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What hackers don’t know about business

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Re: What hackers don’t know about business

#51
post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> This is the thinnest sliver of a fraction of what business people think hackers should know about business. This sounds like programmers need to know a lot about business. Of course knowledge is a light burden and all that, but do really programmers need to know that much outside their area of expertise? Isn't a shallow understanding enough? Otherwise, what would you need dedicated business people for? > Ya know, i…

This sounds like programmers need to know a lot about business. Of course knowledge is a light burden and all that, but do really programmers need to know that much outside their area of expertise? Isn't a shallow understanding enough? Otherwise, what would you need dedicated business people for? Sorry, my reply was coming from the point of view of "hacker as potential entrepreneur", not "hacker as employee of $FIRM.…

OK, then I understand your position better. This is hacker news after all.

BTW, I think that there's misunderstanding between software developers and business people because software development is not as much about technology and hard facts as non-developers tend to think. It is very much about organization, people and processes. So in that way, software development is more similar to business than business people expect.

Re: What hackers don’t know about business

#52

I'll tell you what, I'd much rather be working amongst a team of engineers who are learning to run a business than a team of MBA types who are learning the ins and outs of software development. I'd put my money on a team of engineers every time too. But I also steer clear of anyone who describes themself as a "hacker". Code is a craft, MacGuyvering something together is no way to build a sustainable business.

And I'd put my money on a team of good people that doesn't involve members who are willing to type-cast a person based on his or her degree.

Didn't say anything about degrees. Ultimately it's about people who know how to make things vs people who know how to talk about things. More often than not, in the software world that equates to engineers vs MBAs. I'd much rather work with people who can make and need to learn how to talk than people who know how to talk and need to learn how to make
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