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Warning: Software Startups are Not as Easy as Everyone Says

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Re: Warning: Software Startups are Not as Easy as Everyone Says

#21

Post by mrtron »

mnemonicsloth wrote: post #20
mrtron wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Can you rephrase that? I don't know if you are curious or trying to make some sort of strawman argument. If you are curious, I am sorry I can't spill many details. But I have done a startup and several projects in the past, and am currently involved in a startup. If you are implying I don't know anything because I haven't done it myself...well I guess I answered that. I also have quite a few friends who have done sta…

A straw man is a proxy, a fake, a stand-in for the real thing. So to make a straw man argument, I have to distort something you've said so that it becomes easier to refute. Feel free to explain how I can do this when your post is reproduced verbatim above mine. You meant argumentum ad hominem (advanced by a loaded question, even!). Technically, it's not relevant to startups' degree of ease whether you've been success…

No, the strawman you were presenting was that I had no idea about this topic because I had not experienced it myself. That is a fallacy, and it is untrue in this situation. I did not mean it was a loaded question, I wasn't sure whether you were being a jerk or not.

Clearly, you were trying to be a pompous ass, and are again with this second comment. I hardly claim to be an expert, I CLEARLY stated to have some anecdotal evidence. I was simply giving some comments based on my experiences, and whether you choose to believe me is your prerogative.

Lastly, how is it improbable that starting a startup is easy? Any software developer can write their own software in a short period of time, and try to start a business based on it.

Re: Warning: Software Startups are Not as Easy as Everyone Says

#22

Post by weiser »

nickb wrote: post #13
caveman82 wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The article's fault is not that the message itself is overtly obvious, it's that it neglects the more important question of: Why there will always be a large number of entrepreneurs in spite of the low success rates of starting a business and the enormous amount of work, dedication, and "luck" required to be immensely successful. But that would be opening up an economic/philosophical can of worms that is neither here…

> Why there will always be a large number of entrepreneurs in spite of the low success rates Visit Las Vegas or lotto ticket booth and chat to people... it will clear up a lot of things.

I've played blackjack in vegas, and I am also working on my web app these days. The latter is relatively harder

Re: Warning: Software Startups are Not as Easy as Everyone Says

#23

Post by cstejerean »

mnemonicsloth wrote: post #20
mrtron wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Can you rephrase that? I don't know if you are curious or trying to make some sort of strawman argument. If you are curious, I am sorry I can't spill many details. But I have done a startup and several projects in the past, and am currently involved in a startup. If you are implying I don't know anything because I haven't done it myself...well I guess I answered that. I also have quite a few friends who have done sta…

A straw man is a proxy, a fake, a stand-in for the real thing. So to make a straw man argument, I have to distort something you've said so that it becomes easier to refute. Feel free to explain how I can do this when your post is reproduced verbatim above mine. You meant argumentum ad hominem (advanced by a loaded question, even!). Technically, it's not relevant to startups' degree of ease whether you've been success…

Alright, you can't post something like this and then hope that adding "I don't want to be a pompous ass" will help. Nobody is trying to convince you of anything, he was simply stating his opinion on the subject.

Re: Warning: Software Startups are Not as Easy as Everyone Says

#24

Post by cstejerean »

caveman82 wrote: post #9
migpwr wrote: post #3

Why do you people up vote this stuff? This place is turning into planet of the obvious... do you really need to read a page of it's not easy? pfff junk

The article's fault is not that the message itself is overtly obvious, it's that it neglects the more important question of: Why there will always be a large number of entrepreneurs in spite of the low success rates of starting a business and the enormous amount of work, dedication, and "luck" required to be immensely successful. But that would be opening up an economic/philosophical can of worms that is neither here…

The question you are asking has a very obvious answer, because people are willing to take their chances in hopes of becoming rich. Look at the number of people trying to become actors/actresses or hope to make it big as a professional basketball/football/baseball player or heck even become a drug dealer. It's simple economics.

The potential rewards are great and most folks over estimate their ability.

