skysight-inc/HackerNews huggingface dataset:
Good luck. I guess...how do I say this? There are some aspects to this that you're either missing or not highlighting.

First, this page:

http://micropledge.com/help

SHOULD explain exactly who owns what when software is made. Do the pledgers have any ownership? Just the coders? Do you force coders to use GPL? I'm sure you explain this somewhere, but it needs to be more clear, and I'm not going to do a lot of research...

Anyway. More importantly...Software, as soon as you leave the YC forcefield [1], is extremely expensive to produce. My company's tiny projects are billed in the upper 6-figure range. Are you going to get anyone "pledging" USD 750,000 for anything non-trivial?

[1] Remember that the 15,000 dollars or whatever YC gives people is just a token, maybe just a legal formality, to ensure their status as "investors". What they really give is exposure and advice and community. If you can get people pledging 15K, it still isn't enough.
Which team is doing video dating?
As a general rule, make non-natural textures into png and natural textures into jpg. Natural means a real picture, like a face, a complicated screen-shot, or your office. Unnatural is something like a with simpler colors and flat textures.

A screenshot of a webpage has potential artifacts in shrunken fonts when stored in jpeg.
That is definitely good advice, the loud thing doesn't work if you're uncomfortably tense.
Inc. or LLC?
What would you suggest for a startup?
People seem to like PayPal, and are used to the checkout process. I'd also like to hear about how customizable it is, as I'll be working on it in a few weeks.
Startup implies rapid growth, which means you want to be a Delaware Class C Corporation so you can raise VC money.

An LLC is fine for a business where you expect to make your money from profits rather than a liquidity event and aren't trying to raise VC money.
I have to admit here that our nickname for the building among the YC partners is "the bunker," because it is a low concrete block building in a neighborhood of wooden houses.
Wow!
My startup is one of those!
It's under Conferences, Presentations & Meetings...
amazon's new flexible payments system
anyone care to compare this to something like the yahoo css framework? what are the best CSS frameworks out there?
It won't be a YouTube killer but this could be an intelligent strategic move to segregate their own assets and block them from YouTube.

YouTube survives because most media companies don't have the balls to protect their own assets. By creating their own portal they can create what they can force people to the site because it has content people want to see. As long as it is free and easy to use, people will use it.

All of you haters are just clowns who don't understand how the real world works. PG is flat out wrong here.
Fwiw, FPS, while progressive in comparison to PayPal in that its % cut increases as Amazon's costs do, is, unfortunately, limited to US customers at the moment.
They're one of the ones that aren't launched yet. 3/4 of this batch aren't launched yet.
When are they planning to increase the capacity?!! 500MB is nothing these days.
You say I'm wrong, but in your first sentence you agree with me.

I'm not saying that this site will never get any visitors. Just that it will never be anything more than a site that happens to host the content of Fox and NBC-- i.e. no more than they could have got by simply putting their stuff on their existing sites, without starting a separate company as a joint venture.

If you're so sure I'm wrong, bet me. I'll be happy to bet you money if we can think of a sufficiently precise test.
No, you said it is "doomed". If your definition of doomed means that they are not going to be the #1 video sharing site on the internet, that's a pretty interesting definition of doomed. That definition would make the following companies "doomed":

- Yahoo
- Facebook
- BP
- Unilever
- Anyone else who isn't #1 in their space

Usually when people say "doomed", they imply that something fails. A usual definition of "failure" with regards to companies is something that is unprofitable and fails to gain traction. I doubt that either of those will apply to this new venture launched by News Corp and GE - the parent companies of Fox and NBC.

Big companies make plenty of mistakes, but when this much is at stake and $100 MM is being invested by a third-party, they're going to make something happen. I'm willing to bet you that their venture will be within the Top 5 video sharing sites within 2 years of launch and will not shut down within 2 years of launch.
That would be interesting.

