Yeah, we tried it, it is. Here are a few reasons: - If you're a hacker, you probably didn't start with market research, you probably started with code, and yo

Yeah, we tried it, it is. Here are a few reasons: - If you're a hacker, you probably didn't start with market research, you probably started with code, and you already have competition that you just weren't diligent enough to find. Or the other standard view -- you don't think you're actually competing with the market leaders, because your head is stuck too far in the concept. But you are and everyone else will see that. - Unless you're funded prior to launching, or have a team with an impressive (startup) track record, nobody in the press cares about your launch. We got picked up in a couple of German (where we're based) news sites which didn't bring in nearly as many hits as posts here or in my personal (fairly widely syndicated) blog. - Most people when they hear your idea will think that it's dumb. This is universal. Practicing making it sound not dumb is much more important than worrying about people copying your (dumb-sounding) idea. Learning to pitch your idea takes a while. If you've already been funded and developing for a couple years before launch, yeah, then you can make a bit of a splash when you launch. Incidentally -- great parent article. Spot-on with my thoughts on finding co-founders.