[nolok]

> Specifically, tying yourself up to a closed ecosystem by building what amounts to a (albeit very nice and powerful) super-feature.

Couldn't agree more. It goes something like this :

"What do you offer ?"

"Feature X on top of Y"

"What stops Y from doing it themselves ?"

Either A "Well it's not worth it" (then why do you do it), or B "Well, they haven't so far ..." in which case you have an end date already, you just don't know it yet and it's in the hands of Y.

As you said, planning to be aquired is probably the best move, second one being to plan your independence (imgur to reddit like), because otherwise your company has no real future.

[withinboredom]

Usually it's "C. Because they don't care." It's when you start walking away with millions that they could have had, had they cared, that they will suddenly care.

[adamckay]

> otherwise your company has no real future

That's not necessarily as bad as it sounds, though.

If the future where your company can exist is long enough for you to learn some valuable things and make decent money, it's obviously worth it.

[wes_walke]

The guy made millions of dollars. I'd say it was very worthwhile for him.