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Comment by apl | Hacker News Reader

At this point, there's nothing innovative or quirky about "active applications." Especially if they're rather mediocre.

EDIT: After looking through the whole thing, I have to revise my opinion. It doesn't even qualify as mediocre -- copy and design are surprisingly awful. Large quantities of pseudo-charming nonsense ("I'm vehement about creating kick-ass interactions", "i can write a mean agile spec, and i’m comfortable working in a highly iterative environment", the complete section outlining why she's supposedly great for the gig) and completely interchangeable self-promotion. Active applications can be interesting if they're actually tailored to the company in question; this particular instance can't be bothered to make any meaningful connection to Instagram. Well, except for the domain name.

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The design is surprisingly awful? What? I can only assume you're talking about the graphics and layout (unless we talk about 'attitude design' now or something). I thought that part of the site was excellent (original and pretty), although I didn't care for the content admittedly (except the word 'vehement' cracked me up, and 'LOL - I'm Funny').

I think it shows off her design skills and her lack of ability to write good copy, but I would've put the portfolio bit far higher up. - "here's my 1-paragraph spiel about me, here's what I've done, and at the end, put all the cutesy bits"

A link to her portfolio is always stuck at the top right corner of page, even as you scroll.

Yeah, but I think we need to step back a bit and think about what's working here. No one can improve in design or copywriting overnight. So she pulled a different level with brilliant self promotion that's getting real results. It makes me think I should stop tweaking the pixels on version 1,367 of my logo and look at the bigger picture. Like her, I want the work I'm doing to be noticed. In that category, she's kicking my butt, and I think I could learn a thing or two from her approach.

I don't think active applications are innovative or quirky. But I do think that they are effective (when done right) and I hope they have staying power. The resume is long overdue for a bit of reinvention. But you are absolutely right: the site must present work tailored very specifically to the company you are chasing. It has to do more than mention them by name. My biggest critique is that I think she should have put some of the effort into a proposed redesign of an instagram feature. Some piece of work that would help them imagine her contributions as an employee.

glad someone round here sees throught this shit.

Your comment fails the "say it to my face" guideline.

I certainly wouldn't vote this stuff up, but no need to be rude about it.

(Edit: also, why keep downvoting him, I think he probably gets the idea already)

the "say it to my face" rule? what's that?

http://ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html

"Be civil. Don't say things you wouldn't say in a face to face conversation. "

It's a pretty good rule for writing things on line whether it's in the guidelines or not. Sometimes you (meaning: all of us) get tempted to be snide or snarky, but if you think that there's another person out there, and if you pretend you're saying whatever you have to say to them directly, I find that it greatly improves what you write.

It doesn't mean "don't criticize", just do it as if that person were in front of you.

If you wouldn't say it to my face, don't say it here. Pretty simple concept. I'm sad to see your only contributions here have been negative comments, all but one of which were on this story. People on Hacker News don't discourage criticism, but do prefer that it is done politely, and with reason.

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