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Ask HN: Who isn't in the software industry/not a hacker?

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Ask HN: Who isn't in the software industry/not a hacker?

#1

Post by graham1776 »

I work as an Associate in the commercial real estate industry and wonder how many others like me are out there on HN. Is there a community here like me who have an interest in technology and entrepreneurship but aren't hackers?

I love this site because: A) I get news on average 2-3 days before it makes it's way through the news cycle. B) Technology interests me and I can see what new tech could benefit my industry C) I am a wantrepreneur and like reading about startups, hopefully wanting to start one someday.

Why are you here and what do you get out of the community?

Re: Ask HN: Who isn't in the software industry/not a hacker?

#2

Post by mgmtconsultant »

I'm a management consultant. When hackers (Michael O'Church, for instance) write about "MBA Culture" as opposed to "Hacker Culture" - well, I'm in the center of the MBAs.

Why do I read HN? Mostly, because I like and enjoy working in the technology space (defined broadly) and hope to build a career in tech. HN is great at giving me a view over the other side of the fence.

Re: Ask HN: Who isn't in the software industry/not a hacker?

#3

Post by Saus »

I'm in sales (network monitoring, deep packet inspection and security). I've tried code bootcamps six or seven times, but coding isn't for me, talking is my thing. As you said, the frontpage is the day after tomorrows news in my industry. Just because I read HN, it seems I'm very well informed. Besides that I'm a failed entrepeneur (closed shop after 2 years, now mostly wantrepeneur/idea-guy ;)) and I enjoy reading succes stories of others.

Re: Ask HN: Who isn't in the software industry/not a hacker?

#5

Post by NAFV_P »

HN readers like yourself are a big plus, it lends the site diversity. There is also a fairly big age range.

I would definitely agree with point A.

The odd gem, like [0].

Advice or pointers from other HN readers.

I do not work in the software industry, but I would call myself a hacker.

The term "hacker" can be interpreted in imaginative ways, I wouldn't be surprised to find hackers in your area of work.

[0] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=7388576

Re: Ask HN: Who isn't in the software industry/not a hacker?

#6

Post by FD3SA »

HN is a fascinating place mainly because it is one of the most diverse communities of incredibly intelligent people on the web.

The level of discourse is usually high while covering a very broad range of subjects. Subject specific communities still exceed HN competency in their respective domains, but nowhere that I've found covers such a diverse range of topics with a relatively high competence.

Unfortunately there are still some very obvious biases regarding certain subjects, but at least the community entertains other points of view.

Although I'm an engineer by training, HN has led me to explore many domains to which I wouldn't otherwise have been exposed. Furthermore, there are some incredible individuals here who I'd never run into otherwise, and discussions with them are extremely satisfying.

Overall a great community, though sometimes limited by the bias of its origins.

Re: Ask HN: Who isn't in the software industry/not a hacker?

#8

Post by jakarta »

I'm an analyst at a hedge fund, I have a job as a generalist so I look at pretty much every asset class/geography/industry.

Historically have done very little investing in tech, but I'm interested in it and HN is a good way to keep up with the industry.

I look at startups as businesses or industries where the rate of change is much faster than normal. I think as an investor you're really a student of business and that makes startups a really fascinating area to observe.

Re: Ask HN: Who isn't in the software industry/not a hacker?

#9

Post by Bootvis »

I'm a consulting actuary.

What am I doing here? I've been programming since I was 11 and still do it often. You have to as an actuary.

Besides I have some web skills and I'm using to build a startup doing risk management for farmers. In this startup I'm responsible for the whole stack.

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