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Leo the Homeless Coder Finished His App, and You Can Download It Right Now

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Re: Leo the Homeless Coder Finished His App, and You Can Download It Right Now

#23
post #15
post #5

I have been thinking a lot about whether it would be possible to invest enough in someone that it got them off rock bottom. I guess this is proof that it is possible. It might be time to start asking the same question to some of the people around where I work.

I think Macdonough was smart to offer $100 or the opportunity to learn to code. It was a good way to screen out unmotivated people -- if someone is homeless and turns down $100, it's likely that that they're very motivated.

Yeah, I'm not sure it's a 100% reliable method though. Depends how recently the person has eaten (etc).

Re: Leo the Homeless Coder Finished His App, and You Can Download It Right Now

#25
post #6

Does this seem exploitative to other people? Although it is exciting that his app launched, the fact that this entrepreneur is being called "The Homeless Coder" seems wrong to me.

It seems perfectly reasonable to market this as aggressively as possible.

It's not like he's rolling in money, and it's not like his mentor is taking a cut.

Re: Leo the Homeless Coder Finished His App, and You Can Download It Right Now

#27
I hate to be cynical, but it feels like this is mostly capitalizing on the idea of a "homeless coder". In order for the app idea to work, it needs people. Lots of people. A $0.99 app is never going to get enough users to be useful for MOST of us. If the idea and execution stood on its own, I wouldn't fault them for leveraging the backstory for media attention, but since the execution is favouring short term money at the cost of long term success, it feels like a cash-in.

Not that there is anything wrong with donating to support someone homeless working to get themselves into a better situation... or anything wrong with someone who needs so much trying to cash-in. It just doesn't feel like a good faith attempt to reduce CO2 emissions, that's all.

Re: Leo the Homeless Coder Finished His App, and You Can Download It Right Now

#28
I would love to see this thread turn into suggestions/advice for Leo on how he can improve his app. I bought it, despite having little idea what it does, and just wanting to support him. My first suggestions if Leo ever reads this: - Add more pictures to the app page/listing in itunes - Show how it works - Why is ridesharing good for the environment

Re: Leo the Homeless Coder Finished His App, and You Can Download It Right Now

#29

How did he do iOS development on a Chromebook?

Judging by that UI screenshot it's jQuery mobile so he probably used phonegap to wrap it in a native app for both iOS and Android.

How would he use PhoneGap on a Chromebook? You still need to have X Code to sign an iOS application.

I assume his mentor was the one who packaged them up for Android and iOS (especially since it's listed under his name on the iOS App Store).

Re: Leo the Homeless Coder Finished His App, and You Can Download It Right Now

#30
post #6

Does this seem exploitative to other people? Although it is exciting that his app launched, the fact that this entrepreneur is being called "The Homeless Coder" seems wrong to me.

I think the difference is nobody is exploiting anybody else. "Leo the Homeless Coder" is exploiting himself for profit, but Patrick McConlogue is not exploiting anybody. I'm not 100% sure what his specific motivation was, but it doesn't seem like Patrick is attempting to profit off this in any way.
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