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An early user's setup can reveal what a signup does not

Paul Graham recounts the Collison brothers asking an interested user for a laptop and completing setup on the spot. The story raises questions about friction, direct feedback, and what hands-on help can reveal before a company tries to serve many more customers.

3–7 min

Questions you could explore

  • What might a founder learn during setup that an expression of interest would not reveal?
  • How might helping a user complete installation expose friction missing from a product demonstration?

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