The bubble Facebook.com

This text is an article published by Time magazine and can be read in pdf here

Facebook recently surpassed the beautiful figure of 500 million users, I dare say people but is the third most populous country, behind only China and India, and more than ten times the population of Spain. With this data it appears that is thinking about an upcoming IPO with a value close to 33,700 million (26,589 million euros) and developed based on transactions in the secondary markets. This would put the popular social network with a market value higher than the industry consolidated companies traded on Wall Street.

Seeing these figures, my mind shifts to the years 1997-2001, where there was a very strong speculative trend in which the stock of Western nations saw a rapid increase in value due to the advancement of the new sector related companies Internet ea the New Economy. A period marked by the founding (and in many cases, spectacular failure) of a new group of Internet-based companies commonly referred to as Pontocom companies. The combination of a rapid rise in stock prices, individual speculation and the wide availability of venture capital created an exuberant environment. Are we at the dawn of the second bubble?

In 1999 and start of 2000 - in full bubble - the valuation through multiples (based to value the company should behave similarly to the average of its sector companies) was widely used. If you had an idea about the Internet business, it was worth the industry average, but only have a company like yours in the world. Their project was not born and already had a good rating.

In the top 100 most valuable brands, six of the top ten brands belong to the TIME (Internet and new technologies). The number one - Google - is maintained for the fourth consecutive year - 144,260 million (87.757 million euros) - Three technological followed: IBM, Apple and Microsoft leaving behind great icons of consumption as Coca-Cola (5th) or McDonald's (6th). Recently confirmed the sale of Burger King to the venture capital firm 3G Capital for 3,100 million euros. Burger King, the world's second largest fast food, was founded more than 50 years, has more than 11,000 restaurants in 67 countries and 300,000 employees worldwide. Facebook is still very young and should show that you know how to convert visitors into euros. Otherwise you can not stop at any time to re-click the Web 2.0 bubble.

Tags: coca cola , facebook , Google , Web 2.0

Come Cebrian; Take eggs!

