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I think developers found start-ups for different reasons to other entrepreneurs. As an employee, being a developer is largely a crap job in which you get littl

I think developers found start-ups for different reasons to other entrepreneurs. As an employee, being a developer is largely a crap job in which you get little respect and virtually no power (on the plus side, you get pretty good remuneration). The only way a developer can get the respect and power (over what work they do) they desire is by setting up on their own. This is why so many developers have side projects, I think. In short, I think developers are driven by the desire to escape the monotony and powerlessness of the typical developer role in a company, and they are prepared to forego a huge wad of cash to do this. Making loads of cash is a bonus.

dhruval 15y ago
"As an employee, being a developer is largely a crap job in which you get little respect and virtually no power" Incidentally this is also why having a developer-centric culture is important in a technology company. I use the term 'technology company' broadly as one that is attempting to leverage technology to make a profit. Big media companies seem unable to do things involving even simple technology well, even with big budgets, existing audiences, and partnerships. eg the New York Times' $40 million dollar 'paywall'. I suspect this is because their management simply view tech as a commodity defined by its feature set, as opposed to a skilled craft like journalism where quality matters.