicago. They're two awesome guys and doing great things.

Re: Show HN: I learned to code to launch my new startup

#132

Post by eaurouge » Thu, May 09, 2013, 12:40 AM UTC

Ok, I'll say it. I clicked on this because of the "I learned to code..." part. Always feels good to see someone take the bull by the horn and tame it. But you apparently have two years of CS undergrad courses under your belt, in C++.

Congrats on your site (looks good) but your title is (intentionally?) misleading since you apparently have about three years of programming experience and JavaScript wasn't your first language.

Re: Show HN: I learned to code to launch my new startup

#133

Post by spencerfry » Thu, May 09, 2013, 12:47 AM UTC

eaurouge wrote: post #132

Ok, I'll say it. I clicked on this because of the "I learned to code..." part. Always feels good to see someone take the bull by the horn and tame it. But you apparently have two years of CS undergrad courses under your belt, in C++. Congrats on your site (looks good) but your title is (intentionally?) misleading since you apparently have about three years of programming experience and JavaScript wasn't your first la…

Honestly, I don't even count the CS classes (C++) I took well over 10 years ago. I don't remember a single thing from them or any concepts at all. I wish I did as learning to program would have been a lot easier.

Re: Show HN: I learned to code to launch my new startup

#134

Post by seltzered_ » Thu, May 09, 2013, 1:28 AM UTC

JoeKM wrote: post #53

My only concern with benefit programs like these is if I'm earning less income because the company is allocating money for benefits I may not need.

My personal concern when I looked at the site was it reminded me of a time when a boss gave me a gift card, and I was infuriated because I hadn't had a real raise or a proper employee review in years. It felt like a cheapshot.

I could see the program working in certain businesses, but managers need to be trained to use it correctly, especially in creative fields: http://www.ted.com/talks/dan_pink_on_motivation.html

Re: Show HN: I learned to code to launch my new startup

#135

Post by taternuts » Thu, May 09, 2013, 2:09 AM UTC

Looks fantastic! I find myself wishing the message boxes under the 'Reason ##" were clickable to a new tab, especially the first time I saw them because I wasn't sure whether they were social media sharing icons or clients

Re: Show HN: I learned to code to launch my new startup

#136

Post by ruswick » Thu, May 09, 2013, 2:49 AM UTC

wmat wrote: post #105

onlyup wrote: post #101

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think this is an error on your part, not the OP. The title was set up to show off a product IMO.

I respectfully disagree. A title such as "Show HN: My Employee Rewards Site" would have been more applicable. However, I don't begrudge the OP, as he's certainly gaining lots of useful feedback for his site. I just can't help but feel slightly gamed ;)

I agree. Call me crazy, but it just seems intuitive that the title "I learned to code to launch my new startup" should be about, ummm, learning to code.

I also think that the blog post would have been much more pertinent to the OP's experiences and conducive to good feedback. Conceivably he chose the title because he wanted feedback on his experiences while learning to code, yet he got feedback about the product in general. If he was looking for advice about the site in general, a Show HN would have been more appropriate.

Re: Show HN: I learned to code to launch my new startup

#137

Post by spencerfry » Thu, May 09, 2013, 3:18 AM UTC

aashay wrote: post #128

Neat stuff! Can you tell us a little more about what inspired you to build this specifically (in other words, why was this the idea you chose over other ideas you had)?

Thanks! I go into that here: http://spencerfry.com/introducing-uncover

Re: Show HN: I learned to code to launch my new startup

#138

Post by someproduct » Thu, May 09, 2013, 4:04 AM UTC

spencerfry wrote: post #90

biot wrote: post #69

How does the company name relate to the service itself? Do you help uncover "hidden gem" employees? Or does a client need to do that themselves, but you only help in arranging the reward? If you don't help to identify those who go above and beyond, the name is a little distracting as it's the kind of name that makes it seem like there ought to be this functionality. That might be a good direction to consider going in…

What's behind the company name is the idea of uncovering your company/employees potential. We are working toward helping you do just that, but you have to start somewhere and we have a lot still to learn. I love your idea of creating an API to integrate into their existing systems.

> What's behind the company name is the idea of uncovering your company/employees potential.

This crucial point about your brand isn't conveyed anywhere in the homepage copy. Making that connection to unify the solid URL with your core benefits in the copy will go a long way toward telling a cohesive story about not only what you do, but why you do it.

Re: Show HN: I learned to code to launch my new startup

#139

Post by losethos » Thu, May 09, 2013, 4:42 AM UTC

http://www.noob.us/humor/the-office-dwight-faces-nerd-tortur...

Yes, I feel the urg to boast. This is supposed to be nerd heaven, like a bunch of chicks on a bus wanting tanning oil spreaders.

God talks. I wrote everything from scratch.

God says...

where the Lord lay.

28:7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

28:8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.

28:9 And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.

28:10 Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.

28:11 Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.

Re: Show HN: I learned to code to launch my new startup

#140

Post by kfields » Thu, May 09, 2013, 6:12 AM UTC

colkassad wrote: post #35

MatthewB wrote: post #10

Great job! Looking back, you'll see that learning to code was one of the best decisions you made. One minor thing - it took me about 7-10 seconds to understand what your product is. I should be able to understand within 2 seconds. You should put in big letters towards the top: "Employee Recognition Program" or something a little more sales-y.

I agree, at first I thought it was a service that taught you how to roll sushi. It wasn't until I read other bits of information spread out on your page that I started to figure it out.

I thought it was a coffee delivery service. I must have seen a different slide first. Heh.