Redis creator on startups, working in Sicily and getting sponsored by VMWare

thestartup.eu

79 points·stefanobernardi··6 comments

> It’s hard for me to argue on the large-company employment since VMware is like the dream job, since I’m free to develop Redis full time, pretty freely, and with the support of some seriously smart guy inside of VMware

This is worth considering. There's an argument that people who really want to focus on tech should find a good 'sponsor' and just do their thing. Linus Torvalds is a good example. He's certainly made money over the years and lives well, and hasn't had to focus on running a company.

That's true, but you actually have to build something outstanding first.

or work with someone who likes to do that kind of boring work.

Thinking about Mr. Jobs? ;)

Well, it's not as if you can just squeak by with mediocrity with a startup, either:-)

I think the point is merely that aspiring hackers should consider what they really want to do, and what they're best at. PG popularized the idea of startups for hackers in a good way, but I think people should also keep in mind examples like Torvalds, Andrew Tridgell, Guido van Rossum, and others who seem to like to really concentrate on their tech, and leave the money making to others.

Good insight here.

Q. Do you think it’s harder to succeed while living in Italy, and Sicily in particular?

A. If your target is the world, being here is not a big limit for a programmer. Most of the interesting things are going on the internet anyway. I mean, here or in Paris is almost the same. What could do a difference is instead here or in the bay area.

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