Ashoat

Comm | engineering | NYC onsite | https://comm.app | https://comm.page

We're a privacy startup based in NYC working on scaling E2E encryption with personal, private servers. Our first application is a federated Discord alternative targeted at crypto communities. Our biggest need right now is for an Infrastructure Lead that’s very experienced with Rust.

Infrastructure Lead - Rust - https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/comm/07697269-644c-4913-8ea0-60f7ee...

Comm's long-term goal is to build an alternative to the centralized application server model that dominates Web2. Sophisticated apps (like Discord) need a backend, but today those backends are controlled by corporations. Our solution is to replace the cloud with a network of personal, private application servers (we call them “keyservers”).

If this sounds interesting please reach out to ashoat@comm.app!

Comm | engineering | NYC onsite | https://comm.app | https://comm.page

We're a privacy startup based in NYC working on scaling E2E encryption with personal, private servers. Our first application is a federated Discord alternative targeted at crypto communities. Our biggest need right now is for an Infrastructure Lead that’s very experienced with Rust.

Infrastructure Lead - Rust - https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/comm/07697269-644c-4913-8ea0-60f7ee...

Comm's long-term goal is to build an alternative to the centralized application server model that dominates Web2. Sophisticated apps (like Discord) need a backend, but today those backends are controlled by corporations. Our solution is to replace the cloud with a network of personal, private application servers (we call them “keyservers”).

If this sounds interesting please reach out to ashoat@comm.app!

Comm | engineering | NYC onsite | https://comm.app | https://comm.page

We're a privacy startup based in NYC working on scaling E2E encryption with personal, private servers. Our first application is a federated Discord alternative targeted at crypto communities. Our biggest need right now is for an Infrastructure Lead that’s very experienced with Rust.

Infrastructure Lead - Rust - https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/comm/07697269-644c-4913-8ea0-60f7ee...

Comm's long-term goal is to build an alternative to the centralized application server model that dominates Web2. Sophisticated apps (like Discord) need a backend, but today those backends are controlled by corporations. Our solution is to replace the cloud with a network of personal, private application servers (we call them “keyservers”).

If this sounds interesting please reach out to ashoat@comm.app!

Comm | engineering | NYC onsite | https://comm.app | https://comm.page

We're a privacy startup based in NYC working on scaling E2E encryption with personal, private servers. Our first application is a federated Discord alternative targeted at crypto communities. Our biggest need right now is for an Infrastructure Lead that’s very experienced with Rust, as well as a Chief of Staff and a Product Designer.

Infrastructure Lead - Rust - https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/comm/07697269-644c-4913-8ea0-60f7ee...

Chief of Staff - https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/comm/662a0026-e2d6-4de8-8686-8981fd...

Product Designer - https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/comm/aa297615-4ed2-4137-b8b5-9de31e...

Comm's long-term goal is to build an alternative to the centralized application server model that dominates Web2. Sophisticated apps (like Discord) need a backend, but today those backends are controlled by corporations. Our solution is to replace the cloud with a network of personal, private application servers (we call them “keyservers”).

If this sounds interesting please reach out to ashoat@comm.app!

Comm | engineering | NYC onsite | https://comm.app | https://comm.page

We're a privacy startup based in NYC working on scaling E2E encryption with personal, private servers. Our first application is a federated Discord alternative targeted at crypto communities. Our biggest need right now is for an Infrastructure Lead that’s very experienced with Rust, as well as a Chief of Staff and a Product Designer.

Infrastructure Lead - Rust - https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/comm/07697269-644c-4913-8ea0-60f7ee...

Chief of Staff - https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/comm/662a0026-e2d6-4de8-8686-8981fd...

Product Designer - https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/comm/aa297615-4ed2-4137-b8b5-9de31e...

Comm's long-term goal is to build an alternative to the centralized application server model that dominates Web2. Sophisticated apps (like Discord) need a backend, but today those backends are controlled by corporations. Our solution is to replace the cloud with a network of personal, private application servers (we call them “keyservers”).

If this sounds interesting please reach out to ashoat@comm.app!

Comm | engineering | NYC onsite | https://comm.app | https://comm.page

We're a privacy startup based in NYC working on scaling E2E encryption with personal, private servers. Our first application is a federated Discord alternative targeted at crypto communities.

Our biggest needs right now are for an Infrastructure Lead that's very experienced with Rust, as well as a Chief of Staff and a Product Designer.

Infrastructure Lead - Rust - https://jobs.lever.co/comm-app/8008a38a-d616-4f48-8a63-e47c0...

Chief of Staff - https://jobs.lever.co/comm-app/1c388406-d77b-49b5-9f1d-e4703...

