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So, you are looking for a programmer? Well, I am one. A goddamn good one. I can make a computer cry twisting its inner wires with just my thought. And I happen to be looking for a partner too.

Are you a solid-brass-balls entrepreneur not afraid of rasing money? Can you knock down every tabloid's door to get our story told? Can you set up appointments across the globe with people richer than god? Can you bring a thousand customers just the first month and two thousands more the next?

I can code the whole fucking app in one month and get version two ready the next month if that is what you need. See? That's execution, my friend. I can code apps blindfolded and with my hands tied. Can you do business like that? I don't want dreamers, I want doers.

Now, stop wasting my time with an idea, I have had plenty every day of my life since I started programming and I have spent twenty years perfectioning my skills. I know what I can do.

So, I ask you again, what are your business skills? Besides having an idea?



This seems like a very good analogy to present when you come across non-technical people with pie-in-the-sky requests. They don't know how to go about building the features they dream of, and I have no idea how to go about answering any of the questions you list above. If nothing else, we both realize that the programming isn't just trivial, and neither is the marketing.


I'm going to keep this on file if the situation ever comes up again... I couldn't quite articulate the sentiment then. Although it might burn bridges.


To be Machiavellian about it, it's worth burning bridges with the two-bit hacks if it furthers your reputation as a truly badass developer.


Assuming you can evaluate "two-bit hacks" in a way that is accurate enough that you don't create false positives.

One burnt bridge that turns out to be a major success later on, even if they are a hack, actually, can kill you.

The parable of the Lion and the Mouse should always be heeded.


No that's not the assumption. The assumption is you can increase your reputation with a group of people who matter more, thus opening more doors on average. No one can see all ends, you just work the angles you have.


It's not a zero-sum game though. You can be professional and ethical to all persons you have business dealings with, it just usually means saving your breath/actions for things that are more important. :-)


Exactly. Read again the 4 steps in http://blog.fairsoftware.net/2010/10/15/how-do-i-know-you-ar...

Either you produce value for the overall project, or you don't. Ideas are worth something, but sitting on one and doing nothing is not.


"I just need a business person"




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