71–80 of 146 posts
So... how about open-sourcing Sparrow? Seems like that would solve a big part of the problem, no? Wonder if Google would let that happen.
As much as the talent behind software drove the acquisition, Sparrow also had some very solid, semi-innovative features and a sophisticated IMAP engine that are now valuable technical/IP properties for Google. I would be very surprised if they open-sourced anything from this acquisition.
I'm the author of the popular Mac Instagram Client "InstaDesk" ( http://www.instadesk-app.com ) and I can only confirm this. The reason why I started this whole thing was because I was fed up with working in corporations and not being able to control my life. Now I can enjoy the sun during the day, outside, sitting at a lake, and work late into the evening - or vice versa work at the lake. Even if a huge corporation…
Guess what money buys?
The only problem (in this context) is that it has to be a fairly large amount of money, and all in one chunk. Seriously, if Facebook offered you $10MM for instadesk, under the condition that you'd have to work for them for one year, you'd turn that down? No way. You'd be silly not to take it, because you could put in your one year and then be free for (basically) ever.
I don't understand the point of talent acquisitions. Couldn't you spend half the amount of money you would have buying the company just giving the developers enormous signing bonuses to come work for you? Why buy out the original investors in the target company when it's the developers you want?
And you get the IP as well, which is nice. In some cases you're consolidating power and shutting down competitors. It makes a lot of sense in some situations.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
I think almost every company would have to have such a banner. Everyone has a price. Even Marco ("and they didn’t want to pay enough"). Some prices are higher than 'the market' wants to pay right now but that doesn't mean there isn't one.
Yep. If I offered Marco $500MM with the sole condition that I could take the Instapaper source code and live stream my burning it with a blowtorch, I think we can safely say he'd take the money.
But who knows, along comes Microsoft who can write off huge amounts like the $6.3 billion for aQuantive.
Well, congrats to Marco for having a successful and sustainable business where he has the option and leverage to decide what he wants to do when these offers come knocking. Most startup/bootstrapped companies are not in that position. Most end up failing and winding up with nothing, but there are some that will end up with these talent acquisition situations. Remember, both sides (the acquirers and the acquirees) hav…
Erm, no. Talent acquisitions happens when you have big potential to compete and are willing to cash out early instead. Otherwise it's just giving up and getting a job.
While I understand Marco's position, personally I'm not in that position and I don't want the pressure of running on my business so if someone is willing to offer me 7 to 8 figures plus a massive salary for my startup then I'm not going quibble. As I once told an owner offering me equity "I'm at a stage of my life where finical stability is a welcome rest-bite so don't be offended if I duck out early."
Was that supposed to be "respite"?
So... how about open-sourcing Sparrow? Seems like that would solve a big part of the problem, no? Wonder if Google would let that happen.
As much as the talent behind software drove the acquisition, Sparrow also had some very solid, semi-innovative features and a sophisticated IMAP engine that are now valuable technical/IP properties for Google. I would be very surprised if they open-sourced anything from this acquisition.
- http://www.etpan.org/libetpan/index.html - https://twitter.com/sparrow/status/6396505883676672
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Erm, no. Talent acquisitions happens when you have big potential to compete and are willing to cash out early instead. Otherwise it's just giving up and getting a job.
That's another type of talent acquisition, yes... There are many flavors.
While I understand Marco's position, personally I'm not in that position and I don't want the pressure of running on my business so if someone is willing to offer me 7 to 8 figures plus a massive salary for my startup then I'm not going quibble. As I once told an owner offering me equity "I'm at a stage of my life where finical stability is a welcome rest-bite so don't be offended if I duck out early."
> a welcome rest-bite Was that supposed to be "respite"?