SIFT THIS -- Thanks to "Internet time", the two years that the Digest has been around gives us more than enough time to see the result of some our our technology analysis. Now, you be the judge as we revisit some of the more notable companies from the last two years:
We got all poetic about 280.com's Java-based groupware Meeting Center application last October. While applauding it's innovative user interface, we were concerned "280.com is far ahead of the curve with their application, so far ahead they're making some assumptions that might spell doom for their masterpiece. Most folks still work within 50-100 feet of their co-workers, so a virtual workspace doesn't replace standing on your chair and yelling across a sea of cubes."
280.com was sold for a paltry $800,000 in June to Infoseek. The current buzz is the technology will be used to add a community builder service to the portal in order to compete with likes of Excite and AOL .
Related content has been in vogue since Yahoo! first took a stab at organizing the Internet. Still, it was Alexa Internet which made related content sexy. We first talked about related content in March where we noticed that "Alexa watches and records the entire interaction with the web. When the next user comes to the NHL.COM, the Alexa application displays a toolbar which lists ESPN's site as being one which is closely 'related' to the NHLs one. This is a vastly simplified example, but it demonstrates what Alexa is trying to do: Make the entire 'Net one big Neilsen family."
With deals that include shipping with both Netscape Communicator and Microsoft's Internet Explorer, one can't paint a rosier picture for the folks at Alexa.
You're going to end up using it, find out the facts in "Why You Care About Windows 98" We first noticed Graham Technology Solutions back in July 12, 1996. Back then, we thought "The [company's home page] features interactive network tv, an audio jukebox, live radio, tele-robotics, and (take a breath, there's more) video projection. The co-worker and I spent the better part of thirty minutes exploring the HTML code to trying to figure out what was going down (Ok, the audio is done with Java, but what about the video? Where's the applet?), but, at a certain point, you just sit back and admire."
The showcase page on GTS's page is still astounding. The ability to remotely control a camera in the company's office still makes me giddy. Problem is, while GTS appears to now have an actual office (the old camera appeared to be in someone's living room), they're growth appears to be minimal compared to other players in the Internet broadcast arena.
Marimba madness was in full force back in February of 1997. We considered "All companies involved subscribe to Marimba's idea for restructuring the channel in which software is distributed. Rather than running down to Fry's to get the latest version of WordPerfect, all you need is Marimba's Castanet Tuner to pull down a version and monitor when new versions become available. Throw in secure transactions for easy credit card payments and the only reason you'll need to go to Fry's is their killer selection of candy and electronic doo-hickeys."
Marimba has refocused their efforts on an idea they call "Application Distribution and Management" which boiled down is the same pitch they had back in early 1997 - they want to provide a tool which makes it trivial to install and manage applications on your computer. The problems are twofold. First off, the application is Java, which makes the process of using it slow. Secondly, most folks don't mind being in charge of what bits end up on their computer, as a matter of fact, they like doing it.
First reported in June of 1997, the management of Pointcast is one the saddest stories we've reported. Charging out of the gates in early 1997, we said, "The ripples of the introduction of the Pointcast Network are still making their way through Net. News conglomerates are wondering "How did we miss that?" Netscape considers "Why didn't we buy them?" and Microsoft suggests "How can we completely dominate their market and put them out of business in 12 months?""
Pointcast faltered in many respects. First, they ignored Internet product schedules and took their dear time releasing the second version of the product. After weathering the "channel" battle between Microsoft and Netscape, Pointcast slipped again when the failed to realize a very basic fact - they were the first portal on the Internet. Failure to capitalize on this idea has resulted in Pointcast pulling its proposed IPO in favor of holding discussions about a strategic alliance with potential partners. (hint: buy-out)
august 8, 1998
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