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Congrats Dropbox

blog.ycombinator.com

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Re: Congrats Dropbox

#41
post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It pretty much is a standard part of the OS. iCloud, OneDrive, etc. It's the "non-proprietary" part you're not ever going to see. Someone has to pay for storage.

I think that GP's point was that a standard a la HTML or RSS should exist and be embraced by the OS. Something like Syncthing, I guess (just naming one of the first hits I got from searching, I haven't really kept up with what is being tried in this space). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syncthing

[deleted]

Re: Congrats Dropbox

#43
post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I could be wrong, but wouldn't VCs prefer some type of large acquisition, a la WhatsApp, as opposed to an IPO?

Why would there be a difference? They're both liquidity events.

Both parties have a lot more flexibility with M&A (this includes vested partners) — meaning private deals have far better conditions if the deal isn't a saving grace.

IPOs can have lengthy lock up periods and are generally much worse for leadership than acquisition (disclosure of personal information like compensation).

Re: Congrats Dropbox

#47
post #36
post #29

Incidentally, Drew's relationship with the HN community is even older than his relationship with Y Combinator. Two weeks before we interviewed Drew and Arash, Drew posted Dropbox to HN: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8863

> It does not seem very "viral" or income-generating. I know this is premature at this point, but without charging users for the service, is it reasonable to expect to make money off of this? lol

I'd love to hear from Drew on what pieces of advice from that ShowHN discussion actually affected their thinking for better/worse.

Re: Congrats Dropbox

#48

By the way Jessica, you told me that year that if one of us went public you'd do a keg stand. Just let me know in advance when that's going to happen so I can book a flight :)

Oh shit.

Re: Congrats Dropbox

#49
post #36
post #29

Incidentally, Drew's relationship with the HN community is even older than his relationship with Y Combinator. Two weeks before we interviewed Drew and Arash, Drew posted Dropbox to HN: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8863

> It does not seem very "viral" or income-generating. I know this is premature at this point, but without charging users for the service, is it reasonable to expect to make money off of this? lol

But they aren't profitable (and never were), right?
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