I could be wrong about the photographer, but I believe it was Eugene Atget who has a photograph of a completely empty Paris street (I cound't find it online), one that is usually bustling. His effect was achieved by a very long time exposure, a consequence of the technology at the time.

Parisians were turned off by its creepy nature, and think your idea would definitely bring an eerie feel to Times Square.
Can we get some hints here? That's like the third best thing after not making it ( the 2nd being we reviewed our product and made it better)
How do you feel about demo day?
For those of you who just did demo day, HOW WAS IT? What was your take on the day?
I use the Yahoo CSS framework. I can't compare directly, but if you are just looking for grid, reset, and standard font functionality, I don't see why you would look beyond Yahoo. They host the files, they have done intense optimization and testing, and they have good browser support.
See:

http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=33322

http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=33505

http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12010

http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5303
According to this, it should be possible to convert an LLC into a Delaware corporation later: http://www.feld.com/blog/archives/2006/03/entity_conversa.ht...
Generally, you don't build brands to become famous, you build brands to create value for your customers, you, and your investors.
Yes, but what's the point? Not that much difference in cost or maintenance time. And it is just one more hurdle to deal at a time when you don't need hurdles, e.g. when you are trying to close a funding deal.
I've used authorize.net in the past. They were recently acquired by cybersource.
Getting Started: Choosing Your Business Name
Adobe Flex a very different approach to the rich client model. GWT will be on the same side as Prototype, Dojo, etc. if there is a showdown with Flex. Flex is not an alternative to GWT but rather an alternative to AJAX. I suspect both sides will continue to coexist peacefully.

Keep in mind that GWT is not a full web framework. So it's pointless to argue which is better, web framework or GWT, just like apples and oranges. You can use GWT with whichever back end framework (e.g. Rails) you want if you choose to go that route. Like I said earlier, GWT is an alternative to JS frameworks like Prototype, not server frameworks like Rails. What GWT does allow you to do is not use a web framework at all since its server-side calls are very easy to implement. But if you require a DB, etc, you can still use Rails and GWT.
An LLC shouldn't hamper you in an acquisition liquidity event. In fact, there are often tax benefits for the buyer vs a C corp. The reason not to do it is if you want outside investors. VCs just don't usually invest in LLCs as far as I can tell.
Lessons for startup founders from Baseball home run stats?
It's to sheild your friends from the next dot-domb! zing!
Perhaps he means doomed to lose money on the venture? I would say that is a pretty good measure of failure. The bet could be whether the venture ever sees black.
Great info, thanks.

Paysimple looks pretty good: http://www.paysimple.com/competitors.html .
Anyone have any first-hand experience with it?
I don't want to say that everybody should choose an LLC at first. Rather, if you're not 100% sure you'll get funded by Y Combinator or other investors soon, you can keep the LLC and its possible benefits under consideration even if you hope for the best. YMMV.

Based on what I've read, LLC in your legislation may have tax benefits, cheaper and easier setup process, and less yearly bureaucracy.
A lesson for those in consumer electronics: make something as good as your market can handle, and there will _still_ be something better in Japan. :P

This guy actually holds the record, with 868 home runs
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fukuoka_Softbank_Hawks
Pharmacy.com Shooting For Business.com Money
Aha. This could explain a thing or two. Still not sure why or who's accessing the link after that string's created, but that's a good pointer. Thanks!
As I noted in one of those links, I've had success with Cybersource in the past. Their small business division is pretty competitive. For recurring payments, I just stored the cards encrypted and re-billed when necessary. It really wasn't too difficult or time consuming.
By that measure almost every single Y Combinator company would be doomed.
I went with an LLC, but I think it depends a lot on your situation. Mine is that I'm going it alone in many ways, and want to keep costs down, and don't foresee investments in the near future.
What makes you think they won't see black? I pretty sure PG would take that bet too.
Almost none of them have a revenue model. PG won't take me up because his goal is just to flip them. The "revenue model" is known as "acquisition".
Pwned:

http://techdumpster.com/2007/08/10/anywherefm-going-nowheref...
"Would any of you find mechanical turk-based usability testing valuable?"

