Artie, a YC S23 startup building AI-powered tools for game developers, is seeking a Founding Product Engineer (#3). This role will be instrumental in shaping the core product, designing and building user interfaces, and implementing integrations with game engines like Unity and Unreal. The ideal candidate possesses strong frontend skills (React, Typescript), experience with 3D graphics or game development, and a passion for building tools that empower creators. This is a high-impact opportunity to join an early-stage team and contribute to the future of game development.
Arroyo, a serverless stream processing platform built for developers and recently graduated from Y Combinator's Winter 2023 batch, has been acquired by Cloudflare. The Arroyo team will be joining Cloudflare's Workers team to integrate Arroyo's technology and further develop Cloudflare's stream processing capabilities. They believe this partnership will allow them to scale Arroyo to a much larger audience and accelerate their roadmap, ultimately delivering a more robust and accessible stream processing solution.
HN commenters generally expressed positive sentiment towards the acquisition, seeing it as a good outcome for Arroyo and a smart move by Cloudflare. Some praised Arroyo's stream processing approach as innovative and well-suited to Cloudflare's Workers platform, predicting it would enhance Cloudflare's serverless capabilities. A few questioned the wisdom of selling so early, especially given Arroyo's apparent early success, suggesting they could have achieved greater independence and potential value. Others discussed the implications for the stream processing landscape and potential competition with existing players like Kafka and Flink. Several users shared personal anecdotes about their positive experiences with Cloudflare Workers and expressed excitement about the possibilities this acquisition unlocks. Some also highlighted the acquisition's potential to democratize access to complex stream processing technology by making it more accessible and affordable through Cloudflare's platform.
Telli, a YC F24 startup building a collaborative knowledge-sharing platform akin to a shared second brain, is hiring founding engineers in Berlin, Germany. They're seeking individuals passionate about building intuitive and collaborative products using technologies like TypeScript, React, and Node.js. The ideal candidate is excited about early-stage startups, shaping product direction, and working directly with the founding team in a fast-paced, impactful environment. Relocation support is available.
HN commenters express skepticism about the viability of Telli's business model, questioning the market demand for another note-taking app, especially one focused on engineers. Several commenters point out the crowded nature of this market segment and suggest the need for a strong differentiator beyond what's described in the linked hiring page. Some also raise concerns about the emphasis on on-site work in Berlin, potentially limiting the applicant pool. Finally, a few commenters express confusion about Telli's value proposition and how it differs from existing tools like Notion or Obsidian. There is a general lack of enthusiasm and a sense that Telli needs to articulate its unique selling proposition more effectively to attract talent.
Type, a YC W23 startup building AI-powered writing tools, is seeking a senior software engineer. They're looking for someone with strong TypeScript/JavaScript and React experience to contribute to their core product. Ideal candidates will be passionate about building performant and user-friendly web applications and interested in working with cutting-edge AI technologies. This role offers the opportunity to significantly impact a rapidly growing startup and shape the future of writing.
Several commenters on Hacker News expressed skepticism about the job posting's emphasis on "impact" without clearly defining it, and the vague description of the product as "building tools for knowledge workers." Some questioned the high salary range ($200k-$400k) for a Series A startup, particularly given the lack of detailed information about the work itself. A few users pointed out the irony of Type using traditional job boards instead of their own purportedly superior platform for knowledge workers. Others questioned the company's focus, wondering if they were building a note-taking app or a broader platform. Overall, the comments reflect a cautious and somewhat critical view of the job posting, with many desiring more concrete details before considering applying.
Two teenagers developed Cal AI, a photo-based calorie counting app that has surpassed one million downloads. The app uses AI image recognition to identify food and estimate its caloric content, aiming to simplify calorie tracking for users. Despite its popularity, the app's accuracy has been questioned, and the young developers are working on improvements while navigating the complexities of running a viral app and continuing their education.
