August 2012
Jay-Z + The Clash - Straight Off Your Shoulder
a...
“I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the...”
– John Burroughs
“The compensation for the Xerox PARC technology sharing deal with Apple was in...”
– Myth: Copyright Theft, Apple Stole GUI from Xerox PARC Alto | Obama Pacman
The emergence of "platform first"
When it comes to platforms, it has been well understood - the best platforms start out as applications.
A platform without a “killer” app, is like a tree falling in the forrest. No one knows and no one cares.
As a result platforms are born with “app first”
Facebook’s platform, F8, was born after it had millions of engaged users.
Apple’s iOS platform came...
Some thoughts about re-entry (continued)
A few years ago, I took my first vacation without checking my inbox and wrote about it here. That post was about taking a one week vacation and staying off email.
But this August, I did something I haven’t done in 10 years. I took two consecutive weeks off.
And tomorrow we are heading home.
Some additional thoughts on re-entry and this vacation
1. i changed my out of office automated...
Grinding it out and building lifelong...
We have invested in nearly 70 companies since the day we opened our doors just seven years ago at Spark Capital.
Each founding team has a different story. A different reason why they are doing what are doing what they are doing.
Each team has their own set of challenges and demons.
Aaron Levie’s tweet this morning serves as a good reminder.
Always start with the assumption that the...
“I don’t think there’s too much money sitting around. I think...”
– Fred Wilson - Technology Review
The honor system
Yesterday we explored Kauai by bike.
It’s absolutely my favorite way to see a new place.
Along the way, we hit a fruit stand which had the most amazing apple bananas I’ve ever had. There was no one running the stand. Instead it used the honor system. Take what you want and leave money in the box.
We ended up putting more money in the box than the amount of fruit we took. There is...
“Who you work with is just as, or more important, that what you are doing, when...”
– The 5 W’s — What I Learned Today — Medium
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Three Leadership Traits that Never Go Out of Style →
via roelofbotha:
Succinct and clearly written article:
- Trust
- Empathy
- Mentorship
— Vineet Nayar, HBR
nailed it.
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Looking for video editing and workflow suggestions...
Yesterday Lauren, the kids and I took our first surfing lesson.
I suppose it’s not technically my first time on a board. I tried surfing a few times in high school but I didn’t stick.
We had an absolute blast. My daughters got it almost instantly. They picked up some cool moves too. Even James at 6 got it. The waves were perfect for beginners like us.
We are hooked.
I used...
Are we ready to work with the crazy ones?
We all talk about how many of the best founders are a eccentric, passionate, highly intelligent, opinionated and willing to take a chance they are wrong.
We want to be around those people and help them with their dreams - whether we are employees or investors.
We don’t want to work or back clones or incremental ideas.
We want people daring enough to change the world and put a dent in...
“Curiosity could never have built, could never have flown and could never have...”
– Curiosity’ Signal From Mars That We Can Solve Our Problems On Earth
A moment of Solitude
One thing which happens to all CEOs is the number of voices coming at them every day increases.
Their team gives them feedback. So does their board of directors. Other investors weigh in regularly. There are advisors which have opinions as well.
The voices get louder. A connected CEO can fill his/her days with these voices.
To say being a startup CEO is a tough job is quite an...
“So if children are able to live with mistakes and even failing, why does it...”
– Gotham Gal: Raising Successful Children
Looking for a waterproof case for the iPhone 4
Hey, everyone.
I’m looking for a waterproof case for the iPhone.
Any suggestions.
Reviews on amazon are a bit all over the place and I trust the community on Tumblr a lot more :)
Thanks in advance !
Clear : A fresh perspective in an existing...
When I see developers create a new product to take on the market leader or into an existing category, I like to look for something that is completely different.
Something that will sweep me off my feet.
More features is typically not the thing I look for.
It’s some combination of extraordinary team, design, thoughtfulness, a fresh new approach and how the app feels.
(That last one is...
“Then, the court was shown cumulative unit sales for the iPhone and iPad and...”
– Daring Fireball Linked List: Phil Schiller in Court, on iPhone Sales to Date
yowza.
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Paying attention
In startup land, we smile when we see graphs go up and to the right. New users. Revenue. Engagement.
There is a personal graph where up and to the right isn’t good for me — and that’s my weight.
Earlier this year I realized I was the heaviest I had been in 7 years.
I’m just 5’7” and I had reached 167lbs. And I felt bad about it. I was tired and the weight was impacting my wellness. Or...