Re: Warning: Software Startups are Not as Easy as Everyone Says

#25

Post by cstejerean »

mrtron wrote: post #15

I am going to be a complete fool and say the opposite. Starting up is easier than everyone says. Reasons? The cost is really low. You don't have to quit your job. You don't have to invest a lot into your company. If things start to do well, you can afford to do both. What really is the cost? The cost is your time, and if it is something you enjoy, its a win-win situation. Am I defining a hobby? Sure, but starting up…

Some perhaps would like to think that succeeding at a startup is somehow easier than become a professional basketball player. Sure you can play basketball in your spare time and all you need to do is buy a basketball and a pair of shorts, but all that means is that playing basketball isn't hard, becoming a successful is.

Heck, the article didn't claim that starting a startup is hard. It claimed that "startups" are hard. Which is meant to prepare folks for the fact that if you want to succeed it's going to be hard. And that's something a lot of folks don't get.

Re: Warning: Software Startups are Not as Easy as Everyone Says

#26

Post by rokhayakebe »

The article is great. The only problem is that we hear the same story every hour or so. What some of us fail to realize is that most startups were not started as startups. As a matter of fact I would say that the majority of successful entrepreneurs did not start with the idea of owning/running a business. Usually engineers/hackers work on a app in their past time out of curiosity and build a product. The business or startup naturally follows.

Re: Warning: Software Startups are Not as Easy as Everyone Says

#27

Post by falsestprophet »

Successful (software) start-ups are unlikely. They require great aptitude (the possession of which is uncommon) and rarely fabulous luck. The likelihood of a start-up succeeding is the product of two unlikely circumstances.

So I suppose it is as easy as being exceptional and lucky.

Don't sell your house.

Re: Warning: Software Startups are Not as Easy as Everyone Says

#28

Post by cellis »

rokhayakebe wrote: post #26

The article is great. The only problem is that we hear the same story every hour or so. What some of us fail to realize is that most startups were not started as startups. As a matter of fact I would say that the majority of successful entrepreneurs did not start with the idea of owning/running a business. Usually engineers/hackers work on a app in their past time out of curiosity and build a product. The business or…

i don't know what the hell you're talking about. Not started as startups? Most? Wow! You clearly need to do a bit more research.

Re: Warning: Software Startups are Not as Easy as Everyone Says

#29

Post by rokhayakebe »

cellis wrote: post #28
rokhayakebe wrote: post #26

The article is great. The only problem is that we hear the same story every hour or so. What some of us fail to realize is that most startups were not started as startups. As a matter of fact I would say that the majority of successful entrepreneurs did not start with the idea of owning/running a business. Usually engineers/hackers work on a app in their past time out of curiosity and build a product. The business or…

i don't know what the hell you're talking about. Not started as startups? Most? Wow! You clearly need to do a bit more research.

Maybe if we skip the insult we can all come to an understanding. I do not think you deserve an explanation from me, but I will still give one for the intelligent and respectful others. Most successful companies today were started by engineers who were working on a product/service as a project. After realizing that they are sitting on something valuable (and most likely this happens by accident), they start to look into building a company around the product. Several people wake up and have the intention to start a business. I think that most people who want to start a business first then try to find a problem to tackle are the ones who need this sort of article. And they are also the ones who are more likely to Fail. I am not being rude it is just a fact.

Re: Warning: Software Startups are Not as Easy as Everyone Says

#30

Post by immad »

cstejerean wrote: post #23
mnemonicsloth wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A straw man is a proxy, a fake, a stand-in for the real thing. So to make a straw man argument, I have to distort something you've said so that it becomes easier to refute. Feel free to explain how I can do this when your post is reproduced verbatim above mine. You meant argumentum ad hominem (advanced by a loaded question, even!). Technically, it's not relevant to startups' degree of ease whether you've been success…

Alright, you can't post something like this and then hope that adding "I don't want to be a pompous ass" will help. Nobody is trying to convince you of anything, he was simply stating his opinion on the subject.

He said he didn't want to be too much of a pompous ass. Clearly he agrees (rightly) that he was being at least a bit of a pompous ass.

Also his level of pompousness was funny.

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