Ask HN: Developer role in the adult industry? | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: Developer role in the adult industry?

3 pointspornwaredev6 comments

I recently received what sounds like a great Web Dev offer: challenging problems, large scalability requirements, latest technologies, small agile team, excellent compensation package, five weeks paid holidays and generous relocation to one of the coolest places in Europe.

There's one catch though: the majority of the domains operated by this company are adult. I've nothing against this industry on moral, religious or political correctness ground; I'd lie if I said I never indulge in them (wink wink). I'm more ambivalent because of the generally negative perception of this business. How I should be answering questions about where I work and what I do? Would I put this on my resume, and how? &c

Would love to get some opinions, especially from insiders that are or were in similar roles.

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In today's world I don't think it matters all that much. Few people don't use these sites and the ones who say they don't are usually liars.

Truth is, if the job itself is good then why not? You have good compensation, five weeks paid holidays etc. You're not doing anything illegal or immoral AND you get to relocate to a cool place in Europe.

On a resume just talk about the day-to-day activities you had to do. It isn't like you are an actor, you're a web developer - it doesn't really matter for whom.

About the comment about proudly telling your kids. Look at it in a different perspective. You are keeping millions of lonely men from blowing their brains out, you are helping provides millions more with a great stress relief. You're working for a legal company that is producing taxable revenue to build roads and other infrastructure projects. You will be doing a world of good for the world - the adult industry isn't a bad thing!

By the way, send me an email (in my account) - I have a cool idea for you.

There aren't many industries where you are going to get constant challenges everyday. Adult websites are always pushing new ground, leading to scaling or efficiency problems. Where I currently work, we get super-high traffic numbers every 3-4 months when a new game is released, but other than that it's super dead (traffic-wise).

Whatever you learn from that job, you can export elsewhere. Unless you go to Twitter, Zynga, or any other high-traffic company, every other company is going to be a cake-walk for you.

Call me old fashioned but I wouldn't want to be a part of something I can't proudly tell my kids about. I know this sounds ignorant but I'm just being honest.

People who work as developers for the adult industry have to be competent. Thus, don't worry about future employers because people just care about what you can do.

Just one data point, but the one guy I know who worked in the adult industry I would hire in a heartbeat, FWIW.

hell yes!

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