gregthompsonjr

An internal API that I truly hate because of how poorly written it is. I’m probably going to rewrite it and quit.

Try using Django (Python) for a little while. You'll get exposed to everything you mentioned because the Django core is feature rich. There's a lot of support for Django—it's battle-tested and used by a large community of Python developers. Out of the box, Django is a lot heavier than something like Tornado or Pyramid, but if your goal is to work with a widely used framework with lots of backend features to learn, I'd choose Django.

I'm surrounded by the people we read material from, the guys who write it all. I try to learn everything I can from them. I'm just hoping I can express a level of competence that enables me to keep my position. The longer I can keep it, the more I'll learn, the better I'll be a year from now and after.

Can't complain. Great company. Constantly wondering if I'm good enough to keep my job, though. I'm trying to prepare for that day I'm told, "Let's talk. We like you a lot, but we've decided to let you go. If you need referrals, let us know." I mean, everyone says I'm doing well. I just don't feel it, so I work a lot more than I probably should, and I'm always ridiculously paranoid. I'd say I'm happy but I'm worried. I bet it's more common a combination of feelings than I think. The funny thing is that the company is full of really nice managers who keep it honest (as far as I know), and would tell me if I'm under-performing. I'd hope so, at least. So I guess so far, so good.

Now I feel bad about my life. I'm really not doing anything.

Sooo cleeean!

It doesn't sound like you're describing top developers. Instead, you're describing really good script kiddies. The top developers are great problem solvers and, in my experience, are really good at remembering details and knowing when to apply those details.

Getting things done is huge, but grace takes a little more than the "get things done" mindset. Being a top developer is being a really good painter. Anyone can paint by numbers or look at a painting of a rainbow and take lots of time to copy it. But, not just anyone can paint the same rainbow without any such guidance. Both types of painters come out with the same result, but one did it employing techniques that may have been hard to come by and can't be taught. The painter who doesn't need said guidance is probably more valuable than their counterpart because the painter needs the least resources.

No (well, probably), but there's you going to the bar yourself and watching them sign up, then paying for the cheap beer (hopefully ~$1 beer). Personal interaction will probably be a lot better for understanding your potential user base, too. I certainly don't feel close to the CEO/founders of "Claim It!" even though sign-ups have been incentivized with goods (like the beer I suggested buying at the bar). This is client acquisition and research and should be treated as such -- utilizing some super-abstract such as an app (as you asked for).

Go to a sports bar. Offer to buy beer (should not be very expensive) for those who get one other member to sign up with them. Pay for 50 beers, get 100 members. Plus, you might get feedback related to the site instantly (in person). That's hustling, in my opinion.

I politely declined their offer based on a lot of thought and a lot of consideration of your answers -- thank you all.

They texted me, asking for a decision. I texted back, letting them know that I'll pass but that I'll meet with them once a week for a little while to help them refine their MVP so they can communicate it to a developer. I figured it was a friendly offering of my expertise. I told them to feel free to utilize me in that regard if they'd like.

Instead of identifying the friendliness, one replied telling me that I'm either fully in or I'm out, implying that my offer was too half-assed for them. I was clear in saying that I passed on their offer to be one of their founders, so I didn't really understand what he wasn't clear on -- I plainly offered to help them refine their MVP strictly so they can execute as seamlessly as they could once in contact with another developer. I told them that when I received his response.

The other still hasn't said anything. And the one who initially responded hasn't replied to my last message. I'm assuming they're mad, although, that's not a very friendly way to reply, even after being rejected.

Now, I'm really glad I decided not to take on the role.

I never verified that they paid the graphic designer, but they told me they did (I took their word for it).

They didn't show me anything as far as validating the idea; nothing shown towards funding efforts (just, "I have people in my phone I can call right now for funds."), nothing towards user acquisition (I asked about their plan; one involved marketing against a hit movie's release).

No buy-sell agreement.

Not exactly sure what the electrical engineer is afraid of in terms of learning how to write code on his own in order to develop at least the alpha of this. He just told me, "It's not my thing." The other guy said something similar. Both said they're willing to learn but that it'd take them a really long time and that, essentially, because I already know how to do it, they called on me.

So far, they showed me video mockups of what they want built (they paid a graphic designer).

One of the big yellow flags to me was that they would be idea guys. They told me that they're willing to learn how to code, but considering they don't have super technical backgrounds (one is an electrical engineer, so he'd have the best chance at learning), they probably wouldn't be of aid in the interim.

Just thinking about all I have to learn alone causes an anxiety attack.

Considering the other comments, I'm not sure it'll be worth spending the month with them, although, that's definitely a cool suggestion. I'm just going to pass and work really hard on the projects I'm going to launch this year. If their app idea happens to work and change the world, I missed out -- it happens (aggooonnnnnyyy -- hahaha).

One works in film, the other is an electrical engineer who doesn't know how to write code.

They don't have any money at this point, so getting compensated is definitely out of the question. Their promise of having the ability to attain funding is not solid as far as know (for certain), so I can't particularly go by that.

I'm not very impressed by the idea. It's an okay idea, but nothing super inventive.

The whole "jumping on the trending app sector" thing is definitely one of the big yellow flags to me.

Your second point definitely strikes a nerve, because I keep thinking about that. They came up with mockups. I'm not sure if that's where their work stops - aside from making phone calls and throwing around ideas. I have their best interest in mind as well as mine, but I don't know if they're splitting up the equity in proportion with how much work I'd have to do to make their idea a reality.