Because if you think you dare to take the decision for which we are preparing, you're going to need them. Funny, but if the group Prisa , decides to pay his edition of ElPais.com relive past moments and showing PRISA is the only animal that trips twice over the same stone, although it is true that this time, cryptic form, set the stage and try to generate a trend of opinion justifying them and then accompanied them to a payment system, because deep down, hope to join some crazy more in his career. In fact, in recent weeks, articles like " Rebellion against total network free "do nothing but prepare the ground. It is a misconception, years preparing and paving the way from the role they have suggested to publishers, who can in a few months to educate our minds and make us see the benefits of paying for the use of information on the Internet. The policy of cultivating the balloon, they worked and are reluctant to see it finished, is in the past. Now the user has taken power, here the information is flowing freely and quickly, I can be informed on blogs, twitter and other means, does not depend on reading what 2-3 means I indicate at the kiosk in front of house. Adapt or Suffer. This is a time of great tension in the advertising market, especially traditional l, and that means there is confusion, chaos ERES, closures and conversions of headers, the beginning of the demise of the technical press that migrate to other formats and CMS as a blog format. Some want the user to pay this time of change, and is to blame for the fall in income and the lack of adaptation of dinosaurs (read including El País, El Mundo etc.) Internet. These giants are leading newspaper in Spain, indisputably so. But, have adapted to the environment? In my opinion no. 80% have replicated the structure of online to offline, and it has worked over the years, although it has been useful was not the game, the game was created offline use for streamlining the structure to create a different environment online, hybrid and structured with lower cost policy without unnecessary bureaucracy without external structure without anchors of yesteryear, agile and the part that hurts, putting the user and technology ahead of the journalist, who leaves in 90% of cases their status single issuer and sometimes idolized to be a means of access to information, to be always should be, a vehicle. The heritage of these great media should not be its structure, or its recognized head or your brand positioning and social and political heritage of these companies, above all, should be users who would no longer be "only" taking a role readers would not be entirely passive and participatory medium. That's the power of the internet, the power of the people (and no, dammit, let's not participate can comment on news, participate much more, is equal roles: a user can be the same as a journalist, but not equal charges you, is pleased to collaborate and enriches you much in your theme that is specialized publication). If it is true that the media have so far dominated the web, have overcome by muscle, experience and especially for financial and human resources, but beware, I am convinced that this is not the final victory, and this, we can Media 2.0 is starting to call, and will collejas rain ... and I bet all into the same sites. Given the doubts and lack of definition of traditional journalism, has sufficed to an icon of mid-century icon-like Rupert yes Murdoch (man does not seem to innovation guru this man, and in the twenty-first century), declare that arises extend the payment model to all its means for some firms in Spain have started to drool and seeing smoke pour the solution revenues fall: - No more crises, I have it: pussy ... then pay! - Ya ... But remember if elpais and what happened .... - Yes, but if we do it all, no more eggs must pay. Not only is not the way, the policy of "by my balls" does not work anymore. This is the internet, you are no longer the focus. The axis is the user, so if there are eggs finally do, you may lose the gains these years. Several polls put at 12% the number of users who would be willing to pay for quality content online. Understand that a significant% of that 12% believe in music, or movies, because paying for the copy / pastes of EFE Europa Press does not sound or reasonable, you do not make a master to view hundreds of sites. I recognize that there are small spaces that can, doing a balancing mental, come to think of an electronic transaction within a publisher. A brilliant ... Ussía column, a great story of a medium that involves a unique and replicable work of several people for a long time and that is relevant to a niche ... sometimes I can not see paying a small amount in an exceptional case something. Little more. The news is for what they are, to be exploited and supported by advertising. Your five secretaries and five Mercedes Benz company, it is true, as is more fucked up than the publication's hold. A friend, acquaintance Internet Business Angel, tells me that the problem of Internet in Spain has always been that we have tried that advertising pays all parties. And it certainly can pay advertising content and its consumption, but not hold-as has happened, and that is not sustainable-business model much more complex structures. I doubt that the solution to the ills of the environment is the sum of subscription revenue, the solution is to solve these structures that are the real problem, not the swing low income by the crisis. There will be optimized for a middle ground, not only to the crest of the wave of hype. On the other side, are eager to join the party. Peter J. Ramirez stated months ago that had 20 million users and urged him to tell someone like monetize because it seemed minimal income with this audience. From Alzado.org gave some ideas (hell, the next time by courier, not read Peter J. unreliable sources like blogs!). almost all quite reasonable, but I would say to Peter J, without discussing the leadership, not-for my elmundo.es discussion is the first publisher-, do you really think that you have 20 million users?. Reconsider. No rhyme or reason. If you start there, the rest does not hold. Liarme not want to talk about metrics, is an old debate on the Effect Nielsen Media Editorial Unit. Sean 20 Million, 12 or whatever, is a possibility to consider, there is a sort of pact of dinosaurs, for as Source Ovejuna throw together ... vacuum. If so, will host the party eyed the land of the blind (eg daily 20 minutes with a very modest budget has succeeded in bringing together an audience of nearly 7 million people in a short time), and above all there will be a huge opportunity for new media and media currently in second row (Soitu, information ...). The key, given the prominence and share the business with people, create a social environment in which, as a social network, the roles are mixed and there is a line between the reader and the issuer, but may prove to be a same thing: PEOPLE