Hacker News commenters express skepticism about the accuracy and practicality of a calorie-counting app based on photos of food. Several users question the underlying technology and its ability to reliably assess nutritional content from images alone. Some highlight the difficulty of accounting for factors like portion size, ingredients hidden within a dish, and cooking methods. Others point out existing, more established nutritional databases and tracking apps, questioning the need for and viability of this new approach. A few commenters also raise concerns about potential privacy implications and the ethical considerations of encouraging potentially unhealthy dietary obsessions, particularly among younger users. There's a general sense of caution and doubt surrounding the app's claims, despite its popularity.
Extend (a YC W23 startup) is hiring engineers to build their LLM-powered document processing platform. They're looking for experienced full-stack and backend engineers proficient in Python and React to help develop core product features like data extraction, summarization, and search. The ideal candidate is excited about the potential of LLMs and eager to work in a fast-paced startup environment. Extend aims to streamline how businesses interact with documents, and they're offering competitive salary and equity for those who join their team.
Several Hacker News commenters express skepticism about the long-term viability of building a company around LLM-powered document processing, citing the rapid advancement of open-source LLMs and the potential for commoditization. Some suggest the focus should be on a very specific niche application to avoid direct competition with larger players. Other comments question the need for a dedicated tool, arguing existing solutions like GPT-4 might already be sufficient. A few commenters offer alternative application ideas, including leveraging LLMs for contract analysis or regulatory compliance. There's also a discussion around data privacy and security when processing sensitive documents with third-party tools.
Augento, a Y Combinator W25 startup, has launched a platform to simplify reinforcement learning (RL) for fine-tuning large language models (LLMs) acting as agents. It allows users to define rewards and train agents in various environments, such as web browsing, APIs, and databases, without needing RL expertise. The platform offers a visual interface for designing reward functions, monitoring agent training, and debugging. Augento aims to make building and deploying sophisticated, goal-oriented agents more accessible by abstracting away the complexities of RL.
The Hacker News comments discuss Augento's approach to RLHF (Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback), expressing skepticism about its practicality and scalability. Several commenters question the reliance on GPT-4 for generating rewards, citing cost and potential bias as concerns. The lack of open-source components and proprietary data collection methods are also points of contention. Some see potential in the idea, but doubt the current implementation's viability compared to established RLHF methods. The heavy reliance on external APIs raises doubts about the platform's genuine capabilities and true value proposition. Several users ask for clarification on specific technical aspects, highlighting a desire for more transparency.
Wondercraft AI, a Y Combinator-backed startup, is hiring engineers and a designer to build their AI-powered podcasting tool. They're looking for experienced individuals passionate about audio and AI, specifically those proficient in Python (backend/ML), React (frontend), and design tools like Figma. Wondercraft aims to simplify podcast creation, allowing users to generate podcasts from blog posts or other text-based content. They offer competitive salaries and equity, remote work flexibility, and the chance to contribute to an innovative product in a growing market.
The Hacker News comments on the Wondercraft (YC S22) hiring post are few and primarily focus on the company itself rather than the job postings. Some users express skepticism about the long-term viability of AI-generated podcasts, questioning the potential for genuine audience engagement and the perceived value compared to human-created content. Others mention previous AI voice generation projects and speculate about the specific technology Wondercraft is using. There's a brief discussion about the limitations of current AI in replicating natural speech patterns and the potential for improvement in the future. Overall, the comments reflect a cautious curiosity about the platform and its potential impact on podcasting.
This "Ask HN" thread from March 2025 invites Hacker News users to share their current projects. People are working on a diverse range of things, from AI-powered tools for tasks like writing code documentation and debugging to hardware projects like custom keyboards and robotics. Several individuals are developing new programming languages or developer tools, while others are focused on SaaS products for specific industries or consumer apps for personal productivity and entertainment. Some posters are also exploring personal projects like creative writing or game development. Overall, the thread reveals a vibrant community engaged in a wide spectrum of innovative endeavors.
The Hacker News comments on the "Ask HN: What are you working on? (March 2025)" thread showcase a diverse range of projects. Several commenters are focused on AI-related tools, including personalized learning platforms, AI-driven code generation, and AI for scientific research. Others are working on more traditional software projects, such as developer tools, mobile apps, and SaaS products. A few commenters mention hardware projects, like custom keyboards and embedded systems. Some responses are more whimsical, discussing personal projects like creative writing or game development. A recurring theme is the integration of AI into various workflows, highlighting its increasing prevalence in the tech landscape. Several commenters also express excitement about emerging technologies like augmented reality and decentralized platforms.
