Disqus - Latest Comments for ChrisR

Re: Electric cars vs. biofuels: The presidential energy debate heats up

ChrisR — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 19:33:00 -0000

In my opinion, there is just too much "social engineering" going on here. These matters should be settled in the marketplace with individuals making their own buying and selling decisions.

Based on these voluntary decisions, producers will know *what* to produce and in *what quantity.* Subsidies and tax credits are all arbitrary...and can lead to nothing but more problems and imbalances in the future.

Re: My Vision For Social Media

tetsuotrees — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 13:42:52 -0000

Actually, the Brazilian tribe brings up a rather interesting facet of Fred's vision that isn't implicitly stated: the ability to have things about your existence uncovered without your expressed approval. The web allows parties to rapidly uncover and disseminate information about previously unknown quantities, which begins the (sometimes long) process of making those quantities known. The Brazilian tribe is a rather cloudy example, as it is difficult to ascertain whether they would have wanted their existence uncovered had they had prior knowledge of both the processes and technologies involved and the potential consequences of not having their existence uncovered. But just as there will always be people who desire a life "off the grid", so too will there be people with an interest - however innocent - in bringing such people "into the light" so to speak. (I realize the language is a bit extreme.) The recluse may not actively share his life with the world, but in some sense, someone will undoubtedly be doing it for him...

Re: My Vision For Social Media

ChrisR — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 16:16:47 -0000

Ok...I think I took you too literally...understood.

Re: My Vision For Social Media

fredwilson — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 16:06:25 -0000

I am not suggesting anyone force anyone to do anything

Its just a 'vision'

Re: My Vision For Social Media

ChrisR — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 15:01:38 -0000

The term "every single human being" is pretty bold....Just look at the tribe that was discovered a few days ago...They're a part of "every single human being."

What if they will fight to the death to avoid "posting their thoughts and experiences?"

Are they to be forced? By who?

Re: louisgray.com: Dealing With Capacity Overload and "Laying Off" Features

ChrisR — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 11:58:37 -0000

Here's how I'd answer some of Louis' questions:

***Do you, as a user, have an absolute right to all your archives, ever?***

If, while signing up to Twitter, it is explained that I'll only have access to the last 15 days of tweets, and all others will be deleted, I see no problem there. However, once you have unlimited access, taking that away does not sit well. People don't like things being taken away. So the archive restriction needs to be spelled out on day one.

***Do you have the right to demand that once features are added, they never be removed?***

I think if you're a paying user, you're probably entitled to a refund...since the original deal has been broken...(depends on the particular situation though)... If you're a non-paying user, you obviously have the right to move on to another service.

***And do services have an obligation to scale up their hardware and infrastructure to keep you happy? Would you help fund their upgrades?***

If the service ceases to work, like Twitter recently, yes they do have an obligation to scale up...if they want to keep their users.

If Twitter were to start charging its users, I'm sure there are plenty of people who would pay (depending on the price, and if their friends are going to pay too)...However, Twitter would lose a lot of people too...especially if there are other free alternatives like FriendFeed, Pownce, Jaiku...etc.

Re: louisgray.com: Developers Are People Too, Don't Forget

ChrisR — Fri, 30 May 2008 00:48:12 -0000

It's always nice to reflect upon the qualities of the entrepreneur...After all, this is a person who invests his/her time, money, and resources in satisfying the urgent demands of consumers (or users).

Sure, many will forecast incorrectly, and their creations will end up in the so called "deadpool," but I find it very admirable that the entrepreneurs took the risk anyway.

Our lives would be quite primitive, and our standard of living a lot lower, without these key individuals.

Re: Google Dropped the Ball on Jaiku

Shane — Thu, 29 May 2008 18:21:59 -0000

An argument I have heard a number of times is that Google didn't buy Jaiku for the service but rather saw it as a way to get Jyri and Petteri onboard. If you've ever seen any of Jyri's presentations or heard him in interviews, it's obvious he's done some seriously deep thinking on social networks and ways people relate to each other. Petteri appears to be similarly switched on.

The jewel in the Jaiku crown has, apparently, always been the Symbian 60 client for Nokia phones (I can't say for sure as I've never owned a Nokia). It's possible that Jaiku will come into its own as a service if/when Android is rolled out in sufficiently large numbers.

The final possibility is that, like Microsoft before it, Google has become too large to be agile and that new acquisitions will be absorbed at glacial pace as sexy new start-ups battle to integrate with Google's systems.

It's interesting, and with increased Twitter stability I see Jaiku being talked about more and more. Time will tell I suppose.

Re: Google Dropped the Ball on Jaiku

ChrisR — Thu, 29 May 2008 12:57:22 -0000

I can't agree more...I wonder why they dropped the ball and let FriendFeed swoop in (with a very similar service).

However, I'm sure the average Google account holder has no idea about Twitter or FriendFeed, so perhaps Google is keeping Jaiku in the holster for a later date.

Re: Keep Your Eyes On FriendFeed: It May Be The Google Of Social Networks

ChrisR — Sat, 24 May 2008 11:34:41 -0000

Great points!

FF has largely replaced Google Reader for me as well..I use Google Reader as a backup, to catch up on stuff I may have missed, and for sharing stories.

I also believe FF is taking on Twitter...Once FF adds SMS and XMPP - watch out!

Re: The Blogosphere’s Changing Opinions on FriendFeed

ChrisR — Sun, 18 May 2008 21:18:58 -0000

"Noise" is obviously a subjective term. A conversation can begin from just about anything, including what some consider to be noise.

I think one of the keys to really enjoying FriendFeed is to make peace with the fact that you don't "have to" read everything. If you feel like you do, then FriendFeed can be intimidating.

I think if you treat it like a constant, never-ending stream that you participate in, there's lots of value and opportunities buried in the so-called "noise."

Re: Personal Blogging With Logdit

ChrisR — Fri, 16 May 2008 21:04:17 -0000

I think it's an interesting idea...however like you mentioned, the competition is stiff...Even WordPress has a setting where you can make your blog private. Logdit will have to really distinguish itself.

Re: Bring Google Reader To Your Desktop With ReadAIR

ChrisR — Thu, 15 May 2008 23:58:41 -0000

One of my reservations was the fact that there weren't any keyboard shortcuts...Nice to read that they've been implemented...Looking forward to seeing how this app progresses.