Comments on: Google + Writely = Beginning of the end for Google? http://www.j2eegeek.com/blog/2006/03/12/google-writely-beginning-of-the-end-for-google/ In the kingdom of hope, there is no winter. Fri, 28 Oct 2011 16:23:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: yonatan http://www.j2eegeek.com/blog/2006/03/12/google-writely-beginning-of-the-end-for-google/comment-page-2/#comment-7848 yonatan Thu, 06 Apr 2006 08:58:37 +0000 http://www.j2eegeek.com/blog/2006/03/12/google-writely-beginning-of-the-end-for-google/#comment-7848 about "technological secrets", and "the code is value" - I disagree completely. so what if writely was 200% ASP.NET and stacked with microsoft evil technologies? it can probably be migrated easily enough, especially if you can put a team of hotshots on it. this kind of project never has "technological secrets" - it's just straightforward work. it turns out good if the team has a vision and that impossible to immitate spirit. I agree with the observation, that just like yahoo expected flickr people to "flickerize" yahoo, google expects writely people to bring the spirit along with them (regardless of whether this actually works). about “technological secrets”, and “the code is value” – I disagree completely. so what if writely was 200% ASP.NET and stacked with microsoft evil technologies? it can probably be migrated easily enough, especially if you can put a team of hotshots on it. this kind of project never has “technological secrets” – it’s just straightforward work. it turns out good if the team has a vision and that impossible to immitate spirit. I agree with the observation, that just like yahoo expected flickr people to “flickerize” yahoo, google expects writely people to bring the spirit along with them (regardless of whether this actually works).

]]> By: Paul Watson http://www.j2eegeek.com/blog/2006/03/12/google-writely-beginning-of-the-end-for-google/comment-page-2/#comment-7348 Paul Watson Tue, 14 Mar 2006 15:19:45 +0000 http://www.j2eegeek.com/blog/2006/03/12/google-writely-beginning-of-the-end-for-google/#comment-7348 Not to mention Writerly is all ASP.NET. Right? Probably a SQL Server database? I can't see that fitting in easily with GMail etc. Not to mention Writerly is all ASP.NET. Right? Probably a SQL Server database? I can’t see that fitting in easily with GMail etc.

]]> By: Vinny Carpenter http://www.j2eegeek.com/blog/2006/03/12/google-writely-beginning-of-the-end-for-google/comment-page-2/#comment-7343 Vinny Carpenter Mon, 13 Mar 2006 21:55:40 +0000 http://www.j2eegeek.com/blog/2006/03/12/google-writely-beginning-of-the-end-for-google/#comment-7343 Hi Floyd. Interesting -- That's a possibility as well. Why not buy out the competition if you are going to have a competitive product. Good way to spend money, if you have a lot of it. :) Thanks and miss you on TSS. Hi Floyd. Interesting — That’s a possibility as well. Why not buy out the competition if you are going to have a competitive product. Good way to spend money, if you have a lot of it. :) Thanks and miss you on TSS.

]]> By: Vinny Carpenter http://www.j2eegeek.com/blog/2006/03/12/google-writely-beginning-of-the-end-for-google/comment-page-1/#comment-7342 Vinny Carpenter Mon, 13 Mar 2006 21:07:29 +0000 http://www.j2eegeek.com/blog/2006/03/12/google-writely-beginning-of-the-end-for-google/#comment-7342 Hi Jason and thanks. Makes sense -- The figure I'm hearing out there is $7 million and so that's a bargain for the people, in the long term. I just love the hyperbole surrounding this whole acquisition. Google buys Writely, has calender = Microsoft Office is dead :) Hi Jason and thanks. Makes sense — The figure I’m hearing out there is $7 million and so that’s a bargain for the people, in the long term. I just love the hyperbole surrounding this whole acquisition. Google buys Writely, has calender = Microsoft Office is dead :)

]]> By: Vinny Carpenter http://www.j2eegeek.com/blog/2006/03/12/google-writely-beginning-of-the-end-for-google/comment-page-1/#comment-7340 Vinny Carpenter Mon, 13 Mar 2006 19:23:35 +0000 http://www.j2eegeek.com/blog/2006/03/12/google-writely-beginning-of-the-end-for-google/#comment-7340 Hi Spelling-Nazi and thanks. I deleted your comment as you didn't leave an email address and my spam filter marked it as spam. Not sure why - Sorry and thanks for the headsup. Hi Spelling-Nazi and thanks. I deleted your comment as you didn’t leave an email address and my spam filter marked it as spam. Not sure why – Sorry and thanks for the headsup.

