I understand the ecosystem argument. Once you've got your repos, CI/CD, PRs, code reviews, packages, integrations, etc. all wired into GitHub, moving everything is a pain. But Git itself is distributed, and GitHub has a pretty open plugin/integration system. There are also perfectly capable alternatives like GitLab, Bitbucket, Forgejo, Gitea, SourceHut, etc.

So what is the actual thing that makes a 10–20 person software company stick with GitHub? Is it mostly switching costs? The ecosystem? Developer familiarity? Something else? And if you were to start a project today, would you still go with GitHub?

And a slightly more personal question.

I've had a rough idea for what a new GitHub could look like if it were built specifically for software that is increasingly being written by AI agents, and specifically for companies rather than open-source projects. The idea isn't really "another GitHub clone". More of a forge designed around how software teams might work when agents are doing a significant part of the coding, reviewing, testing and deployment work, etc.

I've been sitting on the idea for a while because, well, GitHub exists. But after the recent outages, I've started wondering whether this is actually worth pursuing. In fact, I see a future where there are multiple alternatives to GitHub with their own take on the interface and UI/UX. Interested to hear your thoughts.

Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49386514

Points: 6

# Comments: 8

Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49340975

Points: 2

# Comments: 0

I wonder what are primary workflows or use-cases this maximised modes are used for currently? In my average software development experience, I never had a need to go beyond the max mode or beyond Opus for example. Even in specific workflows, the model's capability rarely mattered as compared to the harnesses or the context.

Are there any specific industries (finance, lifescience, etc.) that uses these max modes regularly or for specific workflows? Curious to know if anyone's making use of these and would like to share how you're using it.

Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48871595

Points: 1

# Comments: 0

Wholeheartedly concur. I'm yet another datapoint for this statement. I picked up programming, picked up a tech stack, found jobs, and launched profitable sideprojects, all with the help of this site.

It's mostly seen as a jumping board for them to quickly get going, compared to finding idea, building it, getting some SEO footing, etc. That's just my anecdotal experience btw.

I didn't have any particular expectation per se, any x arr with the potential baked in is fine. But the most conversations I've had are bog-standard x months of profit and people looking to acquire it as an asset, which makes sense for them, but doesn't for me as I mentioned before the risk is pretty low in keeping it myself.

Also, the whole selling process was a huge turnoff for me as the offers were at most 3x arr and lots of tirekickers when I posted on acquire.

But then, only when I received good feedback I thought to proceed with it.

I won't deny, the new thing is definitely appealing because it's new. But you make a good point about finding myself in the same place again.

I've had some good options presented here and I'm leaning towards focusing on rosterbird and try to get a growth engine going and then, maybe, once it's sustainable, I can try new things if I still wanted to.

I've built a SaaS app (rosterbird) that has grown organically to $1600/MRR without any marketing from my side. This was over a period of over 3(!) years and has been a sideproject all that time.

This obviously exhibits (very early) signs of a Product Market Fit and the gut feel is telling me to focus on the business which seems to have found a footing on its own. But, the few times I’ve tried to focus on it in the past, I’ve been turned off by my own inability to understand the product exactly and the target audience I should focus on, and learn what exactly the next step I should take with it.

So, everytime I’d think of and plan multiple possible things (marketing, sales, pivoting, positioning, etc) and ultimately end up in a deadlock and will abandon the pursuit altogether. During one such abandonment I started building a new SaaS product (keenly.so).

I built a small MVP of keenly and showed it to people who I thought would benefit from this and the feedback was very positive with some willing to pay for it after it's released.

Now, I'm confused as to which one I should proceed with.

On one hand, I have a product which is growing but it's in a niche market and I fear I don't quite understand how exactly I should take the next step or who/how to even market it. On the other hand, the new product is in an established (a bit crowded) market but something I understand well. And also, I believe I have a reliable marketing plan for it as well (ofcourse, no guarantee it'll work, but there's a plan atleast).

I've went full-time on this, so it is imperative for me to choose a right path and proceed, therefore here I am.

Once again, any help or guidance highly appreciated! I'm happy to answer any questions that would help.

Thanks in advance!

Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39472605

Points: 6

# Comments: 16

I've built a SaaS app (rosterbird) that has grown organically to $1600/MRR without any marketing from my side. This was over a period of over 3(!) years and has been a sideproject all that time.

This obviously exhibits (very early) signs of a Product Market Fit and the gut feel is telling me to focus on the business which seems to have found a footing on its own. But, the few times I’ve tried to focus on it in the past, I’ve been turned off by my own inability to understand the product exactly and the target audience I should focus on, and learn what exactly the next step I should take with it.

So, everytime I’d think of and plan multiple possible things (marketing, sales, pivoting, positioning, etc) and ultimately end up in a deadlock and will abandon the pursuit altogether. During one such abandonment I started building a new SaaS product (keenly.so).

I built a small MVP of keenly and showed it to people who I thought would benefit from this and the feedback was very positive with some willing to pay for it after it's released.

Now, I'm confused as to which one I should proceed with.

On one hand, I have a product which is growing but it's in a niche market and I fear I don't quite understand how exactly I should take the next step or who/how to even market it. On the other hand, the new product is in an established (a bit crowded) market but something I understand well. And also, I believe I have a reliable marketing plan for it as well (ofcourse, no guarantee it'll work, but there's a plan atleast).

I've went full-time on this, so it is imperative for me to choose a right path and proceed, therefore here I am.

Once again, any help or guidance highly appreciated! I'm happy to answer any questions that would help.

Thanks in advance!

Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39469216

Points: 1

# Comments: 0

> I would agree that most people would take some job flexibility/autonomy in lieu of part of their bigco salary

This is one of the point the author has repeatedly stressed the importance of and I very much agree as well. The chance to chart your own journey and the excitement a business could bring is anyday more valuable than the predictable path of employment for many (including myself)

Valuation of business isn't necessarily determined by profits (perhaps for commodity businesses), It's just one of the metric. This is a business that has strong operations, product, assets, and IP, honestly quite surprised with this take.

Also, a nit fwiw, you automatically assumed the entire profit of the business is the market salary for the person running this business

I think this will be useful for anyone working with multiple calendars and also service providers who manage appointments through calendars.

Looking forward for your feedback!

Also, appreciate any inputs on the pricing, ideally I would prefer this to have it as a buy once software, but I'm afraid the APIs would evolve and that would need continued work on my side.

Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38955652

Points: 1

# Comments: 1

I was addressing the parent’s comment about being overwhelmed about not being able to go through the opinions. I’ve felt similar way before I realised they were just fomo. If anything, apps like storytell are actually better way to consume these things :)

This is not at all the take, and rightly so, when the news broke out about non profit or the congressional hearing or his worldcoin and many such instances. All of a sudden he is the messiah that was wronged narrative being pushed is very confusing.