Alexander’s Blog – The Making of LetMeGo

Are you really good at coding? Do you want to be part of the world-wide Internet revolution? Do you want to earn COP$30,000,000 for 90 days of hard work, plus stock options?

Summary

LetMeGo is an Internet startup that will offer travelers a new way of booking lodgings. The project is being lead by me, Alex Torrenegra, from New York City. I have co-founded four other Internet companies, including the highly successful and profitable Voice123.com and Torrenegra Labs. We are looking for VERY good developers in Bogota, Colombia to help us complete the coding of LetMeGo.com and DejameIr.com. You would be part of our “Development Immersion” effort. This means that the development team, including you and me, will live together and code from the moment we wake up to the moment we fall sleep in sessions of 12 days and for a total of 90 days. In exchange, you will get COP$30,000,000, stock options that will allow you to be owner of a share of LetMeGo… oh… and free unlimited food and Red Bull.

If interested, please keep on reading. Here we describe the job, schedule, why we are doing such a crazy thing, payment, benefits, requirements, how to apply, and more info about LetMeGo and the Torrenegra Group.

Job Description

• You would be responsible for developing part of LetMeGo.com.
• You would be part of a development team that will consist of five to seven people.
• Coding is being done using the CakePHP framework.
• We will use the Rrapido Methodology (a custom version of agile development).
• You will have to code using test-driven development techniques (heavy use of unit testing).
• LetMeGo is being developed using a rich service oriented architecture.
• Everything you code has been already documented using detailed use cases and wireframes. This will reduce your anxiety level.
• You will be lead directly by me, Alex Torrenegra, one of the founders of the project.

Schedule

• Coding will be done from the moment we wake up, until the moment we fall sleep.
• This effort will start February 23, 2009 and will finish June 6th, 2009.
• 90 days of work.
• Each two weeks there will be a weekend of rest when you can leave on Friday night (7 PM). and come back on Monday (7 AM).
• There will be special long break for Holy Week (Semana Santa) starting on Wednesday, April 8th (at 7PM) and finishing four days and half later on Monday, April 11th (at 7 AM).

Why Are We Doing Such a Crazy Thing?

Because of timing, fun, and passion. I recently wrote an article about this type of “development in residence”. You can read it here.

Payment

Payment Details for people that do not currently work at the Torrenegra Group:

• COP$30,000,000 + stock option bonus equivalent to 0.2% of LetMeGo + benefits described below.
• You will get paid as a contractor.
• COP$6,000,000 on day 30 of coding.
• COP$6,000,000 on day 60 of coding.
• COP$18,000,000 on day 90 of coding.
• There is no partial payment plan for those who quit or get fired before day 90 of coding is reached.

Payment Details for People that do currently work at the Torrenegra Group:

• Your current salary + COP$20,000,000 + 10 days of extra vacation time + stock option bonus equivalent to 0.2% of LetMeGo + benefits described below.
• You will get paid your current salary as usual.
• COP$20,000,000 on day 90.
• If you quit or get fired before day 90 of coding is reached, you won’t get paid the COP$20,000,000.
• If you already have a stock option agreement with LetMeGo, the time requirement will be reduced by six months

Stock Option Details:

• The stock option bonus will be effective if LetMeGo.com reaches beta before June 6th.
• Your gain out of the stock options will depend on the value of LetMeGo as a business. If we are highly successful and one day become as large as Expedia currently is, your stock options will be making you approximately USD 4 million before taxes. Of course, this is a big ‘IF’. Most Internet startups will fail. We have a good success record, though.

Benefits

• The work environment (probably a three bedroom apartment) will be comfortable. The sleeping area will be separate from the working and eating area.
• Unlimited food and beverages, including of course Red Bull and coffee.
• If interested, we will offer you healthy and balanced food.
• We will wash your clothes.
• The work and living environment will be kept clean for you.
• Massages, pedicure, and manicure on the weekends.
• You will work alongside some of the best developers you have ever met.

Requirements

• You need to be a very good coder. Seriously.
• Obviously, your English skills should be very good.
• You must be willing to live and cope with other developers during those 90 days. I know this is not going to be easy, but some of us already know each other for years. We know how to have fun (legally).
• You need to be able to focus in full on this project. You won’t be able to work in any other project during those 90 days.
• We may limit, and in some cases don’t allow, certain types of communication with the outside world. For example, we may opt to block Facebook, chats, and cellphone use.
• Be open and flexible to rules that may be set while the project is happening. Any rule, of course, will respect your integrity as human and professional.
• You must take a shower every day!

How to Apply

We have designed an application process, so that even if you don’t get the job, you will be have plenty of fun applying. Here is what you have to do:

Using CakePHP, jQuery and unit testing, create a web app for the following “semi” use case:

Main Scenario:
1. System asks user to provide the id’s of the three twitter accounts.
2. User provides the three twitter IDs.
3. System pulls the recent twitter updates from twitter for the three accounts (using the twitter API).
4. System displays to the user a list of the updates order chronologically.
5. User asks system to refresh the updates.
6. Use case continues at step 3.

Note: The page should never be refreshed in full. All the information should be updated on the screen using jQuery (AJAX).

Once you complete this web app, please send an email message to jobs [at] letmego [dot] com with the following information:

• Your name
• Phone number
• Link to the web app
• Link to the page that shows the unit tests running
• Link to your resume in LinkedIn.com

If you want to get some extra points, you can also create selenium tests (using the Firefox plugin) that automatically test your web app. If so, please also include a link to the page where the selenium tests can be downloaded.

The deadline for submitting your application is February 8th, 2009.

About LetMeGo

LetMeGo is an Internet startup that will offer travelers a new way of booking lodgings. The actual business plan is a secret for now. LetMeGo is being funded by the Torrenegra Group and lead by me, Alexander Torrenegra. I am based out of New York City. I keep a blog where I am documenting the making of LetMeGo. You can read it at http://www.letmego.com/ – The development team is based in Bogota, Colombia.

About Torrenegra Labs
Torrenegra Labs creates and invests in driven, enthusiastic and people-oriented companies that develop ground-breaking online technologies and leading-edge business models. We are motivated by our expertise, imaginations and hard work ethic to ensure dreams come true in a creative and sustainable way. Our business is to make others lives easier through technology.. Learn more at http://torrenegralabs.com/

Alexander Torrenegra