5 ms·

Where to find a good hacker?

10 points by aintahacker 16y ago

I want to know where to find a good hacker. You know, the next Mark Zuckerberg. And I don't mean "good" as in the most technical either, although that is important as well. I mean, where can I find a hacker that understands people too? You may be able to html and css your way through MIT or Stanford, but can you create an application that people actually want, or are capable of using? Many applications built by hackers are fun, but many people are running around town forgetting a fundamental rule... We're building businesses here (yes I said it). I know that's a dirty word for many hackers, because it takes the novelty out of the work. It's a reality though. If your thingy doesn't have a business model behind it, you will have to rely on VC, and hope you can find a way to make it a business before the cash-money runs out. I am a business-type (sort of), meaning I have ideas of what end users want, and I think of ways for those ideas to make money. And, I don't know how to build them. So I am in need of a good hacker (based on the explanation above) to help me build a social network that has components loosely related to LinkedIn. (How's that for ambiguous?) I know YC says find a friend of a friend, but I ain't got no friends. I completely agree with YC, in that a startup is far too much work for a single individual. That is why I am looking for a hacker to marry. I welcome all comments (as long as they're positive), leads (except your girlfriend's great uncle Harry), website links (to your work), or contact information. Otherwise, I'll be going back to university to study Computer Science or buying a shitload of Hacking for Dummies books.

