Hacker News Reader

Comment by stevoski | Hacker News Reader

From this article, I have some of my software business beliefs validated:

- don't be afraid to charge money

- release frequent, small updates. Users tolerate this much better than infrequent big updates with major changes

- focus on quality. Every update should include several bug fixes. As much as possible, fix bugs before adding new features

- focus. Put all your eggs in one basket, to some extent.

- watch costs like a hawk. Operating in 10 locations sounds like Evernote let their costs get out of control.

View on HN

As a user, be afraid of services that don't charge money.

> watch costs like a hawk. Operating in 10 locations sounds like Evernote let their costs get out of control.

This one's so important. When you have some millions in the bank from VCs, it's really easy to default to "just spend it" mode. That can vanish so quickly, though... particularly when you're setting up offices with the intent of impressing potential hires and VCs.

I wonder if people absorbing this fact would also start recognizing that basing yourself in SF is a pretty good way to shoot yourself in the foot cost-wise.

You could probably open 3 different offices in 3 other metropolitan areas for the same cost as your SF office.

Yup. I used to belong to a non-profit which had its headquarters in Milpitas (just checked, and it still does). Several years ago, they radically changed their fee structure, complaining that costs were too high. Well, sure: if you base yourself in one of the most expensive parts of the country, costs will be far too high!

Also, as a developer, there's no way I'd want to live in the Bay Area. I'm glad that many people enjoy it, but California's not the place for me, not at all.

Milpitas is nothing like SF, aside that it is an overpriced ghetto

I feel like this should be engraved in stone and delivered to anyone who is thinking of getting into this game but try telling that to a hot headed under 30 founder who is worried about burning that cash as fast as possible to 'grow big and sell the company'.

I almost feel like SV is all about exits and not enough focus on meaningful products that arise out of genuine passion to solve a real problem.

Those kinds of founders need a dose of reality. That path is usually more like "burn lots of investor cash and your reputation, then fail." For the very few who sort of pull the pump and dump burn to exit thing off there are dozens who just crash.

doesn't seem to happen. people who raise ridiculous amount of money seems to do it again and again and investors are happy to keep shoveling piles of money around. vast amount of money is moved around and evaporated.

that kind of money if distributed to single founders who have a working product, generating revenues would have a far more benefit to society and consumers instead of one giant company that bullies it's way into the markets by splashing money around.

I've seen that too and I still don't understand it.

Not all products are equal.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com