Product Designer - https://jobs.lever.co/comm-app/a39daf53-7cf9-4e6d-97ad-e1cfa...

Our stack includes Rust, Nix, React, React Native, gRPC, AWS, and Flowtype.

Comm's long-term goal is to build an alternative to the centralized application server model that dominates Web2. Sophisticated apps (like Discord) need a backend, but today those backends are controlled by corporations. Our solution is to replace the cloud with a network of personal, private application servers (we call them “keyservers”).

If this sounds interesting please reach out to ashoat@comm.app!

Comm | engineering | NYC onsite | https://comm.app | https://comm.page

We're a privacy startup based in NYC working on scaling E2E encryption with personal, private servers. Our first application is a federated Discord alternative targeted at crypto communities.

Our biggest needs right now are for an Infrastructure Lead that's very experienced with Rust, as well as a Product Designer.

Infrastructure Lead - Rust - https://jobs.lever.co/comm-app/8008a38a-d616-4f48-8a63-e47c0...

Product Designer - https://jobs.lever.co/comm-app/a39daf53-7cf9-4e6d-97ad-e1cfa...

Our stack includes Rust, Nix, React, React Native, gRPC, AWS, and Flowtype.

Comm's long-term goal is to build an alternative to the centralized application server model that dominates Web2. Sophisticated apps (like Discord) need a backend, but today those backends are controlled by corporations. Our solution is to replace the cloud with a network of personal, private application servers (we call them “keyservers”).

If this sounds interesting please reach out to ashoat@comm.app!

Comm | engineering | NYC onsite | https://comm.app | https://comm.page

We're a privacy startup based in NYC working on scaling E2E encryption with personal, private servers. Our first application is a federated Discord alternative targeted at crypto communities.

Our biggest need right now is for experienced Rust engineers. Our stack includes Rust, Nix, React, React Native, gRPC, AWS, and Flowtype.

Comm's long-term goal is to build an alternative to the centralized application server model that dominates Web2. Sophisticated apps (like Discord) need a backend, but today those backends are controlled by corporations. Our solution is to replace the cloud with a network of personal, private application servers (we call them “keyservers”).

Job descriptions available here: https://commapp.notion.site/Comm-open-positions-b0a4cef3f8b3...

If this sounds interesting please reach out to ashoat@comm.app!

Comm | engineering | NYC onsite | https://comm.app

We're a startup based in NYC working on a decentralized, self-hosted messaging platform for communities based on federated keyservers.

Our long-term goal is to build an alternative to the centralized application server model that dominates Web2. Sophisticated apps (like Discord) need a backend, but today those backends are controlled by corporations. Our solution is to replace the cloud with a network of personal, private application servers (we call them “keyservers”).

We’re looking to hire a designer and several engineers. Benefits include comprehensive health insurance, 401K match, on-site lunches, free MacBook Pro, and great team culture. Compensation is very competitive, especially for a startup.

We recently signed the term sheet for our $5m seed round led by CoinFund, which will bring our total funding up to $7m. We've previously raised from over 60 investors, including VC firms such as Slow Ventures, Electric Capital, Eniac Ventures, and scouts from Sequoia, Lightspeed, Index, and others.

We have a very strong team of 10 devs actively contributing to our codebase, including 5 here in NYC. Our tech stack includes modern React, React Native, C++, Rust, and AWS.

Job descriptions are available at http://comm.careers. You can learn more about us at http://comm.page.

If this sounds interesting please reach out to ashoat@comm.app.

We're basically working on this at Comm: https://github.com/CommE2E/comm

Comm | engineering | NYC onsite | https://comm.app

We're a startup based in NYC working on a decentralized, self-hosted messaging platform for communities based on federated keyservers.

Our long-term goal is to build an alternative to the centralized application server model that dominates Web2. Sophisticated apps (like Discord) need a backend, but today those backends are controlled by corporations. Our solution is to replace the cloud with a network of personal, private application servers (we call them “keyservers”).

We’re looking to hire a designer and several engineers. Benefits include comprehensive health insurance, 401K match, on-site lunches, free MacBook Pro, and great team culture. Compensation is very competitive, especially for a startup.

We recently signed the term sheet for our $5m seed round led by CoinFund, which will bring our total funding up to $7m. We've previously raised from over 60 investors, including VC firms such as Slow Ventures, Electric Capital, Eniac Ventures, and scouts from Sequoia, Lightspeed, Index, and others.

We have a very strong team of 10 devs actively contributing to our codebase, including 5 here in NYC. Our tech stack includes modern React, React Native, C++, Rust, and AWS.

Job descriptions are available at http://comm.careers. You can learn more about us at http://comm.page.

