skysight-inc/HackerNews huggingface dataset:
Dangerous advice I think. No matter how fun a subject is for you eventually there's a build up of nasty and complicated problems to solve. If you run away every time a project gets to that point you won't finish anything significant.
Another thing that helps: when my last session was spent mostly coding, and I'm having trouble getting back into it, I will just take pencil and paper and sketch stuff away. Often, I'm blocked because I don't really understand well enough some part of what I'm doing, or of where I want to get to. Drawing or (otherwise) restating the problem gets me back to the state where you spend hours just knowing what to do next.

And viceversa, if I've spent too much time 'designing' or otherwise thinking about the problem, I unblock by going off and making something I can run. I may eventually throw away that code, but it got me going forward.

So I don't have much of a methodology. Thinking about doing and actually doing are things I do to procrastinate from each other, if you want.

One technique that does help: I keep a stack.txt document, where I write my current tasks (a short phrase each), organized hierarchically (I use indentation because of a Python background; a Lisp native might use sexprs instead). When I stumble into a subtask that I need to do sometime, but which I can get away without for the time being, I 'fake it til I make it', and I enter a reminder of the proper solution in my 'mind stack' as a subtask of the current one. Whenever I think of an unrelated task that I want to do later, I will enter a reminder at the end of the stack. [Edit: OK, so it's a tree, where each path to a leave is a stack of context about what you're doing.]

That avoids two problems that used to get me lost when hacking: getting lost in subtasks and losing context of what I was doing, and trouble deciding what to do next (it's easier to decide with confidence if you can see your options written together).
Yet another real-life application of the 80/20 rule....

In computational biology (my world), it's routine for an initial study to account for most of the eventual success of a method, with many man-years of work dedicated to improving success rates only by tiny fractions.

(As an aside, if you're an ambitious researcher, the implication of this is clear: don't waste your time refining things. Rapid testing of ideas is more important than squeezing out that last 1% of performance improvement. Iterative refinement is research death.)
And the greatest athletes have had faster forty yard dashes and reaction times than the average person. If you are better than an average pro athlete in these metrics, is that enough to make you Michael Jordan or Tom Brady? I think not. To wit:

The highest IQ holder now is great at word puzzles:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marilyn_vos_Savant

The greatest of all time, what did he do?:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_sidis

But Steve Hawking doesn't like the idea much:
http://www.extremeintellect.com/ei2007/geniuses/hawking/hawk...

Just saying, it is a factor, but I don't think it's the end all and be all.
A lot of companies have to deal with this. vBulletin and Red Hat both immediately come to mind. I don't see how it would set you back. You know all the people you give the source code to, so you know who to go to about leaks. And most clients won't care about the source code anyway. What's most important is that you be clear about the terms under which your code is released.

Probably should consult a copyright lawyer.
I think your agreement should say that they have access to the source code if they want it. However, they must not resell any modifications and may submit their modifications to you for a discount.
Facebook Offers $85 Million To Acquire Chinese Social Networking Site Zhanzuo.com
I haven't gotten around to reading it, but here is a URL to get around registration:

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1056e2ce-9191-11dc-9590-0000779fd2...

(Just use javascript to unescape the URL given in the original URL ;)
Java also has a good component oriented framework: Wicket. I think MVC it's a nice and simple solution, it does the job. However, IMHO component oriented frameworks are conceptually better and reuse is much easier.
High IQ is necessary but not sufficient in certain areas such as math and science. Of course you need to put in the effort to succeed.
True. But you should have more motivation to keep at it and work around complicated problems. There was no mention of running away every time a project gets challenging. Just pointing out that if you truely love what you do, nothing can hold you back. If you truely love and have a passion for what you do, you should want complicated, nasty problems. You should have courage and confidence in facing these problems...

Yes, dangerous advice. But it's the truth.
There are a couple of problems with this advice, in my experience.

