6 ms·

Startup Ideas - July 2011

91 points by tansey 15y ago

EwanG 15y ago
Several of these appear to already exist (such as the crowdsourced editing). Then there is your webcam deal that hits a personal pain point - anywhere sufficiently exotic will be Mega expensive to get a signal out of. Heck I'd pay for 50 webcams to be installed throughout Rocky Mountain National Park myself if it weren't that only a satellite uplink would work for most locations and a couple hundred a day adds up to real money quick :-)
- tansey 15y ago
  Sure, it would be ideal to have a webcam mounted right on top of Pike's peak, but I think that's not required. I'm sure somewhere like the Broadmoor hotel in Colorado Springs has a sufficiently awesome view of the Rocky Mountains, though. :)
  - EwanG 15y ago
    Perhaps. But if I'm more interested in checking our Bear Lake, or the summit view from Longs Peak (rather than the view of Longs Peak from 30 miles away), or some of the waterfalls along the Glacier trail, then there isn't anyplace where I can get that. And if a service ever comes along that DOES offer that I will be happy to give them a fist full of money because while I can't afford to work in or near the park, I'd love to be able to take a virtual hike when I'm stressed out.
    - swalkergibson 15y ago
      If you fund my next trip to the Diamond, I will gladly place that webcam for you :P
      - EwanG 15y ago
        But how will I get the pictures back from that webcam on demand and for a reasonable price? I wouldn't mind paying for both of us to go up there if that was going to be the lion's share of the cost. But since the trip is maybe 1% of the cost when you have to use a satellite uplink...
- bdr 15y ago
  Link?
avdempsey 15y ago
"Does this fit me" has been a dream of mine for awhile. Imagine a world where everybody's clothes fit. Where clothing can be spontaneously gifted, and you'll be sure it fits like a glove. I think he sells himself short here. Women aren't the only people that have to hunt for a fit. I'm a tall, lanky guy. Most medium shirts are too short, and my shoulders swim in a large. Like any good scientist, I've trialled and erred my way to brands that fit (thank you American Apparel medium 50/50s), but this discovery process is a pain in the ass. Here's the upside, browse through clothes online, and everything fits, see how it looks on someone with your shape. There are some big challenges of course. A brand's sizing will vary from design to design. I bought a pair of Nike 11s that fit, after trying another Nike 11 that didn't. Then, how consistent is the sizing after manufacturing, after washing? Sigh, somebody start this, and I'd love to help.
- benmccann 15y ago
  A couple of guys I went to school with are doing this for shoes: http://www.shoefitr.com http://www.shoefitr.com
  - frankdenbow 15y ago
    Yea CMU! Their tech is sick. I expect Amazon to snatch them up.
- netmau5 15y ago
  Love the idea as well, even commented on the blog (something I rarely do these days). My partner and I might be interested in hacking on it too. Now if we can get tansey to do our ML~
  - avdempsey 15y ago
    I honestly think there's room for more than one company to make money in solving clothing pain points :) I'm glad others picked up on this idea too.
- danielharan 15y ago
dbingham 15y ago
With regard to the source control for recipes, I've been trying to get an StackExchange/Reddit sort of thing for recipes that includes some wiki editing off the ground for a year and a half. Haven't had much success, but working on version 3 in my spare time now. Maybe with a nicer design (a real logo) and a core written in Zend as opposed to Cake things will pick up speed more. Here's the current version: http://www.fridgetofood.com http://www.fridgetofood.com
- tansey 15y ago
  Cool idea and nice looking site! I think the reason why Github is a better model than reddit is because of the developer-centric model of Github. I use Github because it's how I manage my own code-- it's first and foremost about me. The social aspect of it is what makes it go viral when a cool library is pushed, but that's a vitamin, not a painkiller. With reddit, it's more of a nail-biting, "gosh I hope people like this" sort of model. Its focus is on the community and a link is a temporary (usually < 1 day) talking point for people. I think chefs treasure their recipes and carry them around for life. They know what they like and they're happy to experiment/learn from others, but it's mostly about mastering their own skills and creating their own recipes.
  - aero142 15y ago
    For Reddit, a person can evaluate the quality of an article very quick and simple democracy pushes it to the top. Also, once I have read the article, I usually don't care to ever see it again. With recipes, it takes longer to evaluate, so the credibility of the person recommending it has more weight. Also, when I find a recipe I like, I want to keep it for life. "Browse Emeril's recipes" sounds like a site I want to see. (This may be exactly what you were saying, not sure)
