The graveyard of good ideas
Solutions that were tried, and what stopped them.
Patents that were rejected or abandoned, products that shut down, projects that went quiet. Borrow the idea, avoid the dead end.
1,395 solutions
- startupShut down2014
Ask HN: Post-Mortem for "Who wants to be hired"
I wanted to get some feedback form those of you that saw the "Who wants to be hired" thread [1] posted last Friday. While dang mentioned [2] that he didn't feel this should be set up as a recurring whoishiring sponsored thread, I wanted to see if there would be some value in someone setting this up on a semi-recurring basis (every few months, once a year, etc.), and to discuss some of the concerns he and others had on that thread. Some thoughts I think would be valuable to gather: - For those posting their resume: How many people reached out, and were they relevant, or even great fits? - For those looking for candidates: Did you find it valuable, and were you even able to find good fits for your organization? - For others in the HN community: Did you find it interesting, or did you use it to find fits for opportunities you were aware of? - For everyone: Outside of the abov
Why it failed: I wanted to get some feedback form those of you that saw the "Who wants to be hired" thread [1] posted last Friday. While dang mentioned [2] that he didn't feel this should be set up as a recurring whoishiring sponsored thread, I wanted to see if there would be som
jader201
- startupShut down2014
Ask HN: Show us your abandoned (and probably incomplete) side projects
I think most of us have some abandoned projects collecting dust on Github. Post them here so others can work on it or you even get enough motivation to start working on it again. For example, I started an user mode network stack in Python: https://github.com/fotcorn/pynetworkstack which responses to ping requests, but nothing more.
Why it failed: I think most of us have some abandoned projects collecting dust on Github. Post them here so others can work on it or you even get enough motivation to start working on it again. For example, I started an user mode network stack in Python: https://github.com/fotcor
fotcorn
- startupShut down2014
Ask HN: Chances for Restarting a Career in CS @ 30+ ?
i studied literature and philosophy @ a german university. after my master, i joined an it-startup - and as so many of them, we failed (but i don't regret learning so much within that time). even though, i got some interviews within the last ~7 months, i still can't find an avg. job to be able to finance a small room + living expenses. now, i'm 31. i did some cs certificates offered by edx/coursera within the last 12 months (MitX: Introduction to Computer Science and Programming Using Python, Introduction to Computational Thinking and Data Science; BerkelyX: Engineering Software as a Service; HarvardX: CS50...). and i'm totally addicted to coding - even when i notice my lack of math skills. i spent the nights trying to understand cs concepts and couldn't sleep or stop before i found a solution (sometimes i did not sleep the whole day). sorry for the long pro
Why it failed: i studied literature and philosophy @ a german university. after my master, i joined an it-startup - and as so many of them, we failed (but i don't regret learning so much within that time). even though, i got some interviews within the last ~7 months, i still can't fin
d33d33
- startupShut down2014
Ask HN: What was the startup that got customers with failed payments back?
I remember seeing it here. I am looking for a service that mailed customers on my startup's behalf after they have failed to make the payment on time and has stopped using my startup.
Why it failed: I remember seeing it here. I am looking for a service that mailed customers on my startup's behalf after they have failed to make the payment on time and has stopped using my startup.
amitu
- startupShut down2014
My Kickstarter is going to end in failure today. What went wrong?
