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Re:FarmLogs (YC W12) Is Going To Change The Way That Farmers... by polemic on Thursday February 14, 2013 @03:00PM (#5221746)
> Most farmers are not that tech savvy.

This is just not true, or, at least, it's only true where inefficient farming practises are propped up by subsidies and protectionism.

A modern farm is a hot-bed of innovation and my initial thoughts about FarmLog is that they're far far too late to the game. This was already discussed at http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5118984 but I'll duplicate my comment here:

"So, the problem with the SaaS model is that selling to farmers is a lot like selling to a demanding enterprise customer. They know what they want, they have specific requirements and the benefits of a well-matched solution will pay for itself. That isn't, generally, where you want to be if you're looking to scale out a SaaS platform."

Re:FarmLogs (YC W12) Is Going To Change The Way That Farmers... by bluetidepro on Thursday February 14, 2013 @03:04PM (#5221783)
As mentioned below, I rephrased it. They are not internet tech savvy, in my experience.
Re:FarmLogs (YC W12) Is Going To Change The Way That Farmers... by jauer on Thursday February 14, 2013 @07:22PM (#5223611)
Through my work at a ISP that serves a lot of farmers I'd have to disagree depending on what you mean by "internet tech savvy". I haven't run across any that sling code in their spare time but other than that, watch out!

I know of multiple groups (usually extended families) that have microwave radio links between their farms. They use this to monitor each-other's grain bins, crops, and security cameras. Not to mention WiFi To The Tractor for monitoring, IM, etc. There's no cell coverage so they find a way to get connectivity. I'd call that pretty internet tech savvy.

This is a large enough market that there's a company that essentially rebrands Ubiquiti radios, marks them up 100%, and markets them through farm magazines. I suppose in a way that's arbitrage on ignorance BUT it shows that there's a need.

Re:FarmLogs (YC W12) Is Going To Change The Way That Farmers... by polemic on Thursday February 14, 2013 @03:34PM (#5222003)
Hang on.

You're saying they are tech savvy, but not internet savvy. If you are right (and I disagree that they're 'not internet savvy') then you've identified an opportunity, not a blocker.

Re:FarmLogs (YC W12) Is Going To Change The Way That Farmers... by bluetidepro on Thursday February 14, 2013 @03:50PM (#5222160)
The point gaius is saying above is exactly what I'm trying to bring across, but in a different phrasing. I just don't think it [Farmlogs] will be something they want/like to use.
Re:FarmLogs (YC W12) Is Going To Change The Way That Farmers... by bluetidepro on Thursday February 14, 2013 @03:48PM (#5222138)
With my experience, they are tech savvy in the sense of technology, but they are pretty anti-internet and don't trust a lot of apps and such on the web. For example, this Farmlogs site. For this companies sake, I hope I'm wrong, but I'm just going with what I know on my 2 cents here. And from what I see constantly from that culture, from a first hand view, is that they would never take an app like this serious (especially at that kind of monetary cost).