Betatype
Web and SaaS
freelance marketplace
SHOW HN2014
285points
142comments
#53of 2,272 in 2014
Top 3%of 2014 by points
How HN took it
MixedNo clear lean
12 positive, 42 neutral or asking, 6 mixed, 38 critical, out of 98 comments about the project. Thread score -0.28.
Idea: 10 for, 8 againstPricing: 2 for, 16 againstExecution: 0 for, 7 againstDocs: 0 for, 3 againstDesign: 0 for, 2 against
The thread, comment by comment
Each row is a top-level comment and its replies, in HN's order. Select a cell to open that comment on HN.
positive neutral or mixed critical about another commenter or something else the maker
What HN said
What people liked
Interesting idea that fills a real gap between idea and MVP
From 3 comments
This is one of the most interesting things I've seen as a Show HN in ages... Awesome! I can't wait to see how this plays out, and how scared people are to tell each other about…
zensavona on HNThis is a cool idea. I've been experimenting with a similar model for design. Undesigned[1] will redesign or prototype a single page in one week for $1500. In your case, the…
guptaneil on HNI like the idea of it, was thinking of something myself not too long ago. It's great because it provides big value, and your (i.e. betatype founder, contractor specialising on…
gedrap on HN
Fixed budget makes scoping simpler
From 1 comment
Sometimes a blank canvas is not a good thing. Twitter invented something entirely defined by its constraints. The process of negotiating, defining and developing an "prototype"…
netcan on HN
Objections
$3,500 is too little for a real prototype and iteration
From 3 comments
I just can't imagine any non brochure-ware prototype that can be built for $3500 (let's leave off the problems of the middleman not making much money on this one /and/ promising…
llamataboot on HNReally cool idea, but I think a flat-cost of $3,500 for a prototype is way too low and the approach is error prone. How about iteration? Iteration is one of the key factors…
DigitalSea on HNThe term prototype seem ambiguous enough that will cause problems. How far does it have to done? How much bugs can it have? Cross-browser compatible? The problem with fixed…
betadreamer on HN
The 4% fee is not sustainable
From 3 comments
I think you should take more than a 4% cut, that doesn't seem sustainable.
kapkapkap on HN4% doesn't seem sustainable if they're taking credit card payments. The best they can probably get to is around 1.2% transaction fee (if they've shopped around) and this is…
kondro on HNOn the bright side, this project acknowledges the killer issue with these kinds of marketplaces: scalably managing quality, scope, and disputes. But on the other hand, I see…
aegiso on HN
Chicken-and-egg marketplace problem and quality control
From 3 comments
It's a nice site ... what's your strategy for solving the chicken-and-egg marketplace problem?
smoyer on HNOn the bright side, this project acknowledges the killer issue with these kinds of marketplaces: scalably managing quality, scope, and disputes. But on the other hand, I see…
aegiso on HNI liked the idea, atleast Betatype will have less noise and better quality of developers/hackers. I wonders how will the quality be maintained though. Also there is thin line…
pushkargaikwad on HN
Sign-up pages lack HTTPS and ask for too much information
From 3 comments
Did anyone else notice that the "Apply as programmer" sign up page doesn't use HTTPS? Is it just me or this is the case for everyone. http://betatype.io/createacc/hacker It…
jnhuynh on HNNo SSL? Not even for sign up and sign in? How is my info (user, password, e-mail, name, banking info) going to be "protected"? Has people given up on SSL (and any security for…
eauden on HNYou make it pretty hard to register. I don't want to send all kinds of details about myself when checking if a service is worth my time and I don't think I'm the only one.
mikkom on HN
Requests
Show live examples of what $3,500 produces
From 1 comment
As someone who is a member of both of this site's target audiences, I'd be curious to actually see some live samples of products that were developed on a $3,500 budget. I think…
aculver on HN
Clarify scope, iteration and dispute handling
From 3 comments
I'm sure a could read a bunch to find out your answer, but it wasn't quickly enough obvious to me (as a programmer) how you ensure the scope of work is actually equal to $3500 of…
flippyhead on HNAre you handling the escrow in a safe manner to make sure everyone gets paid? What is your dispute resolution plan?
ApolloRising on HNThe term prototype seem ambiguous enough that will cause problems. How far does it have to done? How much bugs can it have? Cross-browser compatible? The problem with fixed…
betadreamer on HN
Questions
How is escrow and dispute resolution handled?
From 1 comment
Are you handling the escrow in a safe manner to make sure everyone gets paid? What is your dispute resolution plan?
ApolloRising on HN
What does the programmer screening involve?
From 1 comment
What does the programmer screening process involve?
k-mcgrady on HN
Does the price cover iterations?
From 1 comment
Really cool idea, but I think a flat-cost of $3,500 for a prototype is way too low and the approach is error prone. How about iteration? Iteration is one of the key factors…
DigitalSea on HN
Alternatives named
Launchyard
From 1 comment
Cool but there are already similar services: http://launchyard.com/ They will help you focus your idea and one of their partners will build the prototype.
bruceb on HN
Undesigned
From 1 comment
This is a cool idea. I've been experimenting with a similar model for design. Undesigned[1] will redesign or prototype a single page in one week for $1500. In your case, the…
guptaneil on HN
builtFromIdeas
From 1 comment
I run http://builtFromIdeas.com, where I build apps, generally for non-tech entrepreneurs, for $5,000. I've had a few clients "succeed" without continued input from me. I…
coreymaass on HN