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/samuelfine/newbee-central-command-for-new-parents My Kickstarter for Newbee, an app I'm building for new parents, ends this afternoon, and it will fail. I've received nothing but positive feedback on both the concept itself, and on the Kickstarter project, from individuals ranging from 20-something techie dudes to 60-something mothers of 5. Everyone loves it, in theory. I got a great write-up on Brit + Co, a weird one on Boston.com, tweeted about by people with 100k+ followers, and I even had the chance to pitch my app to Mark Cuban on Good Morning America this morning. https://gma.yahoo.com/video/39-shark-tank-life-39-125534906.html And yet. Finding backers has been like squeezing blood from a stone, even after nationwide exposure on the #1 morning show. Positive feedback across the board, millio
Why it failed: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/samuelfine/newbee-central-command-for-new-parents My Kickstarter for Newbee, an app I'm building for new parents, ends this afternoon, and it will fail. I've received nothing but positive feedback on both the
54mf
- startupShut down2014
Ask HN: Quit my job. Company coming after me
I moved my family from Denver to the Bay Area to work for a medical device startup. The pay was very good. After about 4 months, I decided to part ways with them for personal reasons. The timing was unfortunate as I quit the day after I received a performance award. I did finish up a major project before I quit though. The day I announced my intention to quit, my manager asked me to reconsider my decision. After I stuck to my decision, he had the VP of HR talk to me. This was when things became a little unsettling. HR manager advised that I pack my belongings and leave the building before either VP A or VP B found out about my decision to leave. I was also told that I would not find any positions in the Medical Device Industry in the Bay Area. Towards the end of our conversation, HR lady mentioned that her mental state was transitioning towards anger. Due to these comments, I thought it
Why it failed: I moved my family from Denver to the Bay Area to work for a medical device startup. The pay was very good. After about 4 months, I decided to part ways with them for personal reasons. The timing was unfortunate as I quit the day after I received a performance award. I did finish
sriram_sun
- startupShut down2014
Ask HN: I was hired and unhired in 2 weeks, for no reason
I was hired and unhired in 2 weeks, for no reason except being told that "our plans changed". I joined as employee #1 of a YC startup. I spent a week working with them before joining. They liked me, and I liked them. I officially joined as the COO. Deal was to work remotely, till we all figured out the visa. And then, suddenly I was told over a ‘catch-up call’, that they have to rethink the hiring decision because they really needed someone with a different skill set. The conversation was friendly and polite. Now finger snap - just like that – I am out! Specifically, I was politely asked to leave. Its the strangest experience of my life. They keep reiterating that its not performance related. I believe it. The problem is: - I let all job offers go (I had a few good ones) - Told my friends/family about the job, and that I will be moving to America - Reached out to all my co
Why it failed: I was hired and unhired in 2 weeks, for no reason except being told that "our plans changed". I joined as employee #1 of a YC startup. I spent a week working with them before joining. They liked me, and I liked them. I officially joined as the COO. Deal was to work remo
guybrushT
- startupShut down2014
Ask HN: What ever happened with the TrueCrypt shutdown?
I haven't heard anything since the first few forum posts. Did we ever figure out definitively if it was a hack, information operation, canary, dead man's switch or what?
Why it failed: I haven't heard anything since the first few forum posts. Did we ever figure out definitively if it was a hack, information operation, canary, dead man's switch or what?
Tech1
- startupShut down2014
How can I help my local government as a developer / designer?
I am soon taking a whole year off from client-work (a kind of "sabbatical") and I've been looking all over the interwebs for ways to help my local government / city through my skills as a front-end developer and designer... I'm stuck! Does anyone know where to start finding problems that a local government might be facing and would like solutions (prototypes)? Has anyone tried this and would be willing to share their experience? Sidenote: I recently got the chance to sit down with the Head of Social Service & Care of the city I live in (2nd largest city in Denmark, Aarhus) who was "mindblown" about the fact that developers and designers actually would want to help out their communities and the local government. She said that they had many issues they could list publicly for anyone to jump on. That made me think; I could make a non-techie-friendly pl
Why it failed: I am soon taking a whole year off from client-work (a kind of "sabbatical") and I've been looking all over the interwebs for ways to help my local government / city through my skills as a front-end developer and designer... I'm stuck! Does anyone know whe
Lichine
- startupShut down2014
Ask HN: How can I prevent getting 'ousted' from the company that I co-founded?
I am the technical co-founder in a New York based company. ‘Company’ is just a way to say it, we are just two guys with a good idea and an already finished MVP that I built myself in a four months period. The idea guy is not technical at all, he knows his away around in all business related matters, and coming from an ivy-league school, he has a lot of connections. Four months ago he approached me with the idea, which I liked, and I started working on it. I like to do stuff, and I started working on it as a side project. I have a very well compensated job in a local startup and I would like continue to do that in the short/medium term. As I said, we have a really good idea and a working product. Is not crazy to say that my co-founder could raise a couple hundred thousand dollars from investors in our current state. My concern is that so far everything, my equity, and possible future
Why it failed: I am the technical co-founder in a New York based company. ‘Company’ is just a way to say it, we are just two guys with a good idea and an already finished MVP that I built myself in a four months period. The idea guy is not technical at all, he knows his away around in all busin
newbiecofounder
- startupShut down2014
Ask HN: Kicked out by co-founders – what are my options?
