Technically Speaking

Congratulations are in order for Matt Marshall and VentureBeat for being recognized for content worthy enough to be syndicated in the New York Times. Along with GigaOm and RWW as well, congrats! This proves that old media is a dying breed, hanging on to what readership is left. Taking over the perceived mainstream media will not be an easy task.

Along with blogs being syndicated to mainstream media, we have places that offer video content by the buckets now. Why do we need a mainstream news show that only comes on at 5pm or 10pm at night anymore? We don’t. News, entertainment, and good writing is all available sans mainstream media. It’s about the people dictating to the media, and no longer the reverse. This is what democracy is about.

The change today only signals a small battle being won. More like a concession by the mainstream that bloggers are doing it better. Blogs like VentureBeat now employ writers that are even better than what the mainstream offers. While many may disagree with me on that last statement, I can speak from personal experience - Matt Marshall knows the news and reporting.

Technically Speaking, my very short run at VB last year was only the tip of the iceberg for both of us, and I like seeing how that moment in time led us both in directions that worked out for the best.

TechCrunch, the tiny blog that went big time for Mike Arrington looks to be on the verge of a deal of astronomical proportions. Now if the deal is true, this could make TechCrunch another thing that CNET destroys. I think that the offer is probably going to be hard to refuse, and for Mike maybe it’s time he cashes out and leaves the rental he lives in.

CNET’s growth has stagnated, while TechCrunch is growing like a weed. And so are SeekingAlpha, GigaOm, Huffington Post and other new media companies. These companies have filled a niche that appeared when traditional media began cracking apart–and they’ve taken full advantage of it.

The main question is why have big sites like CNET have supposedly stagnated? Well the answer is that Mike worked his nutz off making TechCrunch work. He put in the time, the hours, and did what it took to make it work. CNET rested on it’s already established place, and that my friends is the reason TC took off like a rocket and surged in growth like nobodies business.

The blogs I look to do the same very soon of course are Allen Stern’s CenterNetworks, often overlooked but out of nowhere he is going to drop a DDT before you know what hits you. Than of course there is Read/WriteWeb, who has had tremendous growth over the past year. RWW is another contender for the crown. We mustn’t count out VentureBeat, the scrappy true journalism integrity site left in the blogosphere. If you want the complete story, you go there. Matt Marshall is one heck of a reporter and person. GigaOM, well Om already has his money and he is building a fine network of blogs; GigaNET if you will. Lastly we must not forget the blog that posts 900 items a day of course - Pete’s Mashable.

Technically Speaking, there are a lot of great blogs that have the news when you want it. TC becoming a CNET property is interesting and for one thing, it will free up the blogosphere and put in a new fight for #1!

Zimbra who was bought by Yahoo for $350 million the other day is still making news. This time it appears that Richard over at RWW does a full analysis of why Yahoo wanted to drop $350 million on Zimbra. The answer is pretty simple, but he breaks it down pretty nicely.

Zink, a company that does inkless printing raised $25 million. Now isn’t this the same thing we did as kids at the fall festivals we had to go to? Take some wax paper and melt crayons with a hair dryer? Sound familiar? Well this company just took that idea one step further with some crystals on paper that turn into colors at a specific temperature. Very interesting. $25 million should help roll this product out to market. Miami real estate

Technically Speaking, that is two “Z’s” too many for now!

10 years of blogging - I came on officially a little late in the game. My first blog was in 2002, and I didn’t see the point until last year. I of course understand the significance as well as millions of others that have started a blog since. One of the questions posed by Pete of Mashable is “Are we journalists?” I say “No.” We don’t have the red tape slowing us down that a traditional publication has to weed through to get an article online. I think we may help to enhance how traditional print media/online media - mainstream - operations are run. As far as any of us having any journalist creditability, that is a pretty far stretch.

