Archive for September 17th, 2006

Online Backup and the Future of Online Storage

Categories: Data StoragePosted on September 17th, 2006

Michael reports that Carbonite looks like it’s doing hidden replication for a mere 5 dollars a month. More discussions from Techmeme.

A few days ago I published my thoughts on the Future of Online Storage – 40 Points to think about.

Carbonite, Mozy, Microsoft, and the other 100 online data storage companies all fall into my predictions, but please pay close attention to point #24.

Update: Kent has left some thoughts, see my points #35

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The Big Heart of Robert Scoble (Would you let a Troll sleep in YOUR house?)

Categories: Community Marketing, RuminationsPosted on September 17th, 2006

Just got off the phone with Robert Scoble, his troll is going to sleep in his house tonight. He’s hosting Christopher Coulter at his house in Half Moon Bay. I can kind of tell that Robert’s a bit uneasy about this, both in his blog posts and the tone in his voice. I don’t know for sure why, but I think Chris announced to Robert that he’s coming to stay with him, or maybe the fact that Christopher has been Robert’s troll on his blog for quite some time now.

He frequently has left negative comments and challenges Robert’s postions, sometimes in a less than desirable sarcastic tone and attitude. He’s bothered me, but Robert seems to embrace him.

I admire Robert, the form technical evangelist at Microsoft who published his cell phone for the whole world to call him, and has an open door policy at his house for anyone to stay over. Wow, the guy is all heart.

I asked to talk to Chris but he couldn’t get to the phone, he said they’ll do a videoblog later, I can’t wait.

My questions for the videoblog:

1) To Chris, what made you want to come to Robert’s house?

2) To Chris: What do you do for a living, what’s your background?

3) To Chris: Why do you challenge Robert constantly?

4) To Maryam: How do you feel about this, and the open door policy? does this make you feel uncomfortable?

5) Robert: What’s your reaction to this all?

I wouldn’t normally blog about an situation like this, but I think it’s really big of Robert to let someone like this stay at his house, Robert’s about to announce his upcoming videoblog since he joined Podtech. I was just making sure that Robert gets positive vibes as he approaches this release, not just negativity or criticism from Christopher.

I left the following comment on Robert’s blog:

“I’m really surprised on this timing to have Chris come to your house now?

I wouldn’t want him around to detract you during your next phase.

I wish I could be a fly on the wall”

In Robert’s true diplomatic fashion he responded:

“Jeremiah: great ideas survive harsh criticism. That’s why I like having Chris around.”

I applaud you Robert, 99% of the world would never let their troll into their house, you’ve got a BIG heart Robert.

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The Web SIG Organizes

Categories: Events, Web IndustryPosted on September 17th, 2006

I’ve been exchanging emails with Bess Ho, one of the early members of the Silicon Valley Web Guild, and is an active member of the Internet Industry. She’s contacted me as she’d like me to help get the word out about some upcoming events her group The Web SIG is sponsoring and hosting. Apparently, she was at Lunch 2.0, but I didn’t get a chance to run into her. Here’s a nice summary of Web SIG:

Web SIG is a group focused on the latest Web technology, design and trends. Its platform promotes open discussions on technology and provides a friendly environment for exchanging technical information. Web SIG was founded by the original executive board members of Silicon Valley Webguild, a former local chapter of the Association of Internet Professionals and the oldest and largest Web organization in the bay area. from Web Host News

They have an event which will focus on Wikis. It will be themed Matrix style for Halloween! You can get the details here.
They’ve other events at Adobe in Nov. Topics to include the Adobe Lab, Flex, and learning about the Startup Snapvine.com.

Web SIG is apparently free, and doesn’t charge admission online or at the door. Members can get discounts on books and other resources.Do you have a non-profit or special interest group for the internet industry event that you’re trying to promote? I’ll help if it’s on behalf of the fine professionals in the web industry. Good luck Bess and the rest of the Web SIG group.

Posted in Events, Web Industry | Comments

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Best Wishes to Damon Billion, the Customer and Community Advocate

Categories: Community Marketing, Events, Ruminations, Voice of the CustomerPosted on September 17th, 2006

Yesterday we wished Damon a safe and happy journey to Thailand where he’ll be marrying his sweetheart.

If you don’t know Damon, he’s my counterpart (an early pioneer in Community Marketing) at Simplyhired, (known as SimplyDamon) and has been in similar roles at PayPal before that (read this paypal article about him).

Aside from our common professional backgrounds, Damon knew me in a previous life, (we ran in similar social circles while I was in college).

Damon and I have had many interesting discussions about business blogging, community marketing, social media, and the impacts of web on business.

At Damon’s party, I had a chance to talk to Dave McClure about a variety of web industry topics, also with Mario Sundar, and Julio Garcia.

Damon, here’s wishing you the best on your journey, I’ll be reading your blog, chat with you on Voip and see you in a few months.

Posted in Community Marketing, Events, Ruminations, Voice of the Customer | Comments

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Heading to Chicago for Ragan PR Conference

Categories: Community Marketing, Conference, Social MediaPosted on September 17th, 2006

Speaking at PR Conference
I don’t consider myself a ‘PR’ guy by the traditional sense. However Social media certainly is a factor in the modern corporate communications effort, it’s empowered anyone to have a voice, customer, prospect, and employee. This Thur, I’ll be at Ragan Communications’s Strategic PR Conference.

In my opinion, it’s about message enablement, where multiple (if not all) employees participate in public relations. This has been a challenge for many ‘message holders and controllers’ across the industry but progress can’t be bottled and stopped. Learning to listen, understanding these new mediums, and then applying best practices are the key steps.

I’ve been asked to present this Thursday at the Ragan PR conference in Chicago. I’ll be discussing Web Strategy, Business Blogging, and Community Marketing.

(Update: just got off the phone with Chris Kent who’s working with Ragan PR, she’ll be interviewing me for the session. She read THIS blog post within minutes, I love it! I prefer dialogue rather than me speaking over powerpoint slides so I really welcome her involvement. She’s really cool, and apparently a bay area neighbor, looking forward to the session. We’re going to talk about Social Media, Media Relations, Traditional PR, Lunch 2.0, and how Community Marketing programs fit within overall corporate announcements.)

PR/Social Media Thought Leaders
I’m also looking forward to meeting Jeff Treem for the first time, who’s a Chicago native. (David Dalka wants to have some interesting conversations, I can’t wait to meet him as well) I’ll also be in the wings of some great thought leaders like Shel Holtz, (yes the other Shel), Katie Paine, Jen McClure, and Robert Scoble.

Please reccomended things to do in Chicago
For those that have been to Chicago (or live in the area) can you please recomended some things for me to do and see while visiting, this will be my first visit to the windy city and I look forward to hearing your suggestions. Kindly leave a comment below.

Posted in Community Marketing, Conference, Social Media | Comments