But if you want to see the code and hear about the non-public deals then you sign an NDA.
Aye, but that's not the point of the article. It's not that I (or the author) want to see code & details, it's that you want me to see them. The author makes clear he's got a thousand other items on his to-do list, and has a thousand people coming to him with allegedly brilliant ideas; he has no particular interest in the idea, is not already willing to give up something for access to the idea.
Sure, if I want in on your idea, I might be willing to give up something for that access - hence willingness to sign an NDA. But don't come to me with zero context saying "I've got this amazing idea, sign away your rights and I'll tell you about it." Kinda like a legislator saying "we have to pass the bill so you can find out what's in it"; we see how well that's working out...
This is a critical distinction to make. I'm constantly approached by people who want to use our platform for their business. Our platform is pretty much self service (API's,docs, pricing) but they really want to have a call with me to discuss their business and learn more about us. Ok, no problem with that. Then they say "Oh and you'll need to sign our NDA before we can tell you more about our business" Ughh! You want to tell me about your business in depth. I don't want to take on the burden of multi year lock in on data especially when I talk to a lot of startups all the time.
That's what I figured, but the title is overly broad. It's not actually about NDAs, it's about clueless cargo-cult entrepreneurs who probably have yet to start executing on their first idea. Saying "I won't sign an NDA" in bold face type out of context appears to be throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Most NDAs (especially the ones with any likelihood of being enforced) don't come from the type of person this article talks about.
Comments
But if you want to see the code and hear about the non-public deals then you sign an NDA.
Aye, but that's not the point of the article. It's not that I (or the author) want to see code & details, it's that you want me to see them. The author makes clear he's got a thousand other items on his to-do list, and has a thousand people coming to him with allegedly brilliant ideas; he has no particular interest in the idea, is not already willing to give up something for access to the idea.
Sure, if I want in on your idea, I might be willing to give up something for that access - hence willingness to sign an NDA. But don't come to me with zero context saying "I've got this amazing idea, sign away your rights and I'll tell you about it." Kinda like a legislator saying "we have to pass the bill so you can find out what's in it"; we see how well that's working out...
This is a critical distinction to make. I'm constantly approached by people who want to use our platform for their business. Our platform is pretty much self service (API's,docs, pricing) but they really want to have a call with me to discuss their business and learn more about us. Ok, no problem with that. Then they say "Oh and you'll need to sign our NDA before we can tell you more about our business" Ughh! You want to tell me about your business in depth. I don't want to take on the burden of multi year lock in on data especially when I talk to a lot of startups all the time.
That's what I figured, but the title is overly broad. It's not actually about NDAs, it's about clueless cargo-cult entrepreneurs who probably have yet to start executing on their first idea. Saying "I won't sign an NDA" in bold face type out of context appears to be throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Most NDAs (especially the ones with any likelihood of being enforced) don't come from the type of person this article talks about.