]]> By: Spelling Nazi http://www.j2eegeek.com/blog/2006/03/12/google-writely-beginning-of-the-end-for-google/comment-page-1/#comment-7337 Spelling Nazi Mon, 13 Mar 2006 17:23:47 +0000 http://www.j2eegeek.com/blog/2006/03/12/google-writely-beginning-of-the-end-for-google/#comment-7337 I don't mind that you deleted my comment, but could you at least fix the spelling error I pointed out? It's "tout" not "taut" (unless you're saying that Google Office is really highly strung). I don’t mind that you deleted my comment, but could you at least fix the spelling error I pointed out? It’s “tout” not “taut” (unless you’re saying that Google Office is really highly strung).

]]> By: buckleupnow.com » New Tech News - Writely Take over - A different opinion http://www.j2eegeek.com/blog/2006/03/12/google-writely-beginning-of-the-end-for-google/comment-page-1/#comment-7336 buckleupnow.com » New Tech News - Writely Take over - A different opinion Mon, 13 Mar 2006 16:38:59 +0000 http://www.j2eegeek.com/blog/2006/03/12/google-writely-beginning-of-the-end-for-google/#comment-7336 [...] I did come across a totally different view point about google taking over Writely from vinny carpenter’s blog. The points seemed to be very valid and the discussion for that post seemed to be more thought provoking, hence i thought i would add that article to my blog. For those who wish to read that thought provoking article please click here.   [...] [...] I did come across a totally different view point about google taking over Writely from vinny carpenter’s blog. The points seemed to be very valid and the discussion for that post seemed to be more thought provoking, hence i thought i would add that article to my blog. For those who wish to read that thought provoking article please click here.   [...]

]]> By: Palani http://www.j2eegeek.com/blog/2006/03/12/google-writely-beginning-of-the-end-for-google/comment-page-1/#comment-7335 Palani Mon, 13 Mar 2006 16:26:33 +0000 http://www.j2eegeek.com/blog/2006/03/12/google-writely-beginning-of-the-end-for-google/#comment-7335 Every company when it starts fresh, they are in the stage of being taken over, which Google itself had faced during its start up phase. But when some one acquires a company, i feel only when there is value in acquistion they do acquire. Probably if Google had acquired Zimbra would it have been better? Now am i trying to create a contrarian view-point or a possibility? As shared by all i feel, there are immense benefits of taking over, saving time, gaining good developers, creating enough media attention and more over good products. Let us wait and watch how this take up over turns up to be. Every company when it starts fresh, they are in the stage of being taken over, which Google itself had faced during its start up phase. But when some one acquires a company, i feel only when there is value in acquistion they do acquire. Probably if Google had acquired Zimbra would it have been better? Now am i trying to create a contrarian view-point or a possibility? As shared by all i feel, there are immense benefits of taking over, saving time, gaining good developers, creating enough media attention and more over good products. Let us wait and watch how this take up over turns up to be.

]]> By: Floyd Marinescu http://www.j2eegeek.com/blog/2006/03/12/google-writely-beginning-of-the-end-for-google/comment-page-1/#comment-7334 Floyd Marinescu Mon, 13 Mar 2006 16:13:54 +0000 http://www.j2eegeek.com/blog/2006/03/12/google-writely-beginning-of-the-end-for-google/#comment-7334 Perhaps they bought it to knock out a potential competitor. If they plan to put out the best office suite out there, it's not in their interest to have another popular tool like Writely out there to compete with Google. Perhaps they bought it to knock out a potential competitor. If they plan to put out the best office suite out there, it’s not in their interest to have another popular tool like Writely out there to compete with Google.

