a16z Podcast Turning Open Source Developers Into Superfans
Aug 10, 2020
Chris Dixon, a General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz known for his insights in crypto and community building, joins Tom Preston-Werner, co-founder of GitHub and a key player in the open-source realm. They explore how to transform open-source developers into passionate advocates. Highlights include innovative strategies for user engagement, the importance of personal interactions, and balancing community contributions with corporate support. They also discuss the evolving dynamics of remote startups and the need for authentic connections in today's tech landscape.
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GitHub's Origin
- Preston-Werner's coworker introduced him to Git at PowerSet, sparking his interest.
- Despite Git's command-line complexity, Preston-Werner saw its potential, leading to GitHub's creation.
Gmail's Invite Trick
- Use invite systems to create scarcity and buzz around your product.
- Manage early accounts and generate excitement by controlling access.
Linear Growth
- GitHub experienced linear, not exponential, user and income growth initially.
- This steady growth proved sustainable and eventually accelerated.