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If a designer had a great idea for a simple app, then yes a Rails for Dummies book would suffice I'd say. So why not the other way round?

Also, it's not always the case that a developer has spare money to pay a designer with (the ideal situation). I don't have cash but I do have some spare time in the evenings to work on my businesses.

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this is false economy. saving money is not the objective in testing an idea. The objective is to launch the best product you can in the smallest amount of time. mvp. time trumps money - always.

It's like this. I want to fit a new bathroom in my house. I could do it, but it would take me a week, it won't cost me any money. If I hire a plumber, he'll do it in 2 days and charge $500.

Damn, $500? Well my freelance day rate is $250, so I'll just freelance for a couple of days. Net result is I just saved myself 5 days.

I'd say it's sometimes a little risky thinking this way. 1. wage-days are not a good way of measuring things. You don't take into account recurring expenses, taxes and costs of doing business. 2. Spending your own time on something is rarely a loss.

Do your own plumbing while you have a 2-day work drought: you've learned some plumbing.

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