    - dbingham 15y ago
      Well, Fridge to Food attaches a StackExchange style reputation to people (that carries more weight than reddit karma) and does have a page where you can see user's recipes (similar to SO). Really it pulls more inspiration from StackExchange than it does from Reddit.
eli 15y ago
> Rewarding Jobs: A jobs site that only posts jobs with a more altruistic slant... I think http://www.idealist.org/ http://www.idealist.org/ already fills this niche
naeem 15y ago
I'm worried that a lot of these ideas are taking Paul Graham's adage of solving simple problems a little bit too much to heart. The amount of effort that would be expanded into these ideas - and various other start-up ideas nowadays - generally appears to me to be more than it's worth. I suppose my point is that entrepreneurs are spending too much time solving mundane, every-day problems which aren't that bad as opposed to looking at the big picture. I mean, don't get me wrong, I recognize that not everyone is going to build the next facebook... but if we don't strive for that, doesn't that eliminate the risk - and ultimately, the charm - of entrepreneurship? Or am I just bitter? I'm starting to think it might just be the latter.
- alexsb92 15y ago
  I actually agree with you, and have been wondering the same thing myself. However I would say these ideas are not necessarily that bad to practice on. I mean for people who are serious about getting into web stuff, then projects like these could be a great way to learn the ropes. Doing a project from ground up has always been IMO the best way to learn a new language. I know that I will basically be doing this with one of those ideas or a similar one.
- tansey 15y ago
  > not everyone is going to build the next facebook... but if we don't strive for that, doesn't that eliminate the risk - and ultimately, the charm - of entrepreneurship? Or am I just bitter? First, I really wouldn't say Facebook was a big idea when it started. It was about getting Harvard students laid, with some long-shot plans about connecting the world together gradually over time. I could come up with some half-baked paths that a few of my ideas may follow to become a huge company, but of course that is more about luck down the road. I like to focus on ideas that can solve a problem right now and make money. Second, risk is not a binary concept. You have an efficient frontier of risk/reward points and you simply choose your spot along that line. If you want to start the next Facebook, you might be looking at 1,000 competitors. If you want to build a Settlers of Catan clone, it's more like 3. There's still risk, but it's greatly reduced, and with that reduction comes a reduction of potential return. Feel free to swing for the fences-- but every team needs guys who can get singles and RBIs, not just home runs. Happy to hear some examples of ideas that you think have sufficient potential and charm. :)
rglover 15y ago
Love the idea of github for recipes. I think it'd be great to share and build recipes with others. Actually, the github/social version idea could work for a lot of stuff in theory (e.g. music, design, etc).
jamesgagan 15y ago
I've got a pickup lines site (http://worldsbestpickuplines.info http://worldsbestpickuplines.info) which would be easy to adapt or clone to the "Pickup Stories" idea - I think I'll do it. Thanks for the idea!
- tansey 15y ago
  Awesome! Drop me a line when it's up and running!
  - jamesgagan 15y ago
    done! slightly modified from the original idea: http://hookupstories.net/ http://hookupstories.net/ now all it needs some content! any hn'ers got some good hookup/pickup stories???
aorshan 15y ago
I'm a huge fan of the Video Creation Contest idea. I think 99 designs is awesome and I think having a good landing video is just as important, if not more important(at least in the beginning), as having a good logo.
nl 15y ago
Can someone explain the "Rydex for the global markets" idea? I don't understand what Rydex does at all.
- tansey 15y ago
  Sure! I just wrote up a lengthy explanation of the idea: http://wesleytansey.com/elaborating-on-the-global-rydex-idea/ http://wesleytansey.com/elaborating-on-the-global-rydex-idea...
  - nl 15y ago
    Thanks - that's very useful
abhiyerra 15y ago
The crowdsourced editing is already done. http://www.cloudcrowd.com/ http://www.cloudcrowd.com/
inittowinit 15y ago
User Manual Creator www.ifixit.com
johnx123-up 15y ago
Friend of mine posts ideas in http://fundprojectswith.me/ http://fundprojectswith.me/ There ideas are easily converted to projects with less dollars (500-1000). I'm going to post these ideas there now:)

