5 ms·

No offense, but I think it's a safer assumption that your application didn't make the "first cut". I imagine they do a first pass over the apps to get to a "sh

No offense, but I think it's a safer assumption that your application didn't make the "first cut". I imagine they do a first pass over the apps to get to a "short list" and then dig a touch deeper, discuss it, etc. Given that YC has said over and over again that a working prototype is helpful, I think it's a pretty terrible suggestion to NOT spend time on it.

mixmax 18y ago
None taken. And I suspect you might be right, so maybe OP should disregard my parent comment. I have problems explaining the concept in simple terms, and this has probably not helped me. Particularly since I relied on the prototype to do the explaining visually. I remember reading a comment PG made about why some teams were chosen and some rejected where he wrote that some applications they simply didn't understand. I might fall in that category. Or maybe my idea just sucks ;-) Also, it probably doesn't help that I'm not a programmer.
- cperciva 18y ago
  Also, it probably doesn't help that I'm not a programmer. I don't understand. If you're a non-programmer and you're working by yourself, how did you produce a working prototype?
  - mixmax 18y ago
    I learned how to program while doing it - isn't startups all about ovecoming obstacles?
    - cperciva 18y ago
      I learned how to program while doing it Great! I still don't understand why you said that you're not a programmer, though. You programmed, ergo you are a programmer. :-)
      - mixmax 18y ago
        Thanks for the endorsement :-)
      - SwellJoe 18y ago
        Exactly. Nobody knows everything...none of us are "done" learning how to program, unless we're not doing any programming anymore. One certainly gets better at it, the more time spent on the subject. So, one who programs might not be a good programmer, which comes from knowledge, enthusiasm, and experience, but if you build something that works, it's better than 99% of people who come up with ideas and do nothing with them.
    - webwright 18y ago
      Great example of determination!

mixmax 18y ago

None taken. And I suspect you might be right, so maybe OP should disregard my parent comment. I have problems explaining the concept in simple terms, and this has probably not helped me. Particularly since I relied on the prototype to do the explaining visually. I remember reading a comment PG made about why some teams were chosen and some rejected where he wrote that some applications they simply didn't understand. I might fall in that category. Or maybe my idea just sucks ;-) Also, it probably doesn't help that I'm not a programmer.

cperciva 18y ago
Also, it probably doesn't help that I'm not a programmer. I don't understand. If you're a non-programmer and you're working by yourself, how did you produce a working prototype?
- mixmax 18y ago
  I learned how to program while doing it - isn't startups all about ovecoming obstacles?
  - cperciva 18y ago
    I learned how to program while doing it Great! I still don't understand why you said that you're not a programmer, though. You programmed, ergo you are a programmer. :-)
    - mixmax 18y ago
      Thanks for the endorsement :-)
    - SwellJoe 18y ago
      Exactly. Nobody knows everything...none of us are "done" learning how to program, unless we're not doing any programming anymore. One certainly gets better at it, the more time spent on the subject. So, one who programs might not be a good programmer, which comes from knowledge, enthusiasm, and experience, but if you build something that works, it's better than 99% of people who come up with ideas and do nothing with them.
  - webwright 18y ago
    Great example of determination!