Genii Weblog

Painters, Poets and Hackers

Thu 22 May 2003, 01:36 PM



by Ben Langhinrichs
Rich recently posted about Paul Graham's article Hackers and Painters.  What a great article.  I particularly like the quote:
"So if you can figure out a way to get in a design war with a company big enough that its software is designed by product managers, they'll never be able to keep up with you."


which basically defines my business model.  From @YourCommand to Midas to COEX! Links, I have been in a design war with Lotus and IBM.  Honestly, they haven't even come close to winning, because I am more of a poet, and they manage by whim and commitee.  I don't say this to be self-satisfied, as much as to acknowledge that this essay helped me understand why this model has worked.  Give it a read!

Copyright © 2003 Genii Software Ltd.

What has been said:


12.1. Richard Schwartz (05/22/2003 10:02 PM)

I can personally swear,

That your poetic flair,

Does almsot compare,

With your skill at software.

But I'm here on the brink,

'Cause you botched the link,

To my blog so I think,

That you owe me a drink.

;-)


12.2. Ben Langhinrichs (05/22/2003 10:34 PM)

Oh my heavens, what you must think

There's no excuse for that which was

I fixed it up, it's now a good link

Can you forgive my gross faux pas?


12.3. Richard Schwartz (05/23/2003 06:45 AM)

Thanks for the fix,

Now the link won't deep six,

When upon it someone clicks,

To my site it flicks,

It's back to the old tricks,

I owe you gin and tonics.