Is open source software appealing just because it’s free? In my experience, the typical developer rarely delves into the source code of the infrastructure they use. Rather, they use open source software because they can download it and start legally using it immediately in a production environment, and because it’s often better than other alternatives.
Recent events point to a new trend among proprietary software vendors offering free software in an effort to better compete with open source alternatives.
Entrepreneur / ISV
eBay and Skype: two great tastes that taste great together
As everyone knows by now, eBay has agreed to acquire Skype. A lot of smart people are saying this is a dumb move, while others think it was brilliant. I’m happy to see skepticism (it’s a good antidote to the naive internet cheerleading that caused the original boom). But as a heavy Skype user, and as someone who has done a lot of consulting work for eBay, I think this deal is a master-stroke for eBay. Here are my reasons:
MySQL vs. PostgreSQL
Many readers responded to mysql / microsoft tax post by asking why I hadn’t considered postgreSQL as an RDBMS platform. The reason for this is simple: when it comes to infrastructure software (like an rdbms), I’m a mainstream buyer, not an early adopter. What mainstream buyers do is base their behavior on other buyers, relying on the market to make the decision for them.
Paying the microsoft tax, waiting for mysql5
Everyone knows that running on open-source infrastructure is one great way to reduce the costs of getting your software company off the ground. I learned this lesson the hard way a few months ago, when Uzanto got its first customer for Project X.
Data Center Meltdown
Last week, the host that I’ve been using for our production server (ServerBeach) had a catastrophic failure that brought down their entire data center. Apparently, a power failure in Virginia caused the host to switch to battery backup. Battery backup powers the servers and networking equipment, but NOT the air conditioners. Then the switch to connect the data center to the backup generators failed to function. As the system ran without air conditioning, temperatures in the data center soared, quickly reaching the point where there was a danger of hardware failure.
Time management for anarchists
I found a great little fake powerpoint presentation called Time Management for anarchists (the movie). It’s really good and quite funny. Non-powerpoint version here.
New Digs!
Uzanto has completed moving to a new office. We’re now on Castro St. in Mountain View. It’s a block from the train station, the best bookstore in town, and dozens (ok, maybe just a dozen) great bars and restaurants. Sweet!
This is the building we’re in (photo src is A9).
Trip report from Geoffrey Moore Talk at TIE
The crowd, as it always is at TIE events, was a mix. The usual Indian serial entrepreneurs, who have been in the game longer than you’ve been alive, hard-core fat-fingered desi supercapitalists who start a new company every year and could eat you for breakfast, were in attendance. White dudes from Sand Hill Road cruise the heavy hitters, looking for a fast, mutually beneficial transaction. Caught in the middle of this mating dance, herds of newbies trying to start their first company (or just trying to network their way into a better job) circle nervously, clutching their drinks and trying to make small-talk. Everyone has an agenda, something they want to sell or buy, a rumor they want to spread, something. Did I mention there was free booze and good Thai food? My kind of party.
Crossing the Chasm: When should companies invest in usability?
Geoffrey Moore’s book “Crossing The Chasm” is widely considered to be the bible of Silicon Valley. What insights does the model proposed by the book have to offer usability practitioners? In particular, at what stages in life cycle of a product will decision makers influenced by the model be willing to invest in usability?
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