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Ask HN: If you had 5 years of uninterrupted time, what would you build and why?

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Re: Ask HN: If you had 5 years of uninterrupted time, what would you build and why?

#21

Post by fusiongyro »

arash_milani wrote: post #10

IMHO Having more time like 5 years doesn't mean anyone is going o build something more valuable; I even think by having a limited time to deliver something (e.g 6 months) you are going to deliver the most valuable thing and skip anything that is simply not needed for user. So I think you should stop thinking about the time limit as a constrain to deliver a GREAT idea.

It might be more valuable simply by virtue of not being a product of this mindset. Certainly nobody on HN is going to tackle a problem that might take five years to bring to market, even as we adore products that obviously took more than six months to produce (the iPhone, the Roadster, etc.)

Re: Ask HN: If you had 5 years of uninterrupted time, what would you build and why?

#23

Post by dman »

fusiongyro wrote: post #21
arash_milani wrote: post #10

IMHO Having more time like 5 years doesn't mean anyone is going o build something more valuable; I even think by having a limited time to deliver something (e.g 6 months) you are going to deliver the most valuable thing and skip anything that is simply not needed for user. So I think you should stop thinking about the time limit as a constrain to deliver a GREAT idea.

It might be more valuable simply by virtue of not being a product of this mindset. Certainly nobody on HN is going to tackle a problem that might take five years to bring to market, even as we adore products that obviously took more than six months to produce (the iPhone, the Roadster, etc.)

I would in fact love to tackle such problems since I think the market for 5 - 10 year problems is much less efficient.

Re: Ask HN: If you had 5 years of uninterrupted time, what would you build and why?

#24

Post by 31reasons »

niggler wrote: post #9

The problem is that you can spend years or decades working on something that the market deems irrelevant. Case in point: GNU Hurd.

The question I have presented here does not imply an old traditional development model where you keep working on something for years and then release it to the public. You can use agile or whatever model deem appropriate to you. The question is about What would you FOCUS on for 5 years even if you don't see a light of success and keep working on it.

Re: Ask HN: If you had 5 years of uninterrupted time, what would you build and why?

#25

Post by shanev »

A digestive system simulator. Input your biomarkers and some other statistics about yourself and your level of activity. Select a food and quantity. It will tell you how your body would process it. How much would turn to fat, how it will affect your blood sugar, and other consequences of eating it. It could possibly be paired with a blood sugar monitoring device that is always attached to your finger. You'll be able to do fun stuff, like find out how many Pop Tarts you need to eat to get diabetes, etc. We are getting sick eating modern food and most of us are oblivious to it. This will help open some eyes.

Re: Ask HN: If you had 5 years of uninterrupted time, what would you build and why?

#28

Post by 31reasons »

arash_milani wrote: post #10

IMHO Having more time like 5 years doesn't mean anyone is going o build something more valuable; I even think by having a limited time to deliver something (e.g 6 months) you are going to deliver the most valuable thing and skip anything that is simply not needed for user. So I think you should stop thinking about the time limit as a constrain to deliver a GREAT idea.

Don't forget Tesla, SpaceX that certainly took more than 6 months to even design it.

Re: Ask HN: If you had 5 years of uninterrupted time, what would you build and why?

#30

Post by fusiongyro »

dman wrote: post #23
fusiongyro wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It might be more valuable simply by virtue of not being a product of this mindset. Certainly nobody on HN is going to tackle a problem that might take five years to bring to market, even as we adore products that obviously took more than six months to produce (the iPhone, the Roadster, etc.)

I would in fact love to tackle such problems since I think the market for 5 - 10 year problems is much less efficient.

While I'm giving out free advice I have no intention of acting on, consider tackling a problem with a significant initial investment in personnel. Nobody on HN is interested in launching a startup with a bunch of employees. If you find a niche where you would need that you can expect not to have much competition from folks around here.
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