I'm surprised he hasn't disclosed it himself, but it's worth noting that the author has tried his own hand at this problem with the site Zooomr.com. Things didn't work out though and the site never took over Flickr.
Exactly, I am at a loss to explain why so many people continue to fanboy this blowhard.
He has expressed on multiple occasions his dissatisfaction but fail to disclose his conflict of interest as well as the fact that if he really really hates the service so much he can take it elsewhere or try to start his own (oh wait, that didnt work out).
Be careful not to accidentally commit a Circumstantial Ad Hominem. His so-called conflict of interest has no bearing on whether his argument is cogent.
His site could have failed for a number reasons, such as lack of funding, lack of viral growth (if it was social), or whatever. I think you should be careful not to pick on someone because their startup/project failed. Especially here on HN, where we're supposed to embrace failure.
It's not the fact that he tried and failed (although it is more the fact that he hitched his horse to Kristopher Tate and Zooomr which ended up going nowhere) but more the fact that he so actively disparages (repeatedly) a supposed competitor.
Putting that aside, he's also done this repeatedly to no avail so it is disappointing to say the least to see people pick up and repeat his deeply flawed message.
You might also want to take a look at the following for some perspective on the man behind the persona.