]]> By: JBagley http://www.j2eegeek.com/blog/2006/03/12/google-writely-beginning-of-the-end-for-google/comment-page-1/#comment-7333 JBagley Mon, 13 Mar 2006 14:18:34 +0000 http://www.j2eegeek.com/blog/2006/03/12/google-writely-beginning-of-the-end-for-google/#comment-7333 Its all about that 80/20 rule. Google obviously were looking at something similar, and instead of developing it themselves, and spending money and resources doing so, they bought the product and the highly talented developers. So Google bought the folks that went through the growing pains and learning curves. 20% effort(the money) and 80% reward. Sounds like a great trade to me... Its all about that 80/20 rule. Google obviously were looking at something similar, and instead of developing it themselves, and spending money and resources doing so, they bought the product and the highly talented developers.

So Google bought the folks that went through the growing pains and learning curves. 20% effort(the money) and 80% reward. Sounds like a great trade to me…

]]> By: Vinny Carpenter’s blog » Blog Archive » Daily Del.icio.us for Mar 12, 2006 http://www.j2eegeek.com/blog/2006/03/12/google-writely-beginning-of-the-end-for-google/comment-page-1/#comment-7330 Vinny Carpenter’s blog » Blog Archive » Daily Del.icio.us for Mar 12, 2006 Mon, 13 Mar 2006 12:38:43 +0000 http://www.j2eegeek.com/blog/2006/03/12/google-writely-beginning-of-the-end-for-google/#comment-7330 [...] Google + Writely = Beginning of the end for Google? » I’ll admit the title is a little sensationalistic, but I have yet to see any contrarian view-point on the story of Google acquiring Writely. All the stories Iâ ve read so far seem to taut Google Office and how they are one step closer to getting an of [...] [...] Google + Writely = Beginning of the end for Google? » I’ll admit the title is a little sensationalistic, but I have yet to see any contrarian view-point on the story of Google acquiring Writely. All the stories Iâ ve read so far seem to taut Google Office and how they are one step closer to getting an of [...]

]]> By: Vinny Carpenter http://www.j2eegeek.com/blog/2006/03/12/google-writely-beginning-of-the-end-for-google/comment-page-1/#comment-7328 Vinny Carpenter Mon, 13 Mar 2006 05:09:39 +0000 http://www.j2eegeek.com/blog/2006/03/12/google-writely-beginning-of-the-end-for-google/#comment-7328 Hi Natalie and thanks. I think you're right - This acquistion is more about the people than the tool or technology. But there is a danger in getting Writely people that are passionate about their product and having them put it aside to work on something else.. Maybe they'll get to spend their 20% 'innovate' time to work on Writely. Who knows? :) Hi Natalie and thanks. I think you’re right – This acquistion is more about the people than the tool or technology. But there is a danger in getting Writely people that are passionate about their product and having them put it aside to work on something else.. Maybe they’ll get to spend their 20% ‘innovate’ time to work on Writely. Who knows? :)

]]> By: Natalie http://www.j2eegeek.com/blog/2006/03/12/google-writely-beginning-of-the-end-for-google/comment-page-1/#comment-7327 Natalie Mon, 13 Mar 2006 04:58:32 +0000 http://www.j2eegeek.com/blog/2006/03/12/google-writely-beginning-of-the-end-for-google/#comment-7327 I was wondering why the air was ringing with 'congratulations' but no questions. I think Google is probably in race mode and all the big guys are snapping up all the web office apps they can in an attempt to get a full suite first. I also think they buy these small companies because of the people, not the product and think the entrepreneurs who get starstruck by aquisition will eventually feel stifled by the big company restrictions. I was wondering why the air was ringing with ‘congratulations’ but no questions. I think Google is probably in race mode and all the big guys are snapping up all the web office apps they can in an attempt to get a full suite first. I also think they buy these small companies because of the people, not the product and think the entrepreneurs who get starstruck by aquisition will eventually feel stifled by the big company restrictions.

]]> By: Vinny Carpenter http://www.j2eegeek.com/blog/2006/03/12/google-writely-beginning-of-the-end-for-google/comment-page-1/#comment-7326 Vinny Carpenter Mon, 13 Mar 2006 04:44:01 +0000 http://www.j2eegeek.com/blog/2006/03/12/google-writely-beginning-of-the-end-for-google/#comment-7326 Hi Derrick and thanks. Interesting analysis - And you're right. If you're getting 4 great developers, maybe it is worth putting half-a-million into each of them. I'm sure a lot of people are coming pretty close to that number at Google anyways/ I guess it's like <a href="http://okdork.com/2006/03/08/4-easy-steps-to-avoid-making-a-resume/" rel="nofollow">Noah Kagan's blog entry</a> (<i>via <a href="http://scobleizer.wordpress.com/" rel="nofollow">Scoble</a></i>) about how your blog or app is really your resume and traditional resume means crap. :) Hi Derrick and thanks. Interesting analysis – And you’re right. If you’re getting 4 great developers, maybe it is worth putting half-a-million into each of them. I’m sure a lot of people are coming pretty close to that number at Google anyways/

