> build things people want, not the idealistic future some day version where we eventually get to a priority feature
FWIW, I don't think this was what happened. RethinkDB started out as an SSD optimized database, and quickly repositioned itself (due to "is this what people want") to something more generally useful, and was one of the most feature-rich databases at the time, I thought.
MongoDB however got first mover advantage and a bunch of cash that comes with it. They could afford to invest heavily in developer evangelism. Then they bought WiredTiger. If I sound bitter, I am a bit - not that Mongo did well in the end, but that RethinkDB went the way it did.
FWIW, I don't think this was what happened. RethinkDB started out as an SSD optimized database, and quickly repositioned itself (due to "is this what people want") to something more generally useful, and was one of the most feature-rich databases at the time, I thought.
MongoDB however got first mover advantage and a bunch of cash that comes with it. They could afford to invest heavily in developer evangelism. Then they bought WiredTiger. If I sound bitter, I am a bit - not that Mongo did well in the end, but that RethinkDB went the way it did.