Re:Ask HN: Let's list hair on fire problems
by collyw on Wednesday March 19, 2014 @09:48AM
(#7428569)
Actually I think that is part of a general problem, of infrequent large purchases.
Most people buy these things maybe once every ten years, so it is very unusual to have people who actually know what they are looking for when they are buying (a salesman's dream I guess).
I read an interesting article about washing machines, written by a repair man. Apparently there are not many manufacturers, but the cheap ones have loads of different brands. And loads of models, which don't actually differ very much, except for the software on them. So they can have a range of different price points, as it has x many different programs so must cost $100 more. Better to go for a basic one from one of the better quality brands than an expensive one with 100 different programs that you probably won't use anyway.
Re:Ask HN: Let's list hair on fire problems
by markovbling on Wednesday March 19, 2014 @06:05AM
(#7427608)
Grocery store has ALL the ingredients i need except 1 or 2 ESSENTIAL components.
I'm sure everyone's had the experience of filling their shopping trolley up with all the ingredients to make say wraps except the store is sold out of actual wraps. Like you have all the salads and fillings etc but no actual wraps.
Now I have to find another store nearby that has my missing ingredients. DURRRR RAGE!
There's a start up idea in there somewhere.
like what if I could check off my grocery list and any items not checked off, i automatically get a list of the nearest places relative to my current location where i can get that item.
Re:Ask HN: Let's list hair on fire problems
by crpatino on Monday March 31, 2014 @08:04PM
(#7505285)
Knowledge management in big institutions.
-> Being aware there's a missing piece of the puzzle.
-> Being aware of who has pieces of this puzzle.
-> Being able to tell this piece belongs with a different puzzle.
-> For each puzzle. how many (and which) pieces no longer fit in the whole picture (because puzzles evolve over time).
-> For each piece, find out the name of the guy who has it.
-> Bob's turned his 2 week notice... which puzzles are likely to suffer one year from now because of the pieces (or meta pieces) he's taking with him.
Re:Ask HN: Let's list hair on fire problems
by adamzerner on Wednesday March 19, 2014 @12:40AM
(#7426850)
Not having any useful startup related classes to take in college. (Business classes teach how to run big businesses. CS classes are often many levels of abstraction too low. And there aren't any classes that teach design)
Re:Ask HN: Let's list hair on fire problems
by bjourne on Wednesday March 19, 2014 @12:24PM
(#7429740)
Create a fully automated and objective system to gauge the ability of developers. Then people and companies wouldn't have to waste time performing interviews.
Re:Ask HN: Let's list hair on fire problems
by oftenwrong on Saturday March 22, 2014 @10:03AM
(#7449086)
https://codility.com/ is that. I have never used it, so I cannot comment on effectiveness. It is pitched as a pre-filter, not a total replacement for the interviewing process.
Re:Ask HN: Let's list hair on fire problems
by NicheDiver on Thursday March 20, 2014 @09:48AM
(#7435478)
Digital asset management after death. Something all encompassing that is easy to comprehend by non-technical people. (i.e. The people you leave behind.)
Instead of leaving a list of accounts, user names, passwords and instructions for each, I want to be able to say, "When I die, XYZ co will take care of all of this" and feel confident that it will be as stress free as possible for my family.
Re:Ask HN: Let's list hair on fire problems
by read on Thursday March 20, 2014 @07:04PM
(#7439491)
I make bad decisions to do things that are not as important as other things. It's as if I'm perpetually missing something at the point in time where I could make a better decision. I'd love to hear how to change that.
Most people buy these things maybe once every ten years, so it is very unusual to have people who actually know what they are looking for when they are buying (a salesman's dream I guess).
I read an interesting article about washing machines, written by a repair man. Apparently there are not many manufacturers, but the cheap ones have loads of different brands. And loads of models, which don't actually differ very much, except for the software on them. So they can have a range of different price points, as it has x many different programs so must cost $100 more. Better to go for a basic one from one of the better quality brands than an expensive one with 100 different programs that you probably won't use anyway.
I'm sure everyone's had the experience of filling their shopping trolley up with all the ingredients to make say wraps except the store is sold out of actual wraps. Like you have all the salads and fillings etc but no actual wraps.
Now I have to find another store nearby that has my missing ingredients. DURRRR RAGE!
There's a start up idea in there somewhere.
like what if I could check off my grocery list and any items not checked off, i automatically get a list of the nearest places relative to my current location where i can get that item.
:)
which is trying to solve these exact problems
Instead of leaving a list of accounts, user names, passwords and instructions for each, I want to be able to say, "When I die, XYZ co will take care of all of this" and feel confident that it will be as stress free as possible for my family.
Debt
Earning more money