Thursday, May 22, 2008

Google Sites has Altered the Landscape for Wikis


Google Sites is the most exciting product I've seen from the Googleplex in quite some time. I recently started using Google Sites to manage information between a small team I'm managing. I've used dozens of Wiki products in the past and have never been so initially impressed by a Wiki than I recently was with Google Sites.

When I think back on all the Wikis I've used, the first thing I remember is having to learn an overly complex markup language specific to the Wiki. Just take a look at TWiki or PBwiki, both of which have complicated markup languages, reserved wiki words and so on. Google Sites implements simplicity with its rich text editor and html editor. Google Sites also offers a free Wiki giving Google Sites a huge leg up on the competition. And lets no forget Google Sites' User Interface which is a huge leg up on the competition. 

Google Sites offers a simplistic wiki solution and reminds me of the pre-iPod days. Before the iPod, dozen of companies were making overly complicated MP3 players with bad interfaces and an absurd number of unnecessary features. That is how I see existing Wikis solutions, over complicated, bad interfaces, and more features than the majority of users will ever need. Google has done for Wikis what Apple did for MP3s players. 

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Carl Icahn & Followers Control 31 Percent of Yahoo!


News broke today that Carl Icahn and his growing group of followers now control roughly 31 percent of Yahoo. Notables in the list include billion dollar hedge fund Third Point, which held 1 million shares in Yahoo as of March 31, and may build a stake of up to 10 million shares in the internet company. Paulson & Co, another hedge fund, disclosed it recently built up a stake of 50 million shares in Yahoo and is supporting Icahn. And lets not forget the growing list of billionaire money celebrities including Boone Pickens and Mark Cuban.

Needless to say, its been an interesting trail of events, especially since Icahn doesn't usea personal computer and Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer won't take Icahn's phone calls.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

The Real Yahoo! Board Members

By now you've probably heard that Carl Icahn is launching a proxy fight in a move to replace 10 seats on Yahoo!'s board of directors. Icahn's nominees include himself, Keith Meister of Icahn Enterprises, Mark Cuban (Dallas Mavericks owner), former Viacom CEO Frank Biondi Jr., Adam Dell, Lucian Bebcuk, John Chapple, Edward Meyer, Brian Posner and Robert Shaye. 

While Icahn's list is interesting, there has been little talk on who is currently on Yahoo!'s board. Read below and you'll find out.


Roy Bostock
Chairman, Yahoo! Inc.



Ron Burkle
Founder and Managing Partner, The Yucaipa Companies



Eric Hippeau
Managing Partner, SOFTBANK Capital



Vyomesh Joshi
Executive Vice President, Imaging and Printing Group, Hewlett Packard



Arthur Kern
Founder and Chairman, American Media



Robert Kotick
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Activision, Inc.



Ed Kozel
Chairman, Skyrider, Inc.



Gary Wilson
Chairman Emeritus, Northwest Airlines Corporation



Jerry Yang
CEO and Chief Yahoo



Maggie Wilderotter
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Citizens Communications Company



For more information on Microsoft, Yahoo!, Carl Icahn, or Jerry Yang visit nobosh

Special thanks to Y! for the board member content on their corporate site. 


Sunday, May 4, 2008

Digg Sharing is Flawed

Ever since Digg launched profiles, the usefulness, quality, and reputation of Digg has been on the decline. What's moving up is SPAM. If you disagree with that statement, Google it - You'll find nearly a million links with a similar opinion. 

After the profiles launch, Digg became littered with bosh (nonsense) and became a spam breeding ground. Take a look at the Digg sharing feature below. Note how incredibly easy it is to instantly send a shout (story message share) to all your friends. Its SPAM friendly features like this that are hurting Digg. Removing the "Shout to All" button would go a long way to restore Digg's quality. 


Below is a perfect example how story sharing should be. The image below was taken from nobosh.com. Notice how the sharing feature has no one-click share to all your friends button. This UI decision has gone a long way to keep spam out of nobosh and leave nobosh with no nonsense, no bosh, nobosh community.


Saturday, May 3, 2008

Starbucks to Experience the iPhone Effect


Earlier this week, Starbucks switched on AT&T for internet access. Starbuck's move from T-Mobile to AT&T will result in over 12 million AT&T DSL and iPhone users having free Wi-Fi access at Starbucks, compared to T-Mobile's previous pay-per-user service.

Hundreds of stories have been written claiming the deal would benefit iPhone users, well what about Starbucks? I predict this new in-store offering at Starbucks will allow Starbucks to begin experiencing the iPhone Effect. Expect Starbucks to see an increase in store traffic and greater sales. Steve Jobs and his iPhone could help save Starbucks. After all, Howard Schultz can use all the help he can get. This is an example of the kind of strategic decisions Starbucks needs to make. The coffee company needs to stay away from brand damaging moves such as the in-store vending machine or even a Starbucks branded energy drink

You can find me at the Starbucks on Wilshire and Highland in Los Angeles. 

For more information on Starbucks, AT&T, T-Mobile, the iPhone, Steve Jobs, or even Howard Schultz, visit nobosh.com