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So the 'idea' is worthless without a smart nerd's execution and coding? Exactly what does an engineer do without an idea? The answer is nothing. They have not

So the 'idea' is worthless without a smart nerd's execution and coding? Exactly what does an engineer do without an idea? The answer is nothing. They have nothing to execute on. Did Mark Zuckerberg not conceive of the idea of Facebook? Did Jack Dorsey not do the same for Twitter? Engineers do not gather in a room and summon ideas to their pre-existing code. I see so much 'idea' bashing when it is such an essential ingredient to anything that is created. Without question, an idea guy without the ability to code, or the knowledge of what's possible will have a difficult if not impossible task ahead of him. But an engineer without an idea will face the same. There is a balance. And it usually exists between co-founders (one engineer, one idea person) who already had a long-term relationship before the creation of the product. The other common scenario is for one person who has the idea, and engineering skills to bring it into fruition on their own. It is very rare for one person to find a 'nerd' to create their idea. Both the ability to execute and the idea should be given equal weight. It still shocks me that this is not the case.

reissbaker 15y ago
one engineer, one idea person Oh god no. One engineer, one salesperson, maybe. One engineer, one designer. Skills are always worth a split, but the worth of the initial idea decreases at least linearly over time, and a 50-50 split based on that is laughable. If it gets considered in the equity split at all, the idea is worth 5% pre-money maximum.
freemarketteddy 15y ago
>Engineers do not gather in a room and summon ideas to their pre-existing code. Everything we build is on top of pre-existing stuff.If there was no mysql/php,there would be no facebook.If there was no OpenBSD,there would be no iOS.If there was no dns there would be no Google. The mentality that anything is possible and you just need a nerd to do it is exactly the reason why I have a hard time working with non-technical people!
- AdamFernandez 15y ago
  I didn't state that engineers don't use pre-existing code. I stated that they don't summon ideas to it. They have to be creative enough to come up with them on their own, or partner up with someone they know well who is just as capable and also has great ideas. That has nothing to do with layers of software abstraction and building upon them. If no new ideas were in play, we would continue using all the technologies you just mentioned, in their current frozen 2011 state, forever. And let me just emphasize that engineering skill is invaluable and an absolute necessity. I also didn't state that anything is possible. I'm am simply tired of this 'ideas are worthless' sentiment because it is ridiculous. It should be 'an idea without the ability execute on it is just an idea' just as 'execution is impossible without an idea'.
  - freemarketteddy 15y ago
    >I stated that they don't summon ideas to it Thats exactly what I am trying to argue against. And in that regard the idea of Google is the direct derivative of the idea of DNS....the idea of Facebook is a direct derivative of the idea of having personal computers that can exchange TCP Packets. You have used Mark Zuckerberg and Jack Dorsey to make your argument.Please remember that these guys are among the best engineers of our generation. As a matter of fact the ideas of almost all of our current technologies came from engineers and not MBAs.(If you think Steve Jobs was not an engineer please read his bio!).Forget computers...Even Henry Ford was one of the best engineers of his generation. Most of my best implemented ideas (the word implemented is very important!) came to me when I asked myself the simple question...what can I do to help people with all the code that I already have (code = My own code and Open sourced stuff) ?..If there is something small that can complete a great idea I go ahead and code it!
wavephorm 15y ago
Nobody really calls themselves an "idea person" unless they actually have no real-world entrepreneurial experience to bring the table. It's like wrapping yourself in a giant red flag that says "I'M A USELESS LEECH". Did Mark Zuckerberg not conceive of the idea of Facebook? There was no "idea person" behind Facebook or Twitter. They were founded by the engineers who came up with the idea and built the product. Nearly all successful technology companies are founded by engineers.

reissbaker 15y ago

one engineer, one idea person Oh god no. One engineer, one salesperson, maybe. One engineer, one designer. Skills are always worth a split, but the worth of the initial idea decreases at least linearly over time, and a 50-50 split based on that is laughable. If it gets considered in the equity split at all, the idea is worth 5% pre-money maximum.

freemarketteddy 15y ago

>Engineers do not gather in a room and summon ideas to their pre-existing code. Everything we build is on top of pre-existing stuff.If there was no mysql/php,there would be no facebook.If there was no OpenBSD,there would be no iOS.If there was no dns there would be no Google. The mentality that anything is possible and you just need a nerd to do it is exactly the reason why I have a hard time working with non-technical people!

AdamFernandez 15y ago
I didn't state that engineers don't use pre-existing code. I stated that they don't summon ideas to it. They have to be creative enough to come up with them on their own, or partner up with someone they know well who is just as capable and also has great ideas. That has nothing to do with layers of software abstraction and building upon them. If no new ideas were in play, we would continue using all the technologies you just mentioned, in their current frozen 2011 state, forever. And let me just emphasize that engineering skill is invaluable and an absolute necessity. I also didn't state that anything is possible. I'm am simply tired of this 'ideas are worthless' sentiment because it is ridiculous. It should be 'an idea without the ability execute on it is just an idea' just as 'execution is impossible without an idea'.
- freemarketteddy 15y ago
  >I stated that they don't summon ideas to it Thats exactly what I am trying to argue against. And in that regard the idea of Google is the direct derivative of the idea of DNS....the idea of Facebook is a direct derivative of the idea of having personal computers that can exchange TCP Packets. You have used Mark Zuckerberg and Jack Dorsey to make your argument.Please remember that these guys are among the best engineers of our generation. As a matter of fact the ideas of almost all of our current technologies came from engineers and not MBAs.(If you think Steve Jobs was not an engineer please read his bio!).Forget computers...Even Henry Ford was one of the best engineers of his generation. Most of my best implemented ideas (the word implemented is very important!) came to me when I asked myself the simple question...what can I do to help people with all the code that I already have (code = My own code and Open sourced stuff) ?..If there is something small that can complete a great idea I go ahead and code it!

wavephorm 15y ago

Nobody really calls themselves an "idea person" unless they actually have no real-world entrepreneurial experience to bring the table. It's like wrapping yourself in a giant red flag that says "I'M A USELESS LEECH". Did Mark Zuckerberg not conceive of the idea of Facebook? There was no "idea person" behind Facebook or Twitter. They were founded by the engineers who came up with the idea and built the product. Nearly all successful technology companies are founded by engineers.