Tags: the world , the country , Internet , Web 2.0

Photo Contest

Yes.fm has joined the portal and social network photos Fotolog to convene the First Musical Yes.fm. Photo Contest Becoming winning chronicler of any aspect of the world of music is now available to anyone with a digital camera, a web connection and hunger for novelty that has been part of the traditional baggage of great photographers. The relationship between image and music data from way back, all the big stars of any genre, from classical to jazz, from rock to hip-hop, have stuck in the retina of millions of fans thanks to the proximity of photographers who matched to capture them at key moments, creating images that lasted for decades and became part of his legend. As stated Kiko Fuentes of Yes.fm: "the big stars of music would not be the same if we had not been able to enjoy professional writers or improvised have left their mark on their lives." These new writers now have the opportunity to showcase their talent, capturing not only the musicians in action, but to the most diverse in the world in which they work, have fun and get ready. To this end, the contest offers two categories in which you can participate: Live music. It includes everything about the proceedings, and in reflecting the emotion that causes direct proximity of, anything goes: from a mega to a performance in a living area, to the musicians who make the street in your scenario and parade playing on streets, squares or Metro corridors. The world of music. It is a world that extends far beyond the performances on stage: is the before and after, with days of rehearsals and the final touches of preparation in the dressing rooms, the tension surrounding the proceedings, with the secrets of backstage, and their effects, with the mass of roaring fans. One area in constant motion, which has thousands of opportunities to careful eye and camera ready. Up to three photographs per entrant Contest begins at 0.00 pm on May 11 and ends at 23:59 pm on June 30, 2009. During that time, each participant may submit up to three pictures a day, either by uploading them to the group created in the web page Fotolog ( www.fotolog.com / fotoyesfm ), for which it must already be enrolled or enrolling in community-, or sending them to comunidad@yes.fm , granting the appropriate permissions to the community can rise to that service. The competition can be of any nationality with fixed residence in Spain, including under 18 provided they have the consent of their parents or guardians. The jury consists of leading representatives of the world of music journalism and photography, as Roberto Jiménez (blogger and music journalist), Javier Sierra (creator and director of portal rock www.manerasdevivir.com ), Nathalie Paco (musical photojournalist ), Dario Manrique (music journalist), Jorge Ontalba (Photographer), Mauro A. Sources (expert in Social Media Marketing), Thomas Canet (photographer) and Kiko Fuentes (Content Director www.yes.fm ). Each category will have a winner and five finalists, the first receive an iPod Touch and a Premium account www.yes.fm for one year, and the second a premium account in www.yes.fm for six months. The jury will make public its decision on July 3 through web pages www.yes.fm and www.fotolog.com / fotoyesfm Luck if you decide to participate!

Tags: Photography , Web 2.0 , Yes.fm

The Business Gazette talking about web 3.0

I leave Monday for an article last week in the Business Gazette . The text is titled "From Web 2.0 to 3.0. Internet welcomes Artificial Intelligence "and is written by Mar Tagle, who called me to ask me some questions that are included in the information. The truth is that the concept of 3.0 or even the concept of what would be a web 4.0 Web Total called by some, is a recurring and no longer has a certain amount of crystal ball. We will see over time where we are going, we have enough at this time with what we have above. I leave here in pdf: From Web 2.0 to 3.0. Internet welcomes Artificial intelligence

Tags: Web 2.0

By Will Web 3.0?

