If I were to start a clinic, do I need to learn medicine?
Founders who can't code
81–90 of 117 posts
Re: Founders who can't code
#82There's a big difference between the HN stereotype and "real" business people. REAL non-technical co-founders: - Can raise funding and know funders well - Have a massive network of people to tap into - Can cold-call like no-one's business - Know how to negotiate a deal to the point of paranoia - Have deep domain experience and connections - Make plans for the future, but can pivot on a dime - Can talk enough tech to…
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Re: Founders who can't code
#83Interesting that the threads in here actually are more vocal than I expected behind the non-tech guys. Helps that jasonfried, a prime counter-example to this post, weighed in himself.
My take on it is simple: I passed this article along to my co-founder as a token of appreciation. See, he started along the way without any coding experience. He taught himself (with some pushes in the right direction) how to program, design, and even do some database stuff. He's decent at it, but that isn't necessarily what matters. What matters is now I have someone to discuss things with, someone who understands at least the basics (and has basic experience) with different design stuff. That's not only helpful for productivity, but morale as well.
So, yeah, maybe learning to code isn't a requirement for a guy who can do everything nickpinkston listed. But, as the technical guy, it sure as hell makes my life better. So here's to you, jonesy!
Re: Founders who can't code
#84This isn't accurate. Most of this is true, but not for the reasons the thread author gave in his piece. Why should a business/non-technical founder learn to code? The answer to this is simple: so that you have better ideas. Or, put another way: learning to code gives you the ability to implement your ideas. And implementing your ideas forces you to recognize, after some time, what works and what doesn't. Hackers who…
Nop, the less you know of a system the more you can think out of it. Which is a big part of innovation.
Justify your assertion. Because otherwise this would the most ridiculous defense of ignorance that I have ever seen.
Re: Founders who can't code
#85Earlier quoted context omitted.
My skills are design, writing, business, strategy, and product vision. I'm not a programmer, but I'm intimately involved with every piece of UI across our product line as well as our marketing sites. Some of the UI I design myself, some I work with other designers on, and other bits I give advice, feedback, and guidance on. I also write the copy on all of our sites, and I'm involved with most of the copy in the apps…
Just out of curiosity, to what extent do you do design? Is it just interface design, making that interface look good through Photoshop, or going as far as coding up the HTML and CSS? Additionally, what would you say are requirements for becoming good at business, strategy, and product vision? I'm looking to eventually move into these roles myself.
I code all the way through HTML/CSS. I don't use Photoshop for web design (beyond scaling photos and stuff like that). My take on why I skip Photoshop and go straight to HTML/CSS when designing web UIs: http://37signals.com/svn/posts/1061-why-we-skip-photoshop
I think it's crucial that anyone who designs interfaces for the web understands how to design and code in HTML/CSS.
Re: Founders who can't code
#86Earlier quoted context omitted.
My skills are design, writing, business, strategy, and product vision. I'm not a programmer, but I'm intimately involved with every piece of UI across our product line as well as our marketing sites. Some of the UI I design myself, some I work with other designers on, and other bits I give advice, feedback, and guidance on. I also write the copy on all of our sites, and I'm involved with most of the copy in the apps…
Thanks for clarifying your role at 37signals, which I think illustrates the importance of the non-technical but still crucial skills that make a business successful. We programmers are IMO too prone to over-emphasize the importance of coding ability since that's what we're comfortable with. BTW, I sincerely meant no disrespect. I've been following 37signals since the homepage was the manifesto ( http://37signals.com/…
No disrespect taken. Thanks for your support.
I just wanted to clarify my skills/role for people who were curious.
Re: Founders who can't code
#87There's a big difference between the HN stereotype and "real" business people. REAL non-technical co-founders: - Can raise funding and know funders well - Have a massive network of people to tap into - Can cold-call like no-one's business - Know how to negotiate a deal to the point of paranoia - Have deep domain experience and connections - Make plans for the future, but can pivot on a dime - Can talk enough tech to…
True dat. Though a rare species indeed.
Re: Founders who can't code
#88Great points. Thank you.
It is better to learn the task yourself, before hiring the person on that task. I believe this mantra works in most situations in a start up.
Re: Founders who can't code
#89Ughh. I really wish topics like this didn't exist. Every situation is different.
I haven't touched code in 15 years, but I understand web technologies, constraints, possibilities, etc. People love our product and UI. I own the product roadmap and UI direction - have since the beginning. I write the specs, I do the wireframes, I refine UI, etc.
Why would I learn to code? What impact does it have on my business? I have 10 engineers who are extraordinary.
Every time I see this argument, I cringe.
Re: Founders who can't code
#90Earlier quoted context omitted.
Nop, the less you know of a system the more you can think out of it. Which is a big part of innovation.
Justify your assertion. Because otherwise this would the most ridiculous defense of ignorance that I have ever seen.
Groupthink + confirmation bias = arrogance and selective blindness