Ask HN: Getting started, when there's no anonymous

4 points by shortimer 11 years ago | 10 comments

How do you get a foothold in this era of no one forgetting anything, ever? I have taken to heart all the advice about not posting Facebook pictures involving me doing keg stands, but I'm terrified of setting up anything on my domain or submitting any fixes on github because a few years from now, they will be ridiculous looking and show my humble beginnings.

Failing in the Valley has a certain prestige, but setting up an embarrassingly simple web page could permanently scar my reputation.

How do you get started without scarring your name?

davismwfl 11 years ago |

I don't think anyone starting out is scarring their reputation. Being new and an asshole will scar your reputation, but being new, humble and learning won't. You see if all the time on Stackoverflow and even here. If you ask a question and need some help, if you are humble and accept feedback to learn you are rarely every criticized. But if you are a douche you'll be called out quickly and rightfully.

I agree that the memory is basically never ending now, but you also have to realize most people will generally only judge you on your recent abilities, not something that transpired years ago, unless it is just so egregious that it can't be ignored. And everyone had to start somewhere, which I think almost everyone gets.

Lastly, don't let fear cripple you into not doing jumping in. Do it, and when you are wrong, just admit it and move on. The tech community while sometimes judgmental and even cruel in their comments is also probably the one place that really does value contributions over mistakes. And at least in my opinion if your contributions and attitude outweigh the mistakes people are really accepting.

shortimer 11 years ago | |

Ok...thanks, the balanced perspective of the community in looking at experience and mistakes is helpful. I can't imagine I'm the only one who feels this way, so I appreciate the feedback.

27182818284 11 years ago |

I'd put the stuff out there, and as you grow, save copies and such so that you can show the humble beginnings and have a laugh.

Everyone starts somewhere

WWW https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/comp.sys.next.announ...

Beginning of Amazon https://groups.google.com/forum/#!msg/mi.jobs/poXLCW8udK4/_G...

Larry Page asking for help while building a web crawler https://groups.google.com/forum/#!msg/comp.lang.java/aSPAJO0...

jimkri 11 years ago |

I know exactly how you feel. I just made my Github this semester, I am not a great coder and most of my code isn't that great. But I am so happy I put it up, it pushes me to improve both my code and my programming skills. Mostly because i know people will see it, but I do not care about that anymore. I just enjoy doing it.

Don't be afraid, everyone starts somewhere. Today you might not be the best, or tomorrow, but you will improve.

driverdan 11 years ago |

Stop overthinking it, no one cares if you make mistakes when you start. Just do stuff, make mistakes, improve, then do better stuff.

You're also placing far too much weight on your work being associated with your rep. When I was freelancing very few people actually looked at my work. Potential employers may look at your early work but the good ones will understand mistakes, especially if you can explain what you did wrong.

shortimer 11 years ago | |

Thanks for sharing the first-hand experience!

magikid 11 years ago |

You just go for it. Everyone starts somewhere.

shortimer 11 years ago | |

Thanks...agree that we all start somewhere, I'm just really anxious about starting on a global stage. Appreciate the response.

MalcolmDiggs 11 years ago |

Just claim that all your early work was done ironically. :)

But seriously: When you're getting started you're going to have a hard time getting noticed... getting anybody to check out your webpage or look at your code or respond to your pull requests. If they do look and give feedback then that's an opportunity to learn. Maximize your chances of getting these opportunities by putting yourself out there. It's an investment in your future.

throwaway751822 11 years ago |

Chances are, neither your reputation or your code will ever matter much to anyone. Just do what you want and don't worry about it.