More discussion over at the original link from Jason's blog: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1175416
Tips for launching a startup while holding a day job
41–49 of 49 posts
Re: Tips for launching a startup while holding a day job
#42I agree with everything beside the point "You can’t afford to hire three developers to add features and bugs.". You actual can, it just require a little of a financial sacrifice for you. Hiring my first employee was the best thing I ever done, especially when he can work during hours you normally can't.
I would think that depends on that employee's autonomy. They could hit a roadblock that they need you to clear, but you're unavailable.
Re: Tips for launching a startup while holding a day job
#43This is a repost of Jason's post from his blog.
Here's the HN discussion on that post. http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1175416
Re: Tips for launching a startup while holding a day job
#44Earlier quoted context omitted.
The grey area is using 3G and a smartphone for side project email.
I don't think there's a grey area at all. You're still on the company's time whether you write support emails or are on the phone doing a deal. I wonder if there's any grey area with regard to working during a lunch break.
Could you just track the time deducted from the company's time, and put in the extra half hour or so?
Re: Tips for launching a startup while holding a day job
#45On a related note, is it okay to pick up skills related to your side project at work? For example, if my side project is building a application in Clojure, is it okay to learn about Clojure at work? Of course, not at the expense of getting actual work work done, but there's always time between builds, etc. So instead of playing Foosball or surfing the internet, can one actually do something more productive, even thou…
IANAL, but I think there's pretty strong precedent that the employer can't assume ownership over any non-proprietary information you learn (languages, design patterns) at work. Of course, we live in a proto-fascist state where legal combat is often won by those with the most money, so it'd be dangerous to assume that past sane decisions will carry into the future.
I don't think companies can own knowledge, mainly because it is physically impossible. Once they figure out how to remove knowledge from the mind, then maybe they can.
Re: Tips for launching a startup while holding a day job
#46I have found that the easiest way to keep my day job and startup separate is to have a separate laptop for both so that I'm not tempted to work on startup tasks on the company's computer while on the clock or off. Not too difficult to do during the day but it can be during the off hours when the company's laptop is better than your own. I think the harder issue is trying to avoid answering emails that are startup rel…
I have a policy of not bringing the work laptop home... it never sets foot in my house so there's no temptation to use it for my side-business.
Ironically, this causes problems with my employer because they'd prefer I had access to company email etc at any time (it's not a requirement of the job they'd just prefer it).
But if I can't use their time, network and electricity, then they can't use mine ;-)
Re: Tips for launching a startup while holding a day job
#47Earlier quoted context omitted.
The grey area is using 3G and a smartphone for side project email.
I don't think there's a grey area at all. You're still on the company's time whether you write support emails or are on the phone doing a deal. I wonder if there's any grey area with regard to working during a lunch break.
Lets say you have a company supplied smart phone. Can you use it for emails after work hours?
Re: Tips for launching a startup while holding a day job
#48The point about not using your day job's resources is important. Not only could you lose you day job, but your side project as well. Many times when you start working at an organization, they have you sign an agreement saying something like "We own everything that is produced on our machines, network, etc."
I lock my MacBook that I use to work on several side projects on my train commute to my work desk and plug it in to recharge it. I don't open up the lid. Is it ok to use the electricity (it's not the network)?
Get an explicit written contract from your employer that your side projects are yours and yours alone (a nihil obstat), and then stop worrying about the small stuff like this.
Re: Tips for launching a startup while holding a day job
#49Earlier quoted context omitted.
I lock my MacBook that I use to work on several side projects on my train commute to my work desk and plug it in to recharge it. I don't open up the lid. Is it ok to use the electricity (it's not the network)?
there's no earthly way that the employer has any rights over your work in this manner, assuming you can prove it's never opened during business hours. They may, however, have a claim against you for the cost of the electricity. :)
And the product of using that electricity, under a theory of unjust enrichment.