Spice Data, a Y Combinator-backed startup, is seeking a software engineer to build their AI-powered contract analysis platform. The ideal candidate is proficient in Python and JavaScript, comfortable working in a fast-paced startup environment, and passionate about leveraging large language models (LLMs) to extract insights from complex legal documents. Experience with natural language processing (NLP), information retrieval, or machine learning is a plus. This role offers the opportunity to significantly impact the product's direction and contribute to a rapidly growing company transforming how businesses understand and manage contracts.
HN commenters discuss the unusual job posting from Spice Data (YC S19). Several find the required skill of "writing C code like it's 1974" intriguing, debating whether this implies foregoing modern C practices or simply emphasizes a focus on efficiency and close-to-the-metal programming. Some question the practicality and long-term maintainability of such an approach. Others express skepticism about the company's claim of requiring "PhD-level CS knowledge" for seemingly standard software engineering tasks. The compensation, while unspecified, is a point of speculation, with commenters hoping it justifies the apparently demanding requirements. Finally, the company's unusual name and purported focus on satellite data also draw some lighthearted remarks.
This post introduces a free sales compensation simulator designed specifically for startup founders. The tool helps founders model various compensation plans, experiment with different structures (like commission-only versus base salary plus commission), and understand the potential impact on sales rep earnings and motivation. It aims to simplify the complex process of designing effective and fair sales compensation plans, allowing founders to tweak parameters like quota, on-target earnings (OTE), accelerators, and deal sizes to optimize their sales strategy and attract top talent. Ultimately, the simulator helps founders forecast sales team costs and ensure alignment between rep incentives and company goals.
Hacker News users discussed the complexities and nuances of sales compensation, largely agreeing that the linked simulator is too simplistic for practical use. Several commenters pointed out that real-world sales compensation is rarely so straightforward, with factors like deal size, product type, sales cycle length, and individual rep performance significantly impacting ideal structures. Some suggested the tool could be a useful starting point for founders completely new to sales, while others argued that its simplicity could be misleading. The importance of considering non-monetary incentives and the difficulty of balancing predictability with performance-based pay were also highlighted. One commenter shared a more robust (though older) compensation calculator, suggesting the linked tool lacked necessary depth.
This tweet, likely a parody or fictional scenario given the date (October 28, 2023) and context surrounding past similar tweets, proclaims that Elon Musk's xAI has acquired the platform X (formerly Twitter) and that the acquisition has boosted xAI's valuation to $80 billion. No further details about the acquisition or the valuation are provided.
HN commenters are highly skeptical of the claimed $80B valuation of xAI, viewing it as a blatant attempt to pump the price and generate hype, especially given the lack of any real product or publicly demonstrated capabilities. Some suggest it's a tactic to attract talent or secure funding, while others see it as pure marketing fluff or even manipulation, potentially related to Tesla's stock price. The comparison to other AI companies with actual products and much lower valuations is frequently made. There's a general sense of disbelief and cynicism towards Musk's claims, with some commenters expressing amusement or annoyance at the audacity of the valuation.
PermitFlow, a Y Combinator-backed startup streamlining the construction permitting process, is hiring Senior and Staff Software Engineers in NYC. They're looking for experienced engineers proficient in Python and Django (or similar frameworks) to build and scale their platform. Ideal candidates will have a strong product sense, experience with complex systems, and a passion for improving the construction industry. PermitFlow offers competitive salary and equity, and the opportunity to work on a high-impact product in a fast-paced environment.
HN commenters discuss PermitFlow's high offered salary range ($200k-$300k) for senior/staff engineers, with some expressing skepticism about its legitimacy or sustainability, especially for a Series A company. Others suggest the range might reflect NYC's high cost of living and competitive tech market. Several commenters note the importance of equity in addition to salary, questioning its potential at a company already valued at $80M. Some express interest in the regulatory tech space PermitFlow occupies, while others find the work potentially tedious. A few commenters point out the job posting's emphasis on "impact," a common buzzword they find vague and uninformative. The overall sentiment seems to be cautious interest mixed with pragmatic concerns about compensation and the nature of the work itself.