Quite valuable, yes. :) Perhaps the people that create forum traffic to jumpstart new sites could expand into this easily. I can't remember the names of any of them at the moment...
I really think there's no tool like a text editor and firebug for css editing.
i have some experience with this.

i researched a lot of payment gateways such as authorize.net but decided against it because they have a lot of fixed costs which you can only recuperate with high volume.

Also online processors have a lot of procedures, credit checks etc. which is a lot of pain.

I went with paypal but had a lot of trouble with theiragent when dealing with fraud.

I would probably try amazon if I was doing it today.

Once you have an established volume you can switch to a dedicated service like authorize.net. Until then it is better to pay per transaction.

Regards.

-Augustus
Nice post, I think you have to be inspired to choose a name, it has to be something easy to remember and related to your business.
Creating a logo for your business is also difficult, try a lot (and I really mean a lot) of colors and a lot of fonts.
Finally you have to be proud of your creation.
Uh, I dunno what sample you're looking at, but most of the YC companies I know of have a revenue model. There's Loopt (subscribers), Reddit (partners), Wufoo (subscribers), Inkling (businesses wanting to setup a prediction market), and VirtualMin (paying customers). Many of them started with no revenue model and then evolved one, but that doesn't mean they have no revenue model.
This will be a small to begin with, I just finished school and owe too much in student loans to quit my day job. An LLC is attractive for the low record keeping and tax paperwork requirements. One concern is that I see no legal framework for vesting built into LLCs, I'd rather not roll my own.

Has anyone looked into filing an operating agreement in Nevada instead of Delaware? Among other benefits, a cursory glance at the facts seemed to indicate that the tax burden would be lower in Nevada.

Am I missing something obvious?
wow. everyone should read this. i had one of those "holy crap i just learned something new and interesting" moments. what it has to say will probably surprise most of you.

my only question is, what's the best practice for designing websites using Fitt's Law?

We can't use the upper or lower screen edges because of the OS's menu bars and it seems like it would look odd to have the menu aligned flush with the left side of the screen...

Thoughts?
Webbalert - A tech news internet show (in less than 5 minutes)
Maybe all of you know this site, but if you don't in webbalert you can be informed (in less than 5 minutes) of the latest tech news.
:)
It's cheaper to have a corporation in Nevada. Delaware is popular because there is more corporate law precedent there.
When are we getting a feature to ban users?

Although I agree that anywhere.fm is not clear winner the way you present yourself prevents anyone from taking you seriously.
Bigger targets if you have to slow down to reach the edge of the window, I'd imagine.
What are you thoughts on the FishEye menu?
After reading this: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41290

it got me thinking that using a FishEye menu (e.g. using jQuery & the Interface plugin) positioned flush with the left side of the screen would be the most useable type of menu for a website.

What do you guys think about doing that? Good idea? Bad idea? Good in theory, bad in practice?
It's interesting that fanboy posts which have no logic or intelligence are perfectly acceptable but when someone who says something negative comes along, the question of "banning" users comes up. That doesn't sound very democratic or intelligent.
Guidely relocates to Boston to take on Google
Let the startup fun begin!
The sample I'm looking at is the sample of what's out there. "Most" implies over 50%. You've mentioned 4 companies out of over 30. I'd appreciate a clear listing showing the revenues of these companies and their profitability. Having a revenue model by no means implies profitability. YouTube has a model, I doubt that it's profitable.
An LLC has shares just like any other corporation. You just keep giving shares to those who stay on and don't give them to those who don't. Stock options are another matter.

The primary point of incorporating in Delaware is for the outstanding legal and administrative structures they have for corporations. Not everyone is incorporated in Delaware -- Apple has always been a California corporation. But better to do it now rather than have to later.

