Ask HN: idea for a startup, how important should be the path to revenue?

Hi HNers, So here is the situation : having recently graduated ( in CS ), I'm currently refusing job offers as I want to start a company.

I've been reading HN and startup-related news for a while, but it turns out I'm still extremely confused when it comes to my next step : in which direction to go ?<p>I mean, should I think about starting a company that can clearly generate revenus ? Or should I aim at doing something that add value, build traction and then figure out how to monetize it ? ( let's say for instance a web/mobile app for a new kind of social photo sharing )

I have the feeling that starting a company based on a "fun" or/and useful product without any idea on monetizing it works only if you're in the Sillicon Valley area. Does anybody else share that feeling ?<p>So basically I'm just wondering if I should really focus on a product that generates revenue from day 1 ( à la Wufoo ), or do something more risky that might one day make money once it has traction ( à la social apps ).

Reading blogs/HN etc make me even more confused since a lot advices/recommandation contradict themselves.

Any help is appreciated, thanks.