It’s called stealing or piracy, as if sharing a wealth of knowledge were the moral equivalent of plundering a ship and murdering its crew. But sharing isn’t immoral — it’s a moral imperative.
Month: January 2013
Why don’t Microsoft alumni use their own products?
Last year, I wrote about the contrast I noticed in hiring practices in startups vs larger organizations. Specifically, some of the best startups in our portfolio hire straight out of their community and user base. Twitter, Tumblr, Stack Exchange and others do this often. (In the early days it was basically the unwritten rule at Tumblr).
And yet, I noticed at the time of my post that pretty much all most former Microsoft alumni end up using non-Microsoft technology. At least that is my perspective based on folks I meet after they leave.
Today I read on Techmeme a post that called out former Microsoft mobile chief, Steven Sinofsky, is now using an iPhone. This is a Microsoft vet who led their mobile platform for years.
Who knows, maybe he is just evaluating the competition some will say.
But I really don’t buy that argument. I rarely, if ever, see Microsoft alum using Microsoft products after they leave. And I’m guessing Steven and his team fully evaluated the competition frequently during his tenure in Redmond I think it’s a bigger issue. Their own employees don’t cherish their own products.
That ain’t a good sign.
(1/14: update: correction: my mistake, he wasn’t the mobile leader)
The Replacements – Can’t Hardly Wait
I’ll write you a letter tomorrow
Tonight I can’t hold a pen
Someone’s got a stamp that I can borrow
I promise not to blow the address again
Gotta get me the vinyl version of this album
A day in NYC
It was one of those wonderful mild winter days in New York City today.
I’m really loving our NYC office. We opened it up last summer and it’s so great having our own place here.
In between some interesting meetings, I was able to walk around and take a few photographs in the hood.
David and I made it up to the roof of our building.
After dinner I went over to Dumbo and practiced some long exposures.
Using a tripod with a small aperture and long shutter times doesn’t feel natural to me. Still have a lot to learn but it’s fun trying to figure this out. I didn’t frame this shot very well but I like the light beam from the ferry moving under the bridge.
Brooklyn is such a special place. I wish I had more time. Look forward to getting back soon.
(all photos taken with a Leica M9 and a 35mm lens)
The truth is early stage investors are often asked to be the funders of last resort for the “in between” stage. We do that all the time at USV. We will lead or do an inside round for the Series B and Series C rounds if we have to. So choose your early stage investors well. Make sure they are willing to see you through the in between phase if need be. Because they will probably need to.
Truth.
It’s never easy to do the inside round that nobody else wants to do. Especially for a non-mega sized fund. We love working with USV in so many Series A rounds because we think alike with the follow on investment decisions (in good times and tough times).
Fall Creek Boys Choir — James Blake & Bon Iver
My new Tumblr shirt