Revyl, a Y Combinator-backed startup (F24) building a platform for interactive learning experiences, is seeking a Front-End Engineer Intern. The ideal candidate has experience with React, JavaScript, and TypeScript, and a passion for building user-friendly interfaces. Responsibilities include developing and maintaining Revyl's web application, collaborating with the engineering team, and contributing to the platform's growth and evolution. This is a paid, remote position offering valuable experience in a fast-paced startup environment.
Hacker News users discuss the Revyl internship posting, primarily focusing on the low offered compensation ($10/hr) for a YC-backed company. Many commenters express disbelief and concern that such a low rate undervalues the intern's work, especially given the expected skills and the association with Y Combinator. Some suggest that this rate may be a typo or misinterpretation, while others speculate about the potential reasons, including exploiting international interns or simply poor budgeting. A few commenters mention their own higher internship earnings, further highlighting the perceived inadequacy of Revyl's offer. The overall sentiment leans towards criticism of the low pay, questioning the company's priorities and treatment of interns.
Sgnly is building an open-source, self-hostable e-signature platform designed to be a cost-effective alternative to services like DocuSign. It prioritizes privacy and security by allowing users to control their data and integrates seamlessly with existing workflows. The platform is built with a modern tech stack, aiming for a smooth and intuitive user experience comparable to commercial offerings, but with the added flexibility and control of open-source software.
Hacker News users discussed the practicality and necessity of another e-signature solution, questioning Sgnly's differentiation from established players like DocuSign, HelloSign, and PandaDoc. Several commenters pointed out the maturity of the existing market and the difficulty of competing with entrenched incumbents. Concerns were raised about Sgnly's pricing model, particularly its free tier limitations, with some suggesting it felt more like a lead generation tactic for paid features. Others questioned the stated focus on legal documents, given the broad applicability of e-signatures. Overall, the sentiment was skeptical, with commenters urging the Sgnly creators to demonstrate a clear competitive advantage beyond minor UI/UX differences.
Continue is a new tool (YC S23) that lets developers create custom AI code assistants tailored to their specific projects and workflows. These assistants can answer questions based on the project’s codebase, write different kinds of code, execute commands, and perform other automated tasks. Users define the assistant's abilities by connecting it to tools like language models (e.g., GPT-4) and APIs, configuring it with prompts and example interactions, and giving it access to relevant files. This enables developers to automate repetitive tasks, enhance code understanding, and boost overall productivity.
HN commenters generally expressed excitement about Continue, particularly its potential for code generation, debugging, and integration with existing tools. Several praised the slick UI/UX and the speed of the tool. Some raised concerns about vendor lock-in and the proprietary nature of the platform, preferring open-source alternatives. There was also discussion around its capabilities compared to GitHub Copilot, with some suggesting Continue offered a more tailored and interactive experience, while others highlighted Copilot's larger training data and established ecosystem. A few commenters requested features like support for more languages and integrations with specific IDEs. Several people inquired about pricing and self-hosting options, indicating strong interest in using Continue for personal projects.
Weave, a YC W25 startup, is seeking a founding product engineer to build the future of online reading. They're developing a collaborative reading platform to facilitate deeper understanding and engagement with complex topics. This role involves designing and building core product features, directly impacting the user experience. Ideal candidates are strong full-stack engineers with a passion for online communities, education, or productivity. Experience with TypeScript/React is preferred, but a proven ability to learn quickly is paramount.
Several commenters on Hacker News expressed skepticism about the extremely broad job description for a founding product engineer at Weave, finding the listed requirements of "full-stack," AI/ML, distributed systems, and mobile development excessive for a single role. Some questioned the feasibility of finding someone proficient in all those areas and suggested the company hadn't properly defined its product vision. Others pointed out the low salary range ($120k-$180k) for such a demanding role, particularly in a competitive market like San Francisco, speculating that it might indicate a lack of funding or unrealistic expectations. A few commenters defended the breadth, suggesting it's common for early-stage startups to require versatility, and emphasizing the learning opportunities inherent in such a role. There was also a brief discussion on the use of AI/ML, with some questioning its necessity at this stage.
