startupcomment

Check out Silicon Prairie. Maybe there are some pertinent meet up groups in your general vicinity. Given that you are in Iowa City, you should explore the CS Department, Engineering School, and Business School of the University of Iowa. They may have various formal or informal outreach initiatives relevant to the local IT community. With some further digging around, you should be able to make some local / regional connections.

"However, I think this is a really bad business move, second only to using a fake name. It creates distrust and devalues the community aspect of the product."

Were you passing judgment on Andrew Warner, as that is not his birth name, but a professional name that he has adopted?

Grellas, as usual, makes some excellent points. In my experience, businesses are very well served in securing legal services from a sharp, seasoned attorney.

Chris Overcash, Your use of the English language is reprehensible. I never expected to read such repulsive language on HN.

I have heard Chopra speak on a few occasions. He's bright but not the brightest apple in the bunch. He appeared to me to be green (for someone with his level of responsibility) and not the most polished of speakers, IMHO. I would certainly not characterize him as being "brilliant." He must have been at the right spot at the right time to have been nominated for that post. I could think of some more well qualified and seasoned alternatives.

Compared to Safari's recent versions, FF's recent versions have typically been more sluggish. I just downloaded Camino and will be testing that out.

Thank you for expanding the volume of posts displayed. Previously, you only displayed about 200, which meant that the user would probably miss some postings unless he or she consulted the site twice a day or so. By displaying many more "historic" posts, the user would have the assurance of not missing posts if he or she did not consult the site for a couple of days. Thanks again.

Thank you for expanding the volume of posts displayed. Previously, you only displayed about 200, which meant that the user would probably miss some postings unless he or she consulted the site twice a day or so. By displaying many more "historic" posts, the user would have the assurance of not missing posts if he or she did not consult the site for a couple of days. Thanks again.

From the research that I have done, taxation of software sales varies from state to state and may depend on the form of delivery of the software. From the states that I looked at, there was a greater likelihood of sales tax applicability if the software was of the "off-the-shelf" variety (not custom software), but if installed through a download rather than shipped, it was not subject to sales tax. I agree with Scott - just call your state tax office and explain your situation.

As you hold shares of a small closely held corporation, you'll probably have a tough time selling your shares to anyone other than the principal shareholder or the corporation (and they may not be willing to buy). In addition, your right to sell your shares to a third party may be restricted, as has been noted above. If the business folds, you may be able to claim a capital loss to the extent of your basis in the shares. I'm not certain of this, however. Best to consult an accountant. Good luck!

This is probably not what you're looking for - but I would suggest that you rethink the name of your site. It's too much of a mouthful -- too many syllables.

Is this what you were looking for?

http://www.intuitive.com/blog/change_your_business_model_and...

This post offers some excellent advice.

I am very sorry to have heard about your accident. As has already been pointed out, your job / startup combination would be difficult to sustain anywhere. As for the work environment in SF Bay Area, while I do not live there, I have heard that work-related demands can be higher there than other parts of the country. But much depends on one's circumstances. If you are a founder of a startup or owner of a small business, you generally should expect to work long hours, regardless of where you may be located.

Andrew, You should consult a good accountant or attorney. The IRS has very strict rules as to who may be compensated as an employee versus an independent contractor or consultant. This is the case, partly, no doubt, to ensure that employees are classified as such and the appropriate payroll taxes are shared between the employee and the employer. As I understand it, officers of C corps are essentially employees and may not be compensated as consultants for services they render to a corporation. Assigning rights in IP and stock purchase agreements are independent of the issue of whether or the someone working for the company may be considered by the IRS as an employee or an independent contractor.