It is difficult to philosophize about how internet leads and new technologies. It is a recurring theme and as exciting as unfortunately no one can predict coming technologies and how they affect our lives. The web and user behavior in relation to new technologies have evolved over the last decade, an unprecedented rate. That frenetic pace, which sometimes seems untenable, comes to question the standards a few years of being created, and not only remain this way, but it is very likely to be accentuated in the next decade. The impact on our lives in various concepts such as social media or Web 2.0, the interpretation of key geolocated information, the evolution of mobile devices and the semantic web, also known as Web 3.0, create a new internet, much more interactive dynamic in which the medium need not be "PC" as a vehicle of connection, but we will be permanently connected, by default. The great leap has begun with full connectivity: mobile devices like Blackberrys, the iPhone or HTC are the pioneers in this evolution of the PC to the permanent connection. In a few years, there will be no performance difference between these types of portable devices and a personal computer, or a simple game console will complete and permanent connectivity. We will live the integration of all this hardware into one, no matter if it comes to phone, console or portable. But, while these changes are exciting, possibly the principal is the advent of the Semantic Web, also known as web 3.0. The first change will be more than cosmetic, the advent of the web in three dimensions rather than two as we know it now. The concept of semantic web comes to us from one of the fathers of the WWW, the Nobel laureate Sir Timothy "Tim" John Berners - Lee. This is to enhance communication with semantic metadata add value to information, make it different and smarter. When a person seeks information on the web, talk to a machine inaccuracy sometimes driving basics currently known as "keywords", and neither the speaker nor the target server can interpret and act rationally to our needs. The semantic web concept is based on give these machines the ability to reason and interpretation by semantic metadata, which will serve not only information held in its database, but process it with us, interact with us and work together, evaluating and interpreting our needs. The concept is based on the machine that we can interpret and work with us as a result of this interpretation can offer different solutions according to what we need at all times. The user should not be concerned and redefine perform searches for more relevant results, but to be taking right decisions. The machine will select and interpret information according to our personal needs at all times, or even each time or geographic location. The human and the machine will work in cooperation, by developing machines capable of performing several sources of information, while to offer real-time options to the user. For instance, today anyone can ask Google "what is the capital of Spain" and get the result perfectly "Madrid". With the Semantic Web and redefine questions we can make much more complex, intuitive, interpretive and not based on outdated concepts of simple keywords. For example we can ask "a hotel in Madrid, 5 star but is nearing retirement and has restaurant," getting to work with a computer medium that will process this information, offering valid alternatives and being the only human work which should be: process information and make decisions. Not only get more complex queries, but also interpret information intelligently. For example, if I want to find a Italian restaurant, in a ratio of 500-meter radius of my current location by location, the search engine will read and intelligently offering alternatives in the area such as a pizzeria in the next street (although that establishment is promoted as "pizzeria" and not as "Italian Restaurant"), or as another example, recommending a restaurant despite being of Mediterranean cuisine, has magnificent spaghetti dish especially recommended as in his letter. Getting to that point is complex and requires the interaction of machine and human knowledge, that the machine learn and appreciate the reactions of the people, and ultimately of Artificial Intelligence. Another huge change, but in the longer term, the change will come with the imposition of the voice as the main vehicle of communication not only among users but with our devices. Within a few years our business structures will usually have a semantic information broker with Artificial Intelligence based technology, you can perform some of the work, interact with our team to make his or her own decisions, and with other agents or machines of other organizations, creating an "artificial collective mind" that optimizes time and help productivity and human decision making. We speak of a machine definitive answers, expert in its own theme (capable by itself), to consult other interconnected machines in search of information and replaces all the old search engines in a local, smart and as the needs of each structure and / or organization. Perhaps we can reach that threshold in 10 years. We are still at the dawn of Web 2.0, and define the medium-and long-term web 3.0 or the semantic web, but we can go further, talking about web 4.0 as the total interconnection , a point, even far away, in which the machines not only interact with the end user, but also make among themselves creating a smart grid interconnection between machines and humans, the web all that could be defined as: Web 3D + Web 3.0 (semantic web) + AI + Voice as vehicle intercom = Web 4.0 (web total) Advancement of the book "The 2D web ... and the mother who bore her" forthcoming

