Based on the things that came out of google labs, I think it's more than possible that a seriously great product can be a byproduct of a google-type office and not just a prerequisite for said office environment.
i've known several ex-yahoo people. they all agree that yahoo has no shortage of raw engineering talent in the trenches; it's just that they aren't given the environment they need to get things done. hopefully mayer will change that.
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Based on the things that came out of google labs, I think it's more than possible that a seriously great product can be a byproduct of a google-type office and not just a prerequisite for said office environment.
It's possible I guess, but in the case of Google Labs, perhaps the more significant factor is the raw amount of talent/ability, per square foot. :p
i've known several ex-yahoo people. they all agree that yahoo has no shortage of raw engineering talent in the trenches; it's just that they aren't given the environment they need to get things done. hopefully mayer will change that.