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I have worked at a string of tiny startups and I doubt many large companies would be very impressed. But one thing that has always helped me get some kind of c

by ilaksh 6y ago

I have worked at a string of tiny startups and I doubt many large companies would be very impressed. But one thing that has always helped me get some kind of contract or find the next startup has been to find something like requirements specifications and build a few demos. But now the specs or things like specs are on a handful of freelancing sites that lock you in to accepting 10-15% fees and usually require screen-spying. What I am trying to get is just another part-time job to replace the current startup that's wrapping up so that I can use the rest of the week for my computer vision learning experiments etc. So a couple of days ago I made a site, https://postaspec.com https://postaspec.com. So far everyone ignored it. I am going to put my own spec for a little pet project on there, just so at least it's not empty.

jpindar 6y ago
When I look at those freelancing sites, the descriptions of what potential clients want are so short and vague, I don't understand how the freelancers who immediately give specific (and often very low) quotes can do so.
- ilaksh 6y ago
  Exactly. Most people just spam them with some completely arbitrary low-ball bid. If someone was actually checking the project descriptions and bids to make sure they had some minimal amount of quality, it would work a lot better. Or at least filter out people who were unwilling or unable to put in a minimum effort at the beginning. That's one reason why I think my idea might have a chance. If anyone ever actually uses the site. But on freelancing sites, there are actionable descriptions (a little bit like specs) on a few of them. You just have to go through a lot to find those.
  - jpindar 6y ago
    I've occasionally seen a job which had something like "please include the word banana in your bid so I know you at least read my description". And sure enough, some of the bids don't include the word banana.

by ilaksh 6y ago

jpindar 6y ago

When I look at those freelancing sites, the descriptions of what potential clients want are so short and vague, I don't understand how the freelancers who immediately give specific (and often very low) quotes can do so.

ilaksh 6y ago
Exactly. Most people just spam them with some completely arbitrary low-ball bid. If someone was actually checking the project descriptions and bids to make sure they had some minimal amount of quality, it would work a lot better. Or at least filter out people who were unwilling or unable to put in a minimum effort at the beginning. That's one reason why I think my idea might have a chance. If anyone ever actually uses the site. But on freelancing sites, there are actionable descriptions (a little bit like specs) on a few of them. You just have to go through a lot to find those.
- jpindar 6y ago
  I've occasionally seen a job which had something like "please include the word banana in your bid so I know you at least read my description". And sure enough, some of the bids don't include the word banana.