Where do non-dev founders get quick code advice?
As a design-centric hacker I use as many no-code tools as I can to build stuff out. However, I constantly get stuck on small tech issues that stop me from being productive and building out what I need. I wish there was a service where I could ask a developer a question and pay a small fee for the advice - this would save me hours in lost productivity and help me build faster.
I could use Fiverr or other developer marketplaces but the time it takes to search for an appropriate person, write a brief, wait, evaluate, commission, implement and review is too long. In most situations all I need is a snippet of code to plug into a no-code tool. I've searched, but not found anything suitable.
What do fellow non-developer IH's use when they need tech help in a pinch?
As a developer-centric hacker, feel free to connect with me and run questions past me. I'm not going to promise anything, but
As an example, this morning Apple rejected my app update because they want a version of my logo that's a circle for Apple Watch. Turning my logo into a circle was perhaps the biggest challenge of developing the app so far :)
Awesome. Thanks @waprin
That's a great idea - design advice for code advice - could be an interesting side hack.
DM me with your apple-design issue, and i'll do the same with my dev issue :)
Hi Bill!! I'd love to invite you to connect with designers on Geeks and Experts. For instance, if you're looking for a UI/UX designer or someone to bounce off ideas from a creative lens, you can schedule a free session with VB.
cool ill check it out
Hi Kain, interesting. If you were to use such a service, would you want it to be in real time, or your could wait for an email reply?
One option is https://www.codementor.io, which I have tried as a coder to help other people. It is not so good to use as the mentor, simply because you are being paid for an hour here and there, and average or below average rates with probably an hour of question fielding per hour worked, and taking into account freelancing should pay double, you are getting a quarter of what you should! At least in well paying countries.
That said as someone looking for help it might be quite good.
Great reply and insight into what you've experienced.
Ideally, it would be great to have a real-time conversation with a developer to problem solve on the spot. If it was a back-and-forth process (as you described) it would be less valuable for both parties. In an ideal world you'd be paying per hour of someone's time, which you would hope, would speed things up for both parties and allow freelance developers to not have their time wasted :)
I checked out Codementor but it appears to be structured to help developers get additional mentoring, rather than a designer (like me) who needs something in a pinch.
Hey MC! Curious to know what you'd think about the quick knowledge as a service that we are working towards at Geeks and Experts
I like the idea! My main pain with any of these things, as a developer, is coding is such a wide thing these day. I have used React but not Storybook for example, or MobX say now you get even beginners needing help and they already know more than me because at work I may have been more backend focused. So the problem is in not being able to help as much as I would like, and not being a fit for many things because I am using older tech at work. I think for non technical subjects it is fine, or for technical help for someone not technical it is fine. It is when devs are helping devs I find it hard as I can’t necessarily help.
Got it! That is super helpful feedback. We are still exploring which avenues this tool will be most helpful and so far it seems like early-stage founders are looking for idea validation feedback, UI/UX reviews, nocode assistance, and such. Hoping to find a niche that we can narrow further into. Thanks again for your inputs :)
chatgpt
lol. yeah, chatgpt is good to a point but it's usually the last step of trying to get the code working as intended. :)
I totally resonate with your issue. That's exactly why I built alight motion apksso that you can directly ask someone for these snippets of information instead of reading long blogs or watching lengthy videos.
https://alightmotionapkiz.com/alight-motion-mod-apk-for-ios/
Good question, as an early stage entrepreneur, here's what I do.
Great response @Alex0 - it pretty much sums up my process too.
I hire agencies who have coding abilities, but more importantly, they ask good questions. Most developers and agencies will say that they can do/code anything. While that may be true, it's not the point. They have to code with purpose.
I'm doing this now with GapScout (hired an agency), and my last business I did the same (later hired my own internal dev team).
Good advice, especially if you're looking for someone to partner across the whole project. I can never tell how good an agencies code is by looking at their portfolio, mostly because i'm swayed by the design. If it doesn't have a good UX then i'm assuming the code underneath is just as bad - yes, i'm judging a "book by it's cover".
That's a great idea - design advice for code advice - could be an interesting side hack. Visit our website<a href="https://alightmotionapkiz.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" window="_blank">alight motion </a>
Hey Kain!
I totally resonate with your issue. That's exactly why I build Geeks and Experts so that you can directly ask someone these snippets of information instead of reading long blogs or watching lengthy videos.
In fact, we have some amazing no-code developers on the platform including:
Katt from no code exits.
Swapnil is a nocode specialist.
No subscription fees or sign-ups, just book a 1:1 session as per your convenience.
As a developer who enjoys connecting with and helping other people, I would gladly answer your questions (even if it's not as a "service"). I find strength in looking at the little contributions I could make in others so I can cheerfully say, "I'm glad that helps." In order words, feel free to connect with me and I'll be glad to help.
That's very generous of you and one of the things I love about this community. :)
@Hiredgo0on, it's a pleasure. I'm available on Telegram https://t.me/prodbyola or LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/prodbyola. Let me know how I can be useful.