nlabs

8 ms·

31.
by nlabs 17y ago
I agree. (although Id still rather see more engineering and less lawyering). Netflix does need to get people to opt-in.
32.
by nlabs 17y ago
Yes the issue is Netflix's liability. The reason it can be de-anomized is because people reveal more info in some other database (for example idbm) - if people willingly reveal more info in some other db, is that netflix's fault?
33.
by nlabs 17y ago
privacy issues dont necessarily need to be dealt with by lawsuits. Most lawsuits are about money.
34.
by nlabs 17y ago
good idea...opt-in and we can improve our recommendations to you. People worried that some geek will find out they watched Who's the Boss reruns will miss out.
35.
by nlabs 17y ago
Interesting thanks for the link. However, seems like you need to be able to cross-correlate with another database in order to de-anonymize. If netflix made a good faith effort to protect privacy, how are they liable?
36.
by nlabs 17y ago
According to PG sometimes you dont get in, not because there is anything wrong with your application, but because there were so many others who were a better fit. In this case applying again isnt productive. And you shouldnt change your ide
37.
by nlabs 17y ago
How does sharing the Netflix data violate privacy? With the hundreds of thousands of records it would be difficult to trace information to an individual. The US needs more engineers and fewer lawyers.
38.
by nlabs 17y ago
If you dont get into YC this round, does it make sense to apply again, or is this just banging your head against the wall?
39.
by nlabs 17y ago
of course, but the guy who posted the essay it did so to show off a critique of captialism. An appropriate response is then to say why Einstein is wrong, not attack his credibility by making it akin to JM Keynes commenting on QED (as Keynes
40.
by nlabs 17y ago
Avoiding people like Saul is one reason to do a startup
41.
by nlabs 17y ago
I'd contend that the reason HTML5 actually paid attention to video and vector graphics was that Flash made them popular. good point. But maybe Adobe should do more to embrace more on open standards than pushing a closed (swf) format.
42.
by nlabs 17y ago
hands down, John von Neumann: the greatest mathematician of the 20th century. Information theory, computer architecture, quantum mechanics, game theory, pure math - he did just about everything.
43.
by nlabs 17y ago
huh? flash provides video and vector graphics in a browser. If html5 can do these then flash is doomed, hence related.
44.
by nlabs 17y ago
dont you want flash to be doomed? In 5 years why should the web require a plugin to show video or vector graphics?
45.
by nlabs 17y ago
They dont want to have to recode all that flash they use
46.
by nlabs 17y ago
Go to graduate school in human-computer interaction or software engineering. Get an MS and then apply to a startup program.
47.
by nlabs 17y ago
Major in software engineering and build some cool stuff in the meantime, sharpening your skills. Then apply to YC during your jr/sr year.
48.
by nlabs 17y ago
Bad retort. The prerequisites to understanding economics is hardly close to that needed to understand QED. Besides, economists have physics envy. Physicists can intelligently contribute to economics.
49.
by nlabs 17y ago
Hopefully Ill be there
50.
by nlabs 17y ago
Of the proprietary options, JMP is the best. R of course is a better option, however it can take more work to do stuff that is just a few clicks in JMP. My startup idea is to build a JMP-like interface based on R.
51.
by nlabs 17y ago
oops! I innocently edited my app after the deadline (I added a posterous video). I spoke with you over email and made the deadline - please dont count this mistake against me!
52.
Ask HN: Can you update your YC application after the deadline?
2 points by nlabs 17y ago|6 comments
53.
by nlabs 17y ago
To cut down the volume of applications, YC should charge an application fee, like most colleges. That will quickly filter out the crap. An app fee is not evil. Id pay $25 or so to guarantee honest, thoughtful consideration by the YC 4.
54.
by nlabs 17y ago
Whew. I got really upset when I heard another group that has my same idea was contacted by you and I wasnt. Thanks for clarifying.