Ask HN: How to find the right developer for the job?

1 pointsjoshuarr16y ago3 comments

Hey, I am a graphic designer and front end developer. I've tossed around some php and rails - enough to know that I should let other people do that. I often find myself in the unenviable position of having to hire programmers for contract based projects, and it feels like a shot in the dark as to whether or not I find a good one for the job when the time comes.

At the moment I am looking for a collaborator on a project that I am working on. The first stage is to design and develop a system for uploading photos of garments against a white wall that can remove the background from the image. We're trying to avoid flash, so I'm looking for someone who can chop out some crazy amazing java / javascript solution and integrate it into a php based cms. (Probably SilverStripe.)

I've been posting on twitter, but I haven't had a ton of luck luring in anything but agencies and outsourcers. And I've had bad luck in the past with formal job posts.

Anyone have any advice? I hate the idea of crowdsourcing sites like elance...

3 comments

3 comments · 2 top-level

jackfoxy16y ago· 1 in thread

Have you tried Craig’s List? I used to get good applicants in the Bay Area from there, but it’s been awhile. The last time I hired the economy was better and it was darned hard to find anyone I even wanted to interview. My best results have always been to entice someone I know away from their current position. The best people are already employed.

joshuarrOP16y ago

Yah, I've tried cl. Not too enthusiastic, for exactly the reason you mentioned.

dryicerx16y ago

Doing it Javascript, I am not sure if that's even possible. Java applets are... lets face it, not cool.

Since you already know php, doing it server-side using ImageMagick would definitely be a possibility.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse