3 ms·

Joel has lot's of money, you don't (I presume - wildly) Software that changes the world is a lottery with slightly worse odds. Software that solves boring prob

Joel has lot's of money, you don't (I presume - wildly) Software that changes the world is a lottery with slightly worse odds. Software that solves boring problems effectively and elegantly is a good way to make a living. I'd put Fog Creek up against the latest web 2.0 fad company lasting until 2020 any day of the week. There is some merit behind that.

michaelneale 19y ago
true. their copilot app (built by interns largely) is actually pretty cool.
- jkush 19y ago
  and the spec he put together which outlines copilot is a pretty good read: Spec: http://www.joelonsoftware.com/RandomStuff/copilot_spec.pdf http://www.joelonsoftware.com/RandomStuff/copilot_spec.pdf Article: http://www.joelonsoftware.com/articles/AardvarkSpec.html http://www.joelonsoftware.com/articles/AardvarkSpec.html
  - michaelneale 19y ago
    yeah, actually that whole thing was fascinating to watch. The process actually worked. I think there is a bit much weight put on the process though, lets face it, the people involved were brilliant. They could have started with a wet towel and got something great out of it. That reminds me, there was a DVD - anyone watch that? I have been meaning to buy it.
jamongkad 19y ago
As the saying goes where there's muck there's brass. I believe there is money to be made in niche markets where there is a need for software that solves boring problems effectively. The way I see things are going we're too tied up building the next "poke your friend in Facebook" app that we tend to forget that there are real problems being experienced by people/businesses that are begging for a solution. Not a knock against face book developers but it would be nice to use that kind of brain power to solve "mundane" problems. Wait first wasn't there a PG essay about this already? Shame on you!

3 ms·

Joel has lot's of money, you don't (I presume - wildly) Software that changes the world is a lottery with slightly worse odds. Software that solves boring prob

by run4yourlives 19y ago

michaelneale 19y ago
true. their copilot app (built by interns largely) is actually pretty cool.
- jkush 19y ago
  and the spec he put together which outlines copilot is a pretty good read: Spec: http://www.joelonsoftware.com/RandomStuff/copilot_spec.pdf http://www.joelonsoftware.com/RandomStuff/copilot_spec.pdf Article: http://www.joelonsoftware.com/articles/AardvarkSpec.html http://www.joelonsoftware.com/articles/AardvarkSpec.html
  - michaelneale 19y ago
    yeah, actually that whole thing was fascinating to watch. The process actually worked. I think there is a bit much weight put on the process though, lets face it, the people involved were brilliant. They could have started with a wet towel and got something great out of it. That reminds me, there was a DVD - anyone watch that? I have been meaning to buy it.
jamongkad 19y ago
As the saying goes where there's muck there's brass. I believe there is money to be made in niche markets where there is a need for software that solves boring problems effectively. The way I see things are going we're too tied up building the next "poke your friend in Facebook" app that we tend to forget that there are real problems being experienced by people/businesses that are begging for a solution. Not a knock against face book developers but it would be nice to use that kind of brain power to solve "mundane" problems. Wait first wasn't there a PG essay about this already? Shame on you!