If there is somebody out there, making a handheld developing machine, I am one of Ur first buyers! I was looking for that long before the netbook hype and even some time before everybody was running around with laptops.
Ur answer shows clearly, what big mistake the YC guys did. If they just want to be in Ur company, they should've asked U that for free. I think if PG comes to some one year startup and says "Hi, I wanna be in Ur company for 5%" nobody will throw him out. But now for U it is not about that fact that U want him in Ur company, but about Ur pride about Ur "child" (meaning Ur all heart investment for the last year).
I can't give U an advice, U have to know by Urself how much Ur pride is worth to U. I still would take the deal but would make clear that I didn't take it because of the money.
But I can give an advice to the YC guys: Don't bring new creteria into a deal U nearly have closed. New creteria are for deals that U can't close without some new leverage.
All of that includes the assumption that I have all information nessesary about the deal. But actually, nobody has but the topic creator and the YC guys. So, don't take my words too seriously!
it would be so nice, if open source contribution could bring u a job in a cool software company. but I guess, that only works for the star-google combination...
Argument accepted. US and Germany are a totally different world, as I learn from HN every day. Here in Germany U don't get anything out of Open Source contributions. Not even web startups are looking for that attribute.
Why did you clicked on the link? I clicked on the link to get an answer the question that was the result of this article. :-(
But anyway, it is good to be reminded, that not working too directly is the key point.
I think game theory is about coming from a disadvantage (the dealer knows everything about cars and getting the maximum from you) and getting a fair deal in the end, or having the advantage and getting the maximum possible. But the shown solution here, just changes the situation about information and leverage. Yes, everytime you have a disadvantage and put energy in changing to an advantageous situation, then you are in a better situation and get more out of a deal...
No, I am not worried about learning nothing out of this post. I am worried about the author. He just so much does not get the point. When I use mathematics to deal with the car dealer, my intention is NOT to get the information, NOT to gain leverage through dealing skills. I want to use my logical knowledge and skills to change the game from "best dealer wins" to "most logical wins".
It is really good to learn something about leverage. That is very nessesary for everybodies life, especially for us geeks, who are not naturally gifted in this area. But mathematics, too, is a strong tool, with different rules and different advantages. Please look deeper in this matter, too. There could be a real advantage for you over car dealers, who have mostly no scientific background.
thanks for your help. I will look to find better phrases, to replace these.
@your PS: Yes and No. I thought maybe for a week about adding this question here. In the end I decided to do it, because:
- it is about what I hack
- As reviewing code sharpens your coding skills, so might reviewing foreigners English texts to sharpen your mother tounge skills. Thus, it might be to value for you.
- For sure, it helps me.
- It is the way of the student (and all hackers should be students their whole life). Maybe I can never give back to you, what you help me here. But I help foreigners here in Germany since 3 years to translate texts and understand my language. Viewing it from this point, I don't feel too selfish, asking here for your help.
I wanted to write the same advice. Read that blog, from the beginning! And stop writing a business plan! You don't need one (at least as long it is not a task from one of your professors).
I would suggest these sources, too:
http://startuplessonslearned.blogspot.com/ <- how to make your customers pay, before you build a product?
http://steveblank.com/ <- stop doing "business" stuff. Go out of the door and talk to your customers. They pay your bills!
http://www.avc.com/ <- one other guy, who likes to pay big bills on risky investments, and how he sees the world.
thanks for your harsh critique. No I didn't use any translater but my own mind. ;)
If you still want to help me, please tell me, what exactly did you understand until now. Maybe this way I am able to see, where I have to start changing things.
best regards
ErikB
PS: hehe, I can understand all of your german sentences. :) Google is much better as I thought (but yes, it sounds really like my best friend from India)
I'm not really in a position to help you just now - I'm really busy, and this will take time. However, the original comment still stands. Currently you are using long sentences designed to sound right for the context. Unfortunately, they're not quite right, and there is a lot of room for interpretation.
Your English is way, way better than my German, so I don't really have a chance to help. However, if you give a simple explanation, in English and German in parallel, and keep the sentences short and clear, perhaps someone can help you draft a complete English version.
As I say, I don't have time right now, but I think that's your best chance of getting some help. I can put you in touch with a professional German->English translator, but that would cost real money. He is extremely good, and in great demand.
