I would actually watch a reality show covering this. Watching them code, blaming each other over breaking builds, accusing each other of IP theft and so on.
Another interesting thing to think about is how patents come into the picture. Are they allowed to re-invent the wheel in their own world?
If they 'invent' an ipad-like device or another otherwise patented idea in "the real world," would it make people think about the absurdity of patents?
If anyone doesn't want to wait for this to get started to come hack on a tropical island, we're[1] hiring iOS/Android developers to come work on Mahe, Seychelles [2]. Flights on us, bonus points if you can start ASAP!
This looks really awesome. I did a company in Anguilla in the Caribbean during the 1990s crypto export ban period, and lived in Thailand for 6mo or so s couple years ago. A tropical place like that could be really great for a dev team forms while, although I think spending a few months a year back in centers of tech (us or asia or eu) would be really helpful.
Sort of thinking about a shared startup office in Hawaii for weeks or months with a team.
Hey, thanks! I just finished up six months in Thailand as a freelance dev myself, though in Bangkok mostly rather than an island. Seychelles is a nice change of pace :)
A few months back in civilization per year is probably a good idea. I'll make a note to try and do it -- probably the US is a little far, but Asia/EU is probably doable.
Even if it's just a quick-and-dirty list, or an appstore link, it would make a huge difference if the applicants had at least some idea about you.
Btw, for what timeframe are you looking for people? I don't think many people would want to live there for years. It would be fun for a few months, but I assume you wouldn't want to hire anyone not willing to commit for more.
Yeah, more information is coming. It'll be ready for the HN Who's Hiring thread in a few days -- I just saw this story pop up so I figured I'd link it in here too even though most of the site is still a placeholder.
Oh, and we're open to negotiation on timeframes -- though we wouldn't be looking to accept less than six months, ideally at least 12.
I've been to the Seychelles, my brother lives there now. I'm an iOS dev but don't touch Android, however if anyone else was thinking of applying, the place is even more beautiful than the pictures you'll see, do it.
The internet is unbearably slow for the next two weeks until the fiber to the mainland[1] comes online -- right now there's a 600ms satellite link, which is no fun. At the moment I've only got about 2-3mbit (though at least there's no data cap), but I'm hoping that'll improve drastically soon.
Visas are no problem. There's visa-free entry for any nationality, and we'll sort out new hires work permits once they get here.
And yeah, I really need to finish adding content to the website. Up until yesterday it was just a static splash page :)
Come to Puerto Rico. You don't need a Visa if USA citizen, most people speak English, and we have a booming tech business industry. There are also many awesome engineers looking to build the next big thing. For example, Mayan EDMS was built by a fellow puertorican. So is Blimp, and Hiptape.
Sign me up. I'm serious. I have actually always wondered why people don't go to tropical islands with their VC money. If I got the VC money, my company's office would be a wireless access point in a box next to a pool/beach with chairs, umbrellas and laptops.
Very impressed that this went from a one page cookie-cutter site, to a HN post, to 4K sign-ups, to a BBC article. Hopefully it is the start of something big -- if executed on well it could be very appealing.
I seriously hope for them they can manage to get air conditioning there. I can't get any serious work done without my AC and I currently live in a "humid subtropical climate" according to Wikipedia.
There will most likely be airco yeah, although I personally choose to not use it for environmental reasons. Here in Kuala Lumpur it's usually 30+ Celsius and 90%+ humidity, you get used to it :)
Another interesting thing to think about is how patents come into the picture. Are they allowed to re-invent the wheel in their own world?
If they 'invent' an ipad-like device or another otherwise patented idea in "the real world," would it make people think about the absurdity of patents?