Small Search Engines and their Non-Traditional PR Machines
I've been following a few small search engines for some time now. With search dominated by Google, Yahoo, and Microsoft, can a start-up enter the market and how do they get attention? I’ve read many articles about Google's massive network of computers that can process more data than most if not all of the world's largest universities. Likewise we have to assume that Microsoft with their heaping pile of cash has replicated to some degree Google's indexing capabilities. How can a small search firm compete? The answer is small value-added over-lays to their search combined with aggressive marketing, but this still doesn't mean success.
Just over a year ago I discovered Mamma.com. Mamma.com is the self-described, "mother of all search engines." In addition to search they had a very small advertising network that appeared to be similar to Google's vastly popular Adsense program. I discovered Mamma.com after browsing Mark Cuban's personal blog. I was intrigued by Mamma because Mr. Cuban had made a substantial investment in the company. However he eventually sold all of his stock in Mamma.com because of frustrations with the company. So really my brief exposure to Mamma.com was a nothing more than viral marketing via a blog. As a result, I really tried to use Mamma.com, but their meta search was nothing compared to Google, and their site seemed sluggish.
Continue reading Comments (0) Mar.27.2006.
Moderates Urge NARAL Ex-President to Leave Casey Alone
As further proof that NARAL is losing it's grip on the Democrats, now even pro-choice Democrats are urging a former NARAL president not to run as an independent against Bob Casey Jr. With Casey, a pro-life Democrat, leading big against the powerful Rick Santorum, and with the recent decision by South Dakota to challenge Roe v. Wade, the pro-choice movement is falling apart. I'm okay with this because for too long they have kept the Democratic Party out of the mainstream.
Continue reading Comments (0) Mar.07.2006.
I Want My Yard
When talking with people about Celebration, Florida, the New Urban town where I work, they commonly state their disapproval of small yards. For me, convincing them to rethink their love for their dear tracts of sod is not extremely challenging.
Owning a large yard in America seems to be a major component of the American Dream. A large yard is comparable in many ways to owning a “super big gulp” SUV. We as Americans want all the options, and we are gladly willing to pay for features we rarely use.
When is the last time you saw your co-worker’s Cadillac Escalade covered in mud? Likewise, when was the last time you saw your neighbor playing volleyball, or any sport for that matter, in their over-sized yard?
Let’s look closer at a couple of generalizations and characteristics about typical communities that contain over-sized yards. First, these communities, which typically consist of impersonal snout houses (protruding garages), are on the out skirts of suburbia and require a long congested commute to work. Secondly, the most common activity in a suburban yard is lawn care.
Well, how do so many people function in New Urban communities without their “American Dream” yards? Life must be really tough for small yard owners.
New Urban homeowners have yards that can be maintained in a manner of minutes, and they can often walk a block or two to a beautifully manicured public space to throw Frisbee, play ball, or have a picnic. By utilizing public green space for outdoor activities, New Urban residents have an opportunity to interact with neighbors and enjoy some of the best places in the country for recreation and relaxation.
To understand the concept and benefits of common green spaces, we must set aside the ingrained desired attributes, which actually are inefficiencies of our parent’s homes. I often view the large suburban yards as sad places of desolation. In comparison, the social and active grassy knolls of New Urban communities inspire our minds, support our health, and increase our relaxation.Continue reading Comments (0) Feb.08.2006.
Photo: Good Morning America, Charlie Gibson
Tory, Charlie Gibson, and Adam
Continue reading Comments (0) Apr.12.2005.
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