Cheers mate, you got ripped off, that's why I embrace open source.

You should only blame yourself though, you could have had a simple crypt on the db, with a key stored inside the binary. At least it would take a bit more work to rip you off.

I would suggest you go ahead and release your database to the public. The one thing you have that they do not is that you still have your scraper script(s). If it was me, I would create a (restful) web service that allows anyone to utilize your data, moreover, allow people (maybe with a nominal fee) to download the entire database, or if you really wanna get into it, implement keys (kinda like google maps) to access you bus timetable api.

You should only blame yourself though, you could have had a simple crypt on the db, with a key stored inside the binary. At least it would take a bit more work to rip you off. Well, there's one I didn't expect to see on HN. A developer gets ripped off and told it's his fault for not including some form of DRM.

I think what you are looking for is to incubate startups

From what he said this is his first real financial success, which means that he does not qualify as an 'accredited investor'. He needs to continue to make that kind of money for 2 years before he falls under more investment friendly SEC regulations. Until then he would be placing a large burden on a startup by trying to invest in it with additional legal work, filings and fees.

Really? With only 24k a month, and no real track record? YC works because you get Paul Graham and co, plus 5k a person... what's he going to get?

My thought too. Help others do what you've done and take some equity.

Or your could simply re-invest in yourself. Could you scale what you're doing with more resources?

A degree in computer science has very little to do with programming. Really the comp sci program is more or less universal all over the world, if you look at it there are really only a handful of courses that directly tech coding. However, there are a good number of courses relating to theory, discrete math, algorithms and complexity, ...

Anybody can learn how to code, but by going through the Bachelors degrees in Maths or Comp Sci you gain the theories behind it. Ofcourse, you might be able to read these books on your own and thus prep yourself for a masters degree. Moreover, if you are not from a CS background the university will force you to take the CS core courses which give you the foundational theoretical knowledge.

or write one thats better

YEAH WTF, I hated google for half an hour there.