There are a lot of articles on hacker news about how important it is not to skimp on x for x = lawyers, graphic designers, people, people not in your core competency, marketing, gear, chairs, etc. I'd like to ask the opposite: of all the things a startup usually buys, what should one skimp on?
Ask YC: What should one skimp on?
1–10 of 30 posts
Re: Ask YC: What should one skimp on?
#2Graphic design, if your concept or implementation is really stellar. Google and Reddit get by just fine. I've noticed that sites such as Digg will actually reduce graphics when redesigning the page, reducing clutter and bandwidth at the same time.
That is, as long as your target audience isn't primarily composed of Apple users. Then it's graphics all the way!
Re: Ask YC: What should one skimp on?
#3Graphic design, if your concept or implementation is really stellar. Google and Reddit get by just fine. I've noticed that sites such as Digg will actually reduce graphics when redesigning the page, reducing clutter and bandwidth at the same time. That is, as long as your target audience isn't primarily composed of Apple users. Then it's graphics all the way!
''Most people make the mistake of thinking design is what it looks like,'' says Steve Jobs, Apple's C.E.O. ''People think it's this veneer -- that the designers are handed this box and told, 'Make it look good!' That's not what we think design is. It's not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.''
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C02E7D8113BF...
Re: Ask YC: What should one skimp on?
#4Graphic design, if your concept or implementation is really stellar. Google and Reddit get by just fine. I've noticed that sites such as Digg will actually reduce graphics when redesigning the page, reducing clutter and bandwidth at the same time. That is, as long as your target audience isn't primarily composed of Apple users. Then it's graphics all the way!
The best design is one you don't notice. To make a page look simple and "good", you need a skilled designer.
One data point -- I'm not a skilled designer and have tried to "keep things simple". My sites still end up looking like crap :) That is why I let the designers design, though.
Making something complex is easy. Making something simple is hard.
Re: Ask YC: What should one skimp on?
#5Premature optimization.
For most Web 2.0 startups, you can also skip IE6 support, at least in the beginning.
Re: Ask YC: What should one skimp on?
#6an office space, office furniture, luxury items like candy/soda
Re: Ask YC: What should one skimp on?
#7Premature optimization. For most Web 2.0 startups, you can also skip IE6 support, at least in the beginning.
Are you joking? IE6 is still a massive percentage of visitors. It's not hard to do, unless you're just lazy. IE6 is definately not something to skimp on.
Re: Ask YC: What should one skimp on?
#8Graphic design, if your concept or implementation is really stellar. Google and Reddit get by just fine. I've noticed that sites such as Digg will actually reduce graphics when redesigning the page, reducing clutter and bandwidth at the same time. That is, as long as your target audience isn't primarily composed of Apple users. Then it's graphics all the way!
''Most people make the mistake of thinking design is what it looks like,'' says Steve Jobs, Apple's C.E.O. ''People think it's this veneer -- that the designers are handed this box and told, 'Make it look good!' That's not what we think design is. It's not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.'' http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C02E7D8113BF...
He specified "Graphic Design" and there he is probably right, if only because your typical hacker will un-self-consciously design a graphical monstrosity. My answer to the OP's question is: "Everything outside your core competence". It's relative, of course...
Re: Ask YC: What should one skimp on?
#9Graphic design, if your concept or implementation is really stellar. Google and Reddit get by just fine. I've noticed that sites such as Digg will actually reduce graphics when redesigning the page, reducing clutter and bandwidth at the same time. That is, as long as your target audience isn't primarily composed of Apple users. Then it's graphics all the way!
It isn't just a matter of who your target audience is. It's also what their relationship is to the information you're managing. More detail than you probably want re. my struggle with this issue can be found here:
Re: Ask YC: What should one skimp on?
#10Is the answer, everything too vague? I would say the first place to skrimp is lifestyle, and from there, build up.