Instead of making business cards, I bought small index cards. The first time ‘round, I carefully taped four or five together with chalkboard tape and then wrote on them with gold pen. Now I’m just using the index cards and black pen since the reaction to that in person’s been positive. What do you guys think? Are people just humoring me in person?

Depends heavily on the environment
In some circles I guess that would look unprofessional, a bit like using Comic Sans in a formal email; in others they'd applaud you for not using a standard thing and for having a more personal touch.

Analyse each target carefully and then decide whether or not to use this, I guess.

I would honestly go for a simple minimal printed card with clear presentation because that'd work everywhere, but then that's me.

@RememberMe or at least have some of both

Wondering the other side of card 😏

@hack Yes, it better have a url | email | phone number

@AmyShackles I think its cute 😊 I would love to get a bussiness card like this. That would make me smile 😊

Why would you be taping five together to make a card? Why not just use a heavier card stock?

@toriyuno Because the store I went to get them at only had one card stock for index cards? *shrug*. Now I don’t bother even taping them.

And what’s the point of business cards? What’s your actual use case?

@toriyuno “Fellow human who I have met in person, this is a list of ways to reach me should you wish to pursue continued interaction”

This is going to sound harsh but, this the best analogy I can think of: How would you feel if someone handed you a hand written resume on college lined 3 hole punched paper?

@toriyuno “Ah, human, I see you do not own a printer and you have taken the time to write out everything on your resume. This is impressive as it involved significantly more effort. I thank you for using legible penmanship.” But that’s me.

I love it and respect the effort!

my reaction

I'd love to get such a business card. I think it's really nice :)

I'll be amused by that. I think it'll make me remember you but the actual reaction (like/unlike) will also depend on my mood. The penmanship is super.

I also went through your website. If it's any indication of your actual interactions with people, there's a good chance that you don't have to worry about anything. You are enviably adept at presentation and this card is consistent with your brand.

Harsh, but if you'd went in for a job in a corporate environment, they'd laugh and show you the door.

As a fellow dev at a startup with a lot of younger people -- I love it. It's real, it has personality, I'd keep it on my desk. And I usually throw businesscards on the floor as soon as they are handed to me.

I'd personally go a step further for a next batch, maybe check out some calligraphy pens and make your name into a logo of sorts, use thick colored card stock, align the list on the back, maybe use some colors, or some lettering art stuff like you see on blackboard at hipster coffee places.

In my opinion, with all the characterless cold shit that floats around, this idea has a lot of potential!

I just give people whatever social network or IM handle they ask for... that's why I have like 20 IM apps on my phone... If I don't have what they are asking for (like a business only FB account) I give them my e-mail addresses.

If the recipient recognizes the style as intentional whimsy rather than a lack of effort, you're golden. If they don't, then you probably won't care.

@bittersweet Absolutely this.
Calligraphy and some design efforts will make this absolutely memorable, and therefore much more effective.

People that prefer the bland boring standard business cards are stuffy and unoriginal and awful; probably not someone you want to work with anyway.