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.
Wokwi now offers a web-based simulator for developing and debugging embedded Rust programs. This online tool allows users to write, build, and run Rust code targeted for various microcontrollers, including the AVR ATmega328P (like the Arduino Uno) and RP2040 (Raspberry Pi Pico), directly in the browser. The simulator features peripherals like LEDs, buttons, serial output, and an integrated logic analyzer, enabling interactive hardware simulation without requiring physical hardware. Code can be compiled and flashed to the virtual microcontroller, and the simulator provides a debugging environment for stepping through code and inspecting variables. This simplifies the embedded Rust development process, making it more accessible for learning and experimentation.
HN commenters generally expressed enthusiasm for Wokwi's online embedded Rust simulator. Several praised its ease of use and accessibility, noting it lowers the barrier to entry for embedded development. Some highlighted the educational benefits, particularly for those new to Rust or embedded systems. A few pointed out the limitations of simulation compared to real hardware, but acknowledged the simulator's value for initial development and testing. The discussion also touched on potential improvements, including support for more microcontrollers and peripherals, as well as integration with other tools. Some users shared their positive experiences using Wokwi for specific projects, further reinforcing its practical usefulness.
A developer created a web-based simulator that recreates the experience of using a telegraph. The simulator allows users to input a message, which is then converted into Morse code and visually transmitted as flashing lights and audible clicks, mimicking the original technology. It also features a receiver that decodes the transmitted Morse code back into text. This project provides a hands-on way to understand and interact with the historical process of telegraphic communication.
Hacker News users generally praised the Telegraph simulator for its simplicity, clean design, and accurate recreation of the Telegraph experience. Several commenters appreciated the nostalgia it evoked, recalling childhood memories of playing with similar toys. Some suggested improvements, such as adding sound or the ability to send messages between two simulated devices. A few users discussed the historical significance of the Telegraph and its role in communication technology. One commenter even shared a personal anecdote about their grandfather's career as a telegraph operator. The overall sentiment was positive, with many finding the project a charming and educational homage to a bygone era of communication.
The Therac-25 simulator recreates the software and hardware interface of the infamous radiation therapy machine, allowing users to experience the sequence of events that led to fatal overdoses. It emulates the PDP-11's operation, including data entry, mode switching, and the machine's response, demonstrating how specific combinations of user input and software flaws could bypass safety checks and activate the high-power electron beam without the necessary x-ray attenuating target. By interacting with the simulator, users can gain a concrete understanding of the race conditions, inadequate software testing, and poor error handling that contributed to the tragic accidents.
HN users discuss the Therac-25 simulator and the broader implications of software in safety-critical systems. Several express how chilling and impactful the simulator is, driving home the real-world consequences of software bugs. Some commenters delve into the technical details of the race condition and flawed design choices that led to the accidents. Others lament the lack of proper software engineering practices at the time and the continuing relevance of these lessons today. The simulator itself is praised as a valuable educational tool for demonstrating the importance of rigorous software development and testing, particularly in life-or-death scenarios. A few users share their own experiences with similar systems and emphasize the need for robust error handling and fail-safes.
Summary of Comments ( 8 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43516325
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.
The Hacker News post titled "Sales Compensation Simulator – Tool for Founders" generated a modest discussion with several insightful comments. Notably, several commenters questioned the practicality and realism of the tool presented in the linked article.
One user pointed out that sales compensation is often far more complex than what the simulator accounts for, involving various accelerators, decelerators, and other nuanced incentives. They argue that a truly helpful tool would need to accommodate these intricacies. This sentiment was echoed by another commenter who emphasized the importance of considering different plan types like accelerators, tiers, and cliffs, which are frequently used to motivate sales teams and shape their performance. They also highlighted the necessity of accounting for quota setting methodologies like top-down, bottom-up, and attainment relative to the previous year, demonstrating the multifaceted nature of sales compensation planning.
Another commenter critiqued the simulator for its narrow focus on SDRs (Sales Development Representatives) and its lack of applicability to other sales roles, such as account executives (AEs) who typically operate on a different compensation structure. This limitation reduces the tool's usefulness for a broader audience.
Building on the theme of oversimplification, one commenter mentioned the often significant difference between on-target earnings (OTE) and actual earnings. They highlighted factors such as deal size variability, deal cycles, and sales rep ramp-up time, all of which can influence the final compensation and make a simple simulator less reliable for accurate projections.
Finally, a commenter touched on the challenges of accurately forecasting sales performance in the early stages of a company. They noted that achieving product-market fit is a crucial prerequisite for predictable sales and, consequently, for effective compensation planning. This suggests that the simulator might be more suitable for established businesses than for startups still finding their footing. In summary, the comments largely centered around the simulator's lack of realism and limited scope, urging for a more comprehensive and nuanced approach to modeling sales compensation.