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Comment by basicallydan | Hacker News Reader

Just to clarify:

a) You're suggesting that we start an HMO meme on Hacker News which clearly means "I'm looking for help, this is what I'm looking for help with"

b) This post is the first one and it's your list of things?

If so: Cool :) I can't help with any, but I thought that this clarification may help others.

I was also wondering to myself: would this be a good idea for a monthly thread a la Jobs/Freelancers/Open Source? I decided that it probably wouldn't be, because you'd end up with a difficult-to-read list of things that people may or may not need help with.

Articles like Tom's which include specific requests are probably the best format for such things. We don't want any information overload, right?

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That is exactly what I'm proposing :) but I'm also proposing that it's helpful to always have this list top of mind so if you meet someone IRL and they say "let me know how I can help" you can give them some specific ways they can help.

I find it really works for serendipity!

About your question 4 -- Interior designers sometimes direct art purchases. The specialist whose sole job is to do this, usually for wealthy clients, or corporate clients, is called an art consultant. I know someone, for example, who directs art purchases for rooms of boutique hotels. That can add up fast.

> Articles like Tom's which include specific requests are probably the best format for such things. We don't want any information overload, right?

But most people's articles will never make the homepage. By having one posts (like the jobs threads), you keep all the information in one place and it gets better visibility. It's the opposite of overload; it's consolidation.

Also, those posts request a specific format (eg, starting with "LOOKING FOR WORK / Location") which helps others easily scan through the list and find what's relevant to them. The same can be done with HMO lists.

I agree - I'm very lucky to be on the homepage but a monthly HMO post would be a great idea.

Well, I thought it'd be more appropriate for you to do it, but someone got there first: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=7573172

Sorry dan, I stepped away from my computer for a few mins (crucial mistake!) glad there's another thread going on. I'll up-bump!

Maybe you're right. My concern is that it'll just become completely un-navigable, whereas if it's something that people need to post proper posts about they're going to be more serious about it. But I see your point. Why don't we give it a go and see what happens?

Tom, this was your idea - you wanna do it?

I've been wanting something like this forever. I hope this discussion gets it going on HN. I think it can greatly enhance the rate of product development. I've got one (or two) I'm well along on but I need specific help and I'd be all over it to help find that.

you helped by clarifying :)

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