Show HN: First project and lessons learned • Hacker News Board

Re: Show HN: First project and lessons learned

#11

Post by Inc82 » Mon, Oct 31, 2011, 3:41 PM UTC

robryan wrote: post #8

Congratulations on launching something, it's great to get that initial step out the way. I guess the key thing to ask about this is what is the unique value proposition over other services? Mainly Facebook where the vast majority of potential users probably already have their social graphs. A couple of years back I thought about doing an events site thinking that there was space for someone to be basically social net…

If this is a flawed idea you can let me know (and I'm open to your thoughts) but this is what I'm operating under right now: I, nor no one I know, uses FB events for casual get togethers. Want to get together for drinks at the bar tonight after work? I wouldn't use FB events. I could send text messages to friends sure, or I could call them sure, but this is a fun easy way to accomplish that. That's what I want, and I don't have anything else that fulfills that.. if there is something else it hasn't made its way onto my desk yet. So its just a simple way t odo that, that's the value proposition at the moment.

Re: Show HN: First project and lessons learned

#12

Post by Inc82 » Mon, Oct 31, 2011, 3:42 PM UTC

danso wrote: post #10

I echo the other comment: there is nothing currently on the front page that tells me exactly what this site does. Is it a chat room? There's not an obvious link for previewing, if such an option exists. I just don't think the average user is going to sign up for another service without knowing what it offers

Thanks Danso, duly noted. Will change some wording today to make it clearer and will think about longer term fixes as well.

Re: Show HN: First project and lessons learned

#13

Post by pkennedy » Mon, Oct 31, 2011, 4:06 PM UTC

Inc82 wrote: post #4

I should add some of the lessons I learned: 1) When you don't know how to do something you don't know how much you should pay.. and surprisingly it takes less time to learn than you would think. I wrote off learning Rails thinking it was harder then it was.. Sure it has its nuances, but in 45 days I've gained a really good perspective on building an app. But to learn, really commit! Build an app then when you are don…

re: number 4: the difference in reaction to coders vs. entrepreneurs looking for coders at local Ruby events has been amazing. I got much better reactions as a beginning but committed Ruby coder than the guys that were there looking for a technical cofounder to do that part of the work for them. Showing a willingness and real interest in the technology really helps establish a rapport, in ways that I wouldn't have even guessed at before I started learning to code six months ago.

I now think it's totally worth the experience to make the effort to learn, regardless of whether you plan to be a 'biz guy' or 'code guy' in the long run.

Also, re: point 3: no kidding. learned that the hard way in my previous life as a writer/photographer. I'm still trying to figure out how to get better at giving that kind of feedback.

Re: Show HN: First project and lessons learned

#14

Post by billpatrianakos » Mon, Oct 31, 2011, 4:29 PM UTC

I know how you feel with the belonging. So many smart people around it could really be intimidating. In reality, everyone always _seems_ to be much smarter, happier, and better off than they really are.

Please, you don't have to say "sure, it needs x, y, and z". You built a cool thing and enjoyed it. That's awesome! Don't diminish your skill and effort like that.

I like reading posts like these. I don't want to see anyone fail but its a fact of life and it really comforts newbies like me who have a long road filled with failure before we reach the promised land.

Re: Show HN: First project and lessons learned

#15

Post by Inc82 » Mon, Oct 31, 2011, 4:36 PM UTC

billpatrianakos wrote: post #14

I know how you feel with the belonging. So many smart people around it could really be intimidating. In reality, everyone always _seems_ to be much smarter, happier, and better off than they really are. Please, you don't have to say "sure, it needs x, y, and z". You built a cool thing and enjoyed it. That's awesome! Don't diminish your skill and effort like that. I like reading posts like these. I don't want to see a…

Thanks Bill, an honest response. I think you nailed the emotion as well.

Re: Show HN: First project and lessons learned

#16

Post by tibbon » Mon, Oct 31, 2011, 7:42 PM UTC

Is your code on Github by any chance?

Re: Show HN: First project and lessons learned

#17

Post by gregw100 » Tue, Nov 01, 2011, 1:14 AM UTC

This is actually very motivational to me. I'm in the same boat. I've spent thousands of dollars in the last five months hiring programmers to build my site. The site is about half-complete, but now I'm running out of money and need to go find a job to sustain my expenditures.

I think your decision to teach yourself those languages is very commendable and I'm sure it feels good to have created your own website by hand.

One thing I've learned is if you plan to launch a website, create a stripped-down version of it first and attempt to monetize it before you run out of money. Then once you start generating revenue, you can begin adding the features you originally planned. Of course, if you have deep pockets, than building the entire site with all functionality first is no problem.

Good luck with your site Kevin.