Try using Django (Python) for a little while. You'll get exposed to everything you mentioned because the Django core is feature rich. There's a lot of support for Django—it's battle-tested and used by a large community of Python developers. Out of the box, Django is a lot heavier than something like Tornado or Pyramid, but if your goal is to work with a widely used framework with lots of backend features to learn, I'd choose Django.
I'm surrounded by the people we read material from, the guys who write it all. I try to learn everything I can from them. I'm just hoping I can express a level of competence that enables me to keep my position. The longer I can keep it, the more I'll learn, the better I'll be a year from now and after.
Can't complain. Great company. Constantly wondering if I'm good enough to keep my job, though. I'm trying to prepare for that day I'm told, "Let's talk. We like you a lot, but we've decided to let you go. If you need referrals, let us know." I mean, everyone says I'm doing well. I just don't feel it, so I work a lot more than I probably should, and I'm always ridiculously paranoid. I'd say I'm happy but I'm worried. I bet it's more common a combination of feelings than I think. The funny thing is that the company is full of really nice managers who keep it honest (as far as I know), and would tell me if I'm under-performing. I'd hope so, at least. So I guess so far, so good.
It doesn't sound like you're describing top developers. Instead, you're describing really good script kiddies. The top developers are great problem solvers and, in my experience, are really good at remembering details and knowing when to apply those details.
Getting things done is huge, but grace takes a little more than the "get things done" mindset. Being a top developer is being a really good painter. Anyone can paint by numbers or look at a painting of a rainbow and take lots of time to copy it. But, not just anyone can paint the same rainbow without any such guidance. Both types of painters come out with the same result, but one did it employing techniques that may have been hard to come by and can't be taught. The painter who doesn't need said guidance is probably more valuable than their counterpart because the painter needs the least resources.
No (well, probably), but there's you going to the bar yourself and watching them sign up, then paying for the cheap beer (hopefully ~$1 beer). Personal interaction will probably be a lot better for understanding your potential user base, too. I certainly don't feel close to the CEO/founders of "Claim It!" even though sign-ups have been incentivized with goods (like the beer I suggested buying at the bar). This is client acquisition and research and should be treated as such -- utilizing some super-abstract such as an app (as you asked for).
Go to a sports bar. Offer to buy beer (should not be very expensive) for those who get one other member to sign up with them. Pay for 50 beers, get 100 members. Plus, you might get feedback related to the site instantly (in person). That's hustling, in my opinion.
I politely declined their offer based on a lot of thought and a lot of consideration of your answers -- thank you all.
They texted me, asking for a decision. I texted back, letting them know that I'll pass but that I'll meet with them once a week for a little while to help them refine their MVP so they can communicate it to a developer. I figured it was a friendly offering of my expertise. I told them to feel free to utilize me in that regard if they'd like.
Instead of identifying the friendliness, one replied telling me that I'm either fully in or I'm out, implying that my offer was too half-assed for them. I was clear in saying that I passed on their offer to be one of their founders, so I didn't really understand what he wasn't clear on -- I plainly offered to help them refine their MVP strictly so they can execute as seamlessly as they could once in contact with another developer. I told them that when I received his response.
The other still hasn't said anything. And the one who initially responded hasn't replied to my last message. I'm assuming they're mad, although, that's not a very friendly way to reply, even after being rejected.
Now, I'm really glad I decided not to take on the role.
I never verified that they paid the graphic designer, but they told me they did (I took their word for it).
They didn't show me anything as far as validating the idea; nothing shown towards funding efforts (just, "I have people in my phone I can call right now for funds."), nothing towards user acquisition (I asked about their plan; one involved marketing against a hit movie's release).
No buy-sell agreement.
Not exactly sure what the electrical engineer is afraid of in terms of learning how to write code on his own in order to develop at least the alpha of this. He just told me, "It's not my thing." The other guy said something similar. Both said they're willing to learn but that it'd take them a really long time and that, essentially, because I already know how to do it, they called on me.
So far, they showed me video mockups of what they want built (they paid a graphic designer).
One of the big yellow flags to me was that they would be idea guys. They told me that they're willing to learn how to code, but considering they don't have super technical backgrounds (one is an electrical engineer, so he'd have the best chance at learning), they probably wouldn't be of aid in the interim.
Considering the other comments, I'm not sure it'll be worth spending the month with them, although, that's definitely a cool suggestion. I'm just going to pass and work really hard on the projects I'm going to launch this year. If their app idea happens to work and change the world, I missed out -- it happens (aggooonnnnnyyy -- hahaha).
They don't have any money at this point, so getting compensated is definitely out of the question. Their promise of having the ability to attain funding is not solid as far as know (for certain), so I can't particularly go by that.
I'm not very impressed by the idea. It's an okay idea, but nothing super inventive.
Your second point definitely strikes a nerve, because I keep thinking about that. They came up with mockups. I'm not sure if that's where their work stops - aside from making phone calls and throwing around ideas. I have their best interest in mind as well as mine, but I don't know if they're splitting up the equity in proportion with how much work I'd have to do to make their idea a reality.
So, I think they actually do suit what you're painting as ideal partners. I used to go to one's parties back in college. He's working his way up in his field and doing well -- he's a hustler, which is something I can appreciate. We all come from the same place (let's just say we're definitely not rich and we definitely always had to worry about getting robbed and/or killed going home from work/school growing up). The tenacity is there.
But they're talking 5 years of commitment. Tech experience isn't something they have, but I know that at least one has entrepreneurial experience (just hasn't exited or anything). Again, he hustles.
Definitely talk about yachts and painting the picture of there being far less in our lives than there "will" be after building this app.
Plainly put and well put. They sold the dream, mentioning to me that we can change our lives, buy Patek timepieces, get boats and finally meet Kanye West. At the end of the day, it'll be a major time investment for me and I don't see how 4 to 5 hours a week would be sufficient any any business situation, especially when it comes to tech (although, I would love to only have to invest that much time into anything and change mankind).
It'll really come down to me doing a lot of development between now and October, including managing another developer if they stay true to their word and get another developer to help out.
And no, they haven't already exited or anything of that nature. Not yet. Ambitious friends of mine, though.