Can anyone recommend a trustworthy, intelligent, and English-speaking programmer? I need some insight on a business matter, online based. Thanks for any help you can offer.

12/13/2009 12:57:20 AM

there are at least a dozen of us on tww. If you were more specific perhaps someone here could help.

[Edited on December 13, 2009 at 5:09 AM. Reason : .]

12/13/2009 5:07:51 AM

^

12/13/2009 1:39:17 PM

Yeah. Sorry. The project would require a system that uses zip codes to narrow searches. There are more functions that must take place. I understand what I need would probably require some complex algorithms. I'm weary of providing lots of details, I hope you all understand. I just don't know enough about programming to give a broad example of everything we would need to make it work. Thanks Mark, that had to be the nicest "you're a noob" comment you have ever left. haha

[Edited on December 13, 2009 at 1:57 PM. Reason : .]

12/13/2009 1:56:34 PM

so are you looking for somebody to do actual development work for you? you said you need 'insight' so that sounds more like you want to know if something is possible or to bounce some ideas off or something. are you looking to pay somebody for their services, ie form a business relationship with?

12/13/2009 2:05:31 PM

I do not doubt the possibility of this project. I have some really good ideas that I have been told to protect, and I need someone who can make these ideas come to fruition. As I have no clue the cost of such a venture, I can not go to investors for capital. I need an individual who can be trusted on the inside track and is capable of quality site development and management. I can not go any further as far as details about the program without the security of a non-disclosure agreement. The work I need would entitle that person to a negotiated share, and possibly a short and enjoyable career.

12/13/2009 2:24:25 PM

Is this going to be a stand-alone application or a web based app? That will determine if I can even help you at all

12/13/2009 2:37:55 PM

i wish i had a dollar for every time i've heard a non-developer say exactly what dmballer18 has said

another dollar for every time the person with the "great idea" realized how much effort the idea would take to implement the right way

another dollar when you figure out that just having an idea with no money and no ability to implement it makes you just about worthless

another dollar when the realization comes that nobody worth a damn works for free

i think i could go on but there's no point - please update this thread with the progress you make

12/13/2009 2:41:15 PM

continuing along ^^ is there a particular technology stack that you're already committed to? are you thinking this project will be able to be accomplished by a single person or are you looking for somebody to lead a development team?

Quote :

" another dollar when the realization comes that nobody worth a damn works for free"

truth. if you are serious about this, be prepared to put up some money. you might find somebody who will work with you for cheap and who won't ask you a lot of hard questions about your idea, but chances are they aren't going to help you be successful


[Edited on December 13, 2009 at 2:49 PM. Reason : ideas are easy. making them work requires lots of effort]

12/13/2009 2:43:16 PM

I don't understand why anyone would think I was asking for free labor. The problem lies in my inability to determine exactly the extent of the work required. With a firm grasp of the money needed, I can identify the best plan to finance the project. I understand that programming work can range from $0-$TEXAS but how am I to know which side of the spectrum I am looking at? I would GUESS that what I have in mind for the LONGRUN would be a group undertaking, but the startup would probably be a lot easier. Once again, I just don't know. I guess what I should be asking is... is there a programmer that would be willing to meet with me, sign a non-disclosure agreement, and advise me FOR FREE the extent of what I need. I don't think that is asking too much, as the most you have to lose is an hour or less of your day, and the POSSIBLE benefits exist.

12/13/2009 3:33:27 PM

Quote :

"i wish i had a dollar for every time i've heard a non-developer say exactly what dmballer18 has said another dollar for every time the person with the "great idea" realized how much effort the idea would take to implement the right way another dollar when you figure out that just having an idea with no money and no ability to implement it makes you just about worthless another dollar when the realization comes that nobody worth a damn works for free i think i could go on but there's no point - please update this thread with the progress you make"

amen

12/13/2009 3:35:05 PM

Offer to take the programmer out to dinner or at least Pizza and Beer. You will probably get a few takers.

12/13/2009 3:39:41 PM

Quote :

"I don't understand why anyone would think I was asking for free labor. The problem lies in my inability to determine exactly the extent of the work required. With a firm grasp of the money needed, I can identify the best plan to finance the project. I understand that programming work can range from $0-$TEXAS but how am I to know which side of the spectrum I am looking at? I would GUESS that what I have in mind for the LONGRUN would be a group undertaking, but the startup would probably be a lot easier. Once again, I just don't know. I guess what I should be asking is... is there a programmer that would be willing to meet with me, sign a non-disclosure agreement, and advise me FOR FREE the extent of what I need. I don't think that is asking too much, as the most you have to lose is an hour or less of your day, and the POSSIBLE benefits exist."

In consulting, advice and "insight" are just as valuable and billable as "labor," if not more so. Good programmers are cynical because they've been around enough to see ideas and talk like this consistently fall flat. I understand you don't have a grasp of how much capital you would need to get your project off the ground, but if you don't have enough confidence in the profitability of your idea to be willing to pay for two hours of someone's time on the clock at a reasonable consulting rate brainstorming with you or speccing out a business plan, that's a strong signal that you don't have the wherewithal to make it happen even once you do have a better picture of what you need.

[Edited on December 13, 2009 at 4:13 PM. Reason : ]

12/13/2009 4:13:06 PM

^

Quote :

" the most you have to lose is an hour or less of your day, and the POSSIBLE benefits exist"

to try to explain it another way, i can buy a lottery ticket with an hours worth of wages too and POSSIBLE benefits exist. doesn't mean that's a wise investment of my time/money. not saying your idea is not worthwhile cus i don't know what it is, just trying to let you know what you're up against

12/13/2009 4:22:19 PM

in all likelihood, whatever you're considering you're going to need capitalization of 500k at minimum

12/13/2009 5:14:13 PM

I appreciate all the comments. I would no doubt pay for a dinner meeting, or at the least some drinks. I should have included that. Anyway, I didn't intend to come off as if this is a sure thing. If I thought that, I wouldn't be asking for advice. PM's will be sent to those who offered their help. Thank you.

500k to start with would change my investment strategy for sure, which is the whole reason for asking for some friendly pointers.

[Edited on December 13, 2009 at 6:45 PM. Reason : .]

12/13/2009 6:41:05 PM