Good Read! - I think freemium is the best model for most internet 'service' and 'software as service" - its not as good as having a $29 widget, or even a $3/mo residual; but traction is 10x easier to gain.
I am in freemium in the used cars ads, the big dogs charge money, but without a name is hard even when the ads are free. But my sites brings some bucks at the end of the month, just to go catch a movie, but anyway is ok.
I think if more people shared exactly these opinions, the Valley would be a much safer place for entrepreneurs and investors than it currently is, and would have been back in the 90's (culminating in the crash). Why the last bubble didn't create more people like Ray, I have no clue, but it's a relatively sad aspect to humans and money.
Some very sane advice from a very sane person. It's a bit different from what other people would tell you. I especially like the way he addresses how startup culture worships youth. And also about the balance of life thing. These are good things to keep in mind when your neck deep in your startup.
Good read. Especially these 2 pearls:
"Very rarely do I have good ideas when I’m working. Work is to execute on those ideas."