Category Archives: Entrepreneurship

The CPU Free Lunch is Over

Posted on November 14, 2011 by payne

Back in the late 70s, my dad ordered a Heathkit H-89 computer.  It had a 2 Mhz 8-bit Z-80 processor, took months to arrive, cost $1600 (in 1980 dollars!) and we had to put it together.  Now, you can go … Continue reading →

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It’s the Software, Stupid!

Posted on September 27, 2011 by payne

I recently got Kellie a new all-in-one printer/scanner/copier for her office.  After years of buying HP printers, I got tired of their crappy software.  I have no idea why they insist on a multi-hundred megabyte distribution just to support a … Continue reading →

Posted in Design, Entrepreneurship | Leave a comment

The Coming Bits and Atoms Disruption

Posted on September 21, 2011 by payne

I’ve written recently about the entrepreneurial lottery, and the long odds for many pure-software Internet/consumer/mobile projects.  For the reasons outlined, I’ve been shifting my entrepreneurial energy away from these projects. Instead, I’ve been working on “bits and atoms”, or as I think … Continue reading →

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Don’t Get Greedy

Posted on September 13, 2011 by payne

First, Groupon reportedly turns down $6b from Google.  I was shocked when I heard that, and then stunned when I saw their financials filed with the SEC.  Now, they’re surrounded by competitors, pulling their IPO, and the SEC is questioning … Continue reading →

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Lottery Avoidance: Domain Expertise

Posted on August 5, 2011 by payne

Continuing my ad-hoc series on avoiding the entrepreneurial lottery for pure software Internet/mobile projects:  another “unfair advantage” is deep domain experience around your product and market. In this context, this means at least a few years experience in the domain, … Continue reading →

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Lottery Avoidance: Have a Real Asset

Posted on August 3, 2011 by payne

If you’re one of the five people that read this blog, you know I’ve become negative on many pure-software/Internet/mobile entrepreneurial projects.  Low barriers to entry create a competitive, weedy ecosystem that becomes a lottery for many entrepreneurs.  (Investors have a … Continue reading →

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The Entrepreneurial Lottery

Posted on July 29, 2011 by payne

A recent Financial Times article about Facebook’s stunning growth struck a chord with me: … I am concerned that he [Zuckerberg] sets an example of meteoric success that virtually no one else will ever be able to repeat. But wannabes … Continue reading →

Posted in Entrepreneurship, Ramblings | 2 Comments

Turntable.fm and the iTunes Era

Posted on June 22, 2011 by payne

I love turntable.fm. It’s a well-executed simple app offering virtual music “rooms”.  You can just listen, or be one of 5 DJs selecting songs for that room.  It’s a fun way to share music with friends and co-workers.  It’s taking … Continue reading →

Posted in Entrepreneurship, Software | 3 Comments

Facebook Is The New Internet

Posted on May 9, 2011 by payne

Well, not quite, but it certainly feels that way!  When did marketers stop using their own URLs in ads and start using Facebook URLs? It’s amusing how this seems to have come full circle.  Many users started out on AOL, … Continue reading →

Posted in Entrepreneurship, Software | 1 Comment

Which Way is Your Idea Pointed?

Posted on April 5, 2011 by payne

Occasionally, I meet an entrepreneur that’s got an interesting idea, but is oriented in the totally wrong direction for the market. For example, consider ideas around DVDs:  they’re still very popular, but their future seems clear.  With bandwidth and storage … Continue reading →

Posted in Entrepreneurship, Ramblings | 2 Comments