First, is that when I take that approach I invariably wind up with two dozen half-started projects and do very little to build up long-term skills. There are so many things that I love, if I stopped every time I hit a dip to try something else, I'd never finish anything. Plus, one of the things I love is the sense of satisfaction of completing something and doing it well-- especially if I have made a commitment to someone. If rewards are too far off to affect me emotionally, and only my rational brain knows they will be worth it in the end, then I need other way to help stay focused.

The second issue is that there are good things in life that you can't do 'in the zone.' Meeting new people, for example, doesn't require the meditative attention that hacking does. So finding yourself outside the zone for significant periods of time is rather common and not a bad thing. One needs some way to keep that from derailing productivity, however.
Agreed, I just think the the effort portion is deemphasized far too often.
Excellent advice, though not always compatible with scheduling, deadlines, or competition.
i must say i wasn't a fan of scribd until yesterday scribd came really handy when i tried to share a .pdf file and to my surprise Acrobat Reader wasn't installed to the friend I sent it.
The Future of Reading (Amazon Kindle)
Isn't that a way to fall behind on schedule and implementing things you don't need? I guess you're assuming that what you can pick from is what you HAVE to do.
Negroponte: Rwanda Kid's First Word is: Google
It's key that if you do something fun/easy first you also make it to step 2 (doing not fun stuff) or you will surely fall behind.
Amazon: Reinventing the Book
Too bad it's illegal to give IQ tests as part of the interview process.

Taking a follow-the-money approach to these questions, it's worth reflecting that a 15 minute IQ test can give a rough idea of a candidate's quality. Compare that to the 4 year, 6-figure process of getting an Ivy League degree--Harvard, et al, is against any shade of genetic determinism not so much from liberalism as self-interest. Why obsolete themselves?

From the article:

[After listing obviously false rebuttals of Watson...] I wish these assurances were true.

I wonder why. If you showed proof of genetic proclivities toward certain kinds of muscle and nerve structures associated with athleticism, and then showed that blacks have some preponderance of the same...how many of them would throw themselves at the feet of Thomas Jefferson's tea-tax-related rhetoric and weep that "It just can't be so...all men are equal!"

Zero. Not everyone was taught to abase themselves.
Well, if we can't make fun of Wolfram, let's at least make fun of NKS:

In my opinion, NKS is the kind of glittering complicated mental masturbation that dazzles the layman and angers the knowledgeable.

And praise Mathematica:

Hurray for Mathematica!
url's broken. try http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2007/11/the-8-billio...
What are you trying to achieve by releasing the source code? Improved quality, by having it scrutinized by lots of other coders/hackers/devs (if you are lucky and release it under GPL).

Good will and Trust?

Perception of "more for the buck"?
It depends on your market. Some markets would consider source-availability an advantage; most wouldn't. Are your competitors making source available? If you have no competitors (which I really doubt) find a comparable product selling into the same market.

A related issue is license enforcement. Lots of shrinkwrap (meaning, not hosted by the copyright holder) software incorporates licensing code to discourage installing the software on multiple servers without paying for it. Again, this decision must be made with sensitivity to your specific market. If your competitors don't protect their code, you shouldn't either.

Obviously, all licensing code relies on security through obscurity. If you offer customers the source, and choose to enforce licensing, you have an interesting technical challenge on your hands.

The only positive I can see to source-availability is a hedge against your company going out of business. A technically proficient customer such as an ISP can then continue to maintain their instance.

A big negative, both for you and for corporate customers, is that customer employees may modify the code, leaving it in support limbo.

I recommend laser-like focus on the market you plan to serve. Incidentally, such a focus may cause you to reconsider your $30 price point.
What are you going to do with the $500,000?

...I'd love to see a CAD program that allows you to enter folding patterns for origami and paper airplanes.

The "genius" grants have always been a sad joke.
WWJBD - What Would James Bond Do. Treat hacking like what it is: a tough, rigorous activity that requires huge amounts of energy and persistence.