Langfuse, a Y Combinator-backed startup (W23) building observability tools for LLM applications, is hiring in Berlin, Germany. They're seeking engineers across various levels, including frontend, backend, and full-stack, to help develop their platform for tracing, debugging, and analyzing LLM interactions. Langfuse emphasizes a collaborative, fast-paced environment where engineers can significantly impact a rapidly growing product in the burgeoning field of generative AI. They offer competitive salaries and benefits, with a strong focus on learning and professional growth.
Hacker News users discussed Langfuse's Berlin hiring push with a mix of skepticism and interest. Several commenters questioned the company's choice of Berlin, citing high taxes and bureaucratic hurdles. Others debated the appeal of developer tooling startups, with some expressing concern about the long-term viability of the market. A few commenters offered positive perspectives, highlighting Berlin's strong tech talent pool and the potential of Langfuse's product. Some users also discussed the specifics of the roles and company culture, seeking more information about remote work possibilities and the overall work environment. Overall, the discussion reflects the complex considerations surrounding startup hiring in a competitive market.
Frustrated with LinkedIn's limitations, a developer created OpenSpot, a networking platform prioritizing authentic connections and valuable interactions. OpenSpot aims to be a more user-friendly and less cluttered alternative, focusing on genuine engagement rather than vanity metrics. The platform features "Spots," dedicated spaces for focused discussions on specific topics, encouraging deeper conversations and community building. It also offers personalized recommendations based on user interests and skills, facilitating meaningful connections with like-minded individuals and potential collaborators.
HN commenters were largely unimpressed with OpenSpot, viewing it as a generic networking platform lacking a clear differentiator from LinkedIn. Several pointed out the difficulty of bootstrapping a social network, emphasizing the "chicken and egg" problem of attracting both talent and recruiters. Some questioned the value proposition, suggesting LinkedIn's flaws stem from its entrenched position, not its core concept. Others criticized the simplistic UI and generic design. A few commenters expressed a desire for alternative professional networking platforms but remained skeptical of OpenSpot's ability to gain traction. The prevailing sentiment was that OpenSpot didn't offer anything significantly new or compelling to draw users away from established platforms.
Spaceium, a YC S24 startup building a collaborative 3D world for space simulations and mission design, is hiring a software engineer. They're looking for someone proficient in C++, familiar with 3D graphics and game engine development (Unreal Engine preferred), and interested in space exploration. The role involves developing core features for their platform, including physics simulations, user interface elements, and collaborative tools. Experience with distributed systems or cloud computing is a plus.
Several commenters on Hacker News expressed skepticism about the job posting due to the vague nature of the product description ("building software to help manage space missions") and the perceived buzzword-heavy language. Some questioned the actual technical challenges involved, suggesting the work might be more focused on mundane tasks like data entry and form filling rather than complex software engineering. Others pointed out the low salary range ($60k-$100k) relative to the Bay Area and the experience level sought, especially for a YC-backed company. A few commenters defended the posting, noting that early-stage startups often lack detailed product information and that the salary might be reasonable depending on equity offered. The most compelling comments highlighted the mismatch between the ambitious vision presented and the seemingly low compensation and unexciting potential work involved.
Google has agreed to acquire cybersecurity startup Wiz for a reported $32 billion. This deal, expected to close in 2025, marks a significant investment by Google in cloud security and will bolster its Google Cloud Platform offerings. Wiz specializes in agentless cloud security, offering vulnerability assessment and other protective measures. The acquisition price tag represents a substantial premium over Wiz's previous valuation, highlighting the growing importance of cloud security in the tech industry.
Hacker News users discuss the high acquisition price of Wiz, especially considering its relatively short existence and the current market downturn. Some speculate about the strategic value Google sees in Wiz, suggesting it might be related to cloud security competition with Microsoft, or a desire to bolster Google Cloud Platform's security offerings. Others question the due diligence process, wondering if Google overpaid. A few commenters note the significant payout for Wiz's founders and investors, and contemplate the broader implications for the cybersecurity market and startup valuations. There's also skepticism about the reported valuation, with some suggesting it might be inflated.
