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stevengraham

45 karma · joined January 28, 2019

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stevengraham··on Ask HN: How do I stop being obsessed with software architecture?
Do you enjoy it? If so, maybe consider a role where this is a key contribution. It sounds like at some level, you're good at it and naturally inclined to think this way. If you enjoy it lean into it and be excellent.

Where things get difficult is if you're trying to be a founder/creator and you have perfectionist thinking. That gets you into a negative cycle where you're neither productive (velocity) or satisfied with quality. You have to learn to detach yourself from judgement and focus on actions that drive more important outcomes.

stevengraham··on Show HN: I built an AI powered alternative to Webflow and Framer
Looks cool. Was your website generated using the tool? Can it generate Webflow sites?
stevengraham··on Show HN: Just raised $17M for a no BS application security platform
Congrats! This is useful. Back when I was CTO of a SaaS this required a patchwork of solutions and a lot of thought.
stevengraham··on Show HN: I Built an Indoor Cycling Web App to Get in Shape Through Gaming
Thanks! Please consider my humble feature requests: -Full support for Wahoo device ecosystem -Apple TV app (this is a deal breaker for me)

My current setup - right now I use zwift on apple TV which connects to a wahoo cadence sensor, rpm sensor, HRM, kickr rollr smart trainer, kickr smart fan. Also have a SRAM power meter connected.

You probably already know this, but Apple TV has some limitations on simultaneous bluetooth connections so you have to use workarounds (for example zwift has a separate smartphone app that bridges the ATV and the devices).

Good luck, and let me know if you'd like any help with product or marketing.

stevengraham··on Show HN: I Built an Indoor Cycling Web App to Get in Shape Through Gaming
This is super cool. Does it connect to all my gear like zwift? (smart trainer, fan, power meter, HRM)
stevengraham··on Ask HN: Is AngelList Legit?
Angelist is legit. Syndicates and even VC stakeholders aren't always on-point with what's going on in a company. Take it with a grain of salt. They're human beings and have many irons in the fire (keep that in mind with risk mitigation).
stevengraham··on Ask HN: Is AngelList Legit?
This would not be productive. Investors who come in throught mechanisms like this (SPV) do not appear on the companies cap table and would not directly interact with a startups IR team. This is normal for this type of investment.
stevengraham··on Ask HN: Are there any real world blockchain / crypto use cases already?
There are multiple use cases besides the obvious/primary ones of being an alternative means of permissionless value transfer and enabling novel distributed trading instruments (DEFI).

Example: Figure (providing home equity loans) used provenance chain for backend functions such as origination, securitization, and lifecycle management. Many of the "business" use cases are in these opaque areas such as settlements.

When you see knee-jerk comments “tHeRe’s nO uSe CaSe” it’s understandable that most people don’t know what they don’t know about the backend of finance. Yes, there’s a lot of bullshit in the space, and there’s also a lot of valid infrastructure being built. It’s not going away.

stevengraham··on Ask HN: Any recommended AI tools to analyze data and generate insights?
I came across your product a couple weeks ago. Looks impressive.
stevengraham··on The ridiculousness of asking market research to solopreneur?
I've raised twice in previous startups and currently work as a consultant with experience doing this kind of work.

You don't need to subscribe to any expensive data sources. These are more relevant for management consultants and senior execs working on strategy a bit further down the line.

At early stage - incubators and investors just want to know how well you understand the competitive environment, your vision of the space, and your progress (product/customers). You can piece all that together using publicly available data and first hand knowledge.

Good luck!

stevengraham··on Ask HN: Digital Nomad Guide for International Phone Numbers
I use a google voice number. Spouse uses a skype number. Over 10 years as an expat in multiple countries. Keep a small amount of balance in your account to keep the number active. Works fine with 2-factor for pretty much anything. Does -not- work for KYC US identity validation.
stevengraham··on How to hire low experience, high potential people
The irony of midwits running "talent acquisition"
stevengraham··on How do I tell unqualified AI founders I am not going to build this thing for you
Forty-something former CTO here. Just tell them what you want clearly & concisely.

Do you want cash or equity? From your description it seems clear that you don't believe in the team or mission, so presumably value equity at zero.

Since you mentioned "my team and I" - I'm assuming you're running a dev shop or work with a few freelancers open to this type of work. If so - You could do something like giving them a one-page proposal for a 1-3 month MVP "sprint series" to "help them validate their concept" (at your current rate).

