Ask HN: I'm taking 2 weeks off work to build a prototype. Any advice?

Re:Ask HN: I'm taking 2 weeks off work to build a prototype.... by officialchicken on Friday March 04, 2016 @07:10PM (#11227722)

For software, create a plan to build what you'd normally code... preferably, something you want. Figure out how to sell it, how long it would take to build (time === money), the business model required including marketing plan to reach profitability, and whatever else you need to launch it. Then build a 10-20 slide deck with a designer about the idea (not a prototype), learn how to present it (don't waste it coding, let others do that in the future) and start pitching at least once or twice during those 2 weeks.

In the end, I hope you'll become a successful technical CEO and great company because you've learned a lot more than an API or two.

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Re:Ask HN: I'm taking 2 weeks off work to build a prototype.... by ahstilde on Saturday March 05, 2016 @10:56AM (#11229816)

Are you being facetious? He wants to build a prototype not hit hype cycle funding.

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Re:Ask HN: I'm taking 2 weeks off work to build a prototype.... by officialchicken on Saturday March 05, 2016 @05:22PM (#11231353)

No not at all, code is especially cheap, almost worthless. He/She already knows how to do that - so don't waste time on something you already know. Focus on:

1. Ensure there is market / product fit

2. How long to get to develop the product

3. Break-even point

Or write a bunch of code, and be left with another if-I-build-it-they-will-come FAIL.

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Re:Ask HN: I'm taking 2 weeks off work to build a prototype.... by wprapido on Saturday March 05, 2016 @06:56PM (#11231729)

good quality code is not cheap. doing both biz and tech is not mutually exclusive at an early stage

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Re:Ask HN: I'm taking 2 weeks off work to build a prototype.... by officialchicken on Sunday March 06, 2016 @04:01AM (#11233003)

Obviously you need both, that's why I'm suggesting the focus should be on the biz.

I disagree that it's rare or expensive, it's quite the opposite. Most knowledge associated with it has little lifetime value and is constantly tending towards zero - a 5 year old code base that generates little income has a value of near zero or is a liability. You can hire an engineer for a year to build web apps, depending on country, for the price of a medium sized sedan.

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Re:Ask HN: I'm taking 2 weeks off work to build a prototype.... by wprapido on Sunday March 06, 2016 @03:45PM (#11235452)

that's also true. but at such an early stage it really helps if you do it yourself. you can and should hire later

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