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Software Eats Software Development as Andreessen Invests $10M in App Outsourcer

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11–20 of 123 posts

Re: Software Eats Software Development as Andreessen Invests $10M in App Outsourcer

#11

I'm afraid this is a glimpse into the not so distant future where software developers are next in line after taxi and truck drivers - uncertain if their skills will be required in a decade from now. That is compound by the millions of youngsters who grew up with computers, have unlimited access to unlimited teaching materials and are entering the workforce each year.. The demand for software may be growing (although…

> I'm afraid this is a glimpse into the not so distant future. And that puts software developers next in line after taxi and truck drivers - uncertain if their skills will be required in a decade from now.

I'm fairly sure that programmers will be employable for the foreseeable future but in a way this is fair play, we - the programmers - did this to an immense number of people it would seem that we ourselves should not be immune to becoming superfluous as well at some point. After all programmer is not some kind of protected status, if it's ok for programmers to automate away whole segments of the job market why should programmers expect that their jobs could never be automated away? If anything we should be more aware of such risks having been in the drivers seat on this one for the last 50 years.

Re: Software Eats Software Development as Andreessen Invests $10M in App Outsourcer

#13
post #6

"Within two weeks of its launch in late July, Gigster already had $1 million in sales booked." Can someone walk me through how this is possible? As in, what does a company like Gigster focus on to reach sales so quickly?

fake it till you make it

Re: Software Eats Software Development as Andreessen Invests $10M in App Outsourcer

#14
If I was younger, and cheaper, I'd consider working as a freelancer with these guys. Seems like a possible way to funnel in work while offloading a lot of the PM responsibilities.

I will say one thing though - fixed pricing on projects is tricky. I would be interested to see how they set and meet expectations, while also not charging for overages. It seems like the developer might have to be the one to eat the costs if it goes over.

Re: Software Eats Software Development as Andreessen Invests $10M in App Outsourcer

#15
The idea here seems to be that the value is in the management. Or owning the problem and delivering the solution rather than having to act as the manager of your project.

Gigster places itself in two areas which independent developers often fall down. Selling their services and managing the project. What often ends up happening is that neither the client nor the developer are able to manage their parts and the gap in the middle is the disaster.

In return for taking these spots, Gigster is removing the ability for the developers to build their own businesses. For many of the faceless contractors who compete with each other on Odesk and Elance, this might be a good thing.

Even if this model were to blow up, it still doesn't touch the top X percent of agencies / developers who can manage the entire process, deliver and demonstrably contribute to the bottom line.

If you are going to be an outsourcer, you need to keep your game moving. There are too many people out there who shouldn't even be landing gigs. Those of you who are solid, keep rolling.

Re: Software Eats Software Development as Andreessen Invests $10M in App Outsourcer

#16
post #6

"Within two weeks of its launch in late July, Gigster already had $1 million in sales booked." Can someone walk me through how this is possible? As in, what does a company like Gigster focus on to reach sales so quickly?

I'd double check what it is meant by "sales booked": is it any different to "sales executed"?

If the product they are selling is paid in, say, instalments in the future, or if there is any contingency on the payments, there is a way to inflate your sales numbers by playing with your payment projections and assumptions.

Re: Software Eats Software Development as Andreessen Invests $10M in App Outsourcer

#17
post #6

"Within two weeks of its launch in late July, Gigster already had $1 million in sales booked." Can someone walk me through how this is possible? As in, what does a company like Gigster focus on to reach sales so quickly?

This isn't Roger Dickey's first time starting a business so that certainly helps. Estimating the cost of their service to be around $5k, to reach $1 million in sales would mean 200 apps shipped. That seems like a reasonable feat as long as he plays his cards right.

Re: Software Eats Software Development as Andreessen Invests $10M in App Outsourcer

#20
post #2

Turning the creation of derivative apps into a unique business model. Which sounds great as long as people continue to desire creating derivative apps en masse.

99% of apps is data entry + usable interface + communication with a rest interface (meaning, there isn't a lot of 'intelligence' within) Seems very replicable

especially when you use MIT graduates to do the actual work. lol...
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