How I built 7books in under 4 weeks • Hacker News Board

Re: How I built 7books in under 4 weeks

#41

Post by JonnieCache » Thu, Nov 11, 2010, 12:26 AM UTC

topcat31 wrote: post #26

Update - the site just fell over :( I've activated billing in app engine but no idea how long it takes to come online. Really sorry guys - I assumed the free quotes would see me through! Hopefully it comes back soon. edit - looks like the billing just kicked in... Phew. Sorry about that! looks like I caught it just about in time. If you saw the 404 page my apologies. I've loaded it up with credits so it should stay u…

welcome to the world of running public facing internet services. and early onset heart disease.

Re: How I built 7books in under 4 weeks

#42

Post by topcat31 » Thu, Nov 11, 2010, 12:28 AM UTC

vidar wrote: post #2

Good for you, it always warms my heart to see someone taking these first steps. Try to notice your own reactions, its good to be reminded of when you yourself were a novice.

Thanks vidar - I'm blown away by all the positive feedback :)

It's been a fun few weeks, I hope my post encourages others to follow in my steps!

Re: How I built 7books in under 4 weeks

#43

Post by topcat31 » Thu, Nov 11, 2010, 12:30 AM UTC

blhack wrote: post #22

MisterWebz wrote: post #18

Very impressive. I've been learning Python for almost a whole year and I haven't even got one completely functional app. I've got tons of unfinished ones though.

FINISH THEM! Ask for help if you need it! I started doing "web stuff" about 3 years ago and have learned sooo much just by forcing myself to do it. It's so funny to me to see how much I've changed, I came across one of the first ever "apps" that I made a few days ago. It was a DVD cataloger that I made my Dad for his birthday (He glanced at it, went "huh", then bought some commercial version of the same thing...humph…

I'd encourage you to put them live before you finish them! 7books isn't finished at all, this is just the beginning but all this feedback and testing is what shapes the future of the site. I learned the "publish fast" concept from HN and I strongly recommend it.

Re: How I built 7books in under 4 weeks

#44

Post by topcat31 » Thu, Nov 11, 2010, 12:30 AM UTC

tlack wrote: post #10

to go from not knowing how to make a to doing all of this in 4 weeks is majorly impressive. and the site has a really nice, unique look and feel. good work!

thanks :)

Re: How I built 7books in under 4 weeks

#45

Post by topcat31 » Thu, Nov 11, 2010, 12:30 AM UTC

johnconroy wrote: post #19

Hell of a good job. Learning to code & build a web app from scratch in 4 weeks is mighty impressive.

Thank you sir :)

Re: How I built 7books in under 4 weeks

#46

Post by techiferous » Thu, Nov 11, 2010, 12:52 AM UTC

jessor wrote: post #24

> I'd strongly recommend anyone starting out developing something to find some kind of mentor. I wish I'd had someone I could have asked for help but in my case... So is there already a hn spreadsheet up somewhere where one could find a, say, rails mentor? :)

http://www.railsmentors.org/

Re: How I built 7books in under 4 weeks

#47

Post by topcat31 » Thu, Nov 11, 2010, 12:53 AM UTC

JonnieCache wrote: post #41

topcat31 wrote: post #26

Update - the site just fell over :( I've activated billing in app engine but no idea how long it takes to come online. Really sorry guys - I assumed the free quotes would see me through! Hopefully it comes back soon. edit - looks like the billing just kicked in... Phew. Sorry about that! looks like I caught it just about in time. If you saw the 404 page my apologies. I've loaded it up with credits so it should stay u…

welcome to the world of running public facing internet services. and early onset heart disease.

Heh - indeed :)

Re: How I built 7books in under 4 weeks

#48

Post by zhyder » Thu, Nov 11, 2010, 12:56 AM UTC

Feature request: show book cover art.

Re: How I built 7books in under 4 weeks

#49

Post by tommusic » Thu, Nov 11, 2010, 1:16 AM UTC

Great job learning a language (and an infrastructure) with such speed!

I've been building something with a similar aim on and off for a long time now, and it's neat to see in the comments that there are at least three others already out there.

I wonder if there is something that will lead to more widespread awareness/adoption of sites like these. Or are we better off trying to pick a target market smaller than [all book readers]?

Some good food for thought as I try and finally finish my own entrant into the space.

Re: How I built 7books in under 4 weeks

#50

Post by jessor » Thu, Nov 11, 2010, 1:20 AM UTC

techiferous wrote: post #46

jessor wrote: post #24

> I'd strongly recommend anyone starting out developing something to find some kind of mentor. I wish I'd had someone I could have asked for help but in my case... So is there already a hn spreadsheet up somewhere where one could find a, say, rails mentor? :)

http://www.railsmentors.org/

Awesome! Thanks.