KeithBarrett Online

Google just rolled out a new “Suggested Users” feature on Google+. Yes, they fell into the same temptation that proved to be useless on Twitter. Why? Because these lists were created using a celebrity status or based on large follower counts instead of what may actually be useful. This style of effort ultimately results in a elite group becoming even more elite and important contributors to you getting buried because it is not based on actual content posted or any trust relationship.

Let me demonstrate. My interests are Sci-Fi, Computers, Technology, Social Media, and Disney. Besides some people that I already follow, here’s who Google is recommending to me (and there is no ability to find out WHY they’re being recommended or view their profiles from the list):

Paris Hilton – She posted 13 times, most recently asking what she should wear.

…Read more about Google+ Suggested Users

Microsoft bought Skype for $8.5bil. I’m sure this is a good thing for possible corporate adoption, but I am doubtful this is good for the general public or non-MS mobile platforms. Let me explain…

SKYPE

First let’s look at Skype. This is not the first time Skype has changed ownership. Skype was originally purchased by eBay and sat there before being bought back because eBay couldn’t figure out what to do with it. At least during that time the service survived.
…Read more about The End of Skype As We Know It?

The technology for providing video services over the Internet has become stable and easier to access by non-techies, especially now that the iPad and other tablet devices are available. As access becomes easier, more and more people will move to the Internet for their television viewing. Content there is provided by the world, rather than just what’s in your over-the-air (OTA) reception area or cable/satellite company. This is why cable television took off in the first place – more content options and clearer signal. Until OTA digital television broadcasts became standard in the USA, if you wanted any quality of signal, especially high-definition, you needed cable or satellite television. Now everyone has the ability to watch the major networks in high-definition for free, leaving content as the primary issue.

…Read more about The Migration of Television to the Internet

In my recent article “TV Streaming Wars” I discussed the battle between viewing movies and television using the Internet, content providers and their streaming license complexities, and the services and software trying to provide user friendly content access while getting caught in the middle. One of the more frustrating aspects this tug-of-war is the merging of computer and television technology, while simultaneously dealing with services trying to treat a television with an Internet device differently than a television with a computer, and how that situation is causing Plex and Boxee users to keep experiencing a “not supported on this platform” error message in the middle of watching a video on Hulu.

Some of my deductions in that article may have been confirmed. On 12/13/2010, the following was posted in the Plex discussion forum by user “pcbell” in response to contacting Hulu support about the error message: …Read more about Hulu Viewing Freedom

I’ve had web sites steal blog articles from me before. Most time this occurs in foreign countries. The funny part is that they often still link back to me. Today marks the first time I learned of one that is promotionally “regional” to me. …Read more about Stealing Content To Make Money

As part of a company social media press promotion, CLEAR Wireless communications invited me to a pre-launch gathering of their new Orlando area services. I want to be clear (no pun intended) that in exchange for my discussion of this event on social media services including this blog entry, I received some free food & drink, and a preview to their public announcement. This disclaimer however does not affect my open thoughts and honest opinions related in this article.

On 9/14 I received this event confirmation: …Read more about CLEAR Orlando Blogger Meetup

The Internet is allowing the consumer to directly purchase product from its creator, flattening out most business models by eliminating the middleman: the distributor or publisher. Industries that accept this impact and explore new business models will survive, others (such as the recording industry) will fight it or die. “The Wrap” published an excellent article detailing why the traditional television business, like music, is dying. I recommend that you read it before continuing here.

All businesses go through the same downward spiral when they let the accountants, lawyers, and Wall Street take priority over the customer and brand. No model operates forever, and the cycle can occur in any business. It goes like this: …Read more about The Mutation of Television

Ghost of Microsoft Past

Back in July, John Dvorak wrote an article entitled Is the party over for Microsoft? Setting aside his personal views, the article does a good job of listing many of Microsoft’s attempts to be everywhere by imitating or destroying the innoventions of others.  There are more examples. Gaming became popular, so they launched Xbox, iPods begat Zune, and earlier this week noted the launch of the first Microsoft store. Microsoft plans to open one next to every major Apple store – a strategy similar to how Burger King handles McDonald’s. …Read more about Microsoft Past, Present and Future