I guess it’s like Noah Kagan’s blog entry (via Scoble) about how your blog or app is really your resume and traditional resume means crap. :)

]]> By: Kevin http://www.j2eegeek.com/blog/2006/03/12/google-writely-beginning-of-the-end-for-google/comment-page-1/#comment-7325 Kevin Mon, 13 Mar 2006 04:42:48 +0000 http://www.j2eegeek.com/blog/2006/03/12/google-writely-beginning-of-the-end-for-google/#comment-7325 In one of the recent editions of Linux Format there is an interview with Chris DiBona about Google and opensource. Gives some good insights of how they see the Opensouce community: http://www.linuxformat.co.uk/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=251 In one of the recent editions of Linux Format there is an interview with Chris DiBona about Google and opensource. Gives some good insights of how they see the Opensouce community:

http://www.linuxformat.co.uk/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=251

]]> By: derrick http://www.j2eegeek.com/blog/2006/03/12/google-writely-beginning-of-the-end-for-google/comment-page-1/#comment-7324 derrick Mon, 13 Mar 2006 03:27:28 +0000 http://www.j2eegeek.com/blog/2006/03/12/google-writely-beginning-of-the-end-for-google/#comment-7324 It's simple hiring. At the rumored $7mm for four developer, it's about $1.75 each with probably a 3 year lockup. While $500K or so a year is steep, the price is probably in the range for what a Google Founders award team might get. More importantly, they had a chance to see what the team could do pre-google in the "wild". So what they get is a vetted team and *their productivity for the next 3 years*. That's what they're paying for. It’s simple hiring. At the rumored $7mm for four developer, it’s about $1.75 each with probably a 3 year lockup. While $500K or so a year is steep, the price is probably in the range for what a Google Founders award team might get.

More importantly, they had a chance to see what the team could do pre-google in the “wild”.

So what they get is a vetted team and *their productivity for the next 3 years*. That’s what they’re paying for.

]]> By: Vinny Carpenter http://www.j2eegeek.com/blog/2006/03/12/google-writely-beginning-of-the-end-for-google/comment-page-1/#comment-7323 Vinny Carpenter Mon, 13 Mar 2006 02:21:39 +0000 http://www.j2eegeek.com/blog/2006/03/12/google-writely-beginning-of-the-end-for-google/#comment-7323 Hi Greg and thank you for the clarification (and addition) to my recollection of Paul's comments. And he is right - big companies do buy small companies to acquire missing innovation and passion but a lot of the things that fosters innovation may be missing organizationally at the large companies. Typical big companies have many layers and walls that inhibit the very thing that makes small companies take risks and innovate. If you don't have great management, big companies tend to be the stereotypical big companies that are lumbering giants, incapable of doing anything innovative as they are mired in bureaucracy. I guess you're also right about the talent part - If you've got billions in the bank, why not take that wallet out for a ride and pick up a few smart people that have demonstrated their ability in getting things done. Will be interesting to see where this leads. Hi Greg and thank you for the clarification (and addition) to my recollection of Paul’s comments. And he is right – big companies do buy small companies to acquire missing innovation and passion but a lot of the things that fosters innovation may be missing organizationally at the large companies. Typical big companies have many layers and walls that inhibit the very thing that makes small companies take risks and innovate. If you don’t have great management, big companies tend to be the stereotypical big companies that are lumbering giants, incapable of doing anything innovative as they are mired in bureaucracy.

I guess you’re also right about the talent part – If you’ve got billions in the bank, why not take that wallet out for a ride and pick up a few smart people that have demonstrated their ability in getting things done. Will be interesting to see where this leads.

