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I’m tired of the opportunists and their hackathons

ryanleecarson.tumblr.com

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Re: I’m tired of the opportunists and their hackathons

#31

Post by ryancarson »

olivercameron wrote: post #23

I'm not entirely sure what hackathons Ryan Carson has been to, but this post is seriously misguided. Developers don't go to hackathons to be "code monkeys", rather they go to build something cool in a fun environment. It's often a great break outside of the day job to build something they would otherwise not have the motivation to. No one is stealing their concept or forcing them to take it further, it's just fun. As…

I agree with you on the reason Developers go to hackathons. That's why they're so likely to be taken advantage of. I'm simply saying that the young developer community needs to be wary.

Regarding "hacker mansions" a cursory read of this job posting should reveal what I'm referring to: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3961037

It's clearly written by someone who thinks they can throw material things at a Developer and then get them to work 20-hour days for three months straight.

Re: I’m tired of the opportunists and their hackathons

#33

Post by paulhauggis »

jpdoctor wrote: post #10

> They’re probably just trying to cash in on your youth and optimism. It is the nature of optimistic youth that they rarely notice. And when they do, they quickly become old codgers (like the person typing this comment.)

"They’re probably just trying to cash in on your youth and optimism."

I find this about most companies, especially in silicon valley. Just look at Google or Facebook. They get 20 somethings right out of college and work them to the bone on a salary (IE: you don't get paid any extra).

Sure, you can go home at 5, but you most likely won't get a promotion when everyone around you is working until 7 or 8.

Re: I’m tired of the opportunists and their hackathons

#34

Post by ryancarson »

wfrick wrote: post #27

A lot of bitterness on behalf of the author against, essentially, people who don't have kids and choose to spend more of their time coding. Sure we don't want to drive people over the edge by encouraging everyone everywhere to work all the time, but this post makes it seem like anyone who makes different life choices than the author (not having a family) is somehow just getting swindled.

I wasn't damning all hackathons. I coded through the night many times before I had a family.

I simply said "Think twice. They’re probably just trying to cash in on your youth and optimism."

Re: I’m tired of the opportunists and their hackathons

#35

Post by olivercameron »

ryancarson wrote: post #31
olivercameron wrote: post #23

I'm not entirely sure what hackathons Ryan Carson has been to, but this post is seriously misguided. Developers don't go to hackathons to be "code monkeys", rather they go to build something cool in a fun environment. It's often a great break outside of the day job to build something they would otherwise not have the motivation to. No one is stealing their concept or forcing them to take it further, it's just fun. As…

I agree with you on the reason Developers go to hackathons. That's why they're so likely to be taken advantage of. I'm simply saying that the young developer community needs to be wary. Regarding "hacker mansions" a cursory read of this job posting should reveal what I'm referring to: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3961037 It's clearly written by someone who thinks they can throw material things at a Developer a…

I'm just not entirely sure how someone can be taken advantage of at a hackathon. Are you implying that someone will steal their product? Or that they'll somehow be convinced to give up a large % stake in their project by someone who can't code? Again, an example of a hackathon where this has happened would be great. Besmirching the name of hackathons in general is wrong.

As for hacker mansions, the post you linked to opens with "Like the idea of living/working in a Palo Alto hacker mansion?". If the answer to that question is no, then the likelihood is you wouldn't apply to this job.

I disagree with your assessment that this ad is "clearly written by someone who thinks they can throw material things at a Developer and then get them to work 20-hour days for three months straight". From my perspective, they're offering an amazing summer experience for the right candidate who wants to work with them. This ad is clearly not aimed for experienced developers, but rather young folk who are looking to get experience in the startup community.

Let's not forget that employment is at will, so if someone is not enjoying working at such a place, they can leave at any time. I, for one, know a bunch of people who love and thrive in such environments. As for "20-hour days", that's just a number you've thrown out. Who's to say you couldn't have a great work/life balance at a hacker mansion?

Re: I’m tired of the opportunists and their hackathons

#36

Post by sbisker »

ryancarson wrote: post #31
olivercameron wrote: post #23

I'm not entirely sure what hackathons Ryan Carson has been to, but this post is seriously misguided. Developers don't go to hackathons to be "code monkeys", rather they go to build something cool in a fun environment. It's often a great break outside of the day job to build something they would otherwise not have the motivation to. No one is stealing their concept or forcing them to take it further, it's just fun. As…

I agree with you on the reason Developers go to hackathons. That's why they're so likely to be taken advantage of. I'm simply saying that the young developer community needs to be wary. Regarding "hacker mansions" a cursory read of this job posting should reveal what I'm referring to: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3961037 It's clearly written by someone who thinks they can throw material things at a Developer a…

On that note, I really wish commenting was turned back on for HN job postings. I understand why they were turned off - people trying to expose anonymity for instance - but since they left, I feel like I see worse and worse postings, with little repercussions - or at least community feedback - to the companies who post...

Re: I’m tired of the opportunists and their hackathons

#37

Post by ryancarson »

olivercameron wrote: post #35
ryancarson wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I agree with you on the reason Developers go to hackathons. That's why they're so likely to be taken advantage of. I'm simply saying that the young developer community needs to be wary. Regarding "hacker mansions" a cursory read of this job posting should reveal what I'm referring to: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3961037 It's clearly written by someone who thinks they can throw material things at a Developer a…

I'm just not entirely sure how someone can be taken advantage of at a hackathon. Are you implying that someone will steal their product? Or that they'll somehow be convinced to give up a large % stake in their project by someone who can't code? Again, an example of a hackathon where this has happened would be great. Besmirching the name of hackathons in general is wrong. As for hacker mansions, the post you linked to…

You can be taken advantage of simply by participating. Hackathons that are tacked on to events are a great example: they're simply a way to sell more tickets. I've been guilty of this in the past on shows we've done (Twitter's Chirp conf, etc).

Can good things happen at these hackathons? You bet. That doesn't mean Developers shouldn't be careful though.

As for "20-hour days", that's just a number you've thrown out. Who's to say you couldn't have a great work/life balance at a hacker mansion?

The whole point of a "hacker mansion" is to work 7 days a week for three months straight.

Re: I’m tired of the opportunists and their hackathons

#39

Post by jaredsohn »

One role of hackathons that I haven't seen mentioned here is they provide a way for developers and API makers to interact. For developers, it can helps them learn about different APIs in person by interacting with technical people from the offering companies. For companies with APIs, it helps them get developer mindshare, first-hand experience with how developers use their APIs, and offers the possibilities of having demos they can show future customers.

Re: I’m tired of the opportunists and their hackathons

#40

Post by Porter_423 »

I couldn't agree more. I have been to a Startup Weekend last month and it was horrible seeing all the "biz guy" trying to vulture all the hackers to work on their MVP for 54H for FREE. Some even went home a 9pm and told the hackers " you are going to work all night on this, right ? " unbelievable...
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