Ask HN: What should I buy a "mentor" for a gift?

[brianmcdonough]

I want to buy a gift for a programmer who advised me as I learned rails and built www.lumeo.com over the past six months. It's kind of crazy, looking back now and the way things are going, and I want to show my appreciation. What would be a good gift?

[oboizt]

Does he have a lot of little knick-knacks in his workspace? If so, you could get some sort of geeky toy, like a usb rocket launcher. If not, get something edible so he doesn't have another thing sitting around.

[brianmcdonough → oboizt]

I've never met him and never skyped with him so I'm not sure, but that's a good, useful suggestion, the usb rocket launcher.

[brianmcdonough]

Thanks for the great suggestions. After some searching, I went with an indoor outdoor remote controlled helicopter and the message, "thanks for helping get Lumeo off the ground."

[subrat_rout]

It depends on your budget. Something like a good quality pen or a book wont hurt. But for book you have to ask him for his taste though.

[mb_72]

Perhaps some variant of a buckling spring / clicky / mechanical switched keyboard? It's a lifetime-lasting gift.

[staunch → mb_72]

I like this. I don't know a programmer that wouldn't appreciate a high quality keyboard, mouse, mousepad, chair, desk, monitor, speakers, headphones.

But..it can be tricky since people are so opinionated about these things.

[OafTobark → staunch]

Ones that already have the ideal setup are usually not looking for a replacement. It ideally would be something he would like but doesn't already have.

These type of things are only good if what he got needs replacing or there is a better product he's hesitant to upgrade to.

[brianmcdonough → mb_72]

This sounds really good. I'll look it up.