Last year I won a hackathon contest with a large group including only one other dev. After the contest we decided to keep working on the project. For a couple of months I played a central role developing the fundamental product concept, business strategy, legal approach, and the coding itself. Periodically I raised concerns that we still hadn't formalised equity share. My concerns were dismissed. I discovered two of the non-devs had applied to accelerators without asking the team, despite me making it clear that in my opinion we didn't need outside investment. I handed over my work-in-progress and emailed the team saying I was moving to the "advisor tier" which the two had previously described as coming with "a small share of equity", and received positive replies from them. Since then I've been contacted by the other dev for assistance (he'd never
Why it failed: Last year I won a hackathon contest with a large group including only one other dev. After the contest we decided to keep working on the project. For a couple of months I played a central role developing the fundamental product concept, business strategy, legal approach, and the
anon29022014
- startupShut down2014
Ads are disgusting.
I´ve used AdBlock for years. One of the first things i learned when i was introduced to the internet was about ad-blockers. Nowadays i use a number of them, including disconnect, adblock and a number of other extensions that make my browsing faster and my life easier. But what about people who don´t care / don´t know about these little helpers who destroy all those intrusive little things? A while ago i went to my grandpa´s home, and at a certain moment i asked to use his computer to check my mail. I ended up going to several webpages because it was late at night and i was bored, and what i saw was devastating. Ads were cluttering my screen and restricting me from closing them. New windows were minimizing themselves and playing sound, and my favourite websites were telling me i was the 1.000.000th visitor and asking me to claim my prize. I would say just the fact that i had to see a
Why it failed: I´ve used AdBlock for years. One of the first things i learned when i was introduced to the internet was about ad-blockers. Nowadays i use a number of them, including disconnect, adblock and a number of other extensions that make my browsing faster and my life easier. But what ab
redxblood
- startupShut down2014
Spanish lobby that made Goggle News to shut down now asks for EU intervention
In less than 24 hours, which is quite funny. AEDE, which is the organisation that lobbied to create the "Google Tax" in Spain that made them shut down Google News, is now asking Spain and EU authorities intervention to avoid it. In their words "they are willing to negotiate with Google" [1] The announcement of shutting down Google News has been previously discussed in HN, just this morning [2] with a good summary in English from the top comment [3] [1] http://www.abc.es/medios/20141211/abci-aede-editores-google-news-201412112017.html (sorry, in Spanish) Google-translated here: https://translate.google.ie/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.es%2Fmedios%2F20141211%2Fabci-aede-editores-google-news-201412112017.html&edit-text=&act=url [2] https://news.y
Why it failed: In less than 24 hours, which is quite funny. AEDE, which is the organisation that lobbied to create the "Google Tax" in Spain that made them shut down Google News, is now asking Spain and EU authorities intervention to avoid it. In their words "they are willing to
jaimebuelta
- startupShut down2014
How did you go from being an adequate to exceptional programmer?
I'm new to web development and am primarily self-taught. I know enough to get my own site live, make it look good, and make somewhat nuanced decisions about its architecture and the best method for accomplishing X task. But now I feel stuck. I just started working full-time as a software developer (!) and was hoping this experience would help me learn a ton--however, for whatever reason, work is relatively slow and I end up doing what I already know or am left out of any "teaching" going on. I'm a little nervous I'm stuck when it comes to my skills and don't know what to look/ask for next. What experience/situation allowed you to learn the most? Was it an awesome mentor, a great freelance project, some course you took? Is it something I could find at work or does real learning come when you're working on your own projects?
Why it failed: I'm new to web development and am primarily self-taught. I know enough to get my own site live, make it look good, and make somewhat nuanced decisions about its architecture and the best method for accomplishing X task. But now I feel stuck. I just started working full-time
lunarprose
- startupShut down2014
$300 Billion Broadband Scandal (2009) [pdf]
In the previous thread there was a discussion to give the details of how the phone companies were able to charge customers excess profits and get tax perks that were supposed to be used to upgrade the networks. This book -- link attached --- has a description of how we calculated the numbers -- though it was written in 2004 - the 20th anniversary of the break up of AT&T.<p>We have a new book coming out where we update most of the stats, but essentially, the phone companies were able to claim -- en mass --that they were going to replace the copper wires with fiber starting in 1991, and from 1993-to about 2005 they did nothing (with some exceptions) but they were able to get state laws changed to do funding of the upgrades. No state ever went back and examined the commitment and got refunds—so all rate increases are based on the original ‘commitments’—and changes in the law.<p
Why it failed: In the previous thread there was a discussion to give the details of how the phone companies were able to charge customers excess profits and get tax perks that were supposed to be used to upgrade the networks. This book -- link attached --- has a description of how we calculated
kushnick
- startupShut down2014
Ask HN: How can i help my dad?