So whenever you feel like procrastinating, tough it out, clench your teeth, and just start.
If you are condisering making any real amount of money off of a thirty dollar product, then you probably won't know all the people who have it; on the other hand, if making money isn't the goal, then by all means, give away the source, OS projects are often a tremendous help to the community
Open Source (or available source) and business is a tricky combination. We (Virtualmin, Inc.) are predominantly an Open Source based company, though we also have some proprietary products--but even the proprietary products include all of the source in a non-obfuscated form. We have not had significant problems with folks absconding with our source...but we have such a strong brand and awareness of our product and Open Source projects that we aren't afraid of someone launching a competitor based on our code.

That said, I suspect you won't gain much by distributing source in a wholly proprietary product. Customers might occasionally find a bug or two, and might have some interest in modifications...but you can solve the former by fixing problems quickly, and the latter by providing an API. So, while your particular fears are unfounded. Why would someone steal your code, when there is probably better-documented Open Source software to do roughly the same things from a developer perspective? Where proprietary software can win is on usability, UI, support, and sometimes more rapid innovation if the field doesn't have thousands of developers.

As slashcom mentioned, you need to be very clear about the terms of use of your software if you include source, and if you mention inclusion of source code on the website as a feature. Like izak30, your customers may wrongly assume you're talking about Open Source software. We still get occasional users who find ways to misunderstand our license terms because we offer an Open Source version of our product.

Good luck, whatever you decide.
His TED talk is pretty interesting:

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/48
"Even frequenting programming.reddit you might get the idea that functional programming is poised to break into the mainstream any day now. Don't hold your breath."

I think you're wrong on this one. In the Perl community (a mainstream community if ever there was one), Haskell is very popular, and a rather large swath of interesting work around Perl is in functional techniques and tools. Functional programming is definitely going mainstream.

Not to mention that Simon Peyton-Jones works for Microsoft and F# is getting quite a push.
I wouldn't necessarily say that. I think the process for awarding them is bogus.

But I do hope the the origami idea is just part of his plans.
I think the idea is that you make a point not to let the idea of drudgery get you down early-on, because it can be overwhelming to the point where you get nothing done.

In the context of an afternoon's work, it might mean you start with a small utility that you know is good but might not have any immediate value, or some optimization tweak that's been itching you for awhile. That'll get you immersed into the project and excited about further possibilities, so tackling drudge-work won't seem so bad.

That idea also applies more generally, and is often the idea alluded to when you hear people around here talk about banging out a 'Version 1' as fast as possible.
You could make it available upon request, see the reasons for the request, then decide to remove the option if people aren't taking it for the right reasons.

My guess is that few would ask, but those who would are the ones that could help you improve the program. People trying to take your market won't beat you just by tweaking your source and selling it.

I've been thinking about a related idea: opening the security code, at the very least.

How do you make the security of a web app public so that smart people know about it, but control it so that if not enough people are looking, exploiters see the holes first?

I think it's the kind of thing you wait to do when you're bigger, but we don't see much openness on web security like we do for most FOSS.
it depends on what terms it's given under.

probably if you distribute it with scary language about "intellectual property" and derivative works anyone with half a brain would avoid even looking at the code much less reusing it in a new product in order to avoid the possibility of a lawsuit.

(IANAL.)
American Mathematical Society on open source software vs propietary software used in math (PDF)
Do Tiny URL Services Weaken Net Architecture?
Live from SF with the founder of Startup Weekend as we launch helphookup.com
Flickr Releases New Geographical Features
Amazon Kindle To Debut On Monday - Ugly But Impressive
Facebook's hopes to enter the tangled web of China gain momentum
""This is the most important thing we've ever done," says Jeff Bezos. "It's so ambitious to take something as highly evolved as the book and improve on it. And maybe even change the way people read.""

