[tbull007]

I know three of the LiFX guys personally - they're all well connected and respected in the Melbourne startup scene.

Are they naive to the challenges of deploying a hardware project? At least some of them are, but the lead engineer has been in this field for a long time. Are they trying to defraud anyone? Absolutely not.

I hadn't heard of this project until I read this article, but knowing the team involved there's just no way these guys are putting their reputation on the line over something they don't personally believe can be done.

Must have missed the memo where the Hacker News community collectively decided to stop seeking funding and shooting for the stars. Reading the tone of these comments, we should now only tackle the problems that we... sorry, you the commentator... 100% know can be solved.

[vosper]

If they're "naive to the challenges" (even some of them) then the chances of success are even lower than for companies who have vast expertise in this area. That they're trying to do it on a shoestring makes it even less likely to succeed - people are right to be critical.

Also, I think the major difference between funding in the usual HN startup sense and funding via Kickstarter is that startup funding is almost always classical investment whereby you get a share in the company and the rewards of their hopeful success - but Kickstart funding could well be money for nothing.