91 points by tansey 15y ago

EwanG 15y ago

Several of these appear to already exist (such as the crowdsourced editing). Then there is your webcam deal that hits a personal pain point - anywhere sufficiently exotic will be Mega expensive to get a signal out of. Heck I'd pay for 50 webcams to be installed throughout Rocky Mountain National Park myself if it weren't that only a satellite uplink would work for most locations and a couple hundred a day adds up to real money quick :-)

tansey 15y ago
Sure, it would be ideal to have a webcam mounted right on top of Pike's peak, but I think that's not required. I'm sure somewhere like the Broadmoor hotel in Colorado Springs has a sufficiently awesome view of the Rocky Mountains, though. :)
- EwanG 15y ago
  Perhaps. But if I'm more interested in checking our Bear Lake, or the summit view from Longs Peak (rather than the view of Longs Peak from 30 miles away), or some of the waterfalls along the Glacier trail, then there isn't anyplace where I can get that. And if a service ever comes along that DOES offer that I will be happy to give them a fist full of money because while I can't afford to work in or near the park, I'd love to be able to take a virtual hike when I'm stressed out.
  - swalkergibson 15y ago
    If you fund my next trip to the Diamond, I will gladly place that webcam for you :P
    - EwanG 15y ago
      But how will I get the pictures back from that webcam on demand and for a reasonable price? I wouldn't mind paying for both of us to go up there if that was going to be the lion's share of the cost. But since the trip is maybe 1% of the cost when you have to use a satellite uplink...
bdr 15y ago
Link?

avdempsey 15y ago

"Does this fit me" has been a dream of mine for awhile. Imagine a world where everybody's clothes fit. Where clothing can be spontaneously gifted, and you'll be sure it fits like a glove. I think he sells himself short here. Women aren't the only people that have to hunt for a fit. I'm a tall, lanky guy. Most medium shirts are too short, and my shoulders swim in a large. Like any good scientist, I've trialled and erred my way to brands that fit (thank you American Apparel medium 50/50s), but this discovery process is a pain in the ass. Here's the upside, browse through clothes online, and everything fits, see how it looks on someone with your shape. There are some big challenges of course. A brand's sizing will vary from design to design. I bought a pair of Nike 11s that fit, after trying another Nike 11 that didn't. Then, how consistent is the sizing after manufacturing, after washing? Sigh, somebody start this, and I'd love to help.

benmccann 15y ago
A couple of guys I went to school with are doing this for shoes: http://www.shoefitr.com http://www.shoefitr.com
- frankdenbow 15y ago
  Yea CMU! Their tech is sick. I expect Amazon to snatch them up.
netmau5 15y ago
Love the idea as well, even commented on the blog (something I rarely do these days). My partner and I might be interested in hacking on it too. Now if we can get tansey to do our ML~
- avdempsey 15y ago
  I honestly think there's room for more than one company to make money in solving clothing pain points :) I'm glad others picked up on this idea too.
danielharan 15y ago

dbingham 15y ago

With regard to the source control for recipes, I've been trying to get an StackExchange/Reddit sort of thing for recipes that includes some wiki editing off the ground for a year and a half. Haven't had much success, but working on version 3 in my spare time now. Maybe with a nicer design (a real logo) and a core written in Zend as opposed to Cake things will pick up speed more. Here's the current version: http://www.fridgetofood.com http://www.fridgetofood.com

tansey 15y ago
Cool idea and nice looking site! I think the reason why Github is a better model than reddit is because of the developer-centric model of Github. I use Github because it's how I manage my own code-- it's first and foremost about me. The social aspect of it is what makes it go viral when a cool library is pushed, but that's a vitamin, not a painkiller. With reddit, it's more of a nail-biting, "gosh I hope people like this" sort of model. Its focus is on the community and a link is a temporary (usually < 1 day) talking point for people. I think chefs treasure their recipes and carry them around for life. They know what they like and they're happy to experiment/learn from others, but it's mostly about mastering their own skills and creating their own recipes.
- aero142 15y ago
  For Reddit, a person can evaluate the quality of an article very quick and simple democracy pushes it to the top. Also, once I have read the article, I usually don't care to ever see it again. With recipes, it takes longer to evaluate, so the credibility of the person recommending it has more weight. Also, when I find a recipe I like, I want to keep it for life. "Browse Emeril's recipes" sounds like a site I want to see. (This may be exactly what you were saying, not sure)
  - dbingham 15y ago
    Well, Fridge to Food attaches a StackExchange style reputation to people (that carries more weight than reddit karma) and does have a page where you can see user's recipes (similar to SO). Really it pulls more inspiration from StackExchange than it does from Reddit.