thats interesting!!!
Microsoft vs. Open Source: Who Will Win?
I try to break my project down into parallel tasks. If I get tired with one track, I can switch around to something that's newer / less frustrating.
I didn't write this but I clicked on Most Liked of All Time and this was on the second page:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/25132/Why-YCombinator-is-a-waste-o...
You can open-source it and insist upon them registering their site with you. If you happen to Google a non-authorized use of your software, you can quickly check it against your customer database before sending a nasty e-mail.
Not necessarily Friday and Saturday nights -- but socializing with other people is important. There are a number of "good for the startup" reasons to do so -- e.g. bouncing ideas off other people, networking with potential VCs / partners / employees, and keeping your sanity.

But in order to get the maximum benefit, you'll want to have at least some social time not oriented around the startup. My co-founder and I have keep our sanity by spending time talking about girls, baseball, and TV shows. Not sure if it would work if we discussed social networking and Javascript.
Social Media Follow up Magic
I can't wait to try this thing out. Currently, I love to read eBooks on my Pocket PC before going to sleep. The only problem is that sometimes, with a good page turner, I may not sleep at all!
The concept is great. Is there a beta?
I think the answer will depend on a clear definition of your goals, such as your revenue goals, how you see people using your software (and what you want to allow them to do with it) and exit strategy.

You may just want to build a good API to make it easy for hackers to customize and extend if you decide not to release the source.
Written while at my last job:
http://issackelly.com/blog/2007/04/815-am-daily-battle.html

note: <-- just a joke, obviously
"Bezos explains that it's only fair to charge less for e-books because you can't give them as gifts, and due to restrictive antipiracy software, you can't lend them out or resell them."

Wow, someone in the DRM business admitted that DRM subtracts value.
Ask YC: How to get leads for a startup and how to followup?
Hi,

I would really appreciate if anyone could provide their comments/suggestions/expeiences regarding the following.

What's the best way to get leads for a startup?

We are working on a product for online media companies(popular blogs, online journals, newspapers etc.). This is what I have tried so far.

- Meet bloggers from popular media companies in events around the bay area.
- Cold call these companies.
- Email them.
- Email to online networks/newsgroups that I am a member of.

None of it has worked for us.

Also what's the best way to follow up once you get a lead?

Thanks a lot for reading this,

-Manu.
you're probly going to need to be more specific about your product for any practical advice.
now if only they could put 2 and 2 together.
I saw this was 7 pages long and didn't seem to contain pictures. So, here's what I searched up:

http://blog.scifi.com/tech/pics/amazon_kindle.jpeg

[grumble] Bezos is a really good businessman, but he seems to have a few weaknesses. The obvious problem with his previous flop (the segue EDIT: segway) was that it looked like a piece of medical equipment...something you ride on into the grave.

Well, what about the "kindle"? It looks similarily therapeutic...maybe a device to help stroke victims re-remember their ABCs.
You bring up two separate issues, and I think they need to be addressed separately. I agree that votes should be reversible to correct mistakes. Votes are, I think intended to be more of a quality filter than an expression of agreement. Changing your vote because you now agree with a comment is a Bad Thing.
AdSense leader leaves Google for startup life
Threadless: From Clicks to Bricks
Voting because you agree or disagree is a Bad Thing for a quality filter. Unfortunately, though, all these sites start off with a quality filter and end up with a demoralizing popularity contest. Voting should cost you something.
That can't be the final product. I'd bet money on it.
OpenGL ES 2.0 : Spectacular UI for mobile devices
Ah, woops, I didn't realize it even tried to make you register. I got there from here:

http://blogs.ft.com/undercover/2007/11/the-undercover.html

Where I was able to click through without problems.
My number one method to get in the zone is quiet.

I use a pair of Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7 QuietPoint Active Noise-Cancelling Headphones - they have been a god sent for me.
I agree. Most of the time I solve problems when I'm in the bath, or asleep, or doing something other than coding.

