Re: OT - Curl & patents

[Jeffrey Siegal <address@hidden>]

Christopher Barber wrote:
>>but I will say that comparing yourself with Sun or Microsoft is unrealistic
>>to the point of perhaps being delusional.
> 
> That's kind of harsh.  I compare us to them as well as Macromedia and Apple
> because they all produce commercial programming languages and software
> development tools, not because of size.

Of course.  However, because of the vast difference in size (along with 
other vast differences), suggestions that your business practices, 
whateever they may be, are sensible because they are similar to 
practices employed by Sun or Microsoft or Apple or even Macromedia are 
at best questionable.

>>From what I've seen here, and a bit elsewhere, I find Curl's approach both
>>out of the mainstream and inappropriate for a startup.
> 
> Fair enough, but can you be more specific?  What should we do differently?

To put it simply and informally, "loosen up."  Don't worry so much about 
guarding the store until there is something in the store worth guarding, 
and that means not only an interesting technology but an "interesting" 
customer base and market presence. For now, focus on removing obstacles 
to adoption, participation and mindshare, not dismissing people who 
perceive there to be obstacles as unreasonable and unsatisfiable.

On the other hand, like many companies born in what was a completely 
different era, you may now be in a completely untenable position and 
perhaps should just recognize that reality and cut losses and find a 
more realistic business.  Sorry to be harsh, but I really have no agenda 
here other than to call it as I see it.