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Archive for the 'startup' Category

Evangelizing the Long Tail

Published
by
Ken
on 2 March, 2006
in neologism, startup and thoughts
. 0 Comments

Every self-respecting online entrepreneur should had heard of the Long Tail by now.

No? Head over to Wired and read the story that ignited the idea.

The phase “Long Tail” very nicely and succinctly captures the essence of the idea. Like many coined word it’s catchy - gets people wanting to find out more and talk about it. Once you get the idea, it sticks.
Recent I found myself evangelizing the idea behind the Long Tail. I told friends and associates the concept behind it. The most recent being Anju.

Why am I doing that? Mostly to share idea and to encourage people thinking of starting something themselves. Other times to explain why I do things certain way.

Mainstream education and business thinking almost never think in terms of the Long Tail, yet.

For anyone trying to start something, the Long Tail is worth keeping in mind. It is another manifestation of the great equalizer - the Internet.

When you own Urchin, why buy MeasureMap?

Published
by
Ken
on 16 February, 2006
in startup and thoughts
. 2 Comments

I’m still waiting for a Google Analytic account to peek at what’s inside. But that’s not what I’m going to talk about.

I am talking about the question I asked when I saw this post.

Google, if you recall, brought Urchin early last year which became Google Analytics later that year.

Few days ago, Google blogged they just brought MeasureMap.

No wonder searches for “MeaureMap” started showing up the past couple of days. People must be searching for what Measure Map is all about.

I once questioned how is MeasureMap going to stay around with Google Analytic. Guess I got the answer. If you can’t beat them, join them.

This is a one smart move by the people within MeasureMap. What is the insider story like? Did they planned for this along? Who approach who?

Someone like to spill some beans?

Ma.gnolia is.the.new del.icio.us

Published
by
on 9 February, 2006
in beta, idea sites, startup and web 2.0
. 0 Comments

Ma.gnolia

Got an email today to sign up for Ma.gnolia Beta.

My first impression: Yet another del.icio.us (YAd)

The about tells a good story but that is it. Here’s an insider’s view.

I’m not a fan of del.icio.us, but just became a new convert because of its post to blog feature. If any of the YAd implements this, I will seriously consider jumping ship.

Personally I think the concept is too shallow and will not gain enough traction from the “the rest of us” to fly. Wait and see what more is up it’s beta sleeve.

I have nothing more to add about Magonlia.

SiteAdvisor - watching what you clicked on

Published
by
on 6 February, 2006
in beta, idea sites, ideas, startup and thoughts
. 1 Comment

SiteAdvisor

First we scanned for virus. Then we scanned for spyware. Now we scan for rogue sites.

SiteAdvisor “helps protect you from all kinds of Web-based security threats including spyware, adware, spam, viruses, browser-based attacks, phishing, online fraud and identity theft.”

It is about time someone come out with this idea. The web is becoming very unsafe with many traps waiting for the unwary.
Just the other day, a friend of mine went to ‘morzilla’ instead of mozilla.com.

Misspelled domains or typosquatting is a multi-million dollars business. It is tough arguing for or against it.
But scam like this is much worst.

It frustrating to see online scammers getting away with their act and we can do nothing about it. I had thought of creating an online registrar of scam sites but SiteAdvisor took it a step further.

As a plugin for browsers, it attempts to detect and inform unwary users of rogue sites, protecting them from risks.
It is interesting though to see how SiteAdvisor intend to make money and who are investing them.

Just like adwares/spywares, think about how much money scammers are making. Would they stop without a fight? The ensuring battle provides enough fuel to keep SiteAdvisor going.

Think about how much the anti-virus market is worth. Protecting user is a lucrative business. A successful SiteAdvisor might be target for acquisition by one of the big AV boys.

As for my less techie friends, I will suggest they install this.

Newsvine - be an instant chief editor

Published
by
on 1 February, 2006
in beta, idea sites, ideas, startup and web 2.0
. 0 Comments

Newsvine

Not aspiring to be a MTV star? How about a chief editor?

Now you can, with Newsvine. It is still in private beta but many had blog about it.

I’m a very slow early-adopter, I got the Newvine invite courtesy of Roberto a while back but only gotten around to really try it today. (Blame all the Web2.0 distraction mushrooming everywhere.)

It still have some problem signing me in though, perhaps due to the way I track my online accounts. My passwords are 20 characters long and have special characters. A number of sites had choked on this.

Many people call it a mesh of CNN + digg + slashdot for lack of better descriptive. Well that’s all very 2.0ish - mix and mesh, power to the people and mass amateurisation of, in this case, news reporting.

Update:
The sign problem is really my mistake in messing up my emails. What a boo-boo.

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