Re:Codecademy redesign
by tnorthcutt on Friday May 04, 2012 @01:24PM
(#3929401)
Figure out what is resonating with visitors/users and focus on that vs. what isn't.
That does not dictate spamming a thread about one of your competitors. What you're doing is distinctly NOT resonating with some of your potential users.
Re:Codecademy redesign
by OmarIsmail on Friday May 04, 2012 @02:46PM
(#3929745)
Lots of startups have figured out this problem, so it's obviously not an impossible task. There are good ways to do it (getting front page of HN) and there are bad ways to do it (hijacking a competitor's comment thread).
You're not entitled to feedback, so having that problem is nobody but yours. Like with everything in startups: figure it out.
You got a good point. I also find it a bit disconcerting a post about a web design change has gotten more comments than your post introducing a new product. Call it fame bias or something. Codeacademy is vastly overrated right now.
YC promotes their own; it's their house.
I'm not supporting the idea that 'YC alumn eats an apple for lunch' is indeed noteworthy, just providing an explanation.
I used to think HN front page was heavily gamed. That is you had to have a network of insta-voters in order to build up enough momentum. And while that is probably true for some stories, I honestly believe it's just a matter of good timing, luck, and persistence. If you keep having something to say, you'll eventually get lucky with good timing!
After all Flickr started as MMORPG where they noticed their visitors/users were using the upload photo feature more then playing their game.