If this sounds interesting please reach out to ashoat@comm.app.

Comm | engineering | NYC onsite | https://comm.app

We're a startup based in NYC working on a Web3 Discord alternative. Comm is crypto-native messaging based on federated keyservers.

Our long-term goal is to build an alternative to the centralized application server model that dominates Web2. Sophisticated apps (like Discord) need a backend, but today those backends are controlled by corporations. Our solution is to replace the cloud with a network of personal, private application servers (we call them “keyservers”).

I starting working on Comm last year. I’m a programmer by trade and previously worked at FB for 5 years. We currently have 10 devs actively contributing to our codebase, including 5 here in NYC.

We raised some money last year from some big names and are closing our seed round this month!

Job descriptions available here: https://comm.careers

If this sounds interesting please reach out to ashoat@comm.app!

Comm | engineering | NYC onsite | https://comm.app

We're a startup based in NYC working on a Web3 Discord alternative. Comm is crypto-native messaging based on federated keyservers.

Our long-term goal is to build an alternative to the centralized application server model that dominates Web2. Sophisticated apps (like Discord) need a backend, but today those backends are controlled by corporations. Our solution is to replace the cloud with a network of personal, private application servers (we call them “keyservers”).

I starting working on Comm earlier this year. I’m a programmer by trade and previously worked at FB for 5 years. We currently have 10 devs actively contributing to our codebase, including 5 here in NYC.

We raised a small pre-seed round in February from some big names and are looking to raise our seed in the next 4 months.

Job descriptions available here: https://comm.careers

If this sounds interesting please reach out to ashoat@comm.app!

Comm | engineering | NYC onsite | https://comm.app

We're a startup based in NYC working on a Web3 Discord alternative. Comm is crypto-native messaging based on federated keyservers.

Our long-term goal is to build an alternative to the centralized application server model that dominates Web2. Sophisticated apps (like Discord) need a backend, but today those backends are controlled by corporations. Our solution is to replace the cloud with a network of personal, private application servers (we call them “keyservers”).

I starting working on Comm earlier this year. I’m a programmer by trade and previously worked at FB for 5 years. We currently have 10 devs actively contributing to our codebase, including 5 here in NYC.

We raised a small pre-seed round in February from some big names and are looking to raise our seed in the next 4 months.

Job descriptions available here: https://commapp.notion.site/We-re-hiring-b0a4cef3f8b34b8c91e...

If this sounds interesting please reach out to ashoat@comm.app!

Comm | engineering | NYC onsite | https://comm.app

We're a startup based in NYC working on a Web3 Discord alternative. Comm is crypto-native messaging based on federated keyservers.

Our long-term goal is to build an alternative to the centralized application server model that dominates Web2. Sophisticated apps (like Discord) need a backend, but today those backends are controlled by corporations. Our solution is to replace the cloud with a network of personal, private application servers (we call them “keyservers”).

I starting working on Comm earlier this year. I’m a programmer by trade and previously worked at FB for 5 years. We currently have 9 devs actively contributing to our codebase, including three here in NYC.

We raised a small pre-seed round in February from some big names and are looking to raise our seed in the next 4 months.

Job descriptions available here: https://commapp.notion.site/We-re-hiring-b0a4cef3f8b34b8c91e...

If this sounds interesting please reach out to ashoat@comm.app!

Comm | engineering | NYC onsite | https://comm.app

E2E encryption in 2021 is mostly limited to simple chat apps. Since there’s no way to implement a robust server layer with plaintext access, things like search, backup, and ranking are way harder to get right.

Our solution is to replace the cloud with a network of personal, private servers (we call them “keyservers”).

We’re starting out by building an E2E-encrypted, self-hosted Discord alternative. The goal is to grow out an install base of keyservers before we flip this thing into a platform.

I starting working on Comm earlier this year. I’m a programmer by trade and previously worked at FB for 5 years. We currently have two folks out in NYC (including myself) and are working with a team out in Poland.

We raised a small pre-seed round in February, and are looking to prove out our ideas and hire the founding team before we raise our seed round.

Job descriptions available here: https://www.notion.so/commapp/We-re-hiring-b0a4cef3f8b34b8c9...

If this sounds interesting please reach out to ashoat@comm.app!

Comm | engineering | NYC onsite | https://comm.app

E2E encryption in 2021 is mostly limited to simple chat apps. Since there’s no way to implement a robust server layer with plaintext access, things like search, backup, and ranking are way harder to get right.

Our solution is to replace the cloud with a network of personal, private servers (we call them “keyservers”).

