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the web tv project. In just less than a month I recently
gave some feedback to the Microsoft team in relation to the sad demise
of the MSN portal that was at one time a bookmark (favourite) on every
users browser. I then checked out the new live search service just to
see how a few of our URL's were doing. What struck me straight away is
that they had a problem with the new framework. The World and their
wives were dumping all sort of web site listings onto the service and
it was clear that the new technology was grabbing every piece of data
regardless of the quality and content. As I left the site it struck me
that they had big problems and that was not going to help them with
content delivery and providing an alternative service to Google and
Yahoo. Who now are very clearly the three main players. These three
today, sit high in their own league and in the next league about
another 6 to 8 services such as Ask, Mamma, Lycos, Excite etc. Over the
course of the past 8 years, the divide has significantly widened and
the above three now retain Premier League status. Whilst the others
struggle in another league below.
I am concerned about the recent developments. I didn't realise Yahoo
was in such a vulnerable situation as for many years they have been a
clear market leader for search engine technology and services. Yahoo's
standards over the years for providing the best in search results, had
become a by word. In the past, many of us in the industry, would of
told any new webmaster or developer. That if they can't get their web
site in Yahoo, they might as well pack up and seek an alternative
career.
Today, I am saddened and angry. Not at Yahoo, Google or Microsoft. I am
saddened and angry, in relation to the technology markets, that have
driven us to this
point. Yahoo's business essentially, is in search engine technology.
They should of concentrated on their core business area and brought
through their new
advertising programme successfully. But the public relations and
initial charges, with regards to the Yahoo advertising program is a lot
to be desired and provides no incentive or inducement to join. The
program is also set up with double standards,
which I do not like and find offensive. If you are in the States for
example, you
can sign up for just $5.00. But if you are from the UK, you have to pay
£30.00 ($60.00)? I've questioned them over this, but have never
had a constructive reply. It is clear to me that they do not have the
right person in place to deliver a successful advertising service
platform and become complacent in relation to customer care and
customer development and relations. It is now also, too late to get a
marketing director who
knows our industry well enough to take on the challenge at the eleventh
hour.
If Yahoo surrender to the Google offer, of Google taking up the search
service for Yahoo. Well then it's all over for Yahoo! The same can be
said if Microsoft get Yahoo, it will be all over.
Microsoft, have a
bigger agenda and they will go down this road of acquisition big time.
Microsoft are after two essential elements of Yahoo. The first is the
search engine and database to resolve the problems they have with their
service live search. The
second, is the presence and email data base of Yahoo members to get
into the Far East
with Windows.
Three years ago I had over the course of a few months, three senior
Managers contact me
from Microsoft. In a lengthy discussion I gave it to them straight, my
views and
findings. I told them in no clear terms, the future of Windows is in
subscription and this would be the only way to conquer the Far East.
Unfortunately, they didn't take the advice and now in the Far
East, Big Blue and Linux OS are firmly established big time.
If Yahoo gets swallowed up, it will be the end for the business. I also
very
seriously and sincerely believe this would be to the detriment of the
Web. You need
more than just two large players. It's not healthy and the Internet is
a too larger global entity to be confined to such a scenario.
The other problem
is, it's no longer like 10 years ago! Where you could set up a little
search
engine service and start to get a cult following and so the service
takes off. Today, by just having
two major players who would have the capacity between them squash any
up and coming rising stars in the form of a new emerging search
service, could be easily, and swiftly snuffed out. The new future young
and up
and coming whipper snappers in the form of a new cult following search
engine would be no more overnight as they could block the new threat
very easily.
Just before Christmas, I was concerned about the webs future, in this
coming year! As all the
tell, tell signs were there, that existed back in the late nineties,
just before the dot com crash. The problem in our industry is, because
it is so speculative and high risk. Investors get out of this market
first and re-invest in more traditional forms such as food and gold.
So what do we do, and where do we go in relation to
the Microsoft, Yahoo and Google conundrum? Well, whilst everyone shouts
free
enterprise. I think these three giants, need to remain separate for the
future health of the Internet. I think they just need to accept that
they are nearing a life cycle for saturation and tell the money men to
get
off of their back and to go and invest their money somewhere else.
Whether you like them, or hate them, at the end of the day it will
serve the future of the net better with all three in existence.
We have
just recently, seen the final doors start to close on the legacy of
Netscape. By owners, Time Warner and AOL. An industry market leader, at
one
time that gave us the commercial web as we know it today. But yet now,
sadly extinct. The loss of one institution such as Netscape was enough.
The loss of Yahoo, would be just too much and the
consequences long term will be to the detriment of the World Wide Web.
by
Alastair Agutter - 2008-02-07
Japan's International
Shame In Peace Time!
Japan in the 21st century
flouts all rules of conservation in the pretence of scientific
exploration as they plan to slaughter cold bloodedly one of our nearest
related mammals.
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Full credit to the Australian fisheries
and Government for exposing this brutality. The
World has now grown as a global village to expose such irresponsible
behaviour by a state. I am repulsed by the images and believe it is now
time for people power.
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If we all start to refuse buying
Japanese products and services, it will send a clear message to the
Japanese Government that the people of the World does not accept this
primitive and repugnant episode. Video
and Full Story Here!
Why not join me and start to make a stand to preserve our environment
and the creatures that we share this planet with. We no longer have to
wait on our inept and defunct Governments to act on our behalf. We can
do it ourselves by hitting them where it hurts and that's financially.
by
Alastair Agutter - 2008-02-07
Mediacast Network International Portals
Launched and Start Marketing In March 2008
Our Mediacast Network is
now launching the new International portals for the best on the net.
Serving as gateway's with links to deserving web sites and services.
We hope to by the
beginning of March 2008, twenty eight global regional portals and in
five languages initially. Eventually more are planned and will be
brought on-line as the service develops. Web enthusiasts and businesses
can become pro-actively involved by publishing news and articles.
Contributors will be credited for their work and with links to their
respective web sites and services for more related topics. Our Squawk Box Interactive
Common Gateway Interface is live now for you to start publishing
now!
Until the next time, safe surfing!
Written by
Alastair Agutter
2008-02-07
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