[Jcasc]

You were a former CS major that got lazy, changed majors, and partied...

Why not prove your work ethic by teaching yourself how to code a basic prototype? It's a much better way to gain some traction and attract a technical cofounder. It will take time, but it doesn't look like YC is going anywhere.

Putting the time in and grinding out your own prototype could look good on you as a non-lazy founder... it's all about the founders.

[jpug98]

That is actually great feedback, thank you. I am self taught in many areas. Still, what seems better? Hiring someone to bang it out in 4 weeks? Get a "founder" who's going to bang it out in 4 weeks for X% of the company? Or spend 4 months learning how to code on my own, plus months learning how to code “right, and then another 4 months to figure it out?

You ask a MCS and a MBA that question, and always get different answers. The more I think about it and the more feedback I get, YC may not be what I’m looking for.

TIME = $

[Jcasc]

But you're neither an MCS or MBA. Instead, I feel you should be looking at this from an ROI mindset. If you take the time to scrap together a crap prototype... just so the basic features work, just enough.. you'll have a much more thorough understanding of not only your product, but how prototyping works, how to communicate with your tech personnel when you find them, and an enhanced ability to manage them.

They will also respect you more, see that you're serious, that you have at least some knowledge of what you're talking about as opposed to barking out orders with no concept of what is required to execute.

If you read my submissions, this is coming from a business guy with an idea and the realization that it will most likely go no where unless I create my own traction.

[jpug98]

I’m neither? Respect? Barking? No concept? I understand you're a business guy and really, I do appreciate your feedback. However, you make a lot of assumptions. I don't bark and with 20 years of leadership experience I’ve never had anyone disrespect me or question my tenacity - let alone my understanding of what it takes to get a job done.

ROI is Gain-Cost/Cost. It’s got nothing to do with the understanding my product, how it works, how to communicate and/or manage employees. Please explain.

I’m looking at YC as an opportunity for traction, so perhaps it isn’t the right fit for me or this opportunity. If I really wanted to do it myself, I’d hire a programmer and build the damn thing. But I think the collaborative environment around so many vested interests is really what makes this group special. Am I wrong?

Do you have any experience with this group, as a founder or other participant?