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Ask HN: What tasks stop you from working on your product?

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Re: Ask HN: What tasks stop you from working on your product?

#21

Post by curiousgeorge »

unalone wrote: post #14
liuliu wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Prototyping fast, then start the second edition. Don't wait until you are confident enough to start. I find that whatever I do whatever language I use, I always do the best in the second version.

I'm mocking up every page in HTML right now. My cofounder and I are scouring over all the details, trying to make absolutely gorgeous pages. (I know every person who makes an HTML thinks this, but I truly think that the few pages we've finalized are superb.) Next semester, I'm in an advanced PHP course - enough to really firm up the things I'm working on. I'll probably have a prototype made winter break, so I'll be a…

Unless you're certain about the UI elements, doing a hard design may be a bad move. I personally get better mileage from building the core architecture/functionality first, and working on the rest, ideally with public feedback on both after a certain stage. I've made significant changes in usability in the past as a result of this. If you end up hard-coding stuff before it gets scrutinized in the forge of actual use, you'll have a harder time making changes down the road.

YMMV. It helps if you use a framework or something else that can get you started. Just remember that customizing a framework isn't your core competency.

Re: Ask HN: What tasks stop you from working on your product?

#24

Post by tuukkah »

nailer wrote: post #19
nailer wrote: post #13

Finding good documentation on PyXPCOM.

odd, I didn't expct to be moderated up there. Is someone else working on something involving PyXPCOM? Wanna chat?

A friend of mine is working in a research project about integrating and contextualising web and desktop applications. He's building their system using Firefox, PyXPCOM and SproutCore. I have an email address on my profile page.

Re: Ask HN: What tasks stop you from working on your product?

#25

Post by babyshake »

I'm at a stage where I'm hacking most of the time (yay!), but I've learned that I can get really stubborn about solving problems, and don't know when to just take the loss, and do something in a way that is less robust but at least works.

In fact, I'd say I waste several hours a week being stubborn about problems, and I'm not a particularly stubborn person.

I would pay good money for a solution that always gave me insight into when I've been spending too much time on a task...but I'd be surprised if that could be pulled off.

Re: Ask HN: What tasks stop you from working on your product?

#30

Post by tomsaffell »

pg wrote: post #16

The two biggest time-sucks for YC alumni seem to be talking to investors and dealing with visa problems.

Those experiencing visa problems may benefit from getting a lawyer involved (if they don't already). I can recommend mine (in SF): Richard Kolomejec.

I have nothing to gain from making this recommendation.

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