Many bloggers write really well, people such as Marshall Kirkpatrick writes in a style that is both interesting to read as well as informative. People like Matt Marshall write in a stricter style that reflects his journalist background. Both are quite successful in what they do. Both are now bloggers or reporters of the news. Now I hear that Om’s group has a nice review style over there. I wouldn’t know personally, as I have never worked for Om, but the review process makes sense to me (from what I have heard about it).

Veoh: rocking the boat - It seems like the video sphere is amping up nicely. The many choices available today are making internet video the norm, vs the exception to the rule. If you have a video, show, or what not - it’s best practice to have it online. I like the fact that better options are coming out. I see more options hitting the entire sphere in late 2007 into 2008. Video online is getting much better, and again - buy that flat panel monitor - you will need one.

Technically Speaking, it’s Sunday and I hope you all enjoy it. Kind of muggy here in the STL, but what can you expect when you live in the STL?

Sprint killing over 1000 accounts - now it seems it’s a big deal in the mainstream media. This leads me to believe the real reason that top C level executives are leaving old media. They are tired of the pace that it seems to move. Tired of the way old media has not embraced new media. Yes I already talked about Sprint last Friday.

I don’t blame them one bit. That is why I set up Planet Social Media Services. I’m not out to kill traditional places, I’m just here to offer the new companies the option of getting there via the social media outlets that are available. Using the tried and tested methods that rocketed Lending Club to where it is today; only like 50 days after launch on May 24th.

You can’t argue with the data that was reported both by TechCrunch and Mashable. Most interesting is watching from the inside how traditional media sources are also picking up on the buzz that is being created.

Places like the Boston Globe as well as the San Francisco Business Times and Kiplinger.

This all leads us back to where it all started. Well not where it started obviously as there were many that tried to get traction before, but MySpace is now recognized as the leader.

Why? Well fresh out of Europe is this look at how they have taken over the world. Not quite, but they have millions of registered users. I say registered, not active. The activity is high, as I can tell when it goes bonkers, but what is the actual activity going on?

A bit dangerous to talk about, but I’m glad that VentureBeat covered the porn connection of Stickam. I’m sure by the morning there will be some denials as well as clear distinction being made. The facts remain, I know VB does fact checking. Not only will they fact check, but they will double and triple fact check if need be. One site that I trust, will rather run a story late or not at all if the facts are not all checked - is VentureBeat.

Statistics. You have to love them, hate them, or just ignore them and continue doing what you do best. Allen is correct, stats are a freakin’ joke. He makes a valid point about “time spent on a site” as something that could be easily challenged and gamed.

Once again it’s to my main point that I have said many times now. Why are some sites considered the leader, and other stats ignored because the leader(s) say to ignore them?

I am agreeing totally, there needs to be a new stat master and I for one would love to see Allen be the one to erase the slate and come up with something. His background in the industry more than qualifies him to be the new slate eraser and creator all in one stroke.

Technically Speaking, I should have been working some more, but it’s been a long productive day and tomorrow awaits!

Kontrib, is finally is picked up by the Museum of Modern Betas (MOMB). This is interesting, as I talked about them over on VentureBeat last week, and Allen did a screencast on them last week also. It is nice for them though, and I’m sure they are enjoying all the coverage.

After Google jumped and hired Ali to be a bouncy ball tester, Yahoo couldn’t be left behind. They jingled my cell # overnight, e-mail bombed my inbox today, and basically said they needed a bouncy ball tester asap. They knew I was the perfect person for this job.

Technically Speaking, I’m holding out for more money. I am just seriously busy between all these part time gigs, VentureBeat, Criteo, this blog, GMAFB - so Yahoo needs to up the salary into the 6 figures. We are definitely close, and I’ll keep you posted. Until then, watch something that is real - rex.tv.

Well I had some minor blog issues (technical) this morning, so I couldn’t keep up on this NBC/Newscorp rocking the blogosphere Thursday. I will go ahead and probably post links you may have seen, and of course a few gems that I personally just like. Without further introduction from me, you know what to do right? Click it if it seems interesting, or just move on by.

