gms

You can use Garmin and pay for their maps product. That’s your choice.

> I guess if a firm was going to be successful, and a merger wasn't an option then it would eventually IPO instead, no?

No, most businesses don't grow revenue fast enough to be IPO-worthy (or, as with WhatsApp and Instagram when they were acquired, don't make enough revenue to even be viable standalone businesses).

But even putting all that aside, what about the personal freedom argument?

If a founder wants to sell their company because they're tired of running it (this is a job that comes with immense personal sacrifice), or wants cash to take care of family, or sick parents, etc, should the government have the right to force them to keep it running?

The societal implications of the above feel absurd.

You say there is 'literally no need'. How are you so confident in making such a claim for the rest of us?

I, as a consumer, would rather make that decision myself. If you don't want to use Google Maps that's up to you. I don't see why you'd force me to do the same.

As it stands, Maps falling under Google means that I and many others on this planet, from Africa to the Middle East to Asia and others, get to use it for free because it's subsidised by Google's search ads.

A standalone maps company would have to charge money to run the service. People around the world (along with businesses small and large) would be poorer if this were the case.

I defend your choice to dislike this state of affairs. But it's rather difficult to defend a proclivity to take choice away from the rest of us.

> A tighter merger process might make startup exits through acquisition less common, but it should also make it easier for startups to grow organically into large companies.

This is a contradiction.

If the likelihood of acquisition goes down, so does the likelihood of startup funding. Which means the likelihood of growing into a large company goes down too.

I don't think it's a good idea to want a world where companies like Google are less likely to come about.

You must be experiencing another SF than me...

Indeed.

(source: I'm from the region)

This is always the case with regulation. It cements established entities at the expense of smaller/new players.

'Founding <whatever>' is silly title inflation. Ten years ago 'Founding Engineer' was just 'Software Engineer'.

More generally, I don't recommend fiddling with basic titles early. You don't know if your company will be alive in two years so there are more important things for everyone to focus on.

Just give everyone a title of 'Software Engineer'. Anyone who rejects you for that is likely someone who shouldn't join anyway.

What are your goals?

You're a hero. I don't have more to say than that.

Another former PlanGrid employee here - our office was next door :D

This is rather true indeed. I would always visit home often as it made my parents happy but sometimes would wonder if I should skip a visit once in a while.

My dad died this year and the result of all those visits is that I have zero regrets. I'm grateful I stuck with them because having regrets now, when it's too late, would be awful.

This is a major reason why we switched from Stripe Billing to Chargebee.

In B2B often the customer explicitly asks for this - no dark patterns in that case.

Ah, yes that makes sense.

You don’t need the ‘almost’ qualifier :)

This comment cracks me up. Outside of North America (or perhaps Western countries in general) this is how most of the world consumes apples. Somehow said social experiment has been fine for us :)

Because then prices go up and the poor especially are hurt. Governments also get less revenue so are less able to assist the poor.

Haha, would that it were actually true.

New York’s zoning laws.

Unfortunately New York’s zoning laws forbid what you’re suggesting. The new mayor is attempting to change them (though is facing resistance from the city council).

The great thing about the free market is you get to choose not to use them!

There is no need as there is no coercion involved: just stop using them if you don’t like it.

Market forces alone (in particular: competition) don’t lead to consumers being hurt.

Noted; thank you for sharing!

(Polytomic co-founder)

Yes to current scan, although not using Qualys. Feel free to email me if you want to know more: ghalib@polytomic.com

Yes, there's a lot that needs to be showcased :). Comment noted.

Thanks kindly! Yes, we've actually taken care of security matters from day one. The space is one I've spent years in and your comments are utterly valid. We also offer an on-prem Docker image for those who prefer that.

Thank you for the kind comment!

And yes indeed, though our data model sits on top of any number of databases and spreadsheets. The warehouse is just another source that can be combined with others, rather than the only one.

Thank you kindly Harry!