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Re:Show HN: My first web app – PDF memo creator by Reedx on Tuesday November 01, 2016 @01:52AM (#12843706)
Yeah, I'd be very curious to hear what people think about this.

Is it better to us "I" or "We" when running a site yourself? And does the answer change depending on the type of site?

Re:Show HN: My first web app – PDF memo creator by reneherse on Tuesday November 01, 2016 @03:17AM (#12843964)
We choose "we".

Even if you're the sole author of the app/site, the voice of any text should be abstracted away from your identity at least to this small degree. Use "I" only in testimonials, quotes, or in a "message from our founder".

This discipline helps keeps the voice/tone of the text consistent throughout the app, which inspires trust and confidence. It's more polished and professional, especially if you ever contemplate expanding your team.

Re:Show HN: My first web app – PDF memo creator by SomeStupidPoint on Tuesday November 01, 2016 @02:03AM (#12843747)
I think it depends on who is speaking: a team is always a plural, so if it's the team behind X, then you use 'we'; if you're speaking as an individual, you use 'I'. (This can get confusing for some projects, if you're speaking in both capacities while being the only team member.)

So it comes down to how much you want your site associated with you personally, versus having its own identity (and associated "team", even if it's just you on the team).

For hobby projects, I generally go with 'I'; for anything I'm asking for money in exchange for a service, I go with 'we'.

If you feel uncomfortable using 'we' instead of 'I', just file a C-corp and get a registered agent. Now there's two of you, and when you're speaking as the corporation, it's a 'we'. (I'd argue it's always a 'we' for the C-corp, though, because again, it's a team, and teams are always plural.)

Of course, I've been known to use language strangely, so make up your own style rules and go with them.

Re:Show HN: My first web app – PDF memo creator by stevewilhelm on Tuesday November 01, 2016 @02:26AM (#12843819)
I would suggest:

Pretigious Technologies takes privacy seriously.

Sounds professional and is "future proof."

Re:Show HN: My first web app – PDF memo creator by mypalmike on Tuesday November 01, 2016 @02:35AM (#12843850)
"We" is fine. Just ask your dog or cat what they think first.
Re:Show HN: My first web app – PDF memo creator by XJOKOLAT on Tuesday November 01, 2016 @06:16AM (#12844513)
The problem with "We" is that I've heard it all before ... and it's either BS, or if it isn't, it will eventually be BS (in my evaluation).

I agree, either "I" or a proactive statement of intent: "We guarantee your data is deleted" or along similar lines ...

Re:Show HN: My first web app – PDF memo creator by KerryJones on Tuesday November 01, 2016 @03:07AM (#12843932)
It's been mentioned in a few articles that a lot of startups try to make themselves be more official and less of a personal touch to be more "professional" and this is generally not helpful.

I would use "I" as long as it is correct.

Re:Show HN: My first web app – PDF memo creator by reitanqild on Tuesday November 01, 2016 @02:05AM (#12843756)
IMO both are perfectly acceptable.
Re:Show HN: My first web app – PDF memo creator by kagamine on Tuesday November 01, 2016 @04:36AM (#12844178)
If you are using a name, like Google, even if that only means one person, then use the name of the app/company.

Gooogle takes your privacy seriously.

"I, Sergei, takes you privacy seriously." Not as convincing.