My father has been working as a networking engineer for almost 40 years. He is exceptional at what he does. The problem is we live in a country, where things like perfection, attention to detail mean nothing. Also he is old, which is a big problem for most employers. 3 years ago he quit his job, because the owner of the company hadn't payed him for 7 months. My father didn't care for 5 months, continued doing his job, as if he was getting payed twice as much. After 7 months passed he brought the project to an end and the firm maid a substantial amount of money because of his work. He then resigned. My Dad didn't care if he wasn't getting payed, his work matters most to him and he proved it. It pains me to see him today (3 years later), still searching for jobs and going crazy, because he can't do what he loves the most. He started developing projects on his own,
Why it failed: My father has been working as a networking engineer for almost 40 years. He is exceptional at what he does. The problem is we live in a country, where things like perfection, attention to detail mean nothing. Also he is old, which is a big problem for most employers. 3 years ago
eagerNewb
- startupShut down2014
Spreading a little Christmas job-hunting hope
I'm 32+, live with my parents and have failed at 4 different startups in the past 10 years, two since I left my last paying job in 2012. In 2014, I had $0 taxable income (due to being unemployed) and was rejected by the following companies: Google* (third time in 3 years) Twilio* (x2) Smartling* Samsung* Amazon+ Facebook Cloudflare AppDynamics* DigitalOcean Placemeter* E.W.Scripps* Hatch AppNexus* OpenX ThoughtWorks* Roost ... several others I can't remember ... several others I can remember, but mutually decided the fit was wrong ... MANY others to whom I submitted a resume and never heard back * = rejected after in-person interview + = withdrew, sensing impending rejection else, rejected after phone screen In addition, I took the GMAT and was rejected by the following schools: MIT Sloan Stanford Business School Columbia Business School Harvard Business School If you're t
Why it failed: I'm 32+, live with my parents and have failed at 4 different startups in the past 10 years, two since I left my last paying job in 2012. In 2014, I had $0 taxable income (due to being unemployed) and was rejected by the following companies: Google* (third time in 3 years) Tw
throwawaybcporn
- startupShut down2014
No More Promises: Realizing Your Programming Job Sucks
Read time: 2 minutes Somewhere in the annexes of maxims and guidance, there is a statement that reads: “Actions speak louder than words.” When I worked for my first company out of college I began with “part-time” work as a junior Rails developer. The rate was $1000 a month for up to 30/hrs a week. Two months would then pass and they would consider an increase in salary. Why would anyone accept that offer as a junior Rails developer? Was it me being naive, hopeful, stupid, or something more? I think it was the belief in promises. Their first promise, a $90,000 salary by the end of the year. Two months passed and the work increased. I’m given tasks with impossible deadlines. In one situation I worked 60 straight hours with 1.5 hours of sleep. Was I given a bonus? No. Was I given a week off to recover? No. More promises were given. Shares in the company, you’ll have normal work again,
Why it failed: Read time: 2 minutes Somewhere in the annexes of maxims and guidance, there is a statement that reads: “Actions speak louder than words.” When I worked for my first company out of college I began with “part-time” work as a junior Rails developer. The rate was $1000 a month for up
supburger
- startupShut down2014
Ask HN: Founders whose startups failed, do you experience bias in interviews?
Over the past few years I've been seeing a steady increase in the number of resumes that pass in front of my eyes that have the last job experience at 1-2 years with the title "CEO" or "President" and this very much signals "failed startup". Several of us who are part of the hiring process (note: we're all programmers) find ourselves having to try and ignore certain biases we've been noticing: "Oh, failed company, they must not be very good..." "Is someone who's used to being boss of the company going to handle taking orders?" etc. And the bias appears to be worse the older the applicant is (that's just a gut feel, I have no data to back that up). Obviously these are false, and we take time to stop and remind each other of the many quality traits a startup founder brings (and the experiences a failed one brings as
Why it failed: Over the past few years I've been seeing a steady increase in the number of resumes that pass in front of my eyes that have the last job experience at 1-2 years with the title "CEO" or "President" and this very much signals "failed startup". Sev
massung
- startupShut down2014
Ask HN: What can I ask potential employers?
