The Pinboard and Delicious Story

The story of Pinboard and Delicious is a classic tale of simplicity triumphing over complexity.

Delicious was a popular social bookmarking service that grew rapidly, adding numerous features and attracting millions of users. It was acquired by Yahoo for a significant sum, but its complexity made it difficult to maintain and monetize. After being sold multiple times, it eventually faded into obscurity.

Pinboard, on the other hand, was a one-person company started by Maciej Ceglowski. It offered a simple, no-frills bookmarking service for a small annual fee. It had a limited feature set and no investors. Ceglowski focused on providing a reliable and straightforward service.

In 2017, Pinboard acquired Delicious for a mere $35,000 and shut it down.

This story is a powerful illustration of the advantages of being a _Company of One. By staying small, simple, and focused, Pinboard was able to outlast its much larger and more complex competitor. It's a testament to the power of playing the long game and prioritizing sustainability over growth.