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Yes, that was a painful lesson that was reinforced when my app was unceremoniously dumped. I've since moved to a firefox app hosted by me, not an appstore. The

by babs474 14y ago

Yes, that was a painful lesson that was reinforced when my app was unceremoniously dumped. I've since moved to a firefox app hosted by me, not an appstore. The chrome extension is still available but google has made it really difficult for a non appstore extension to be installed. I'm also looking into greasemonkey. So I can come back from this stumble but I'm wondering if there is just some bigger hammer waiting for me as soon as I get back up.

michaelpinto 14y ago
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.
- babs474 14y ago
  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.
  - michaelpinto 14y ago
    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...
    - babs474 14y ago
      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.
      - michaelpinto 14y ago
        my pleasure! : )
- narayankpl 14y ago
  "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

by babs474 14y ago

michaelpinto 14y ago

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.

babs474 14y ago
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.
- michaelpinto 14y ago
  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...
  - babs474 14y ago
    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.
    - michaelpinto 14y ago
      my pleasure! : )
narayankpl 14y ago
"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