markerdmann 16y ago
This is just a suggestion, but it might make sense to post a CV, a LinkedIn profile, or something similar that gives interested individuals a better sense of who you are and what you're bringing to the table.
scottkrager 16y ago
(sigh) Do you bring anything to the table? I mean come on, my mother has ideas AND friends. And she is really a mother-type, not just "sort of" a mother type. As a non-hacker myself, here's my suggestion: Figure out the bare-bones alpha version of your idea. Spec it out as detailed as you possibly can. Now take that doc and pitch it to a developer in your town, in person. Meet them for coffee, buy them a beer, whatever. Just get them in person to pitch them on the idea. If you can't get a single programmer to meet with you...you're not really a "business-type". "business-types" can close deals and convince people (yes, even programmers!) to join them.
- aintahacker 16y ago
  Scott, I do in fact have more than just an idea. Thus far, I have been able to close deals. I bring previous entrepreneurial experience, a solid understanding of business, business plan development experience, a network of management consultants, capital and connections to VC, and perhaps most importantly, a scrappy, fire-in-the-belly desire to bring my idea to market. I described myself as a "business-type sort of" because I am not a hacker myself, AND I am not a suit. While I understand and very much like business, I wanted to communicate to readers that I am not your traditional NY businessman that wears a three-piece suit and has an aura of Armani cologne. Thank you for your advice on building an alpha version of the idea, and taking that to programmers. This is the type of feedback I was seeking from my post. I have not tried to convince programmers of my idea yet, so the jury is out on whether or not I am really a business-type. As a non-hacker yourself, I am curious as to what brings you to the HN forums? I hope you were not offended by satirical post, and I do thank you for your response.
  - scottkrager 16y ago
    The more I learn about programming (I'm slowly teaching myself), the better I can communicate and eventual hack myself. Plus HN has some of the best tech/biz news around.
bendmorris 16y ago
What on earth does it mean to "html and css your way through MIT or Stanford?" It seems like you're trivializing degrees from top universities, as well as overstating the difficulty of HTML and CSS. If your ideas are so great, take a few weeks and learn a programming language. Then, build your app yourself. You don't have to be a technical whiz to build something that runs. When you have some users your idea will be validated and maybe people will be more inclined to meet with you.
- aintahacker 16y ago
  Bend, thanks for your response. Clearly you missed the meaning of my satirical tone in my post. For that, I apologize. I was simply trying to evoke a response from the reader so that my post was not overlooked among the hundreds of posts. In that regard, I achieved my goal. I value greatly degrees from top universities, especially MIT and Stanford. I do understand the difficulty of HTML and CSS, and I am envious of the technical geniuses that are able to build applications using them. My point was that it takes more than excellent programming knowledge to build a useful application for users, AND turn it into a successful business venture. Many programmers are great at building apps, but may not know how to build a successful business from it (Or, they may know exactly how). I am not stating my idea is great, as I have not pitched it to programmers or users yet. I appreciate your advice on building the app myself though. Another reader suggested a similar idea, and I believe it is a good course of action. I hope I have conveyed that the tone in my post was merely to illicit a response from readers, and was not intended to trivialize degrees or technical abilities.
  - deleted 16y ago
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    - aintahacker 16y ago
      Plink, the above comment does not reference my original post to finding a good programmer, no. My previous comment to which you replied was in response to Bendmorris, "It seems like you're trivializing degrees from top universities, as well as overstating the difficulty of HTML and CSS." I was simply defending myself that I was not trivializing degrees, and that I wish I knew the technical side so I could implement my idea. As someone with zero technical background, HTML and CSS are a foreign language. It seems there was a misunderstanding in my intent and tone. You may better understand my position after reading comments I have made to others in this post.
fleitz 16y ago
Put your email in your profile so people can contact you. Next, check my profile and contact me. I'm highly skeptical of a 'business type' with no friends, but I'll always entertain what you have to say. Also, the next Mark Zuckerberg no longer needs an Eduardo Saverin, he can get a server for free from Google, Amazon, or spend $5 a month on a dreamhost account. You also say that you need a business model, yet reference Zuckerberg. Facebook is the prototypical VC funded company with no business model, until a few hundred million into VC. Yes, Facebook finally found one, and is now profitable. LinkedIn is also VC funded.
- aintahacker 16y ago
  Fleitz, I thought I had included my email in my profile. I will review your profile and be in touch shortly. Can you create an application without having any idea of a business model? Sure. But why would you? I am certainly not opposed to VC funding. In fact, it's essential in many cases. I think it's smarter to have a business model in mind behind your application though. That's just my opinion. Anyone is free to disagree. That's what makes these forums so intellectually stimulating. Good analogy to Mark and Eduardo by the way.
  - revorad 16y ago
    The email you put in the email field is not visible to others (bad design, I know). You need to put it in the about field.
    - aintahacker 16y ago
      Got it, thanks!
dyc 16y ago
http://railsforzombies.org/ http://railsforzombies.org/ Start there.
- aintahacker 16y ago
  Thanks dyc, I will be sure to use the site as I try to develop my technical knowledge.
revorad 16y ago
Sorry to break the news, but... "I'm your Winkelvoss, be my Zuckerberg" is NOT a good pitch to hackers. Or maybe you are just joking?
- aintahacker 16y ago
  Revorad, your last inclination is correct. As I explained in previous comments, I do bring more to the table than just an idea. Thank you for recognizing the sarcasm, and irony of Winkelvoss and Zuckerberg.
  - revorad 16y ago
    Oh good, so you at least have a sense of humour. But you would do better to fill your profile details and be your true person here. Don't hide your identity, don't hide your ideas. Flesh out the details or you will not get the best response possible. What businesses have you built? Who do you know? Can you name some names? How much cash can you bring to the table? How much PR power do you have? Do you write a popular blog? Can you call someone at the NYTimes or WSJ to get featured? Details. That's where it's at.
    - aintahacker 16y ago
      I definitely have a sense of humour! That's good advice too, thank you. My fear (and I know this is common among many entrepreneurs) is to fully lay out an idea for someone, and have Mark say that he is working on the idea for you. When in reality he's secretly building his own application based on your idea. Maybe it's not so bad to be a Winklevoss. Didn't they receive a $65 million settlement? :)
mindcrime 16y ago
There are hackers out there looking for a "business guy" to "marry," but... the "business guy" has to bring more to the table than just an idea. If I partnered up with a "business guy" I'd be expecting somebody with some serious chops when it comes to prospecting and selling (and closing!), some useful connections to potential customers, partners and/or investors, and some knowledge of how to do business development and marketing. And if he knows at least a little bit about accounting and taxes, that would be a bonus. But wanna-be Jack Welches who think their idea alone is enough to stand on, "if I can just find a hacker to build it" are a dime a dozen. So don't be surprised when you don't find a veritable onslaught of hackers lining up to beat down your door. Anyway, to answer your question "Where to find a good hacker?" Well... there are lots of places. Starting here is a decent bet, but look for meetups in or near your town... if there is a HN meetup, or any technical user-group (Ruby User's Group, Java User's Group, Linux User's Group, Perl Mongers, whatever) go find them and start hanging out with those folks. Use LinkedIn, poke around sites like Quora and the various StackExchange sites... just don't be too obnoxious with the solicitations, or you'll piss off people who might otherwise be willing to help. CS departments at area universities might give you useful leads as well. But read this: http://www.cs.uni.edu/~wallingf/blog/archives/monthly/2010-12.html#e2010-12-01T15_45_40.htm http://www.cs.uni.edu/~wallingf/blog/archives/monthly/2010-1... before calling up CS professors. Some other food for thought: http://www.cs.uni.edu/~wallingf/blog/archives/monthly/2010-10.html#e2010-10-28T16_27_55.htm http://www.cs.uni.edu/~wallingf/blog/archives/monthly/2010-1... http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/philg/2010/10/05/social-network-the-movie/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/philg/2010/10/05/social-network...
- aintahacker 16y ago
  Mindcrime, your post has been the most inspirational and informational. Thank you! I will share these articles (especially the first one from the CS professor) with a lot of my business colleagues. There is an unspoken feeling that "business guys" can never learn to program to implement their ideas. Or, "hackers" are completely inept at understanding business, and should focus only on building their application. This is the conversation I wish my post would have evoked - the "marriage" of business understanding and technical ability. (Admittedly, my tone may have come across as obnoxious to technical readers, which was not my intent.) After your post, and comments from other readers, I am much more inspired to gain at least some technical skills to building a working prototype for my idea. While I feel my skills are best suited to pitch the idea, write the business plan, raise capital, sell to potential customers, etc. I feel having the technical ability, to a certain extent, would enable me to execute the idea. Or, if nothing else, give me more credibility among programmers who may otherwise see me as solely an "idea man". In any regard, thank you for your comment and advice.
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GotToStartup 16y ago
Although I didn't go to MIT or Stanford, I never learnt HTML or CSS in university. No, that's not what a Computer Science degree teaches.
- aintahacker 16y ago
  That's interesting. Just curious, did you teach yourself HTML and CSS? And what did a CS degree teach you? I may be interested in learning how to program.
  - GotToStartup 16y ago
    Computer science does not equal programming. Yes, programming is a part of computer science but you learn a heck of a lot more from a computer science degree. You learn about algorithms, computational complexity, lots of math, logic and a lot more. You learn how to use a computer to solve hard problems and how to identify patterns in problems that others have already solved. A lot of it is theoretical; you won't be taught how to build a web site. If you wan't to learn how to program just enough to validate your idea, then perhaps taking a computer science degree might be a little overkill. Read some tutorials and just start programming easy stuff and work your way up.
deleted 16y ago
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