Hacker News Reader

Comment by smahend | Hacker News Reader

"inspired" is probably not the right word. i think directly stolen from twitpay is probably better

Yet another reason on the long list of why execution matters a helluva lot more than the idea, especially when it comes to easy/simple ideas.

I'm not convinced it was "stolen", and I think it's pretty crappy of you to suggest that it was unless you know something the rest of us don't.

TipJoy almost certainly has a product roadmap of some kind. Theoretically it's possible that they pushed what they were in the middle of aside 15 days ago to attack this and managed to get it done and launched by today... But I think it's just as likely that they were already working on it.

Even if they DID steal it from Twitpay, the idea certainly didn't originate there. http://www.alleyinsider.com/2008/6/how-twitter-will-be-worth... (from June)

"Stolen", really? It's business, not super friendly fun time. Competition happens.

Tipjoy is all about super friendly fun time. Like at our poker nights. Come by if you're in the Boston area (and a startup hacker/foudner): http://www.meetup.com/Boston-Startup-Poker/

Tried to join the meetup, waiting for approval

What if you're not, but would like to be?

Come up with a decent concept and team and then get funded by YC.

Seems a little involved just to get in on a poker game. :)

If you're already in Boston, the startup part is easy. Idea+Incorporation=Instant CEO

He didn't say you had to be part of a viable startup to play.

Viable is determined on exit, right?

Anyone reading this is welcome to the game. And if you want an excuse to move to Boston, tipjoy is hiring: http://tipjoy.com/jobs

Ivan, I assume you saw @tensigma's invitation on Twitter to play poker if you're ever in Atlanta, but I'll mention it here, too. He's not any good, though, so go easy on him.

Even people that think they are good are still usually just playing by intuition, like me. I'd love to play. We should set up a network of startup poker games across the country. Poker is the new incubator.

Given this fundraising environment, it might be a good financing strategy too.

That was a session at BarCamp Atlanta: Startup funding via poker.

Zynga does that, but plays the role of the house.

Idk, the feature is definitely a little too obvious to call theft. Also, when you see someone launch 15 days after someone else, you can't assume copying. Features often take longer than that to develop, especially on sites that involve money transfers.

Not saying it's impossible, just saying it's far from a slam dunk.

Errr.. Twitpay was developed over a WEEKEND at Atlanta Startup Weekend. I'd say it's pretty easy to copy this idea in 15 days. Heck, I'd have expected more features. Maybe the extra days were used to do more key words.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com