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Ask HN: Cool Things You've Done (Brag Thread)

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Re: Ask HN: Cool Things You've Done (Brag Thread)

#151

Post by Timothee »

mixmax wrote: post #104

* I've arranged big underground raves with international DJ's * I've successfully started a bar in Ibiza from scratch * I learnt PHP, javascript, SQL, CSS and HTML from scratch without any help * I hold three patents * I've done three startups * I survived an English boarding school * I bought a boat that I live on, which I've totally refurbished and redone without ever having had a screwdriver in my hand before. * I…

   * I learnt PHP, javascript, SQL, CSS and HTML from scratch without any help
I saw a few "taught myself [such and such]" in this thread and wonders what that means exactly. What do you mean by "from scratch without any help"?

I wouldn't believe you didn't read anything at all about the languages because you can't just guess stuff like that :), but did you pick up a book and learn? did you read the documentation? If so, isn't that some kind of help?

Basically, does "taught myself" mean "not going to a formal class"/"not having anyone teaching me in person"?

Re: Ask HN: Cool Things You've Done (Brag Thread)

#152

Post by huhtenberg »

borism wrote: post #84
cperciva wrote: post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't really consider Tarsnap to be in the same category as those. Sure, I think Tarsnap is a fantastic online backup system; but that's rather subjective. If/when Tarsnap becomes wildly successful, I'll be able to make the objective claim of "I started a company which (is making $X/year profit | I sold for $Y | has N customers | etc. )" but until that happens, Tarsnap isn't really something to "brag" about.

excellent, I admire that you're so humble about it I'm even more interested in trying out tarsnap!

> I'm even more interested in trying out tarsnap!

I'm even more interested in maybe considering trying out tarsnap!

:)

Re: Ask HN: Cool Things You've Done (Brag Thread)

#155

Post by benologist »

* I've traveled to several continents

* I've seen the olympics on TV

* I've built a start-up from scratch and it's indexed by Google

* I use consumer eletronic devices used by over 10m

* I've watched feature length motion pictures [Many Titles]

* I've had a lot of funny life experiences

* I've seen pictures of Vladimir Putin

Re: Ask HN: Cool Things You've Done (Brag Thread)

#156

Post by dnsworks »

* I rented out a warehouse, filled it up with 1/2 dozen hackers and musicians, built some bedrooms, a stage, a sound system, a recording booth, a server closet, got a fractional T3 installed, and threw bi parties which covered 60-70% of our rent, essentially lived rent free for three years.

* Built an application hosting & management firm with 4 employees and $1m+/year of gross-revenue, sold my half of it earlier this year

* Worked as the only production sysadmin at Napster before the $100m investment, left shortly afterwards.

* Once bought Joey Ramone a beer at CBGBs and spent an evening talking with him, a year or so before he died.

Re: Ask HN: Cool Things You've Done (Brag Thread)

#157

Post by darkxanthos »

* Wrote a 30 day blog that was read by thousands of people and inspired many (several of whom saw fit to befriend me on Facebook)

* Work full time as a software engineer with a 6 figure income without having gone to college.

* Organizing the Seattle Alt.NET Conference for 2010 (looking to be around a 100 person conference this year)

* Was accepted into a class for gifted students in elementary school.

* Had a highschool reading level in 1st grade.

* I've never known how it feels to not be able to learn something.

Re: Ask HN: Cool Things You've Done (Brag Thread)

#158

Post by aplusbi »

cperciva wrote: post #6
patio11 wrote: post #5

I once saved a five year old from drowning in six feet of water. Boiling water. While naked. (OK, technically speaking ~45C, not boiling.)

Is 45C hot enough to cause injury? (Assuming you don't drown, that is.)

It won't cause injury but it's not exactly easy to jump into.

Re: Ask HN: Cool Things You've Done (Brag Thread)

#159

Post by wlievens »

proexploit wrote: post #95
wdewind wrote: post #27

I didn't read the word "Examples:" for a second and thought those were all your accomplishments until I read [Insert Title]. Was about to just quit and go home lol.

I believed the first one (7 continents) and paused on the second (Olympic gold medal). I never knew Michael Phelps used HN! (I'm glad I'm not the only one who made this mistake)

One member of the team I'm in (a freelancer) actually has a bronze olympic medal, so I wouldn't consider it impossible... =-)

Re: Ask HN: Cool Things You've Done (Brag Thread)

#160

Post by zaphar »

zaphar wrote: post #92

* I never graduated college but somehow ended up working for google * I survived and kept a roof over 3 kids and a wife while only making 10'000 one year. (in USA) --- Did the same with 4-5 kids while technically homeless and out of work. * I'm raising 5 amazing children with an incredible wife * I've taught myself C, Java, Perl, PHP, ASP, Erlang, Lisp, HTML, CSS, Javascript * I'm a born again christian (Actually the…

wow I'm surprised I got so many upvotes. Compared to saving a life and child prodigies I'm not really all that impressive. There are plenty of others on here deserving of much higher ratings than me.
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