connor

I'd actually give you more respect if you'd validate the idea without writing code. Use whatever method gets your idea in front of potential customers for feedback the fastest.

If you're selling a product or a service, I'd even suggest creating a buy button that takes them to a coming soon page and then put analytics on the button. See how many people actually click the buy button (even though they can't buy anything).

I agree, do side projects until you can convince somebody to pay you for similar services.

Quickbooks has terrible UI and makes simple things far too complicated for most startups. I feel wrong giving them my money, so we use Outright.com and export the reports for our accountants.

You should check out the Boulder based Orbotix- they make a ball you can control with you iPhone. Pretty cool.

http://www.gosphero.com/

New Media Campaigns put together a pretty good mobile site with some apis: http://hn.gethifi.com/#/

I currently run a startup here in Boulder. It's a wonderful community with the backing of TechStars (even get to work out of their offices sometimes). I'd recommend it if you'd like to get your feet wet in a smaller, closer knit community.

Can't speak for Austin yet, headed there in a month.

The ideas is little weak- playing the lottery in a group does increase the chance you will be a winner, but the risk/reward ratio remains the same. I'm not sure I get it.

The design is a good start, keep pushing it.

You should check out rafflecopter.com. You can host a giveaway using their product and incentivize users by giving points for tweeting/signing up/some other action. It works great and is totally free.

I agree, photos, names, or some proof of humanity of the people behind the karma would help to stem abuse. The internet almost makes this abuse of karma easier due to the anonymity. You just don't feel as bad.

I disagree. The interface right on target for the operating system they're targeting with this app: OSX. It sounds as though you're suggesting they build their UI for another OS...

If you've ever used Quickbooks, you'll understand the pain they're looking to avoid: http://www.quickbooks-software.co.uk/images/quickbooks_scree....