Getting in the zone and actually coding solutions up is great (Usually happens late at night when everyone else is asleep for me), but as you say, you need that downtime to think about the next problems.
Really interesting stuff. I have no idea what I would use this for right now, but have often had thoughts about trying to implement something like this.
You're assuming, in principle, that ads can add value to a service. That's disputable. If at all, it's only valid for some types of sites like fashion magazines. Most of the time it's an inconvenience that people bear as the cost of using the site, no matter how well the matching works.

The question is whether this way of bearing the cost helps the overall quality of services. And I think the answer is clearly no. If there was a direct way for users to pay the exact same amount of money, services would be better. Unfortunately there is no such alternative way in many cases.
If you don't have any reference customers you are going to need to find a department manager who is in a lot of pain. It's very hard for an early stage startup to sell to a large corporation, but it can be done if you find someone with budget, or who can secure budget, who is in a lot of pain.

We blogged about the need for startups to sell around IT in larger firms here:
http://www.skmurphy.com/blog/2007/03/08/selling-around-it-in...

Probably the best book on this is "Four Steps to the Epiphany" by Steve Blank

The best book on how to give a good software demo is "Great Demo!" by Peter Cohan of http://www.secondderivative.com/
Sounds great - 27th and 30th are both ok with me.
How I founded my own company at 26
He was the first in his family to attend college. He earned his Master's degree and started his career as a software professional. At 26, he set up his own matrimony portal and managed it in his spare time from his living room at home. The website has been going from strength to strength over the last 10 years and today he is the founder CEO of one of India's leading matrimony portals, employing 750 people in 40 offices across the country.
Israeli Startup - The Google For Sports Events
Buffet: Saving Sex For Your Old Age
Well, Wolfram did create his own successful company, presumably working with other people, so this advice didn't turn out quite right.
Do you have a reference describing the single approach?
It looks as if DeLorean made the Newton.
Ease yourself in. Either by just filling in that difficult piece of code with comments outlining what it should do and fill it in line by line, just sketching it out on a pen and paper.

Or, just promise yourself that you'll do just 5 minutes on it and usually once you get going you don't want to stop.
That 70's Show. I just love watching it.
See also http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/right-to-read.html
Code Reviews: Just Do It
This site has never made clear what the voting is for. I used to use it for strongly agree/disagree. Then it was changed because someone complained they'd been downvoted on all their previous posts so only up arrows exist on old posts. Since I read interesting looking articles that appear in RSS I only read old posts so this effectively barred me from participating. Dropping down arrows was a poor solution to the problem.

I then realised that the remaining up arrow could be used as a `I've read this post' indicator and started clicking all of them as I read old posts. Very useful to help pick up reading where I left off. Funnily enough, I'm not aware of anyone complaining that they'd got lots of up votes over the period I was doing it. :-)
Amazon chief shoots for stars
LinkedIn and The Future of Business Networking
Why do we work on things that don't matter?
Google Is Serious About Becoming a Mobile Operator
Yeah! No give me this in Javascript.
The seeds of Google's demise have been planted and it won't be killed my Microsoft or Yahoo, it will be by the hundreds of intelligent, entrepreneurial, fully vested ex-googlers that will leave the company to start projects of their own.

I don't remember where I came across this quote but I think we'll see a lot more of this in the near future.
And what is the point of all this?

I find it amuzing when some dandruff covered geek explains this to me and then I point them to a video of Jimi Hendrix. I don't know what Jimi would have scored on the
Stanford-Binet, but the man was a genius. Who can doubt that?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJRWdseH1Pc&feature=relat...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-OnApUde4M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJmPtneBibU&feature=relat...

Sure I have scored high on IQ tests and that, plus 2$ will buy me a cup of coffee.
I understand you don't like the newer versions. That's why I suggested you try other browsers. Using a browser that doesn't get bug fixes, standards updates and security patches is bad for you and the internet.