Daily Archives: September 3, 2008

Yawn

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I love Google as a company but I am getting concerned that their pace of innovation is slowing down. This browser play is an old idea. We did it at AOL many times and struggled to make a dent into Microsoft’s monopoly position and we had a client and we could add a DLL into our code. We also owned Netscape. The work done by Mozilla and Firefox – which I played a direct role in with Mitch Kapor - is truly the only “alternative” play against Microsoft. Many hands make light work against a giant and I believe Firefox is the best alternative in the market.

It sure took a long time to get this product into market just as it did for instant messaging at Google. I think they have too many PhDs; too many levels of approval; and too many teams working on projects. This kind of launch is indicative that Google is slowing down and losing some if its edge and brilliance.

Google should be focused on life outside the browser. They should be focused on mobile and next generation computing. This move is the move of an incumbent that is financially motivated NOT consumer or technology- oriented. The browser wars are long over. The cold war has thawed. Live to fight another day and a more important battle.

Off the Grid

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“Don’t shoot your neighbor. We don’t dial 911. We dial 357…Magnum.”

Watch this film. Now this is an alternative lifestyle. This is something I would consider but how could I get by without cell phones; email; instant messaging; Facebook; message boards; my iPod; my Kindle; and my Treo?

You don’t need money. If you have pot, you are flush.

This is a very interesting film on SnagFilms.com.

Bring on the Damn Hockey

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You have to admit, the fan base and the blogosphere are dying for hockey season to start.

When I look back at the biggest issues that have fed the monster of late, they revolve around the proposed contraction of the Southeast division; the Capitals Spirit Squad, pompoms and uniform style; facial hair and retired numbers; home real estate listings; and Alex Ovechkin’s love life and reality TV career.

Drop the puck. Stop the madness.  :-)

A Perfect Email

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I received an email from a Caps season ticket holder with a wonderful story. The fan was listening to XM Radio. They were doing a review on the Caps and taking calls. He was driving home and drove into his garage, shut the car off and started listening. He listened so long that the battery died in his car. He then hopped out of his car, jumped into his wife’s car and listened to the rest of the broadcast from the outside of the garage with the car running. So great - thank you! Let’s Go Caps!

Ike Pappas – Rest in Peace

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Ike Pappas has passed away. It is a sad day around here. He was a great guy, a great journalist and a good friend. Ike once took me to a Baltimore Orioles Opening Day game and for three hours talked to me about the Kennedy assassination; the Oswald shooting, in which Ike played a role (see photo within); Vietnam;  and the civil rights movement. It was one of the most fascinating afternoons of my life. He will be missed.