Ask HN: Attending a hackathon weekend as a non-tech?
Would you attend a weekend hackathon or startup event etc as a non-technical person? What minimum level of skills and experience would avoid you being laughed out of the venue?
3 comments
Yes. If you want to go then go.
I've been to startup weekend and can say there is a good mix of people of all levels and backgrounds. When it comes to teams join one for the idea or for the people. That's about it.
I've been to startup weekend and can say there is a good mix of people of all levels and backgrounds. When it comes to teams join one for the idea or for the people. That's about it.
"laughed" out of the venue? what? that doesn't even make sense. have you ever been to a hackathon? I've definitely had non-techie friends have a great time attending events with me.
Laughed out = not taken seriously because won't be coding, don't own a serious laptop, haven't worked in the tech industry as a developer/marketer/product developer.
For people with a non startup background, who have never attended a hackathon, should they attend to learn new things, add a different perspective to a team, network?
What is the general experience like?
For people with a non startup background, who have never attended a hackathon, should they attend to learn new things, add a different perspective to a team, network?
What is the general experience like?
You would find it very rewarding and insightful!
We're genuinely quite friendly people, us hackers - we should make you feel welcome :)
Have a beer or two with some of the guys and walk around to see what people are working on - most people will be more than happy to show you their hack!
We're genuinely quite friendly people, us hackers - we should make you feel welcome :)
Have a beer or two with some of the guys and walk around to see what people are working on - most people will be more than happy to show you their hack!
That sounds positive. For team events, what contributions would coders want from non coders?
For example, a startup weekend planning, project management, testing, design, marketing, pitching? I assume you don't just sit around looking over peoples shoulders for two days?
For example, a startup weekend planning, project management, testing, design, marketing, pitching? I assume you don't just sit around looking over peoples shoulders for two days?
Sorry to hijack but I have always wondered this question myself I am a developer just a newbie one. I've always wanted to attend a startup weekend I know enough to be dangerous and I do work as a freelance front end dev but I am certainly no CS major ninja programmer.
Would I look like a fool if I attended a startup weekend?
Would I look like a fool if I attended a startup weekend?
"Stay hungry. Stay foolish."
-- Steve Jobs
-- Steve Jobs