In any state, the tax burden for a foreign corporation (one incorporated in another state) is going to be about the same as one incorporated in that state. That's because states have complete control over taxing revenue earned in their state, regardless of where entities are incorporated.

Nevada is business friendly, but since the state has no income tax, it also has a stigma of being quite popular with tax cheats. So it may increase the chance of an audit.
Look, I don't like fanboy posts either. But what you linked to is the exact opposite -- it's Paul Graham hate stuff that wants to prove that Paul Graham sucks. What's the point? If you hate him so much, why are you using his site?

This anti YC propaganda completely dismisses Paul Graham and Y Combinator because most of the companies aren't successes. So what? Some are succesful. Most aren't runaway successes. Paul Graham and partners are making money.

What's the big deal? Calm down. No one wants to ban you.
The reason most attorneys advise Delaware is that the precedents are strongest there. Furthermore, it makes long-term legal costs lower because most corporate lawyers are familiar with Delaware's nuances.

All corporations are C by default. You have to file a special from with the IRS to become an S Corporation. S Corporations are flow-through entities which are not taxed at the corporate level. The reason VCs require you to be a C Corporation is two-fold:

1. VCs like to have unilateral rights and terms to give them downside protection such as liquidity preference and preferential stock classes such as Preferred Shares. S Corporations are simpler entities which only allow a maximum of 40 shareholders - as your company grows and you give stock grants or options, this won't work. LLCs only allow 75 shareholders.

2. VCs will claim that a C Corp structure gives you more flexibility. This is marginally true, but LLCs give you the same flexibility with slightly higher administrative cost but you can maintain the flow-through status which is advantageous.

The real reason is they want preferred shares and special rights. Stay an LLC or S Corporation if you don't need institutional investors. Angels are happy to invest in well structured LLCs or standard subchapter S Corporations.
Finish the sentence...
When I arrive at the office in the morning, everyone else is usually _____.

(inspired by http://www.brainfuel.tv/finish-the-sentence)
Thanks. I appreciate your candid feedback. If you look at most of my posts, I'm trying to be helpful in guiding other entrepreneurs (e.g. LLCs vs. S Corps vs. C Corps).
Just a note for potentially cash-strapped California startups:

CA collects at least $800 a year for all corporations operating in the state, however, S and C corporations are exempt in the first year while LLCs are not. That $800 is due about 120 days after incorporation and it's an annual minimum franchise tax, so you'd have to make like $9,000 profit your first year to recoup it.
Startup Metrics for Pirates (Redux)
The only thing we need less than another TechCrunch is another Uncov.
I just don't understand why some of these guys are so hell bent on disparaging YC. Whether YC is right or not, time will tell and it's YC that has to worry about it. But, what do _these other people_ gain out of it?
Sears Partners with Meez for Back-to-School Virtual Closet
Why not a subchapter S if you wanted to keep costs down?
Of course we always thought that what we did was right solution. When someone criticized it, it was a natural instinct to defend it.

You have to remember the environment we were in. When you are building a product, everyone wants to give you advice on how to do it. It is often very difficult to tell a good suggestion from bad one when you are in the thick of it. The most effective way we found to filter out good from bad was to mock up the suggestion (no more than 1 hour). We then looked at the before and after and tried to make a decision based on what we observed. The hard part for me was keeping my emotions and ego out of it and allowing myself to think clearly about what is the "right" solution.
Concerned why? Are you concerned about someone stealing your proprietary code?

Or are you worried because you have made unreleased proprietary modifications to GPLed code and you are worried that running your modified version on another parties servers might be considered "distribution," and give the host the option of distributing it to other parties?
Urm-- lots of web sites have left aligned nav... lefthand nav was fairly dominant in the early web-- upper nav seems to be all the rage nowadays.
By doomed I mean they have no hope of achieving their goal. What could be simpler?

