Wording suggestion - I had no idea what this phrase meant: "You have at least 1 year commercial XP or skills that match." After about 2 minutes of thought I deduced that it must mean experience. I first thought it meant XP = Extreme Programming
Show HN: Get coached by developers for free
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Re: Show HN: Get coached by developers for free
#22There's really not that much information about the service, which will immediately deter users who want to know if this is a tool worth exploring before investing the time to explore it. The [last YC startup class](http://startupclass.samaltman.com/courses/lec07/) is a great resource for improving this.
Also, in this age of hackers and god particles, you really should use SSL for apps like this.
Re: Show HN: Get coached by developers for free
#23I think this would be far more useful if it were based on other forms of domain knowledge. As the landing page shows, StackOverflow, etc. already exist. There's tons of online help for software development already.
What is lacking is one-on-one assistance/short term consulting for software developers/entrepreneurs in other knowledge areas related to business development. Take the StackExchange concept to a new level with individualized assistance.
Have an idea for a web app based on snow removal? Hook up with an expert in the field for a 30 minute tutorial on if your idea has legs, what you need to know and where to start. Want to explore adding operator interfaces to your Lean Manufacturing software but don't know how to design/manufacture hardware on a small scale? Find an expert who can give you an overview of what you need to know to get started and perhaps contacts that can take you further.
I'm throwing ideas out there based on actual needs I've seen people on various software forums having, and I think there is a real need for a service like this. And it's probably a lot more profitable than Founder Dating :-)
Re: Show HN: Get coached by developers for free
#24There's really not that much information about the service, which will immediately deter users who want to know if this is a tool worth exploring before investing the time to explore it. The [last YC startup class]( http://startupclass.samaltman.com/courses/lec07/ ) is a great resource for improving this. Also, in this age of hackers and god particles, you really should use SSL for apps like this.
my thoughts exactly. My UX:
first thought - looks nice, ok so, I clicked on "I can help", which is just signup, ok well I want to know what I'm signing up for, do I earn money helping others, is it a time donation thing? so then I clicked on "about" which tells me nothing, then I just went away.
I think the idea is interesting and with some more details I would have probably signed up. Also the "You believe in best practices." was kind of odd to me. I dunno if anyone else thinks this way though, but I don't believe in best practices, I do believe you should know the best practices for your field and understand them, so you know when to apply them and when not to.
Re: Show HN: Get coached by developers for free
#25Why not just have a link to your twitter with _target="blank"?
Re: Show HN: Get coached by developers for free
#26What does the interface look like while mentoring?
Re: Show HN: Get coached by developers for free
#27"Stop wasting hours searching Stackoverflow..."
Terrible choice for an opening phrase to your website. You are putting yourself in a position against SO which IMHO is one of the few websites that are actually really helpful for the community (definitely not a waste of time).
My honest advice, don't get cocky... at least not so early.
Re: Show HN: Get coached by developers for free
#28I'll tell you what I hope this can be: I and co-workers often need domain-specific help, usually with annoying or complex tools. I could spend a few hours doing the research, or I could pay a chunk of money for 30 min. of someone's time to walk me through. Example: I need someone to help me fix some build config problems in Xcode. I'll pay for an Xcode expert to spend 30 min. and walk me through fixing it over Hangou…
This is definitely what AirPair is trying to build. Check that out. (Not affiliated, but have used them before.)
I completely understand why you'd think that but we're not trying to be AirPair. We're a match making service and that's it. It's up to users how they connect with each whether it's through PM, voice, video etc.
Re: Show HN: Get coached by developers for free
#29I'll tell you what I hope this can be: I and co-workers often need domain-specific help, usually with annoying or complex tools. I could spend a few hours doing the research, or I could pay a chunk of money for 30 min. of someone's time to walk me through. Example: I need someone to help me fix some build config problems in Xcode. I'll pay for an Xcode expert to spend 30 min. and walk me through fixing it over Hangou…
We don't want to exclude those who can't afford it or those who have no access to payment.
Re: Show HN: Get coached by developers for free
#30I would be interested in seeing this also emphasize skills beyond "languages". For me, I know a lot of my skills are more around design and soft skills -- I would love to be able to advice a developer on how to handle a problematic product manager, or how to design a system. I tried to put that in my profile, I'll see if I get a bite ;]
That's great! Please do add any tags you want. Maybe we should change languages to skills - What do think?