thomasgerbe

I detest this rationale.

Have I used Airbnb? Yes. It was a great experience. And I have recommended it to all my friends (until now at least).

But that doesn't mean I think that they should be excused for violating a very rationale Terms of Service policy, e-mailing people explicitly against their wishes (as indicated by don't contact me for commercial services option), and creating e-mails that violate CAN-SPAM policies.

Legality aside, I think it's slimy and in my eyes, taints their grassroots story which I had really embraced and enjoyed telling people.

Immoral: not conforming to the patterns of conduct usually accepted or established as consistent with principles of personal and social ethics.

Typically, what is ethical is respecting the user wishes. If I say, "Don't contact me for commercial interest" (the checkbox when you post something on Craigslist) and you do so, I would say that doesn't conform to business ethics.

Those darn elephants trying to eat. That'll learn 'em!

Was going to say this. I really detest sites that hijack the back button.

"Is this 'grey' ? In the sense that it can be interpreted as 'shady' ? Hell yes. But is it "wrong" ? I don't think so."

I post a listing on Craigslist specifically saying it's not "ok for others to contact me about other services, products or commercial interests" (an option in Craigslist) and then a business tries to convince me to use their site using a disguise DESPITE clearly stating that I don't want to be contacted?

No, I'd say the true test of whether something is ethical or not is whether it violates rules and/or the choices of a user. Then again, I'm the type that actually wants businesses to respect my decision.

When you go against the Terms of Service, the CAN-SPAM act, and the wishes of the classified ad creator, I'd say that's pretty unethical.

"But in the grand scheme of things, when you are a tiny start up struggling to survive, this is a relatively benign grass roots attempt at marketing which the AirBNB guys even probably regret doing."

Hmm. Maybe. If you built a billion dollar business would you look back and regret a part of it that may have been instrumental to your success?

I'm definitely not excusing them for their actions but if I were in their position, I don't know if I could honestly say I would've regretted the past.

Found via Google Search:

http://www.vacationrentalscommunity.com/forums/t/2767.aspx

I assume they couldn't be honest because it would've violated Craiglist's Terms of Use, namely:

You agree not to post, email, or otherwise make available Content:

k) that constitutes or contains "affiliate marketing," "link referral code," "junk mail," "spam," "chain letters," "pyramid schemes," or unsolicited commercial advertisement;

l) that constitutes or contains any form of advertising or solicitation if: posted in areas of the craigslist sites which are not designated for such purposes; or emailed to craigslist users who have not indicated in writing that it is ok to contact them about other services, products or commercial interests.

m) that includes links to commercial services or web sites, except as allowed in "services";

I wonder if Craigslist could legitimately sue Airbnb.

"I love this."

Really? Personally, I hate spam.

On a side note, Google Wallet's logo reminds me of GLAAD.

GLAAD: http://www.glaad.org/

Google's is just flipped with different colors and rounded.

Where is it easy to find good programmers?

I also has friends who I follow on Twitter but I rarely if ever message them via Twitter. Thus according to this study, they wouldn't be my friends.

And if a TTC train is stuck, there's like no alternatives (outside of taking a bus). At least with NYC, I've been able to take alternate lines when something happens.

That said, the TTC subways are far cleaner and much more spacious.

I'd say it's pretty dirty. The subways are disgusting and the streets often have trash strewn about. SF is certainly not that much better (though the BART stations are far cleaner).

Yes. After living in NY, that is what I found amazing in SF.

My commute is longer but takes me long hills and perfectly sunny days, along with seating on the BART.

In NY, it was usually either cold, rainy, or humid and hot (spring/fall being the very brief exceptions). And if you've ever had to suffer the NY subway during the summer you really feel like dying.

"I don't understand how people survive some of the punishing commutes I hear about."

I have a 30-40 minute commute each way from the burbs to SF.

I end up reading interesting books, sketching ideas, or sometimes pop out the laptop to do some quick work.

The savings on rent by living in the 'burbs is a decent tradeoff for having more expendable income for my hobbies.

I 'deal' with it but progressively develop less brand trust and dedication to Facebook.

Facebook Like tracking my movements forced me to install Disconnect in Chrome.

NY is definitely amazing. I lived there for a few years and just recently moved to SF. I miss the food, the people, the nightlife, the transit system (MTA > BART/MUNI), the women, the competition, and culture. DUMBO has emerged as one of the coolest hotbeds of digital talent and was awesome to work around.

But I do not miss the incredibly humid and uncomfortable summers. The (at times) ridiculous line-ups/congestion. The pedestrian/bike/vehicle wars (thankfully covered by the Gothamist every week). Tiny apartment spaces with narrow staircases and no central air. Having to store portable A/Cs... somewhere...anywhere! And feeling completely removed from nature (Prospect/Central Park are great... but most people don't pass by it everyday). And having to deal with people who think they are the shit just because they live in NY.

Hey, I ain't trying to slag NY. I love it. But... I finally understood how people could become exhausted by it.

Re: Warby Parker

$120 for well styled glasses was a no-brainer for me (even just to try out).

What they got right were: 1) Making a really well-designed website (aesthetics are obviously key in fashion) 2) Getting well-styled frames in their inventory 3) An amazing price point that is consistent across the board.

As a designer, I have a lot of designer friends, especially in NY. They aren't really into knowing about startups at all. But they all know Warby Parker (through GQ, word-of-mouth) and don't approach it as a startup but a hip 'small business.' Kudos to them.

Perhaps he should focus on making products that convince his children to switch from Google/Apple products instead of banning them outright. They might be a good barometer.

I'll admit. I'm a sucker.

I have mail accounts to both Yahoo and Google.

Because Google.com just has a search box, I always enter mail.google... to save time.

But since Yahoo does have a rotation of stories (often very bad but I still sometimes get sucked in) I go to Yahoo.com first and then click to the mail section.

I find it funny how so many developers I talk to online have this aversion to... well prettiness.

As if form and function is a zero-sum game. Or there's something inefficient about caring about aesthetics. What's wrong with wanting something to be aesthetically pleasing?

I cried while watching Wall-E.

"Remember, it is the job of the media to get a compelling story out there. They don't care about the truth."

Both Reuters and Al-Jazeera come across as attempting to be as objective as possible about the stories they cover. In fact, the former has been criticized for the policy of objective language.

He didn't say he didn't like him. He just doesn't like a facet of his fashion. I don't like Crocs or Uggs. I don't think people look good while wearing them. But that doesn't mean I don't like them.

I can understand why you'd feel embarrassed, but as long as you collect yourself from your rut and keep pushing with what motivates you, you can point back to this point where you turned things around.

On a sidenote, I'm getting exhausted from 'deals.'

LivingSocial, GroupOn, Yelp Deals/Coupons, Facebook Deals, Slickdeals...

"Chrome is a new browser."

Why not just... use Firefox?

"Firefox is a new browser."

Why not just... use IE?

I was paying rent in NY on a below average salary and still managed to save about 10k over a course of a few months to eventually quit and bootstrap. All it took was not going out excessively and not buying superfluous new things.