At least let me know what is / isn't appropriate

I find the people that work on this stuff fascinating!!

To have that much precision (with 15 seconds left, left just stop).

I can right-click and deploy some changes to a production server or run a database script that has a massive impact on the data.

But to imagine that many movings parts (ie those workers specifically involved in the launch) and to have those parts all working together. A database change has a massive impact to "our data". When a launch goes wrong - really puts into perspective what "massive" really means...

Amazing!

It's one thing to fight the good fight! And its another to poke the bear.

I don't agree with your "maximum laziness", perhaps the author was arrogant? Or ignorance?

I love the idea of porn on a burner phone, but even then... (Legal) porn has a very different meaning in different countries. The author is really playing with fire.

Scott Adams (Dilbert guy) suggested a few months ago a "Better Surrender Technique"[1]. Surely this could be applied to the U.S. Customs...

[1] http://blog.dilbert.com/post/147192672916/better-surrender-t...

There seems to be love for the free market. That is until the free market goes against what I want. Then the free market sucks!

What if FARK was another type of business. Say it is the corner 7-11[1]. They have been there for 18 years, and their major source of customers was the big factory next door.

Factory decides to either move / redesign / whatever, where the customers are no longer available.

The store makes a big noise - would anyone care?

[1] in this example, I mean any sort of "corner store". 20 years ago we'd call them milk bars, but now I'm showing my age...

THIS!

If nothing else, its a sign of respect.

The judge doesn't know the history, doesn't know the background. He knows there are two parties that don't agree.

He sees one side prepared, he sees the otherside who sends their assistant.

What would you do if you were the judge?

As others have said. Pablo & Marco Polo. Piper Chapman from Orange is the New Black and Mike Wheeler from Stranger Things. (Won't make sense if you haven't seen the shows)

I remember when Youtube came out, and all the nerds said "I could write that easily, not that big a deal".

This is why knowing who your customer is (and what problem you're trying to solve) is essential.

I can relate to your comments, I was there about 18 months ago. You would be surprised just how many people talk about confidence (or lack thereof). Also, look for a good mentoring group. Find people that are on the same path (family / business / financial).

If I can help, my email is in my profile.

lol! That is a brave statement. As @dcsommer said, sample size is tiny.

When you audition for an Opera (well, her auditions anyway...) were always done blind - ie behind a curtain or similar.

When you practice and play at that level, you notice the little things. Same way I can look at C++ source code, or Java, C#, Objective-C or Node.js. I have to stop and think to explain how I know it is C#. I just know.

Again, I didn't say one is better than an other. Just different...

She says you can ALWAYS tell the difference. But she also says, "better" depends on the music. If you are playing a song on X-Factor or Australian Idol or even Christmas carols, then you'll never notice. If you are playing a solo for a classical piece (wedding or other ceremony), then it certainly sounds "different".

Better is debatable, but different, yes

It's one thing to get the feature / bug fix in the current branch, its another know what well-tested means and to be able to do well-tested without assistance.

Maintainable - this one takes insight. Again, the more junior person just wants to cross the task off their list and move onto the next. Having insight into what is Maintainable (as it relates to the project / client / company) takes time.

They just don't teach that stuff at Uni...

Even Microsoft had one (well before OneDrive) they gave away for free - still, Dropbox came to the top.

And Youtube and a bunch of clones.

Go back even further: MS Word - Wordperfect Excel - Lotus 123 Just about every dinky database - MS Access

Go find a business coach! Look at their marketing, pay attention to what marketing works for you.

Check out Mixergy[0]. They will definately have something for you. Listen to the interview on Mafia Wars[1].

[0] https://mixergy.com [1] https://mixergy.com/interviews/roger-dickey-mafia-wars-inter...

(For me at least!) I overestimated how obvious my product idea was. You see this all the time! The marketing effort becomes two-fold. You have this pain point (or opportunity), and here's a product that solves that pain point.

By being 2nd / 3rd / etc. the 1st person has already educated the potential client

2) Pay real attention to what the 1st to market was doing well. Can you copy / replicate it? Be aware of your mindset. Is this really a "winner takes all" situation? Or is there room for the both of you?

3) Why are you doing this? Is it to make a bazillion dollars? Or something more satisfying? Plenty of businesses (Stackoverflow, 37 Signals) have a certain "quality of life" - clearly they enjoy doing what they do. Why are you doing this?

4) Are you really really sure this is a bad thing? How many businesses can you think of that did fantastic from Kickstarter?

Compare that to how many Kickstarters were... less than successful?