Mike of TechCrunch - He was all over this NBC-News Corp announcement today was he not? Now that is why he is #1, and we are just trying to figure it all out from our end of the spectrum.

NBC goes social - The peacock. That is what I will always remember about this network. Kids of the future, they will remember is as their first social network.

Why does it take two - That is two professional reporters at Reuters to cover the story Mike pretty much did single handed?

What’s really going on at Google? - That is the question running through my mind right now. I saw this on VentureBeat, where you can also find an article about myUlist.org (obvious self plug).

In the mood - This week at least, I have been loving the headlines for each of ValleyWag’s articles; this one in particular, brings a whole “300” feel to it.

Oracle wants back what SAP stole - I seriously wouldn’t doubt it. I remember back in the days when I was an Oracle DBA, SAP was a freakin’ joke. Period. So how did SAP do it? hmmm… I guess we will let the courts decide.

Soapbox Closing for repair - MSN Soapbox, really never checked it out to begin with. It just reminded me of this Conoco station we have locally as you leave my neighborhood heading west. Basically, it was open for years, like 24/7 for awhile too. Then it closed, and Conoco bought them (it was a mom/pop shop; sorry left that out), and then shined up and reopened. It was like that for a few months, then suddenly closed. Abandoned with no further explanation except this white painted on sign on the main glass to the store part that said “Go Away!”. So I’m driving home the other night, and guess what - the neon signs were flashing with a blue-red glow of “OPEN“, and the pumps were lit up again.

I had to make it a little interesting. Does the story I rambled on about really fit? Maybe, and then again, maybe not. I haven’t blogged really all day since the snafu this morning. Let’s move on now.

Let’s play the court game - Starz sues Disney

Okay, now here is the story I enjoyed reading this evening. I think it is the gem in the rough for the evening.

Pause that SMS - Marshall writes about features he would love to see implemented in ZapTXT or one of the other services he uses. I left a comment on his blog, and I truly believe (at least when I was coding still) - the stuff he mentions would be relatively easy to fix. It shouldn’t be that big of an issue to get a text alert the minute something is going down. I don’t use the text alert thing, as when I go to sleep after being up for my usual 19-20 hours, I want to sleep. I figure what happens in that 4-5 hour window (lately less then that as I have been extremely busy) - I want to sleep!

Technically Speaking, I think I have an interesting spin on things. 7,000 unique viewers or readers a month (since January 1st) and like 50,000 page views (since January 1st) can’t be all be smoking from the same crack pipe! What I mean is - I think I put an interesting twist and story to the news items of the day. I at least try and that even though I over use that line, it’s been branded by now.

I have a fast train to Paris, France that I have to catch for a bit, more later on.

That is what Scot is telling me these days. You have to remember, that a lot of people buy the eBook versus a hard copy. It seems that many people prefer that. Personally speaking, I would rather have the book itself sometimes. Where is this going?

If you haven’t figured out yet, it’s time for a sponsor round up. I just updated Scot’s logo for his book - How To Play Business Golf. So, with all that being said —- readers let’s start showing some interest in these companies sites. There could be new features that you haven’t seen, or you may be visiting for the first time. Whatever the case may be, just give them a visit please!

Collarity - DigitalRon - Planypus - askitonline - HTPBG - *now an internet best seller - and of course the mainstay, the first ad ever placed on this site - our long time supporter - yourminis

I do apologize for the lack of posts here. I have been writing my a$$ off lately, and there should be some more articles coming out on VentureBeat very soon. I have not abandoned this site. I am updating the Link Blog still at least once every 24 hours, sometimes twice. I am trying to present a better product here, and that means more concentrated efforts in the writing.

I did add a twitter feed on the right, for my twitter as well as people I have on my follow list. It can be interesting I guess. twitter has slowed down quite a bit since SXSW started to break camp on Wednesday. I think there is a good to it, but there sure was a lot of fun hype during the SXSW week!

Technically Speaking, I need to get to bed now - 5am comes way early!

Here is my latest article for VentureBeat - Jyve.