Great points.

So, I think they actually do suit what you're painting as ideal partners. I used to go to one's parties back in college. He's working his way up in his field and doing well -- he's a hustler, which is something I can appreciate. We all come from the same place (let's just say we're definitely not rich and we definitely always had to worry about getting robbed and/or killed going home from work/school growing up). The tenacity is there.

But they're talking 5 years of commitment. Tech experience isn't something they have, but I know that at least one has entrepreneurial experience (just hasn't exited or anything). Again, he hustles.

Definitely talk about yachts and painting the picture of there being far less in our lives than there "will" be after building this app.

Plainly put and well put. They sold the dream, mentioning to me that we can change our lives, buy Patek timepieces, get boats and finally meet Kanye West. At the end of the day, it'll be a major time investment for me and I don't see how 4 to 5 hours a week would be sufficient any any business situation, especially when it comes to tech (although, I would love to only have to invest that much time into anything and change mankind).

It'll really come down to me doing a lot of development between now and October, including managing another developer if they stay true to their word and get another developer to help out.

And no, they haven't already exited or anything of that nature. Not yet. Ambitious friends of mine, though.

I think you're so right about these questions and how it relates to potentially convincing me.

I had a meeting with them yesterday to discuss in more detail. I asked them questions like "What's supposed to separate you from all of the other chat apps out there?" I understood their idea, but I don't see it as very unique. I asked them about how they'd monetize, and they told me -- a lot of it depends on star power (big people using the app in order to entice potential users). I wouldn't consider myself business savvy by any means, but that plan doesn't seem like something solid.

They told me they can make one or two calls to get funding, but that they just need an app. In my minor experience, the funding part of the operation isn't even half the battle. So, even if it is true that they can get funding just like that, it doesn't mean that this idea is strong enough to make a sustainable, considerable profit (then again, what is?).

One of the founders brings connections, but I'm focused on the idea and how it's solving a problem. I asked if there's a problem being solved, and their answer wasn't very strong.

Actually got Django.

Nice. Flask bias definitely felt as o read. Not sure if you've had to deal with a big Flask code base. I'd choose Django over Flask almost all the time. But I state that without producing evidence of superiority of Django to Flask. So, I guess this post is essentially moot.

Bet it has something to do with this damn snowstorm. I want this season to be over with!

Richard Stallman is engineering's smartest conspiracy theorist in the world. He's great at his sport, but getting to his level of expertise has clearly taken a toll on his ability to distinguish paranoia from reality. The tinfoil is doing something... The whole post is both objectionable and somewhat warranted/understandable at the same time.

Oh, and I forgot: I checked out your Twitter account. You should really consider putting that on private. The stuff about slavery and whatnot, although agreeable in some circles, may not sit right in the circles you want to impress. And yes, people do check.

Hide all social media you own unless it has to do with code and it's clean. No one really needs to know about your atheism and your thoughts on the caveats of modern society. Despite being unable to deny someone of employment based on such opinions, people do. All someone would have to do with you is say "he doesn't qualify because of his level of education," when all they really mean is, "I hate people with his political/religious views."

Take your job search as seriously as possible.

I think you should stop asking yourself whether you could fair as a developer. If you're broke, you need to make serious decisions very tactfully, very quickly.

Just apply. Stop hesitating. I sense way too much questioning from you regarding your own skill level and how you fair out there.

If you only have a month to come up with some income, you need to get a job doing construction, mowing lawns, etc. Just do something to eat while you apply for dev positions.

And keep populating your GitHub account. That never hurts.

And as immoral as it seems, DO NOT be afraid to lie a little. A lot of people here will dismiss the need for white lies in reaching most levels of success, even if that success is landing a dev position that pays 50k. Don't listen to those people. You need money and a place to grow -- you need to be just as relentless and dogged as your competition is. In America, that competition is a lot of kids who want green cards, a lot of kids who have degrees, and a lot of kids who have no heart when it comes down to grabbing opportunities. Don't overdo it. But it really won't hurt to say that you're a little better at what you do than you actually are. It wouldn't hurt to say you've built a few IRC bot clients a few years ago when you didn't (be prepared to explain how you did that on the spot, though).

Nothing about the wild teaches us that hunting is easy. Just because we're civilized animals, don't believe for one moment that it's not just as harsh in society when you're trying to eat as it is out in the wilderness.

Finally: It seems like you already know this, but just to reinforce this value: don't be ashamed to take a job that you'd normally considered beneath your skill set or potential. Ever.

Good luck, my man.

That remark was mostly meant to be understood as a joke, but since you asked:

Depending on what you're doing, you can Google businesses that need help, get their contact details, and go to town. See a business with a busted site? Check for their contact details, call them up or email them, try to get a response, convince them of why they need you to build them a better site.

Cold call.

I try to stay away from sites like that in the first place, because I see wasting a lot of time building a reputation before getting actual work. It just never made sense to me.

The sites like Freelancer and oDesk are saturated with highly competitive, cheap developers from Asia anyway. It's annoying. Nothing against Asians, but I wouldn't try to dive into a pool of them to get work. It's unrealistic in most cases, because they eat up opportunity like machines -- in large numbers.

Better off just cold calling.

Draw flow charts, identifying the smallest components along the way. Figure out which components depend on each other. Delegate tasks depending on what's already built, your deadline and each team member's specialty/ability.