Deepnote, a Y Combinator-backed startup, is hiring for various roles (engineering, design, product, marketing) to build a collaborative data science notebook platform. They emphasize a focus on real-time collaboration, Python, and a slick user interface aimed at making data science more accessible and enjoyable. They're looking for passionate individuals to join their fully remote team, with a preference for those located in Europe. They highlight the opportunity to shape the future of data science tools and work on a rapidly growing product.
HN commenters discuss Deepnote's hiring announcement with a mix of skepticism and cautious optimism. Several users question the need for another data science notebook, citing existing solutions like Jupyter, Colab, and VS Code. Some express concern about vendor lock-in and the long-term viability of a closed-source platform. Others praise Deepnote's collaborative features and more polished user interface, viewing it as a potential improvement over existing tools, particularly for teams. The remote-first, European focus of the hiring also drew positive comments. Overall, the discussion highlights the competitive landscape of data science tools and the challenge Deepnote faces in differentiating itself.
Recurse Center, a retreat for programmers in NYC, is hiring a full-time Office and Operations Assistant. This role involves managing daily office tasks like stocking supplies, handling mail, and assisting with event setup. The ideal candidate is organized, detail-oriented, and enjoys working in a collaborative environment. They should be comfortable with technology and possess excellent communication skills. Experience with administrative tasks is a plus, but a passion for supporting a learning community is essential. The position offers a competitive salary and benefits package.
HN commenters largely discuss Recurse Center's compensation for the Office and Operations Assistant position, finding the $70-80k salary range too low for NYC, especially given the required experience. Some suggest the range might be a typo or reflect a misunderstanding of the current job market. Others compare it unfavorably to similar roles at other organizations. A few defend the offered salary, citing the potential for learning and career growth at RC, along with benefits and the organization's non-profit status. Several commenters express concern that the low salary will limit applicant diversity. Finally, some question the need for in-office presence given RC's remote-friendly nature and speculate on RC's financial situation.
Shadeform, a YC S23 startup building a collaborative 3D design tool for game developers, is seeking a founding senior software engineer. They're looking for someone with strong experience in 3D graphics, game engines (especially Unreal Engine), and C++. This role will involve significant ownership and influence over the product's technical direction, working directly with the founders to build the core platform and its features from the ground up. Experience with distributed systems and cloud infrastructure is a plus.
Several Hacker News commenters expressed skepticism about the Shadeform job posting, primarily focusing on the requested skillset seeming overly broad and potentially unrealistic for a single engineer. Some questioned the viability of finding a candidate proficient in both frontend (React, WebGL) and backend (Rust, distributed systems) development, along with DevOps and potentially even ML experience. Others noted the apparent disconnect between seeking a "founding" engineer while simultaneously advertising a well-defined product and existing team, suggesting the "founding" title might be misleading. A few commenters also pointed out the low end of the offered salary range ($100k) as potentially uncompetitive, especially given the demanding requirements and Bay Area location. Finally, some discussion revolved around the nature of Shadeform's product, with some speculating about its specific application and target audience.
Artie, a YC S23 startup building a distributed database for vector embeddings, is seeking a third founding engineer. This role offers significant equity and the opportunity to shape the core technology from an early stage. The ideal candidate has experience with distributed systems, databases, or similar low-level infrastructure, and thrives in a fast-paced, ownership-driven environment. Artie emphasizes strong engineering principles and aims to build a world-class team focused on performance, reliability, and scalability.
Several Hacker News commenters expressed skepticism about the Founding Engineer role at Artie, questioning the extremely broad required skillset and the startup's focus, given the seemingly early stage. Some speculated about the actual work involved, suggesting it might primarily be backend infrastructure or web development rather than the advertised "everything from distributed systems to front-end web development." Concerns were raised about the vague nature of the product and the potential for engineers to become jacks-of-all-trades, masters of none. Others saw the breadth of responsibility as potentially positive, offering an opportunity to wear many hats and have significant impact at an early-stage company. Some commenters also engaged in a discussion about the merits and drawbacks of using Firebase.
