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Dear Google, Thanks For Copying My Startup But You’re Doing It All Wrong

willweinraub.com

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Re: Dear Google, Thanks For Copying My Startup But You’re Doing It All Wrong

#41

Post by grimtrigger »

jfasi wrote: post #13

I'm actually curious about what sort of mistakes Google is obviously making here besides being a competitor to LiveNinja. Did I miss something or is this post just vague trash talking?

Read it twice, not a single differentiator between the two products was named.

Re: Dear Google, Thanks For Copying My Startup But You’re Doing It All Wrong

#43

Post by mildtrepidation »

samtp wrote: post #35

Unrelated, but: > I really love competition, and as a competitor I only want to compete against the best of the best. It’s like Mike Tyson in his prime saying that he wants to box with you. Wanting to box Mike Tyson in his prime is a death wish. Maybe not the best analogy... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-478QGV9pc

If Mike Tyson says he wants to box with you, that's a compliment (either that or he just really doesn't like you). Actually agreeing to do it, that's where the death wish comes in.

Re: Dear Google, Thanks For Copying My Startup But You’re Doing It All Wrong

#44

Post by marveller »

shadowmatter wrote: post #40

I'm not going to lie, I didn't like this post as much as I wanted to. The author says that Google is making the same mistakes that LiveNinja made over a year ago. And that LiveNinja has learned a lot and iterated since then. At this point, I'm ready to believe that LiveNinja is the more mature product. That if I have a need, I should probably go to LiveNinja. I'm ready to be sold... But then the author does nothing.…

My sentiments exactly. I was expecting an explanation why/what exactly LiveNinja is better.

Re: Dear Google, Thanks For Copying My Startup But You’re Doing It All Wrong

#45

Post by willaaye »

SergeyHack wrote: post #17
willaaye wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thanks so much! That really means a lot.

BTW, your motto is not perfect IMHO. "Experts" and "expertise" in "Find Experts. Sell Expertise" is too general. I would try to come up with more concrete examples though I realize it's not an easy task.

Totally agree. We are constantly iterating on that and will continue to do so.

Thanks for the feedback - really appreciate it!

Re: Dear Google, Thanks For Copying My Startup But You’re Doing It All Wrong

#46

Post by notlisted »

I'm sorry, but the post strikes me more as a rant-y whine from a company that isn't competition in a field that is alive and well..

How is Google's service a copy of your product?

Several live support sites have come and gone, way before you even started your private beta, and some are still around ( e.g. http://www.liveperson.com/experts being one that comes to mind).

There are a multitude sites that offer live instructions that thrive ( e.g. http://livemocha.com )

What makes LiveNinja so unique (except a very nice design)?

Edit: links clickable

Re: Dear Google, Thanks For Copying My Startup But You’re Doing It All Wrong

#47

Post by DavidWanjiru »

A service that enables domain experts to give video advice to paying users is not an idea you're going to be the only one who's ever thought about. So it's a bit iffy to claim that someone copied your start-up. Unless you're talking about specific methods of defining or solving problems in your execution of the concept, which doesn't seem to me to have been the case here. I could be wrong, naturally.

Re: Dear Google, Thanks For Copying My Startup But You’re Doing It All Wrong

#48

Post by valvoja »

marveller wrote: post #44
shadowmatter wrote: post #40

I'm not going to lie, I didn't like this post as much as I wanted to. The author says that Google is making the same mistakes that LiveNinja made over a year ago. And that LiveNinja has learned a lot and iterated since then. At this point, I'm ready to believe that LiveNinja is the more mature product. That if I have a need, I should probably go to LiveNinja. I'm ready to be sold... But then the author does nothing.…

My sentiments exactly. I was expecting an explanation why/what exactly LiveNinja is better.

It would have been a great article if they had mentioned 2 or 3 concrete things they have learned. Lets wait for an update...

Re: Dear Google, Thanks For Copying My Startup But You’re Doing It All Wrong

#49

Post by Semaphor »

bluetidepro wrote: post #27
kin wrote: post #9

Great attitude. I've known a start-up or two that either pivoted or dropped their project altogether at the news of Google releasing a similar idea. Google is great at engineering, but the new iteration of Google Maps is proof IMO that they're not a great at products. With that said, I'm sure y'all at Live Ninja will throw the knock out punch.

I know it's slightly off topic, but your comment " ... the new iteration of Google Maps is proof IMO that they're not a great at products. " I'm curious as to what you don't like about the new Google Maps? Personally, I think that while it took a little bit to get used to, it's great and works way better than before. I'm just curious to hear your two cents on what you don't like about the new maps. Thanks!

(not op)

It's half and half for me. On the one hand it look awesome and many thing became easier to do. Like finding a route.

On the other hand it feels a bit like an Apple product to me. The old maps was more intuitive, now it's as if they want me to do things exactly the way they planned it and every other way is wrong.

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