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Kevin Rose Will Join Google

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Re: Kevin Rose Will Join Google

#51
This is interesting news...I wonder if he will explain it.

In other news, does Kevin really own a piece of the Packers? http://twitter.com/#!/kevinrose/status/173532999881732096

Was that a joke or is that legit? Never knew his angel/digg/rev3 money was that large.

What did I miss?

Re: Kevin Rose Will Join Google

#52
It makes sense the more that I think about it. Rose has said on his podcast and in other interviews that he regrets that Digg raised so much money. They had to focus on revenue instead of building the product. I'm sure he's a little disappointed at Milk's success thus far too.

I guess he's possibly thinking that this will give him the opportunity build a huge product that he's always wanted without having to focus on the business side. If google is funding it, he doesn't have to work on raising money or increasing revenue. He'll also have hundreds of employees that can be thrown at his project.

I'll be interested to see what he's up to.

Re: Kevin Rose Will Join Google

#53

Sorry if this sounds harsh, and I know he has a lot of fans out there. But this guy struck gold 5 years ago with Digg. Sure, he deserves props for this. However, he's not a developer. He's an "ideas guy" as far as I can tell. As a developer, I hate these kinds of people because more often than not their ideas suck. In any case, what I am saying is that it seems like people in the industry get by based on one previous…

To quote pg: "A hacker who has learned what to make, and not just how to make, is extraordinarily powerful."

As a developer, it is frustrating to see fellow developers place too much importance on being able to code as a necessary ingredient for startup success.

As a hacker, I'd say that most hackers know how to make, but don't know what to make. That is to say, most startups from these type of hackers with the "if I build they will come"[1] mentality end up basically degenerating into non-profits or open-source (when their intent was to become the next big for-profit company).

To my fellow hardcore hackers. Please get over yourself and learn some non-technical skills: sales, marketing, design, product UI/UX, biz dev, getting distribution, negotiation skills, heck - some people skills! (this comment not withstanding since I'm frustrated with the comment above).

If you're going to look down on people who can't code, you should get out of your own comfort zone and do all those non-technical things I've just listed above first. Kevin Rose has a rolodex, which I'm sure has benefits to whatever his entrepreneurial venture is. You don't? Why not? Learn how to hustle.

Just because you can't code, doesn't mean you can't build a business - and vice versa - just because you can code, doesn't mean you can build a business.

/ end rant

[1] exception, not the rule

Re: Kevin Rose Will Join Google

#54
post #39

Sorry if this sounds harsh, and I know he has a lot of fans out there. But this guy struck gold 5 years ago with Digg. Sure, he deserves props for this. However, he's not a developer. He's an "ideas guy" as far as I can tell. As a developer, I hate these kinds of people because more often than not their ideas suck. In any case, what I am saying is that it seems like people in the industry get by based on one previous…

Obviously you forgot Kevin Rose's background..are you aware that in fact he is a developer? Look up his CS degree dude.. At least know about the effing subject before you open your effing mouth

A web developer does not outsource his pet project to someone else to code. He did not do any development on his projects. I've heard him talk about coding and he openly admits that he's been out of it for so long that he is no longer qualified on the subject.

About Digg's original code: http://blog.mixergy.com/pr-lies-destroy-your-understanding-o...

Re: Kevin Rose Will Join Google

#55

Sorry if this sounds harsh, and I know he has a lot of fans out there. But this guy struck gold 5 years ago with Digg. Sure, he deserves props for this. However, he's not a developer. He's an "ideas guy" as far as I can tell. As a developer, I hate these kinds of people because more often than not their ideas suck. In any case, what I am saying is that it seems like people in the industry get by based on one previous…

FWIW Diggnation could be considered a second, successful, project. I consider it fairly independent of Digg, as either of them could really have operated independently.

I would extend that to Revision3.

I'm not sure how successful they are financially but just based on the fact that they're still around with many many shows going, I'd guess they're doing just fine.

Re: Kevin Rose Will Join Google

#56

Sorry if this sounds harsh, and I know he has a lot of fans out there. But this guy struck gold 5 years ago with Digg. Sure, he deserves props for this. However, he's not a developer. He's an "ideas guy" as far as I can tell. As a developer, I hate these kinds of people because more often than not their ideas suck. In any case, what I am saying is that it seems like people in the industry get by based on one previous…

Alexis Ohanian isn't a developer, but he's one of the names behind reddit and hipmunk. I don't think anyone would argue he hasn't had a big role in either company's success. Clearly you can be a non-developer founder without being that "ideas guy".

Re: Kevin Rose Will Join Google

#58
post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Remember, digg failed because it alienated the users, attempted to wrap too much UI around the content; limiting the consumption rate, and pandering to media channels. To be fair, I think that was after Kevin left his role as CEO.

He was the CEO when Digg v4 was released and was one of the driving forces behind it. Digg v4 was the dagger that killed Digg.

Banning anyone who mentioned a certain number didn't help much either. Digg's policies were terrible long before v4 came out.

Edit: 09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0

Re: Kevin Rose Will Join Google

#59
post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Google doesn't have any engineering problems, that's for sure. They want Google+ to succeed (assuming that's what he'd be involved with), but I think it's fair to say the problems they're struggling with there are at the "idea/design" level as opposed to the actual codebase. Say what you want about Kevin Rose in terms of things he's created, but he does have a very good eye for great ideas, see early investments in F…

The other thing he's done well is engage his audience. If he can help Google+ become more engaging, more 'sticky', then he'll have done great. That's assuming he'll be working on that product.

Except the Digg redo (which he was a part of) drove users away, so if he ever actually HAD that touch, it is as likely he lost it as anything.

Re: Kevin Rose Will Join Google

#60
post #39

Sorry if this sounds harsh, and I know he has a lot of fans out there. But this guy struck gold 5 years ago with Digg. Sure, he deserves props for this. However, he's not a developer. He's an "ideas guy" as far as I can tell. As a developer, I hate these kinds of people because more often than not their ideas suck. In any case, what I am saying is that it seems like people in the industry get by based on one previous…

Obviously you forgot Kevin Rose's background..are you aware that in fact he is a developer? Look up his CS degree dude.. At least know about the effing subject before you open your effing mouth

Developing makes you a developer. I did a lot of math during my degree, but I never use it, and would in no way consider myself a mathematician because I've lost most of it.

Anyway, I quite like Kevin Rose from what I've seen. You need all types in the industry, not just technical people.

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