50 karma · joined June 27, 2015
The original was http://waitersonwheels.com, which I used in the 1990's. It started as a catalog-based service, which waiter.com knocked off and improved.
It's not a defensible business model unless there's some exclusivity agreements with restaurants on the menu. (too tasty to resist.)
As a user example, when I load the HN front-page on an iOS device in portrait mode, I'm lazy and switch to rotate to landscape mode to see more without trimming edges and scrolling around. On most sites, I expect to be able to double-tap on a paragraph column to toggle maximize-fit-to-display-width mode and return regular all-content-on-display-width mode.
If some site prevents this, I will not buy their products or use their services, because it's a signal they don't care about usability and will inevitably waste people's time. That's a form of laziness and failure that should not be rewarded. There are usually competitors that want you to switch to their brand (except with govts). Those annoying jQuery Mobile one-sized-fits-all sites deployed by pharmacies, banks, govts and so on.
It's not so much a kindness thing as a shrewd prevention of costly issues.
(Unfortunately, the melody is protected too because the parody defense requires a legitimate (subjective interpretation) parody.)
Also, every Starbucks in the U.S. seems to give out water or water with ice upon request. That's not the same as a community identity space and symbol of a water fountain or a Roman aqueduct with water endlessly flowing out of a hole in the wall (we're obviously not able to waste as much as in the past).
Perhaps the symbol of the commons replaced with nothing but apparent commercial options is what people are moral panicking about? Or is there (perhaps as a result of what follows) a popular, definite consumer mentality shift to eschewing anything free == not good, expensive == good?
"Fix Reddit with Bacon"
but no, decentralized reddit sounds like a better idea... maybe until figuring how how to distribute moderation and other privileges.
One positive note: most organizations are culturally self-selecting. So if it didn't work out, that means he's freed up to land a better gig even if he could have made an larger impact if allowed, it's clear the leadership either blames him, feels they have irreconcilable differences or doesn't want him to succeed. It appears he gave it a good go, but perhaps insiders think otherwise. Reiterating the maxim of never burn bridges and always take the high road when leaving employment (and never gossiping/speak ill of anyone in an exit interview.)
PS: Docker is a prime example of how a side feature can be instrumental to a pivot to something much larger.
It would be different, for say two shabby-looking folks going at it in Venice, CA in front of a street during the daytime. But a hot couple, at night, in some remote location in a safe area isn't going to raise eyebrows, especially if no one notices. It just goes to show there are layers of socioeconomic biases, plus not all homeless people are given feedback, care or are aware of what's considered acceptable by others.
Perhaps the core issue is should necessary biological functions (and common, strongly desired needs that others are able to fulfill) be disproportionally criminalized based on socioeconomic and other biases? (For most men, sex is a strong motivating drive... which is why the Netherlands includes it in public benefits.). There might be a "time and a place," but people whom have nothing need equal access to water, food, sanitation and whatever else can be afforded to make their lives a little more comfortable. (A society is judged on how it treats...)
There are a couple of these jackasses living in vans whom live like animals, get high and generally make things harder for everyone else, but they don't last long. They're in a minority because the majority are retired guys. There are some retired gals, some younger mostly guys but very few female vehicle dwellers generally.
Props to @netik.
But it's part of larger issue of subtle, shameful discrimination based on economics and status akin but different how African Americans were treated in the 1950's South. The homeless and poor need a Civil Rights movement. Even if it won't change attitudes of snobs and bigots, there is room for additional protections and tighter limits on police harassment. (There should be federal protections to providing food for the poor because it is illegal to feed the homeless in parts of Florida. In other parts of Florida, it is also illegal to use blankets or any other materials to protect yourself from the elements. Basically, these laws make it illegal for some people to be alive, and those types of laws have no place in America.)
Living in a car (when it's obvioua) is unfortunately an invitation for continual police harassment. Been there, done that. Police in Mountain View bang on car windows if you were to sleep in any of the downtown municipal parking lots OR even on private property. They have zero tolerance for poor people and show no compassion whatsoever. There is even this one female officer whom enjoys Schadenfreude to such a degree that it is well past hubris; (she will tow your car even if it's on private property.)
Better to live in a car or van where it's not obvious, (tint, curtains, etc.) because the junked-up cars and people obviously sleeping draw the most attention.
Also, ask me anything.
PS: During the day, it's impossible to tell that I live in my vehicle because it's very clean and everything's put away.