Posts tagged News
Sex(.com) on Sale
Mar 7th
On Sundays I offer comments on some of the most interesting information technology stories that I have found on the web that week. Please feel free to join in the discussion or suggest other stories.
Today’s tale is all about how the virtual world of the Internet continues to become more and more similar to our “real world”. I am sure that all of you can look out your car windows on the way to work and see that the housing market, though improving, continues to be in the doldrums here in the USA. It is sad, but most homes around me are now suddenly worth 10-25% less than they were just two years ago. Do you think that the online world is immune from this? Think that there is still scarcity in the virtual real estate market? Think again and read this story…
CNBC – Things Aren’t Worth What They Used To Be
“Sex.com is up for sale, but sex doesn’t sell like it used to. The adult content site sold for a record $14 million back in 2006 to Escom, which reportedly can no longer pay its debts. Traffic was only about 120,000 visitors a month, according to the International Business Times—not good.
Perhaps it’s the name?“
There was so much written about this topic that there is no single news story to cover all bases. I recommend that you review Google News’ aggregation site for this topic. You can find all angles, opinions, and levels of engagement there.
For those of you who are not aware, registering a new domain name can cost as little as about $10 from a reputable registrar. The fact that people pay so much at auction for “good ones” is really no different than having a good location in the real estate market. Domains like pizza.com, sales.com, and news.com have all gone for small fortunes, but were once bought by speculators at less than $20. That is surely a bubble waiting to burst and when sex(.com) gets cheap you know that we are near the bottom of the cycle!
I firmly believe that our virtual world will continue to evolve, ever faster, to completely mimic our real world and eventually become indistinguishable. This story and its topic are just one more sign that this belief is a true one.
What do you think about this topic? Do you agree or disagree with me? Do you have a recommended news story for next week? Please share your ideas below.
That is my Information Technology Thought of the Day (ITTOD) for March 7, 2010 by Scott Coughlin.
Image Credit: Philadelphia Reflections
Ignite Baltimore #5 Tonight!
Mar 4th
Tonight is the fifth Ignite Baltimore Event . It will be held at the Walters Art Gallery in downtown Baltimore. Unfortunately, it is already sold out, though many walk-ins get spaces if ticket holders do not show up in time, but you can read about it here . I highly recommend this event if are looking for a hip event that combines the best of art with the best of technology with the best of fun! I will be there.
You can also follow it on Twitter at @ignitebaltimore.
This is a great opportunity for artistic and technical people in the local DC/Baltimore Metro area to interact in person and I always enjoy meeting everyone. The fourth event was even better than before and I expect that tonight will continue the improving trend. The new venue is better, the food was great last time, the drink is always fine, and the speakers look encouraging.
If you are here because of Ignite Baltimore, I sincerely thank you for taking the time and investing your attention in my content. If you leave me a comment with your link or send me an email using my contact form, I would be honored to return your favor. I welcome your feedback on my blog. Please seek me out on twitter @Scott_Coughlin or @ITThought so we can meet at the event, too.
Ignite is a tough event to describe so I will direct you to the global Ignite site instead. This how they describe it there:
What Is Ignite?
If you had five minutes on stage what would you say? What if you only got 20 slides and they rotated automatically after 15 seconds? Around the world geeks have been putting together Ignite nights to show their answers.
Ignite was started in Seattle in 2006 by Brady Forrest and Bre Pettis. Since then 100s of 5 minute talks have been given across the world. There are thriving Ignite communities in Seattle, Portland, Paris, and NYC.
Ignite is exciting because it attracts a very diverse audience of artists, technorati, and thinkers to see presentations and engage in cerebral discussions led by other local artists, technorati, and thinkers. Plus it features local foods, deserts, and drinks. Great time for all.
My IT thought for the day is "what is it about now that there seems to be a growing number of convergence events happening just like this?” I believe, though I cannot find the words to explain it, that art and science and technology are coming together in many places because of our Information Age and it all has something very profound to say about the maturity of its glue – Information Technology.
What do you think? Have you ever been to an Ignite event near you? Please share your thoughts.
That is my Information Technology Thought of the Day (ITTOD) for March 4, 2010 by Scott Coughlin.
Image Credit: Ignite Baltimore
Today’s post is licensed under the creative commons license. All are free to share and use so long as credit is given for original or derivative works.
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News Commentary: Cyber Crooks
Mar 8th
Posted by Scott Coughlin in Information Age
No comments
This morning, CNN.com featured a very thought provoking front page story on Cyber Crime. What I especially liked was the discussion of return on investment and whether having the police try to catch them was even worth the effort. I highlight it as a good thought piece for a Monday morning commute.
Here is the link to the story –
CNN.com – Is chasing cybercrooks worth it? by John D. Sutter
I have to admit that I think that the story is a little disingenuous to the whole problem of cyber crime. I am not so sure that the argument that it is hard, expensive, and confusing is really a good one for not doing it. It is a very similar argument that those opposed to the “War on Drugs” use to justify legalizing drug use. Nevertheless, it is a popular, and now public, discussion that information technology professionals should be involved in.
I, for one, think that we need to increase the size of our counter-cyber crime units at all levels of law enforcement. I believe that there is nothing, but a growth industry when it comes to crime online. I doubt that we have even seen 1% of what is possible for criminal activity that involves cyberspace. I say more, not less, engagement is needed by the police.
What do you think about this topic? Do you agree or disagree with me? Do you have a recommended news story for next week? Please share your ideas below.
That is my Information Technology Thought of the Day (ITTOD) for March 8, 2010 by Scott Coughlin.
Image Credit: Money Magazine