Because of another thread I looked at PGs list of essays and the title of this one caught my eye, reading it about 2/3rds through I read that bit and thought it more than worth posting, it is very relevant.
Too many startup start out trying to be the perfect bride instead of simply focusing on their users and making a great product. VC capital and other 'good stuff' is so far down the line when you set out that you do not need to spend an ounce of thought on it.
Concentrate on your users, that's where they key to any kind of success is. Once you've done that, no matter how exotic your tech choices were you're halfway there. Better to go off the beaten path and make a stellar product than to end up in mediocrity for playing it safe.
EDIT: parent has been edited, this reply now makes little sense.
Bah. I almost wish this place didn't have points, or at least didn't have them so visible. Just knowing they exist weighs on me, and discourages me from saying what I really think, towards what would be popular. I can't help it.
I know... it's my strong belief that karma works best 'behind the scenes'. Even if the system in general would remain it would be nicer to disable the visible points next to each item & article header.
I wonder if the poster really would feel better with nickb's user id, after all he wouldn't actually be nickb...
More to the point, why would he want to be? What is the actual value of HN karma, outside the confines of one's head? I know none of my friends could care less - in fact they'd probably call me an idiot for spending so much time here. And I would like to think HN members resist judging each other by their karma; except in extreme cases the text should stand by itself.
Still, the system does seem to work(1). Perhaps this eternal fight with the inner "karma farmer" demon is the price we have to pay for effective group moderation.
(1) Unfortunately, there is only one data point, insufficient to form any firm conclusions
Oops. My bad. Pre-edit: "so why post this and why now? :)"