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IvanaSays

6 karma · joined August 19, 2015

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IvanaSays··on What I Miss About Working at Stripe
The author is not a developer.
IvanaSays··on Ask HN: First-time dad-to-be. What do you wish you'd known back then?
Thank you. Seriously I could not believe that was written by a man.
IvanaSays··on Ask HN: First-time dad-to-be. What do you wish you'd known back then?
HA HA HA, this: "because that baby could not be more livid about being pulled out of the womb." Awesome
IvanaSays··on Ask HN: First-time dad-to-be. What do you wish you'd known back then?
- Every baby and every toddler is super different. Really. I can't believe how much generic advice is given in classes and such. Then they come out and you are like: what the hell? Why is my kid trying to put his head in the toilet or jump out the window, while my friend's kid is eating with a fork in a pink dress and putting together a puzzle (don't mean to gender-stereotype here, although I learned with some sadness that this is not off entirely when it comes to personalities...). Bottom line: your kid's personality can make a HUGE difference in your quality of life in the first few years.

- Sleeping. I was highly suspect of the fact that all those sidecar-style bassinets were sold as almost brand-new...well, it's because there is a significant portion of babies who don't want to sleep apart from their mommy. Our kiddo would not leave a warm body for 4 months. Now try to marry that with safe sleeping recommendations. Pure hell.

I am adamantly against sleep training. I think it's a cruel practice and industry created so adults can go back to work. Which most of us we have to, shortly after having a baby or giving birth. So those things are extremely hard to marry. FOr me, I took the hit (instead of the baby taking the hit). Highly recommend watching this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCZzzqFkyiU&t=2s, and Gabor Mate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tdljIW86e8

- I can't emphasize enough how important it is that you jump in and help your wife/parther 50-100% more than you think you should. I can't emphasize how hard birth is for the mother. And how hard the early months and years are. There is a peculiar silence around the fact that we go through a major medical event, then are supposed to hop right back on the horse and share things 50-50 with our partner. Whereas our bodies are already taking 70-90% of the work. Add to that that the shitty division of labor in our society (and every other) where women's emotional labor (all the appointments, all the supplies, all the clothes, etc.) is already huge, and THIS is what leads to divorce. Not the lack of dates (although I too vote for making room for dates, or at least simple short emotional check-ins with your partner). Recommended reading: https://bookshop.org/books/how-not-to-hate-your-husband-afte...

Good luck! You'll make a great dad! <3

IvanaSays··on Ask HN: First-time dad-to-be. What do you wish you'd known back then?
Oh my god. Trust me, you'll NEVER hear a woman say that. Yuk.
IvanaSays··on Dentistry is less scientific and more gratuitous than people think (2019)
Recommend reading "Breath" by James Nestor! Amongst other things, purees for babies...so many parents give their babies sugary pouches..Uh!
IvanaSays··on Dentistry is less scientific and more gratuitous than people think (2019)
i did! Now I am paying 3x for what if I don't believe can really hurt me. Get a third opinion maybe? Costly, time consuming...
IvanaSays··on Dentistry is less scientific and more gratuitous than people think (2019)
I have a very expensive surgery coming up on Wednesday next week. My original dentist didn't even see anything wrong with the tooth. New dentist saw a deep canal but did a deep cleaning (f-ing painful!), and told me to wait a few months to see if it heals. I insisted on seeing a periodontist sooner. Tooth must come out. Sought 2nd opinion - she is convicned two teeth must come out. Then changed her mind. Now telling me bone graft material in the US is superior and I'd better get it done here than originally planned in a few months in Europe (thus saving a few thousand dollars and postponing some suffering so I can go on a vacation). Getting a third opinion the night before the surgery and literally don't know what I am going to do with it. What even the F.
IvanaSays··on Dentistry is less scientific and more gratuitous than people think (2019)
There must be options in between suing him and firebombing his office. Seriously, think about folks coming in after you. Try to at least file a complaint, or give a bad review some place.
IvanaSays··on Ask HN: Any tips on organizing a fun hackathon at work?
I worked at Algolia when we wrote a blog post about this, hope it helps: https://www.algolia.com/blog/engineering/6-hack-day-tips/

We recently had a fabulous hackathon at Retool, I'll chime in shortly, or ask someone else to.

