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Lobsters3 min readintro

What Sun got wrong

Read on dtrace.orgHN 525·311 commentsLobsters 104

Summary

The author reflects on Sun Microsystems, arguing that despite strong technology, Sun failed because it grew bored with the mechanics of running a business—illustrated by a 2005 startup’s experience where Sun’s sales response was slow and mismatched while Dell’s personal rep closed the deal quickly. The story warns engineers and founders that operational discipline is as critical as technical visi…

  • Sun’s open‑source Solaris attracted startups but poor sales and support caused lost opportunities.
  • Slow, bureaucratic response to customers can outweigh a superior technical product.
  • When a company stops caring about day‑to‑day business mechanics, even great strategy can’t sustain it.
  • Personal relationships (e.g., a dedicated Dell rep) can dramatically accelerate procurement compared to large, indifferent vendors.

Founders and engineering leaders should care because neglecting sales and operational discipline can kill technically strong platforms.

5/10
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