eli 15y ago

> Rewarding Jobs: A jobs site that only posts jobs with a more altruistic slant... I think http://www.idealist.org/ http://www.idealist.org/ already fills this niche

naeem 15y ago

I'm worried that a lot of these ideas are taking Paul Graham's adage of solving simple problems a little bit too much to heart. The amount of effort that would be expanded into these ideas - and various other start-up ideas nowadays - generally appears to me to be more than it's worth. I suppose my point is that entrepreneurs are spending too much time solving mundane, every-day problems which aren't that bad as opposed to looking at the big picture. I mean, don't get me wrong, I recognize that not everyone is going to build the next facebook... but if we don't strive for that, doesn't that eliminate the risk - and ultimately, the charm - of entrepreneurship? Or am I just bitter? I'm starting to think it might just be the latter.

alexsb92 15y ago
I actually agree with you, and have been wondering the same thing myself. However I would say these ideas are not necessarily that bad to practice on. I mean for people who are serious about getting into web stuff, then projects like these could be a great way to learn the ropes. Doing a project from ground up has always been IMO the best way to learn a new language. I know that I will basically be doing this with one of those ideas or a similar one.
tansey 15y ago
> not everyone is going to build the next facebook... but if we don't strive for that, doesn't that eliminate the risk - and ultimately, the charm - of entrepreneurship? Or am I just bitter? First, I really wouldn't say Facebook was a big idea when it started. It was about getting Harvard students laid, with some long-shot plans about connecting the world together gradually over time. I could come up with some half-baked paths that a few of my ideas may follow to become a huge company, but of course that is more about luck down the road. I like to focus on ideas that can solve a problem right now and make money. Second, risk is not a binary concept. You have an efficient frontier of risk/reward points and you simply choose your spot along that line. If you want to start the next Facebook, you might be looking at 1,000 competitors. If you want to build a Settlers of Catan clone, it's more like 3. There's still risk, but it's greatly reduced, and with that reduction comes a reduction of potential return. Feel free to swing for the fences-- but every team needs guys who can get singles and RBIs, not just home runs. Happy to hear some examples of ideas that you think have sufficient potential and charm. :)

rglover 15y ago

Love the idea of github for recipes. I think it'd be great to share and build recipes with others. Actually, the github/social version idea could work for a lot of stuff in theory (e.g. music, design, etc).

jamesgagan 15y ago

I've got a pickup lines site (http://worldsbestpickuplines.info http://worldsbestpickuplines.info) which would be easy to adapt or clone to the "Pickup Stories" idea - I think I'll do it. Thanks for the idea!

tansey 15y ago
Awesome! Drop me a line when it's up and running!
- jamesgagan 15y ago
  done! slightly modified from the original idea: http://hookupstories.net/ http://hookupstories.net/ now all it needs some content! any hn'ers got some good hookup/pickup stories???

aorshan 15y ago

I'm a huge fan of the Video Creation Contest idea. I think 99 designs is awesome and I think having a good landing video is just as important, if not more important(at least in the beginning), as having a good logo.

nl 15y ago

Can someone explain the "Rydex for the global markets" idea? I don't understand what Rydex does at all.

tansey 15y ago
Sure! I just wrote up a lengthy explanation of the idea: http://wesleytansey.com/elaborating-on-the-global-rydex-idea/ http://wesleytansey.com/elaborating-on-the-global-rydex-idea...
- nl 15y ago
  Thanks - that's very useful

abhiyerra 15y ago

The crowdsourced editing is already done. http://www.cloudcrowd.com/ http://www.cloudcrowd.com/

inittowinit 15y ago

User Manual Creator www.ifixit.com

johnx123-up 15y ago

Friend of mine posts ideas in http://fundprojectswith.me/ http://fundprojectswith.me/ There ideas are easily converted to projects with less dollars (500-1000). I'm going to post these ideas there now:)