cloudmike

We like it overall, but (like everyone else) we're anxious for it to keep maturing. Some of my co-founder's thoughts (with a bit of PR spin):

http://adtmag.com/blogs/watersworks/2010/10/mobile-app-creat...

YC's equity take isn't set in stone. That's why they specify a range. If you're experienced, connected, resourceful, and/or awesome enough to attract similar value for less equity elsewhere, you can negotiate the terms. Hipmunk did.

As for your job/lunch comparison, I'd argue that YC's network, connections, feedback, advising, alumni network, speakers, etc. are the "job" and the money they give you is the "lunch" rather than the other way around.

Lastly, YC is an accelerator, not an incubator, which I think is an important distinction for anyone reading this thread and considering applying. You don't work on-site at YC. You work in your proverbial garage.

I mention these things because they might help friends, acquaintances, and others who are still considering applying.

On the contrary, PG encourages open criticism. It's a good way for YC to improve.

We had a great experience with no regrets. Apply now if you're on the fence. Having said that, my criticism is that, like any startup, YC has some growing pains while it scales.

In particular, our experience (S2010, 36 companies) wasn't as intimate as I had hoped it would be. But they're working to address that, which was a learning experience in itself. You get to see how smart people try to scale an operation while preserving what makes it special.

Relatedly, I also didn't expect YC to feel internally competitive at times. Resources can become limited, from the basics like seating and food, to the important stuff like the time and attention of speakers, investors, and PG himself. With that many companies, there's also inevitably some overlap among product ideas.

However, overall it was much more cooperative than competitive, and I welcomed a little friendly competition. The resulting "coopetition" is a balance I think they'll need to watch as they scale.

We submitted for Simperium/Simplenote (S2010) at the last minute. Since we were already happy and making money, it didn't really occur to us to apply until a friend invited us to apply with him (for something else). We decided it could be a great opportunity to learn new things and meet great people, and it was.

Hey guys, happy you're liking Simplenote. There are some kinks in this update but we're working on them. Let us know if you have any feedback.

I've worked with Jesse and Jeff and they're great guys. The product they're building is a great chance to make something that's both fun and very helpful for a lot of people. I'd step up to join them in a heartbeat if I wasn't already occupied.

Jesse can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think their product also involves a backend component for profiles, sharing, analytics, etc. The big picture will use an interesting blend of tech. It's a good opportunity to lead, learn and grow.

There's a group of hardcore people who will want to read and type while watching the progress of a download, as you described. But I don't think the iPad is targeted at these people. It doesn't even have an accessible file system. Watching the progress of an arbitrary file download doesn't have much out-of-context meaning in a system where files are only accessible in-context.

Also, as I mentioned in the article, you can always move your eyes from your iPad to your iPhone if the app you're using doesn't have the social tools you need integrated into it. I realize the practicality of this is highly debatable though until we see some real world use.

Avoid the extremes. Don't do one thing, don't do hundreds of things. Find a distribution that makes you happy.

Go for depth. Go for breadth. Just don't be shallow and narrow.

Scour the earth for things you love, then plumb their depths entirely.