dpd1 - 2:39 am on May 28, 2010 (gmt 0)

Back at the height of the dot com craze, a friend of mine asked me to go with him to meet these guys who were starting a new site based on the industry we were then working in. At the time I wasn't quite into the web yet, but I had done a database that involved the same industry. Since my friend barely knew how to turn on a computer, I guess he figured he needed me. So we go and meet these guys... One of them asked how long it took me to create my database... Before I could open my mouth, my friend answered "a month"... making it seem like he had something to do with it. That's when I realized where this was going.

So we then go to meet the head guy. He sits down and basically gives us that same speech as above. He wanted us to work for free indefinitely, while being given a piece of the action. Well, my friend jumped right in. Then I asked the guy... "So... How exactly is the site going to produce revenue? Is it going to be advertising based? A membership? What exactly?" Now, considering we were being asked to work for free indefinitely, you would think that would be a fair question to ask. Well... The big cheese got this look on his face like I just insulted his mother, and dodged the whole question. But DID take the time to pretty much try to insult me into thinking I was an idiot for not getting involved, because they were all going to be rich. I felt like I was sitting in a car dealership.

Down in the parking lot, I told my friend he could do whatever he wanted, but I didn't recommend getting involved. Later, he called and told me that the head guy accepted him, but told him he didn't particularly like me... I wasn't welcome. Gee, I wonder why. Not stupid enough I guess.

So long story longer... My friend worked for them for free for about a year. Last I heard they gave him a salary for about a month, then closed the whole thing. It never even went public.