Perhaps this got traction on HN just because it's against the usual grain here, which focuses on high standards, good design, and taking pride in one's work. But I still don't really get why this post is deserving of the upvotes it got.
Is it really any surprise that you can make lots of money if you use cheap labour, if you're okay with releasing - and perhaps even selling, though I hope not - garbage software ("Release a really crappy version", "I don't spend money on design"), and if you're content without innovating or trying to break new ground?
The world is full of people who do that, and yes, many of them get by just fine, and some make lots of money. But there's far more to life, and work, than that.
For me, that's what's so great about HN: it is full of inspirations for a web developer like myself. Inspirational companies and inspirational people who don't rest until they get it right. Who push the envelope. Who care deeply about the experience of using their software.
This post contains nothing inspirational like that. I've worked for people like this before. Never again.
You seem to be speaking from a professional mind-set, which is perfectionistic. An entrepreneurial mind-set is a little different: why perfect something if no one wants it? Or, as pg says "build something people want". Find out what they want first, then perfect it.
I up voted it because I like the fact that this guy is a realist. So few of us who read HN will touch the heavens above no matter how bright, or thoughtful, or elegant our work might be. Luck and timing have more to do with success than inspiration.
This story is a reflection of those of us without timing or luck, who grind it out day in day out. It is a nice counter balance to the inspirational, but largely unobtainable heights discussed in the stories normally posted here.
Maybe in the beginning you can take the high road, and find "more to life" than this guy does. But for those of us who left the high road long ago, and are raising families, and paying mortgages, and grinding out a living online, this guys approach is sage advice.
Yeah, I was expecting to find myself disagreeing with you but I find it a little bleak too. I don't know if it makes me a ridiculous idealist but I do care about doing things to a certain level of quality.
Is it really any surprise that you can make lots of money if you use cheap labour, if you're okay with releasing - and perhaps even selling, though I hope not - garbage software ("Release a really crappy version", "I don't spend money on design"), and if you're content without innovating or trying to break new ground?
The world is full of people who do that, and yes, many of them get by just fine, and some make lots of money. But there's far more to life, and work, than that.
For me, that's what's so great about HN: it is full of inspirations for a web developer like myself. Inspirational companies and inspirational people who don't rest until they get it right. Who push the envelope. Who care deeply about the experience of using their software.
This post contains nothing inspirational like that. I've worked for people like this before. Never again.