We’re starting out by building an E2E-encrypted, self-hosted Discord alternative. The goal is to grow out an install base of keyservers before we flip this thing into a platform.

I starting working on Comm earlier this year. I’m a programmer by trade and previously worked at FB for 5 years. We currently have two folks out in NYC (including myself) and are working with a team out in Poland.

We raised a small pre-seed round in February, and are looking to prove out our ideas and hire the founding team before we raise our seed round.

Job descriptions available here: https://commapp.notion.site/We-re-hiring-b0a4cef3f8b34b8c91e...

If this sounds interesting please reach out to ashoat@comm.app!

Comm | engineering | NYC onsite | https://comm.app

E2E encryption in 2021 is mostly limited to simple chat apps. Since there’s no way to implement a robust server layer with plaintext access, things like search, backup, and ranking are way harder to get right.

Our solution is to replace the cloud with a network of personal, private servers (we call them “keyservers”).

We’re starting out by building an E2E-encrypted, self-hosted Discord alternative. The goal is to grow out an install base of keyservers before we flip this thing into a platform.

I starting working on Comm earlier this year. I’m a programmer by trade and previously worked at FB for 5 years. We currently have two folks out in NYC (including myself) and are working with a team out in Poland.

We raised a small pre-seed round in February, and are looking to prove out our ideas and hire the founding team before we raise our seed round.

Job descriptions available here: https://commapp.notion.site/We-re-hiring-b0a4cef3f8b34b8c91e...

If this sounds interesting please reach out to ashoat@comm.app!

This article touches on the core issue holding back E2E encryption today. There's currently no way for a sophisticated application to implement E2E encryption without accepting tradeoffs in terms of the product.

I'm working on starting a new company called Comm and we're trying to scale E2E. Some more context here: https://site.ashoat.com/comm/comm

(We're currently hiring!!)

My understanding is that WhatsApp backups are plaintext. It's true that Apple/Google can't recover your WhatsApp account with just the plaintext, but I believe they can read the messages.

Don't worry, I promise we're actually homies ;)

We talked it through and he removed the part that bothered me. I'm actually gonna hang out with him tonight...

"which merges two sorted arrays without allocating any additional memory. Aside from having no real-world value, it's not actually possible, and his solution code clobbered most of the data in the first array."

This is referring to me.

The author has misrepresented the truth.

(1) The problem does not state that you may not allocate additional memory; only that the memory allocated must be constant relative to the size of your input.

(2) Given #1, this problem is absolutely possible.

(3) The problem explicitly asks you to merge the two arrays "in place". If by "clobbered" you mean changed, then that means that by definition one of the arrays will be "clobbered". We can certainly have a separate conversation about whether modifying structures in place is a good coding practice, but it is generally more efficient and highly widespread in non-functional languages.

I'm sure it wasn't purposeful, but I'm disappointed that the author misrepresented our conversation to make a point. Separately:

(4) This problem is extremely applicable to real-life programming IMHO. It does not use any esoteric data structures. It does not use any complicated algorithms. All you need to do is iterate through two arrays at the same time. A great majority of candidates have solved this problem.

In general I agree with this post's thesis. Facebook's general philosophy with interviews is to allow each interviewer to ask whatever questions they want, and the consequence is a variance in the type of questions getting asked. However, based on internal conversations I know that Facebook is trying to move away from "puzzle" questions by explicitly "retiring" a number of questions that we consider to be unproductive.

I'm a Facebook engineer and I definitely feel that Facebook is willing to take those 5% chances. Heck, one of Facebook's mottos is "Be Bold".

As an intern, I started a project on my second day at a Hackathon that had absolutely nothing to do with my assigned team. I ended up devoting the second half of my internship to that project and by the end of the year I took an offer as a full-time engineer at Facebook, still working on that same project that I had kicked off on my second day.

I'm not here to say Facebook is way better than Google; I think they're both amazing companies. But the idea that Facebook isn't willing to take crazy chances definitely contradicts my experience at the company.

Honestly, I'm failing to see how G+ is a "creature of vision". Sure, it has a couple new and unique features - circles, chat, etc. But most of it is a direct copy of Facebook! Profile and feed are two examples where Facebook has innovated to establish itself as a strong identity provider, and G+ blatantly copied those features.

I'm not blaming Google for doing that. In fact, were I in their position I would be doing the exact same thing. But it's silly to claim that Facebook doesn't innovate. I'm not sure if people are just so used to ideas like the News Feed that they don't see it, but a couple years ago Facebook created that feature and it led to an explosion of social communication on their site.

It's also worth pointing out that Facebook's mission statement is "to make the world more open and connected". If you look at their products from that perspective, I think they start more like "Win!" and less like "Fail!"