Pivot Robotics, a YC W24 startup building robots for warehouse unloading, is hiring Robotics Software Engineers. They're looking for experienced engineers proficient in C++ and ROS to develop and improve the perception, planning, and control systems for their robots. The role involves working on real-world robotic systems tackling challenging problems in a fast-paced startup environment.
HN commenters discuss the Pivot Robotics job posting, mostly focusing on the compensation offered. Several find the $160k-$200k salary range low for senior-level robotics software engineers, especially given the Bay Area location and YC backing. Some argue the equity range (0.1%-0.4%) is also below market rate for a startup at this stage. Others suggest the provided range might be for more junior roles, given the requirement for only 2+ years of experience, and point out that actual offers could be higher. A few express general interest in the company and its mission of automating grocery picking. The low compensation is seen as a potential red flag by many, while others attribute it to the current market conditions and suggest negotiating.
The Startup CTO Handbook offers practical advice for early-stage CTOs, covering a broad spectrum from pre-product market fit to scaling. It emphasizes the importance of a lean, iterative approach to development, focusing on rapid prototyping and validated learning. Key areas include defining the MVP, selecting the right technology stack based on speed and cost-effectiveness, building and managing engineering teams, establishing development processes, and navigating fundraising. The handbook stresses the evolving role of the CTO, starting with heavy hands-on coding and transitioning to more strategic leadership as the company grows. It champions pragmatism over perfection, advocating for quick iterations and adapting to changing market demands.
Hacker News users generally praised the handbook for its practicality and focus on execution, particularly appreciating the sections on technical debt, hiring, and fundraising. Some commenters pointed out potential biases towards larger, venture-backed startups and a slight overemphasis on speed over maintainability in the early stages. The handbook's advice on organizational structure and team building also sparked discussion, with some advocating for alternative approaches. Several commenters shared their own experiences and resources, adding further value to the discussion. The author's transparency and willingness to iterate on the handbook based on feedback was also commended.
Continue, a Y Combinator-backed startup building AI-powered coding tools, is hiring a software engineer in San Francisco. They're looking for a strong engineer with experience in areas like distributed systems, type-safe languages, and developer tooling. The ideal candidate will contribute to building core product features, scaling their infrastructure, and improving the developer experience. This role offers the opportunity to work on cutting-edge AI technology and shape the future of coding.
HN commenters discuss the unusual job posting format, which presents as a series of challenges and puzzles rather than a traditional description. Several express skepticism, questioning the relevance of the puzzles to actual software engineering work and suggesting they might filter out otherwise qualified candidates. Some suspect the format is driven by a desire to go viral or attract specific personality types. Others appreciate the unconventional approach, viewing it as a way to identify creative problem-solvers and filter out those lacking genuine interest. The discussion also touches on the potentially high cost of living in San Francisco and the apparent focus on recent grads. A few commenters shared their experiences with the application process, with mixed results regarding its difficulty and relevance.
Quaise Energy aims to revolutionize geothermal energy by using millimeter-wave drilling technology to access significantly deeper, hotter geothermal resources than currently possible. Conventional drilling struggles at extreme depths and temperatures, but Quaise's approach, adapted from fusion research, vaporizes rock instead of mechanically crushing it, potentially reaching depths of 20 kilometers. This could unlock vast reserves of clean energy anywhere on Earth, making geothermal a globally scalable solution. While still in the early stages, with initial field tests planned soon, Quaise believes their technology could drastically reduce the cost and expand the availability of geothermal power.
Hacker News commenters express skepticism about Quaise's claims of revolutionizing geothermal drilling with millimeter-wave energy. Several highlight the immense energy requirements needed to vaporize rock at depth, questioning the efficiency and feasibility compared to conventional methods. Concerns are raised about the potential for unintended consequences like creating glass plugs or triggering seismic activity. The lack of publicly available data and the theoretical nature of the technology draw further criticism. Some compare it unfavorably to existing directional drilling techniques. While acknowledging the potential benefits of widespread geothermal energy, the prevailing sentiment is one of cautious pessimism, with many doubting Quaise's ability to deliver on its ambitious promises. The discussion also touches upon alternative approaches like enhanced geothermal systems and the challenges of heat extraction at extreme depths.