IvanaSays··on The Palace of Dreams
Fascinating! I am going to make an effort to get the book.
IvanaSays··on In southern France, unique boats revive a lost way of life
Beautiful!
IvanaSays··on Ask HN: What is the best book on data visualization in 2021?
In addition to a lot of the recos here, Gene Zelazny's "Say it with charts" is an old school book that a manager of mine had us read in concert with Tufte. It's a good simple primer on charts.
IvanaSays··on Underdog Devs: supporting formerly incarcerated and disadvantaged aspiring devs
I was genuinely curious as I am often involved in writing for websites, including on D&I issues, so it's helpful to know what kind of information is needed, that's all. I don't think I deserved this comment. Cheers.
IvanaSays··on Underdog Devs: supporting formerly incarcerated and disadvantaged aspiring devs
How important is that? What kind of detail would you want to know? Are you afraid of misclassification or missing out on someone, or...?
IvanaSays··on A lesser known mechanism for alcohol tolerance
I was reading the article to learn what I can do to increase my alcohol tolerance. I was never much of a drinker, but at some point it started dropping really radically - to where I now have a massive hangover if I have a large glass of wine in a restaurant (a restaurant pour vs. my own) - even over an hour, with water and food, etc. I do sometimes wish I could have two glasses, or try more wine when on a trip, or have a digestif in a great restaurant...but but nope, it's out entirely. Asked my doctor, she said, coldly: "uhm, why drink if it makes you feel bad?"
IvanaSays··on A lesser known mechanism for alcohol tolerance
I don't know, man. I have a friend who drinks so much it's ludicrous, and is perfectly present and functional. he is a sailor, and I have avoided situations where I see he is getting plastered (because he can get plastered, too!) and the only competent sailor on board. But he is highly functioning when drunk, I can attest to that!
IvanaSays··on A lesser known mechanism for alcohol tolerance
Meanwhile...there is an argument somewhere about the stomach being the 2nd brain. I don't know how you can reasonably taste without swallowing wine (while understanding it's a far more reasonable way to go for the pros).
IvanaSays··on Developer, you may need a co-founder in marketing
Yep, the emphasis is on "may". Of note that Marko is very technical himself.

After almost 10 years in tech marketing, here is what I see, especially on the early side of things:

1. A lot of marketers are afraid of tech (yes, even if they've worked in tech for years). Or, they won't take the time to learn it, even at the most fundamental level. It doesn't help that in their always stressful first months there is zero room for this. Everyone wants results, but how do you actually learn the thing you are marketing = at a more fundamental level than "positioning".

It doesn't help that marketing leaders are not focused on this, even when their teams tell them loud and clear that they need a better understanding of the product.

2) Technical cofounders expect marketers to learn--I don't know-- by osmosis ?

IMHO, there should be a product/landscape training geared at the marketer for every new marketer joining. In the early stages, that means the technical cofounder spending a lot of time with their marketing cofounder, and the marketing cofounder taking the time to learn and absorb.

3. Technical cofounders put marketing on the back burner. They want results, but are not willing to put in the time. And of course, they have zero time with all other priorities. But this is the #1 priority!! You should forever be a core marketing team member, and the face of your company. Establish that trust and open the door for your marketers to come to you for hands-on help. Write (content is key), speak, check in.

I highly recommend one of my favorite reads about tech marketing:

http://www.daniellemorrill.com/2010/09/startup-marketing-2nd...

"Here are some things I’d suggest you look for in your first marketing hire.

--wants to know how the product works --is endlessly curious, and isn’t afraid to ask a lot of questions --never has to be told the same thing twice --will stay up all night while the engineering team races to ship --is always thinking about how to simultaneously increase throughput and ROI, while decreasing operating expense (definition of “lean”) --loves customers obsessively, and doesn’t have a cynical bone in their body --knows when to be a bulldog -- is humble – for example, they would clean the bathrooms when they can’t afford a janitor --understands the tradeoffs of time vs. money, and values both someone who is a logical decision maker and isn’t afraid to argue for what’s right, or back down if it’s not worth the fight"

IvanaSays··on Developer, you may need a co-founder in marketing
I think you hit the nail on the head, in two regards:

1) focus and time 2) lack of marketers who are, if not already knowledgeable, willing and able to learn about your tech

IvanaSays··on Developer, you may need a co-founder in marketing
Was just going to say this...
IvanaSays··on Hire for the Ability to Get Shit Done (2011)
Sure. But every startup, no matter what stage, can benefit from mature, thoughtful people, who may take a little longer to get things done, but they will be done better. They are also the people who will ask the right questions, introduce positive paranoia, etc. There is tension with the GSDs, but it's for mutual benefit.

Those very candid people who say they are average on GSD? Those would be my executives.

IvanaSays··on Jeff Bezos comes out in support of increased corporate taxes
Such a humanitarian!
IvanaSays··on Ask HN: Please stop writing tutorials/tech articles on Medium
<3
IvanaSays··on Freemium, Free, Free Trial
Thanks very much, great advice.
IvanaSays··on Freemium, Free, Free Trial
Thanks, super helpful!
IvanaSays··on Freemium, Free, Free Trial
Well put, this is so helpful!
IvanaSays··on Freemium, Free, Free Trial
Excellent point, and very well said, thank you!
IvanaSays··on Show HN: Tax, the Prompt Task List
I am sharing with my husband haaaa