Ask HN: As a one-man-show, how do you keep the server up if something happens

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40465848

by dagge • 2 years ago

2 6 2 years ago

news.ycombinator.com

I'm a single founder running a Saas. If something happens to me, how can I make sure my AWS instance stays up? Are there companies I can hire that will step in if I'm hit by a bus?

LewisVerstappen• 2 years ago

By "something happens to me", are you talking about a temporary absence (due to an illness or a vacation or something) or are you talking about the bus number (you get hit by a bus)?

dagge2• 2 years ago

I'm thinking about a scenario where I'm unable to use a computer or instruct another person for a longer time. (Perhaps infinity). (edited post)

figassis• 2 years ago

This is an odd question. The solution would be the opposite of a one man show. There are managed services providers and there are sysadmins you can hire for a specified number of maintenance/support hours.

dagge2• 2 years ago

I guess I'm looking for tips on companies offering such services.

bell-cot• 2 years ago

Bills can usually be auto-paid. For a while.

Pretty-routine technical stuff...maybe you really trust someone who has a similar one-man show, and could have a "cover each other's backs" agreement. Though that can get d*mn tricky pretty quick - say, when there's a tax return due, or your clients are asking what's going on.

Really good friends and family could try to cover for you, within their skills. But they may be too busy already with visiting you in the hospital & making medical decisions & maintaining your house & etc. etc. etc.

Especially for SaaS-type stuff - where your clients can't just hire some other lawn service, and your family can't just sell off the mowers - you need to have a real "worst case" plan, so that nobody's left SoL.

appplication• 2 years ago

Honestly? Let it go. It seems weird to me to worry about continued edge value to some random corps were you to meet an untimely demise.

I know that sounds dismissive, but really what is the point in continuing to drive marginal capitalistic value after you’re dead? If it’s to take care of family, the answer is a single member saas company is not a good vehicle for intergenerational investments/cash flow. In that case, work in exit/diversification plan and execute it while you’re still alive.

Ask HN: As a one-man-show, how do you keep the server up if something happens

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