Their goal is to create something that does more for them than simply putting their content on their own sites would have done. They will not. Failure + inevitable = doomed.
There should be an asymmetry there. Positive posts with no content are harmless to forums. They're just pleasantries like the "have a nice day"s of everyday life. But mean posts with no content are poisonous. Especially when they are deliberate trolls, which some of your comments appear to be.
"What could be simpler?"

The evaluation of your criteria is probably impossible. It's far from simple.
Anyone who thinks we or any other venture investor would advocate flipping companies has not stopped to think about the question. The big money in venture funding comes from companies that go public, or get bought for high prices by threatening to. For any venture investor, including us, early acquisitions are the worst outcome except the company going bankrupt.

Do the math of what happens to YC in an early acquisition. They barely pay operating expenses.

Honestly. It shows how determined people are to diss you when they accuse you of doing things that are against your own interest.
Rise of Roboethics
sleeping in
OK, I see your point now.

What case can you make for choosing a commercial product over MySQL when it's just as good? (but lacks tooling)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fitts'_law

Some great background here... apparently Fitts' Law is why Xerox introduced the mouse in the first place.
RTFA. the blog post lists a 2-3 word blurb for each company in the first paragraph.
I think that the "Try not to make something that Google would use internally" rule strikes again...
"... The companies were much higher quality than I expected. The founders were nearly all coders and hackers but did a surprisingly good job at presenting their idea, target market, and business model ..." ~ Don Dodge

Is YC being embraced by the larger VC community?

If so, this is a further tick of approval of the YC techniques used to get startups to market. The quoted comments are a remarkable turn-around in opinion from Don Dodge ('Since when does growing $4 Billion a year = Dead?') and It's great to see the candidates flexing their skills of persuasion. Selling the idea(s) as much as building it.

How much effort went into making sure other VC's could also see the new recruits?
maybe I should have read this ~ http://www.innoeco.com/2007/08/demo-day-at-y-combinator.html
"... Obviously MySQL or other open source ones are the cheapest options ..."

do you need a database?
not in my house (where my office is).
pg meant "doomed" in the "Microsoft is dead" sense of "doomed". :p
two hours into their day.....
Is "enthusiasm" the same as "determined"?
Here's an example but I don't have java installed. Are there any non-java versions?

http://www.cs.umd.edu/hcil/fisheyemenu/fisheyemenu-demo.shtm...

Edit: Here's one in Flash. http://www.samuelwan.com/downloads/com.samuelwan.eidt/fishey...
If it is easy, why not? You never know where your startup is going to take off.
Search In The Year 2010
Hey Google: When Can Matt Cutts Ditch Microsoft PowerPoint?
I just inc'd in CA, I looked at LLC but that's a partnership and I'm doing this alone.

I went for the quick and easy route. I'm looking to build a good product not a big corporation. The less time I spend having to futz with the lawyer/Accountants and Tax man the happier I'll be.
Yahoo May Consider Letting Google Handle Paid Search
In PA, an LLC can have shares but only if you write the legal framework yourself. By default, a PA LLC has membership interests, which are defined as a certain percentage of the company.
I think you need to consider the difference between trolling and someone who is trying to actually bring up opposing viewpoints. I suppose if you like going unchallenged and having your word taken as gospel, then you don't want to hear other viewpoints.
who are you? :)
All of you haters are just clowns who don't understand how the real world works.

Pretty much pure trolling.
Dude. I need more than that. Anyone could have predicted that. Thats not info
Weeblyrocks. It is totally ok to have a different point of view. Most of the time if you explain it intelligibly you will end up with more friends. It's not about what you say, it is about how you say it. And remember that just because people do not know who is saying what; that doesn't mean that they cannot be hurt.
That's convenient of you to pull out one phrase from a larger argument. I would think your behavior is more indicative of trolling than mine is. The entire thread was making fun of "Clown CO." and not really providing any arguments to support their views.

Providing arguments seems to only be favored when it's used to support the "I love this site" viewpoint but seems to be disfavored when knocks are to be made on Microsft, News Corp, ___ (insert large company disliked by "hackers" here).