The Corner Internet Network vs. the Cellular Giants

NY Times: The Corner Internet Network vs. the Cellular Giants. The informal Wi-Fi networks that inexpensively provide wireless Internet access are fine, as far as they go — which is generally a few hundred feet. But what happens when there are enough of them to weave together in a blanket of Internet coverage? [Tomalak's Realm]

Whither Bandwidth?

Technology Marketing: Whither Bandwidth? Michael Schrage. The economics of digital convergence dictate that the future of this business won't be found in either mass markets or mass customization. It's going to be found in design and development of market segments that generate their own economies of scale. [Tomalak's Realm]

Copyrights — or Mothballs?

Business Week: Copyrights — or Mothballs? But in the rush to protect the established publishing industries, two avenues that were crafted specifically to allow innovation to thrive within the legal structure of copyrights are being closed down. For innovation to bloom in digital publishing, something has to give. [Tomalak's Realm]

Pew Internet

Pew Internet: “As Americans Gain Experience, They Use the Web More at Work, Write Emails with More Significant Content, Perform More Online Transactions, and Pursue More Serious Activities.”  [Scripting News]

As I was reading the Economist today.  It struck me why I don't have a subscription anymore.  I don't want to deal with the paper (it sucks — I can't search it and it clutters up my home).  I also don't want just the website.  It isn't enough.  It seems shallow.  I want a full copy of the website on my desktop.  Full searchable archives for all the issues I get while I am subscribed.  A full list of all issues, by date that I can click on and explore.  I want to take it on the road with me.  Nothing less will do. 

How much is that worth to the Economist?  Say 300,000 feel like I do.  They think the Economist is one of the essential resources of intellectual life.  If the Economist charged $10 a month for that, I would subscribe.  Value, with virtually no change (in fact a reduction in their site costs) in their architecture = $36 m a year.  Enough for them to sit up and take notice?  Yes.  I bet they aren't making any money from their online site, probably even losing money.  This alternative is almost pure profit.  Just a thought.  

Radio could make this easy…. [John Robb's Radio Weblog

As I was reading the Economist today.  It struck me why I don't have a subscription anymore.  I don't want to deal with the paper (it sucks — I can't search it and it clutters up my home).  I also don't want just the website.  It isn't enough.  It seems shallow.  I want a full copy of the… Continue reading As I was reading the Economist today.  It struck me why I don't have a subscription anymore.  I don't want to deal with the paper (it sucks — I can't search it and it clutters up my home).  I also don't want just the website.  It isn't enough.  It seems shallow.  I want a full copy of the website on my desktop.  Full searchable archives for all the issues I get while I am subscribed.  A full list of all issues, by date that I can click on and explore.  I want to take it on the road with me.  Nothing less will do. 

How much is that worth to the Economist?  Say 300,000 feel like I do.  They think the Economist is one of the essential resources of intellectual life.  If the Economist charged $10 a month for that, I would subscribe.  Value, with virtually no change (in fact a reduction in their site costs) in their architecture = $36 m a year.  Enough for them to sit up and take notice?  Yes.  I bet they aren't making any money from their online site, probably even losing money.  This alternative is almost pure profit.  Just a thought.  

Radio could make this easy…. [John Robb's Radio Weblog

Jon Udell

Wow.  Jon Udell captures the spirit of Radio.  As a fellow New Hampshire man (by birth), I applaud Jon's analysis.  Wow again. [John Robb's Radio Weblog]

John Robb's Radio Weblog

Just a little note to all the centalized services folks.  This year ~140 m computers will be sold.  They will have on average a 1 Ghz processor and 40 Gb of disk.  In contrast, there will only be ~4 m servers sold.   It is easy to speculate that this year's PC shipments exceeded the combined… Continue reading John Robb's Radio Weblog

Gosford Park

For my birthday I went to see the movie Gosford Park and had a delicious dinner at Legal Sea Foods.

Untitled

Happy Birthday to me! Happy Birthday to me!