Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Facebook, TipJoy, the Deal that Didn’t Happen and the Hire that Did

mediamemo.allthingsd.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

31–40 of 80 posts

Re: Facebook, TipJoy, the Deal that Didn’t Happen and the Hire that Did

#31

Post by gehant »

jsankey wrote: post #27
ivankirigin wrote: post #6

This completely doesn't tell the whole story, and those of you commenting should realize that.

I think most people probably do realise that. I understand you're probably not in a position to tell it all just yet either. Seems like it would be in Facebook's and your own best interest to clarify the already-public information (if not more), though? Kill the speculation before it starts to echo.

Speculation of what exactly? You're telling me a sentence like this would cause legitimate speculation:

"Supposedly there is no proof that PG is a cold blooded killer but there are no facts to prove otherwise."

Most of that article was stretched assumption & hyperbole, at best.

The only shady thing in all of this is that site forces a pop-up.

Re: Facebook, TipJoy, the Deal that Didn’t Happen and the Hire that Did

#32

Post by GavinB »

scorpion032 wrote: post #25
GavinB wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Presumably they don't get the brand, domain name, existing code base, and access to registered users. There's probably a lot more to this story than we know--there's no need to jump to conclusions.

> brand name The founders have themselves said that they have little traction, and 3rd party payment services will not add much value. > domain name Doesn't matter, when brand name isn't useful > Existing code base Its takes significantly less time to build it the next time. > Registered users Facebook has 250 million users! <1% cant matter anyway.

Right, and that's why no one was interested in buying the company.

Investors own the company, not the employees--even if they are founders.

Re: Facebook, TipJoy, the Deal that Didn’t Happen and the Hire that Did

#33

Post by amichail »

pg wrote: post #26
medianama wrote: post #10

I would like to hear PG's (or other investors) views on this.

Facebook didn't do anything wrong. Tipjoy was out of money. They'd been talking to several potential acquirers, including Facebook, but those deals all fell through. So the Tipjoys were going to have to get jobs somewhere. Since they were worried about money and Ivan admired the hackers at Facebook, I asked FB if they'd offer him a job, and they did. It doesn't portend anything for the future of startups, as this sto…

Comparing this to voting, most people vote because they want to be seen in a good light by their friends and family (and some vote because they don't understand probability). Perhaps some sort of similar social pressure could have been employed with TipJoy.

Re: Facebook, TipJoy, the Deal that Didn’t Happen and the Hire that Did

#35

Post by jacquesm »

ivankirigin wrote: post #6

This completely doesn't tell the whole story, and those of you commenting should realize that.

Will you be working on something similar to tipjoy or will you be working on unrelated stuff ? (I understand almost everybody commenting below assumes that you got 'snapped up' at firesale prices but they're going on the assumption that tipjoy is what they want you for, not your general knowledge of the art).

Re: Facebook, TipJoy, the Deal that Didn’t Happen and the Hire that Did

#36

Post by cyunker »

amichail wrote: post #33
pg wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Facebook didn't do anything wrong. Tipjoy was out of money. They'd been talking to several potential acquirers, including Facebook, but those deals all fell through. So the Tipjoys were going to have to get jobs somewhere. Since they were worried about money and Ivan admired the hackers at Facebook, I asked FB if they'd offer him a job, and they did. It doesn't portend anything for the future of startups, as this sto…

Comparing this to voting, most people vote because they want to be seen in a good light by their friends and family (and some vote because they don't understand probability). Perhaps some sort of similar social pressure could have been employed with TipJoy.

My contribution voting makes as much difference as it should: 1 person = 1 vote.

By your logic, I guess I shouldn't worry about my carbon footprint.

Re: Facebook, TipJoy, the Deal that Didn’t Happen and the Hire that Did

#37

Post by jsankey »

gehant wrote: post #31
jsankey wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think most people probably do realise that. I understand you're probably not in a position to tell it all just yet either. Seems like it would be in Facebook's and your own best interest to clarify the already-public information (if not more), though? Kill the speculation before it starts to echo.

Speculation of what exactly? You're telling me a sentence like this would cause legitimate speculation: "Supposedly there is no proof that PG is a cold blooded killer but there are no facts to prove otherwise." Most of that article was stretched assumption & hyperbole, at best. The only shady thing in all of this is that site forces a pop-up.

Speculation on why the original deal fell through, for example? It's fair to say that speculation has already started, as the original article shows. I presume it has no basis (the fair presumption at this stage), which is why I think it's best for Facebook to just put the facts out there.

Your example is flawed as there is circumstantial evidence here to start speculating from. People aren't making up random ideas, they're filling in gaps. It's not right, but that's what happens when only part of the story is known.

Re: Facebook, TipJoy, the Deal that Didn’t Happen and the Hire that Did

#39

Post by mattmaroon »

pakafka wrote: post #30
ivankirigin wrote: post #6

This completely doesn't tell the whole story, and those of you commenting should realize that.

Ivan, I'm noting your comment, and Paul's, on my post. But the offer I made multiple times to you and Abby still stands -- if there's more info that you want to get out, I'm happy to chat. pk

This is my favorite online "journalism" technique ever. When someone you want a scoop from won't comment, just make a bunch of crap up and then when they get angry say "hey feel free to comment".

Re: Facebook, TipJoy, the Deal that Didn’t Happen and the Hire that Did

#40

Post by pakafka »

mattmaroon wrote: post #39
pakafka wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ivan, I'm noting your comment, and Paul's, on my post. But the offer I made multiple times to you and Abby still stands -- if there's more info that you want to get out, I'm happy to chat. pk

This is my favorite online "journalism" technique ever. When someone you want a scoop from won't comment, just make a bunch of crap up and then when they get angry say "hey feel free to comment".

What part is made up?
Post reply on HN