]]> By: Vinny Carpenter http://www.j2eegeek.com/blog/2006/03/12/google-writely-beginning-of-the-end-for-google/comment-page-1/#comment-7322 Vinny Carpenter Mon, 13 Mar 2006 02:10:53 +0000 http://www.j2eegeek.com/blog/2006/03/12/google-writely-beginning-of-the-end-for-google/#comment-7322 Hi Martin. That's a really interesting point - Google does use a lot of open-source stuff but they haven't contributed code back to the open-source community. Yahoo just open-sourced their whole AJAX library among other things. It would be great, once the dust settles to see if the people that come to Google via acquisitions stick around. I'm sure Google pays well but I think they also use stock options as an incentive, like everyone else in the Valley. But if you get in when Google stock is in the $300 - $400 range, I'm not sure that stock price is sustainable for 4-5 more years. I've read analyst reports where they are bullish on the stock and expect to see it go to $600. I guess time will tell. Besides, it's fun guessing anyways :) Hi Martin. That’s a really interesting point – Google does use a lot of open-source stuff but they haven’t contributed code back to the open-source community. Yahoo just open-sourced their whole AJAX library among other things.

It would be great, once the dust settles to see if the people that come to Google via acquisitions stick around. I’m sure Google pays well but I think they also use stock options as an incentive, like everyone else in the Valley. But if you get in when Google stock is in the $300 – $400 range, I’m not sure that stock price is sustainable for 4-5 more years. I’ve read analyst reports where they are bullish on the stock and expect to see it go to $600. I guess time will tell. Besides, it’s fun guessing anyways :)

]]> By: Vinny Carpenter http://www.j2eegeek.com/blog/2006/03/12/google-writely-beginning-of-the-end-for-google/comment-page-1/#comment-7321 Vinny Carpenter Mon, 13 Mar 2006 02:04:02 +0000 http://www.j2eegeek.com/blog/2006/03/12/google-writely-beginning-of-the-end-for-google/#comment-7321 Hi Benjamin. You're probably right - On paper, this makes no sense unless it is for the people as the technology or even the idea is not that unique. Hi Benjamin. You’re probably right – On paper, this makes no sense unless it is for the people as the technology or even the idea is not that unique.

]]> By: Greg Linden http://www.j2eegeek.com/blog/2006/03/12/google-writely-beginning-of-the-end-for-google/comment-page-1/#comment-7320 Greg Linden Mon, 13 Mar 2006 01:43:02 +0000 http://www.j2eegeek.com/blog/2006/03/12/google-writely-beginning-of-the-end-for-google/#comment-7320 Paul said that big companies buy small companies to acquire missing innovation and passion, to bring "small company magic into the larger company." But there's another reason big companies buy small companies, to acquire a good development team. Google is struggling with hiring talent. It's hard to find good people. Hiring takes enormous time and effort, most of which is spent filtering, testing, and trying to determine if these candidates are bozos or capable of getting cool things done. One shortcut is to look for people who have demonstrated that they can get cool things one. One potential shortcut filter is to look for people who have done work on open source projects. If you've done impressive work on an open source project, you've established that you can get cool things done. Another potential filter is people who have done clever prototypes at early stage startups. Writely is a great example of this. They had an early alpha product -- it's a good demo app, but obviously not finished -- a tiny user base, and no revenues. They didn't have a business yet. But they had demonstrated that they know how to get cool things done. I think this is why Google acquired Writely. The people at Writely are obviously passionate, skilled developers working in a relevant area. Google wants those kind of people. So Google got them. Paul said that big companies buy small companies to acquire missing innovation and passion, to bring “small company magic into the larger company.”

But there’s another reason big companies buy small companies, to acquire a good development team.

Google is struggling with hiring talent. It’s hard to find good people. Hiring takes enormous time and effort, most of which is spent filtering, testing, and trying to determine if these candidates are bozos or capable of getting cool things done.

One shortcut is to look for people who have demonstrated that they can get cool things one. One potential shortcut filter is to look for people who have done work on open source projects. If you’ve done impressive work on an open source project, you’ve established that you can get cool things done.

Another potential filter is people who have done clever prototypes at early stage startups. Writely is a great example of this. They had an early alpha product — it’s a good demo app, but obviously not finished — a tiny user base, and no revenues. They didn’t have a business yet. But they had demonstrated that they know how to get cool things done.

I think this is why Google acquired Writely. The people at Writely are obviously passionate, skilled developers working in a relevant area. Google wants those kind of people. So Google got them.

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