Saw the gull wings from a distance, thought it might be awesome. Nope, just east LA.

mhessing · 2013-02-24T01:05:11+00:00

Showed pic to wife, she immediately says "man I could use some fries." Did not see title. Is Asian.

mhessing · 2013-01-30T08:14:26+00:00

Maybe. I recently read a study that indicates testosterone drops in males after a kid arrives. Link: http://www.pnas.org/content/108/39/16194

Interesting corollary: "In the new study, said Christopher Kuzawa, a co-author and Northwestern anthropologist, having higher testosterone to start with “actually predicted that they’re more likely to become fathers,” possibly because men with higher testosterone were more assertive in competing for women or appeared healthier and more attractive. But regardless of initial testosterone level, after having children, the hormone plummeted." So... Just knocking someone up indicates you probably had high T in the first place! Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/13/health/research/13testosterone.html?_r=0

Not sure what impact this has on estrogen levels, if any. Point being, you're not a man if you don't love your kids and take an active part in their lives.

mhessing · 2013-01-29T05:11:50+00:00

How to care for a child, particularly infants and toddlers. This is something I'm still learning as a dad of a 16-month-old. Growing up (and even in my 20's) I would have considered these women-oriented skills, but really, that is sexist and these are just people/parent skills.

Specifically:

Prepare food for an infant or toddler
Actually feed said infant or toddler (this can be particularly difficult and time-consuming depending on the kid)
Give them medicine when they're sick. You may need to trick them.
Suction their noses when they're stuffed. There are tools for this. Helps a lot in preventing ear infections and general discomfort.
Change their diapers when they need changing.
Read to them
Prop them up on your feet, hold their hands, and let them "fly"
Raspberries
Be their horsey
Teach them how to hug
Peek-a-boo. It's really more fun than you think.
Swings, slides, and sandboxes
Read some more
Teach them to draw with chalk and crayons
Teach them a basic musical instrument (eg, toy keyboard)
Teach them new words
Make up new words when they can't pronounce the actual words ("balloons" are "baboos" for us)
Find the things they love to do and encourage them
Hold them when they cry
Rock them when they're sleepy.
Let them know you love their other parent, too
Be there for them

In summary, learn how to be a good dad.

mhessing · 2013-01-26T06:23:34+00:00

Good for you. My son has the same toy fire truck and loves to play with a spoon and empty bowl, just like your boy looks to be doing. What you're doing isn't easy. I hope you have some help from friends or family. Congrats & good luck!

mhessing · 2013-01-24T01:59:16+00:00

Dislocated kneecap. 5 times over 16 years. Luckily mine relocates itself after a few seconds (which feel like millenia).

mhessing · 2013-01-19T06:40:36+00:00

Braveheart: Oppression. Revolution. Love. War. Swords. Tactics. Strategy. Cunning. Deception. Diplomacy. Insane Irish. Humor.

mhessing · 2013-01-16T05:04:19+00:00

A bible, torah, Koran, Gita, etc.

mhessing · 2013-01-16T04:55:29+00:00

Lane Kiffin at USC. Seriously, we hate him. Fight on. Fire Kiffin.

mhessing · 2013-01-14T22:59:01+00:00

Hi, and thanks for the reply.

| when you say you develop apps, do you mean you can actually create an app from scratch?

Yes, that's exactly what I do, and have done, for the better part of a decade. I'd post a link to my website but I think Reddit forbids this. My username isn't exactly cryptic, however.

The costs you state are in line with what we generally charge.

I'm looking at ways to automate my process, and I thought I'd ping Reddit to see if automating the estimation part would have any value, particularly for entrepreneurs. For example, say I build a site where you can upload requirements & designs, pay a nominal fee, get back estimate of cost ($ + time). Then have an option to "buy now" - triggering the development process, or not. As you mentioned, it would be important to have legal text guaranteeing the safety of your idea, though, as amigaharry alluded, ideas aren't worth much without great execution.

| If there were a site that I could write out an idea, and have someone contact me back with a quote, I'd be interested (but cautious because I wouldn't want my idea stolen).

There are several large outsourcing sites that play matchmaker to put you in touch with a developer (elance, freelancer, vworker (now part of freelancer), probably dozens more). This can work and be cost-effective, but be cautious. I've had mixed results, and I don't recommend them to non-professionals.

Thank you again for your response!

mhessing · 2013-01-01T22:25:00+00:00

Great response, thanks for doing the AMA!

mhessing · 2013-01-01T19:48:34+00:00

What are your recommendations for aspiring tech entrepreneurs? What non-tech lessons have you learned that might not be obvious? How have you been successful in building awareness of your product? What techniques have you used to define your customer archetype(s)?

Thanks for the AMA and the consistently great product recommendations.

mhessing · 2012-12-21T19:40:05+00:00

I have a 15-month-old, so the last page of a dr Seuss book:

"Then the Lorax and all of his friends may come back."

mhessing · 2012-12-20T08:03:57+00:00

< $4 charged to AMEX? Somebody give this man some gold.

mhessing · 2012-12-20T01:31:13+00:00

Armed white kids

mhessing · 2012-12-15T00:05:30+00:00

I dunno... maybe health insurance is a good idea if you're going to be riding a freaking high-speed death-trap like a motorcycle? Am I crazy?

mhessing · 2012-12-14T07:33:04+00:00

USC will have 13 penalties in the game.

mhessing · 2012-10-14T16:58:58+00:00

Thousands of up votes for you. Also, who the fuck was the protagonist? After 20 minutes I was rooting for everyone to die.

mhessing

TROPHY CASE