Sift Dev, a Y Combinator-backed startup, has launched an AI-powered alternative to Datadog for observability. It aims to simplify debugging and troubleshooting by using AI to automatically analyze logs, metrics, and traces, identifying the root cause of issues and surfacing relevant information without manual querying. Sift Dev offers a free tier and integrates with existing tools and platforms. The goal is to reduce the time and complexity involved in resolving incidents and improve developer productivity.
The Hacker News comments section for Sift Dev reveals a generally skeptical, yet curious, audience. Several commenters question the value proposition of another observability tool, particularly one focused on AI, expressing concerns about potential noise and the need for explainability. Some see the potential for AI to be useful in filtering and correlating events, but emphasize the importance of not obscuring underlying data. A few users ask for clarification on pricing and how Sift Dev differs from existing solutions. Others are interested in the specific AI techniques used and how they contribute to root cause analysis. Overall, the comments express cautious interest, with a desire for more concrete details about the platform's functionality and benefits over established alternatives.
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https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43666112
Hacker News users discussed the Artie job posting, focusing on the requested experience level for a "founding engineer." Many felt the requirements, including experience with scaling systems and leading teams, were excessive for a third engineer at an early-stage startup. Some argued that such demands indicate a lack of understanding about early-stage company needs, where adaptability and rapid development are often more valuable than scaling expertise. Others suggested the company might be looking for a more senior "lead engineer" disguised as a founding engineer, possibly due to funding levels or founder background. The high salary offered ($200k-$300k) was also mentioned, with some believing it reflected the demanding requirements, while others considered it potentially inflated for the stage of the company. A few commenters also discussed Artie's product itself, an AI-powered writing assistant, expressing skepticism about its differentiation in a competitive market.
The Hacker News post titled "Artie (YC S23) Is Hiring Engineer #3" linking to a Y Combinator job posting for Artie has generated a modest number of comments, primarily focused on the perceived difficulty of the technical challenge Artie is tackling.
One commenter expresses skepticism about the feasibility of achieving the stated goals, specifically questioning whether building a "truly open-ended creative AI writing assistant" is currently possible. They suggest that the current state of AI is more suited to narrow, well-defined tasks and that achieving true open-ended creativity in writing is a significantly more challenging problem. This comment raises a core concern about the ambitious nature of the project and implicitly questions whether applicants should be concerned about the technical viability of the company's vision.
Another commenter focuses on the specific requirement for candidates to have experience with large language models (LLMs), arguing that this limits the potential applicant pool to those who have worked with these cutting-edge technologies, which are still relatively new. This observation highlights the specialized skills needed for the position and suggests that Artie is looking for highly qualified individuals with specific experience in a rapidly evolving field. They also subtly imply that the requirement might unnecessarily restrict the applicant pool, potentially excluding talented individuals with transferable skills.
Further discussion ensues around the practicalities of using LLMs for creative writing, with one user pointing out the inherent difficulty in generating long-form coherent narratives with current AI technology. They elaborate by mentioning issues like repetition and maintaining consistent characterization across a longer piece of writing, highlighting the challenges of applying LLMs to complex creative tasks.
A later comment expresses interest in the position but also voices some concerns about the company's commitment to open-source principles. They question the long-term plan for Artie and whether the company intends to remain dedicated to open source, indicating a desire for more information about the company's future direction. This commenter represents a potential applicant who is interested in the technical challenge but also wants to ensure alignment with their personal values regarding open-source software.
Finally, another comment shifts the focus from technical challenges to the market opportunity, suggesting that the market for AI writing tools might be saturated and that Artie needs a clear differentiator to succeed. This comment introduces a business-oriented perspective to the discussion, raising the question of whether Artie can carve out a niche in a competitive landscape.
In summary, the comments on the Hacker News post express a mixture of intrigue, skepticism, and pragmatic concern regarding the technical challenges, market opportunity, and company direction of Artie. While some are excited about the potential of the technology, others raise valid concerns about the feasibility of the project and the specific requirements for the role. The comments provide a diverse range of perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing Artie as they seek to hire their third engineer.