This question is specifically referring to startups, because startups generally have more risk involved. I'm currently looking at job openings at startups. There's some that interest me, but I'm worried about some of the risk that comes with joining a startup. That's not to say that I'm not willing to take on any risk, but I at least want to know what I'm getting in to before I bet me and my families financial well-being on it. That said, I'm never sure what I'm allowed to ask startups. Given that I haven't been hired yet, I would think some startups would prefer not to give out too much information about business plans or traction statisics. Am I allowed to ask questions like: - How much runway do you have left? What's your plan for extending that runway? If you're planning on new investments, are you actively seeking that? - Why do
Why it failed: This question is specifically referring to startups, because startups generally have more risk involved. I'm currently looking at job openings at startups. There's some that interest me, but I'm worried about some of the risk that comes with joining a startup. That
josephwegner
- startupShut down2014
Ask HN: Looking for advice – Failed startup, long term relationship at same time
Spent the last 12 months on a startup that's basically failed and over the last 2 months fallen into a dark and lonely place. I'm typically an upbeat and positive person, but this failure has taken a bit of a toll. All of the family and friends money is gone. I feel guilty. I'm in tons of debt and have constant waves of disbelief at how I actually got into this spot. Especially as it's all self-inflicted. Adding another layer, my long term relationship with my gf just ended. We were together for 8 years. Looking for advice from other founders that have gone through some dark days. Preferably over email or IM
Why it failed: Spent the last 12 months on a startup that's basically failed and over the last 2 months fallen into a dark and lonely place. I'm typically an upbeat and positive person, but this failure has taken a bit of a toll. All of the family and friends money is gone. I feel gui
verysadpanda
- startupShut down2014
Show HN: Many to Many, a different kind of tech meetup (London, UK)
We love tech events. But often the one-to-many talk format is a bit hit and miss. Sometimes you learn lots of wonderful new things, but frequently the talks are too long and of questionable quality. Watching someone go over the basics of a library/technology/etc in a real life presentation generally didn't provide a lot of value to us. Instead, we always found the best parts were in the questions and discussions at the end of each talk - except this time was often cut off in order to make room for the next talk. What we wanted was a smaller, more intimate event aimed at talking through the technology side of building startups. One didn't exist, so we decided to do something about that and created Many to Many. Many to Many is aimed at fostering group discussion instead of the traditional 'one person talks to audience' format. There are 3 discussions topics p
Why it failed: We love tech events. But often the one-to-many talk format is a bit hit and miss. Sometimes you learn lots of wonderful new things, but frequently the talks are too long and of questionable quality. Watching someone go over the basics of a library/technology/etc in a re
hafabnew
- startupShut down2014
Offer HN: Free Use of Agricultural Land 30 miles Northwest of Chicago
We own 13 acres of ag-zoned land just outside of Chicago. We have access to an adjacent 70 acres. I am offering free use of the land for anyone who has an interesting project that requires land and proximity suburban/urban environment--and wifi network. The land is located 35-miles from downtown Chicago and 25 miles from O'Hare airport. It's smack-dab in the middle of suburbia and there is a Menards within walking distance. http://goo.gl/6tjC8g If the idea is interesting enough, I'll even build you a shed or a cabin (out of 2x4s; nothing fancy). The land will include the following amenities, all of which is available at no cost (for really cool projects). --well water (within reason) --septic field --electricity (within reason) --wifi --fenced and unfenced acreage Starting next year, there will be bees, flowers, goats, chickens, dogs, and alpaca on the
Why it failed: We own 13 acres of ag-zoned land just outside of Chicago. We have access to an adjacent 70 acres. I am offering free use of the land for anyone who has an interesting project that requires land and proximity suburban/urban environment--and wifi network. The land is located 3
syedkarim
- startupShut down2014
Ask HN: Handling an international non-paying client
tl;dr foreign company hasn't paid my team's invoices, we probably can't sue, what else can we do? I contracted with an overseas company and was paid for most of my work there. Unfortunately, the company hasn't paid my team for the last few months of our work. We're now coming around on 9 months since the due date. The manager still promises payment but always has new excuses. The company has not gone under and actually has even hired new contractors, albeit in different divisions. Due to the fact that this company is on the other side of the globe, a lawsuit is impractical. Are there any other tactics we might employ, such as public shaming blogs, glassdoor reviews, etc? edit: thanks for all the helpful feedback. Some more details: we have not worked for quite some time (basically after it was clear that something was wrong with payments). I've escalated thi
Why it failed: tl;dr foreign company hasn't paid my team's invoices, we probably can't sue, what else can we do? I contracted with an overseas company and was paid for most of my work there. Unfortunately, the company hasn't paid my team for the last few months of our work.
ycombosnator