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Re:Ask HN: A social media company is hostile to my side proj... by michaelpinto on Friday April 05, 2013 @02:11PM (#5500026)
Something to keep in mind: Google was never really interested in the idea of "open" — yes they love "open" when it helps them, but it's actually a very opaque company which has a "my way or the highway" mindset. Honestly I prefer the honesty of companies like Apple that don't pretend to be anything but a huge company.

But chalk it up to a good learning experience! And be glad that you didn't start to make real money, hired employees and then watched it all implode in a minute because of a small call at a big company.

Re:Ask HN: A social media company is hostile to my side proj... by babs474 on Friday April 05, 2013 @02:46PM (#5500251)
Here is my question though. I've solved the appstore issue. I've got a small amount of customers who are still being served and satisfied. I've got a forward path with firefox extension. I can continue business as things stand.

Am I just going to run into some other iceberg. I know this company really really doesn't like my extension. They have many resources, and I have none. Will I just get lawyered into the ground? Because I've got a feeling they are going to keep coming after me.

edit: Another thought, you are so right about the google my way or the highway attitude. I was notified of my app being taken down by a red "taken down" notice. No warning, no contact, no explanation or appeal process. If nothing else maybe some other developers will take this story as a warning.

Re:Ask HN: A social media company is hostile to my side proj... by michaelpinto on Friday April 05, 2013 @05:56PM (#5501325)
What you're talking about is really an add-on feature with fans rather than a true business.

Your real talent is clearly the ability to spot an opportunity, build something and get it out there: So why not think about the audience of customers you want to build? Start with that and then look at the opportunities. And look at a bunch of them...

Re:Ask HN: A social media company is hostile to my side proj... by babs474 on Friday April 05, 2013 @08:00PM (#5501818)
You might have a point here. This really started out as a social experiment, and then it took off, so I started charging so it could be sustainable.

Looking at unedditreddit through the harsh prism of business, it probably isn't that great of an opportunity.

I just got ruffled by the idea of somebody forcing me to shutdown because it didn't fit with their interests, and it made me want to fight. I probably just need to make the rational decision to work on something with more potential.

Thanks for hashing this out with me.

Re:Ask HN: A social media company is hostile to my side proj... by michaelpinto on Friday April 05, 2013 @08:11PM (#5501857)
my pleasure! : )
Re:Ask HN: A social media company is hostile to my side proj... by narayankpl on Saturday April 06, 2013 @05:58AM (#5503149)
"Google was never really interested in the idea of "open" — yes they love "open" when it helps them, but it's actually a very opaque company which has a "my way or the highway" mindset."... Shades of Microsoft