[strikelaserclaw]

I think there is nuance here, even within a product company, not all software is equal. There's software to support core business (think ads in Google) and there's probably software to support internal dashboards (also in Google), I'm sure engineers working in ads in Google have much more leverage than those working in making dashboards for ops or some internal ticketing system. Conversely, I'm sure the companies we traditionally think software is just needed to support the core business also have software lines which generate income or is critical to their core business.

[michael_leachim]

thank you, maybe it is easier to understand

when you ask whether business will halt and die if the system you are responsible for is down or suddenly absent

or

it is going to be a mild inconvenience.

I think, defined like this makes it less ambiguous

edit: fix msg

[mooreds]

> when you ask whether business will halt and die if the system you are responsible for is down or suddenly absent

This is a great way to put it.

I also ask myself the question: "who are the rockstars" at a company. The folks that are celebrated.

If it isn't a developer/engineer, you aren't at a category 2 company.

[michael_leachim]

thank you, I've got something to think about.

[strikelaserclaw]

this is a good way of putting it, thanks, it is also a good way of assessing ones one value to a company (if i disappear tomorrow, will it mostly be a minor inconvenience or will there be a DEFCON 1 response raised)