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I'm out, baby

news.ycombinator.com

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Re: I'm out, baby

#62

Post by jbenz »

raffi wrote: post #33

When I left the military I had substantial savings to get a startup off the ground and finish a graduate degree. I decided to write software to help people write better. I always had issues with my own writing as was excited about an extended GNU Style / Diction that could curb my own bad habits. I created http://www.polishmywriting.com/ as a technical demonstration for my rule engine. I spent the month of June worki…

Just to let you know, I was one of those people who reviewed and commented on PolishMyWriting when you posted it here 16 days ago.

Your site has continued to stick in my head. There's been more than one occasion that I've thought this email or that blog post should have been run through your system.

HN has introduced me to a lot of new sites, and not one has struck me as immediately functional as yours.

I think it could be very popular. My only piece of advice (and honestly no offense to Ashley Johnson) would be to hire a new graphic designer to give it an overhaul.

I like your idea of analyzing corporate blog copy and sending them the results, but why not do that for any popular blogger? If they use your service, they might write about you. There are a lot of blogs out there about blogging.

Good luck, to both you and Shawn.

Re: I'm out, baby

#66

Post by raffi »

jbenz wrote: post #62
raffi wrote: post #33

When I left the military I had substantial savings to get a startup off the ground and finish a graduate degree. I decided to write software to help people write better. I always had issues with my own writing as was excited about an extended GNU Style / Diction that could curb my own bad habits. I created http://www.polishmywriting.com/ as a technical demonstration for my rule engine. I spent the month of June worki…

Just to let you know, I was one of those people who reviewed and commented on PolishMyWriting when you posted it here 16 days ago. Your site has continued to stick in my head. There's been more than one occasion that I've thought this email or that blog post should have been run through your system. HN has introduced me to a lot of new sites, and not one has struck me as immediately functional as yours. I think it co…

Thanks for the advice... this story takes place mostly in June. Everything I wrote about feels like ancient history to me now. Once I started moving to my personal plan B I've found a lot of the effects I wrote about reversed quickly. That said, I introduced my tech demo to news.yc about 2 weeks ago.

I fully agree with your assessment that I could use a better designer.

Really though, this is about Shawn here. I see a similar situation, cash in hand, running off to start a venture. I hear the sound of clanking brass spheres.

Oh and I second what Shawn said. This community is awesome. I think I started to read news.yc in July and found the existence of like minded folks a real boon.

Re: I'm out, baby

#67

Post by omouse »

raffi wrote: post #33

When I left the military I had substantial savings to get a startup off the ground and finish a graduate degree. I decided to write software to help people write better. I always had issues with my own writing as was excited about an extended GNU Style / Diction that could curb my own bad habits. I created http://www.polishmywriting.com/ as a technical demonstration for my rule engine. I spent the month of June worki…

The site is awesome and I would love to have something like it that works in Emacs so I can check out suggestions as I'm typing.

Re: I'm out, baby

#68

Post by gavinr »

palish wrote: post #55
staunch wrote: post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I agree it's a good idea to get something going while still employed. I disagree it's "foolish" not to though. I think the #1 cause of failure for most startups is never taking a plunge at any point. I know too many people who have dreams that remain dreams for so long they're eventually forgotten. It can be really hard to do a good job on a side project if you're the kind of person who tends work really intensely on…

Thanks. I burn only a few hundred bucks a month, currently. I've been living at a friend's trailer with his band. In exchange for contributing around the house, I get a roof over my head and all the Ramen I need, so not a bad trade. I'm aiming to stretch the money to last a year and a half, but realistically I'm planning for one year. It may also help that I'm 20... It would be hard to sustain this kind of lifestyle…

>It's so much more satisfying to create than to consume.

Yes! Sounds like you've got the right mindset...good luck!

Re: I'm out, baby

#69

Post by khangtoh »

palish wrote: post #42
rickawho wrote: post #40

Awesome. I'm 2 months into the same process. It is full of ups and downs but infinitely more rewarding than where I was. Except that I am still waiting to get my Dropbox account.

You now have one. Check your e-mail. :) Also, welcome to Hacker News.

How about sending me one as well! Thanks!
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