Fair. So in a sense, the lidar vs camera argument ultimately can be publicly assess/proven through human babysitter (regulation permit) and accident rates. or maybe user adoptions.
It's still possible in the case of Digital Ocean vs AWS: 5-10x price reduction, focus on a subset of core service. You still need to deliver friction-less service in the beginning, reliability and customer service eventually.
Not all will move from AWS, but the price saving is significant for small players who doesn't need the full suite of AWS.
DO just happens to be cheaper than AWS for certain use cases, but they didn't get there by out competing on price alone, it ticks a lot of other boxes: it's easier and simpler to understand for a new developer looking to get started, you can calculate and anticipate usage costs with ease, etc. It's not just a good copy with better pricing, it brings something to the table.
Exactly. DO launched with great pricing, SSDs, and an attractive UI. If they launched with only one of those three we wouldn't be talking about them today.
I don't view digital ocean like that at all. I would be using them even if the price was exactly the same. Digital ocean offers a competitive advantage over AWS, they have a simpler to use interface that focuses on getting one server setups working asap.
Some points, integrated console, root password reset, automatic backups. These are features that make them better than aws for a simple side project.
Digital Ocean started as a lower-priced clone of Linode (Vultr did the same later). They started with just a subset of the services (finally catching up now), but had good developer marketing and a lower starter rate.
It'll be interesting to see if they can continue to grow now that Linode have reduced prices to be lower than them. That's one big catch with coming in at a lower price, the incumbent probably has the scale to lower their prices below you, if they consider you a threat.
It's funny to ask for advice from others who barely know your passions and capability, but it will give it a few random shots:
- follow your passion, not the money. when you work on your startup, do you truly enjoy at least some part of it, or just following the hype or hoping to become millionaires?
- are you well off where money is not an issue? if money is an issue, get a job; you can choose to work with well-off Malaysian startup like GrabTaxi.
1) Admittedly, my earlier startups are kinda just following the hype hence the Groupon clone and what not. I have since stopped following the hype. However, that is also the reason why I was stuck in my room for 6 months keep trying to find "the right one".
2) Fortunately, money is not an issue. I am very privilege to be in this position. With that being said, I can't just sit down and do nothing. I need to find some source of income.
3) I was messing around with Arduino, 3D printers and Raspberry Pi while I as still working in my friend's startup. Ever since then, I felt like I needed to do something more "serious" to make some money as I am out of job at the moment.
- I don't think "stuck in my room for 6 months keep trying to find "the right one"" is a good idea. Please change your plan/approach.
- Since money is not an issue, we can cross out the need to get a job to make ends meet and start thinking about fun things to do.
- I believe Idea is not a light-bulb moment after meditation for 6 months in your room; it sort of require you try doing different things in order to bump into the light-bulb moment.
More random advices:
- Do u like Hardware or Software? Assuming you are into tech ideas.
- Unless you have partners and funding, the scope of your project need to be within your own capabilities in order to reach mediocre success in terms of user adoptions.
- You don't need the best idea, just good enuf idea which interest you. Why passion/interest in important? So that you will work on it even though there is no money and users for 6 months, and you use/like your own product.
- Discipline. Build/Ship something every month is an interesting idea.
I guess remote work is an option, but not quite a total solution at the moment.
1) not all work could be remote
2) self-discipline/communication is tough
Woofoo (about 7 people) did remote, but the founder admit it's tough and challenging even for such a small and motivated company (imagine your workforce > 1000 people), though there are some obvious benefits.
It's not just about tools (slack, skype, etc.) and finding a procedure that works, but more about company culture, motivation, discipline, adaptation to remote environment, family at home, etc. Not every employee could survive a remote environment and continue to be productive :(
Before everyone could work from home, maybe the idea of multiple office location/work-space (rather than centralized) could be explored, yet it will have many pros and cons.