Don't "feel bad" for putting your desires first. It's the right thing to do. Also, don't judge them. I've seen some real underdogs pull through (it's rare so don't bet on it).

stevengraham··on Ask HN: Freelancer? Seeking freelancer? (February 2024)
SEEKING WORK PST Remote Ex CTO/Product Manager/Sales AE looking for remote interim, consulting or part-time engagements involving technology strategy or product growth. Experienced in team building, market research, positioning, and GTM.

Résumé/CV: https://linkedin.com/in/stevengabrielgraham Email: graham.steven@me.com

stevengraham··on Ask HN: Who wants to be hired? (February 2024)
Location: N. California, USA Remote: Yes Willing to relocate: No

Technologies: Ex CTO/Product Manager/Sales AE looking for interim, consulting or part-time engagements involving technology strategy or product growth.

Résumé/CV: https://linkedin.com/in/stevengabrielgraham Email: graham.steven@me.com

stevengraham··on Ask HN: Help me solve a dilemma, study in the US or take a job in the EU?
Take the scholarship. It's a much higher probability outcome.

You will have more control over your destiny. EG if you work hard in your studies and pursue side projects you will prosper.

In contrast, you can do everything "right" at the startup and still end up unemployed due to forces outside your control. In a foreign country with no qualifications.

stevengraham··on Ask HN: Who is looking for a co-founder? (July 2021)
This is awesome.

Would love to see it featured in a "Launch" post, and perhaps featured more prominently as a permanent nav link.

IMO things like this bring balance back to HN being a place for thought exchange to spur creation - rather than just another reddit-like "let's react to the latest news URL posted".

stevengraham··on Ask HN: How much equity to give board members of a startup?
Hi Andrew. I've been in the C level, advisory, and investor roles at early stage companies. I'm certainly not an expert compared to many who frequent HN, but I hope I can add a bit of value.

There's no need to give up a board seat. Normally your lead investors will be taking a seat, and it could cause you issues when you try to raise.

You want to recruit some advisors who can move the needle for you with complementary skills. Ideally you just pay them cash, however being early stage may mean offering equity instead. You can do this as a vested option purchase at fair valuation. You need to be clear on what you expect from them, and obviously they must also believe their effort is going to be worth their time.

Take a look at the FAST agreement to get a better idea of how to approach the situation. https://fi.co/fast

stevengraham··on What's Inside the EU Green Pass QR Code?
There is an epidemic of naivety and irrational fear pervasive in society right now.

Even "data" and "science" is subject to emotionally or ideologically-driven narrative and/or subjective perception.

This, against a backdrop of our current "big tech" which has demonstrated wanton disregard for individuality and autonomy in favor of centralization and manipulation.

There are a few voices of reason here. Hopefully more will speak up.

It is the very creation of SYSTEMS that pose the greatest risk to individual liberty and the course of society.

Once the systems are in place, they can evolve. They can be leveraged or weaponized.

It is past time for ethics and limits in tech. The creation of these "pass" systems is extremely naive, and forms the basic enabler of a technocratic tyranny.

Your personal autonomy is being increasingly removed.

You are approaching a reality where some (many in this thread) naively want you to accept that you are inherently dangerous, untrustworthy, and unprivileged - until some central "system of authority" grants you "privilege" to exercise "rights" that are being removed.

No thanks.

Reject the overton window shift.

stevengraham··on Peloton cuts back on Apple Watch support
I'd agree with the general tone of a few others here. IMO Peloton and Zwift cater to two different groups although there is some overlap between them.

Peloton caters more to general fitness types with a "spin class" approach using "instructors" and their slick hardware and ecosystem. It's probably a better choice for people who aren't cyclists.

Zwift caters more to dedicated cyclists who typically use Zwift to augment their outdoor training routines with indoor time (avoiding weather and timing/safety issues etc). Cyclists use their own bikes since they're fit for the rider, with their own (more accurate) power meters, etc. Zwift also considers weight, bike aerodynamics, etc. in sort of a "gamified" virtual representation of cycling.

TLDR; Peloton is a group of people riding Peloton machines in "virtual spin class" while Zwift is a group of people riding their own bikes indoors, most who also ride outdoors on Strava.

stevengraham··on Show HN: Lofi.cafe
Very nice execution. Love the aesthetic. IMO the source attribution could still be better. For example I follow one of the sources (RyanCelcius). Many of their original playlist visuals (e.g. rare tapes series) stand on their own merit and deserve to be seen.
stevengraham··on Dry.io wants to democratize software development using AI
Despite the (predictable) skepticism, there are some real enterprise use-cases for something like this being served by similar "self-serve" tools. I'd be willing to take a look.
stevengraham··on Show HN: CoWatch.video – Watch Video Files with Friends Using WebRTC
Nice. Open source?