←back to thread

Airbnb will build a new tech hub in Atlanta

(www.protocol.com)
140 points 7d7n | 2 comments | 18 Feb 21 16:23 UTC | HN request time: 0.495s | source
Show context
dreamcompiler ◴[18 Feb 21 23:37 UTC] No.26187383[source]▶
OK I'll bite. Airbnb is a website. A hard-to-navigate, overproduced one, but it's still basically just a website coupled to a database. And it's not even as complex as Uber's because it doesn't need realtime GPS tracking of anything.

Why does Airbnb need a "tech hub?"

replies(6): >>26187435 #>>26187450 #>>26187468 #>>26187653 #>>26187807 #>>26191321 #
Naac ◴[18 Feb 21 23:42 UTC] No.26187435[source]▶
Sounds like a good systems design interview question. Design an Airbnb like website operating globally.

I think going through this exercise will show it's more than "just a website"

replies(1): >>26187847 #
1. dreamcompiler ◴[19 Feb 21 00:28 UTC] No.26187847[source]▶
Most major companies have to build a high reliability, highly-scalable website operating globally. Lots of people know how to build these things [except of course for contractors that the US federal government hires], and most of them don't have "tech hubs" in any major city unless they're ... you know ... actual tech companies. Why do we consider a glorified hotel company like Airbnb a tech company? Just because YC invested in them?
replies(1): >>26188954 #
2. ttesttom ◴[19 Feb 21 02:44 UTC] No.26188954[source]▶
How is a company that is an entirely online marketplace with no physical property not a 'tech company'?