Larrysays MSFT put $250 Million as an investment in facebook. Valuation $15 Billion as expected. Wow. Makes Ning’s $42 Million palein comparison.

Vinnie asks a burning question on conferences. which do you attend, and what do you do to get most from them?

Jeff gives some tips on getting most of conferences.

I have previously covered 5 things to do and 3 things to not do at BarCamp.

Here are my tips on getting value from conferences:

1.      1.
  Have a list of 5 burning questions that I ask
everyone – end user, vendor, etc. Mostly around things we are trying to get a
better handle on

2.      2.
  Plan on “meeting many” but only networking (deep
meaningful conversations) with 5 (MAX for me)

3.      3. 
  Blog immediately about it so I can hear other
opinions (live blogging)

BusinessWeek said it first, indicating the VC model is broken. Then we got reports of far fewer VC firms than in 2000. But the newly minted ex-Google guys want to start a VC fund. Why?

1. Well they have the money, so they can.
2. There is real opportunity in the next generation of search – because we are tired of the old way apparently.
3. Its still the best gig in the business.

pic: from gapingvoid.com Hugh.

A few months ago everyone predicted the end of newspapers. Well they are all wrong. Its changing the industry, but newspapers are not dying (yet). New York Times reported stellar earningsyesterday and stock’s up 8%.

The New York Times Co (NYT.N: Quote, Profile, Research)
reported a 6.7 percent rise in profit on Tuesday because of higher
national advertising sales and a price increase for its flagship
newspaper, sending its shares up as much as 8 percent.

Most of the other newspapers are struggling no doubt, but dead! Yeah Right!

Apple reported strong earnings today. They just blew past most optimistic estimates. Interesting notes:

1. More small businesses are using iPhone. I understand if you are a lawyer or a small design firm or consulting outfit that makes sense, but restaurants, donut shop owners? Dont count on it yet.

2. Deferred revenue: iPhone revenue is recognized monthly over 24 months. Might be in the future JUST like your phone service you will start to rent your iPhone instead of buying it. Remember the GM Electric car?

3. Getting started on BestBuy relationship. I think this is very interesting. The biggest draw for the Apple stores is the “cool” experience they provide and the “geniuses” that provide you on hand support.

Nate‘s posting very frequently on Twitter on the San Diego fires. If you have a loved one or relatives in that part of the country, follow him there.

Since Google changed the business model on Microsoft the only way Facebook is going to change the rules is adopt a totally new business model. I think social networks like Facebook will make incremental moves if they try to “out-Google” Google.

Instead, Facebook should start to offer services that “friends” should jointly get value from. The inherent power of many on facebook. Here’s a couple that make sense:

1. Remember IEEE would offer all members a joint insurance (I think it was life insurance) but why cant facebook offer that for groups?

2. How about aggregate buying? If my friends and I all like the new Powerbook how about getting us all combined to buy one at a discount someplace? Update: BusinessWeek calls these purchasing co-ops

I am sure there are many more, but this would be the best use of the “social graph” that’s on my list of friends on Facebook.

Just joined Gooruze. Dont know if its going to be YASN, (Yet Another Social Network) but we’ll find out soon. I’ll let you know if its worth checking out.

mmohan.gooruze.com

“Those who fail to learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them.”—George Santayana

I worked at Ariba for a during 1998-99, followed by Asera (a Kleiner Perkins startup that raised over $175 Million in venture funding, but showed no traction). The big thing during those days was every industry wanted to build a “Vertical B2B Exchange”. Hundreds were funded – by companies like CMGI, ICG and other venture firms. Many more were funded by large industry consortiums – Covisint, E2Open.

There were 3 dominant themes:
1. Networks of B2B with multiple vertical industries – Chemdex, Vertical Net etc.
2. Small 3 guys and a dog companies – hundreds of which none remain
3. Large consortium funded companies – eSteel, elemica etc.

Of those, the ONLY ones that still are dead men walking are the #3. Others all failed or burned out or flamed.

So when I see a social network for Pharma or a social network for a building, I find that amusing and really history repeating itself.

Dont need it, never needed it, wont need it. Of course I am going to hear this time’s different. I actually used those words during that time.

Photo credit: Cartoon Stock.