Tags: Web 2.0

An elephant at a children's party. Policy 2.0

I do not particularly like politics, but I have my opinions like everyone else. But if I'm interested especially as it starts to enter the field of new technologies. At the time when everything just in "2.0" (seems to be popular) is interesting to take a look at what we might call "political 2.0 "The fact is that yesterday I had an interesting conversation-and disturbing-which I can not reveal yet interlocutor, related to future elections of Real Madrid , which of course little to do with sport, is politics pure and simple. It turns out that for almost an hour I attended a call from an emissary of an extremely interesting character, who does not even know personally, and it still has not confirmed whether he will stand for election to the Real Madrid in July 2009. I was interested to know if I could get interested "advise as to social networks, blogs and Web 2.0 in general within their possible strategy in the campaign for the presidency of Real Madrid". In case of thinking, and I think it is wrong, that one of the main pillars of his campaign, and where else would your investment results, is to generate and capture opinion via the web, leveraging new technologies, social networks and Web 2.0, for, first show unlike muscle as public support and close rivals illusions, and otherwise interact, and have a direct communication channel bidirectional fans, members and partners electors. I'm not a counselor, I am a consultant, not at all!, But if a person who loves a challenge and if I find funny and interesting and I have time for it you may even be able to collaborate. (Of course interpret the call as a de facto confirmation that that person has already decided to stand for election and is starting to make a move in a very subtle). Such approaches are at least curious.'m An entrepreneur, I am an investor, I am an entrepreneur and now I'm ... "blogger" in a few months, that is, with very little experience even since this blog started in July 2007. If it is true that many people still see-hopefully with interest some of the things with more or less success commented. I have had several approaches since somewhat curious (no, not like that before I went). Seeing that I wonder this style approaches, to be able to have and people will really relevant, influential and prescriptive, which is not my case. All these approaches are of "good vibes" and sometimes say that the less daring: "We invite you to eat, we know more, we tell you and give us your opinion and valid product." Political correctness floor (like a mistake more in my range) but I always ask, "Why? I do not do that, I'm a consultant, you do not even know personally. Hell, pay yourself a consultancy sure many are dedicated to this. "My personal opinion is that some large companies in banking, politics, still do not understand what has befallen them ... do not know how, where and how to knock some elephants apparently infiltrated without camouflage in a children's party. I understand that the image and profile of some of these corporations is normal to be hard, complex, but an elephant walking out of my hand would still be an elephant who has a friend, should change their concepts, their speeches and should enter a new dimension with a different function, it is possible that sometimes clash and make them doubt what they themselves believe.

I do not think breaking an off the record to say that in recent months at least two banks, one multinational food, a telephone company, a political party or a company selling soft drinks, have been interested in that "prescribe" something first person, that "advice" or "validate". blush I even bother me, in fact to have a rewarding point in my ego and I attend a thousand loves them, but just wrong especially because I get a value I'm sure I have, and what I convey is that they are lost. Very lost and need a desert crossing where found, with or without assistance, a new path.

Tags: Social Media , Public Relations , Web 2.0

Introducing Yes.top

We are presenting a list Yes.top musical from Yes.fm shows the musical tastes of more than 450,000 unique users who visited in November Yes.fm. This monthly list is an asset that makes it different from traditional lists. The list is not imposed by the industry, or voted by users (end mass vote fan clubs, record labels for promotion etc), nor is it a biased list of sales that entails, is a list of actual consumption: what free users have heard for 1 month, No gimmicks and without any hidden agenda. We waited until this point to get our monthly list because it was important to have sufficient critical mass. And there is, because as I mentioned earlier about 450,000 users have used Yes.fm in the month of November and that makes us very happy that we took only 2 months-intense Justito actually met yesterday on December 9.

This is the November Yes.top: Yes.top in Spanish 1. Amaia Montero want to be, 2. Amaral Rare Sunday Afternoon 3. Miguel Bosé Ask done, 4. Bunbury there are few people, 5. Nena had both to give you 6. Sloth By my Tripa 7. Juanes Odio Por Amor, 8. El Canto del Loco Peter Pan, 9. La Oreja de Van Gogh Immortal 10. Revolver Small Time - International Yes.top 1. Katy Perry I Kissed a girl, 2. Beyonce If I Were A Boy 3. Coldplay Viva la Vida, 4. Pink So What! 5. Britney Spears Womanizer, 6. Killers Human 7. Craig David Walking Away (feat. Alex Ubago), 8. The Tin Tings Great DJ 9. Dido Do not Believe in Love 10. Seal If you do not know me by now

Tags: Web 2.0 , Yes.fm

Back to the garage

Last night I was reading a post by Francisco Carrero , on projects longed garage ... Those were the days! and wanted to share some thoughts about it ... Those who like me, have spent more than 10 years in internet we remember well, and at least I wistfully garage projects. The concept, as we always imported from USA came to pass on that talent, the idea (increasingly obsolete) and execution could make from a small town in Arkansas, two buddies in their spare time after school, do something importante en internet y construyeran un proyecto que pudiera llegar al mundo. Era tan real como útopico, en internet “tu puedes ser el Corte Inglés” En España no hubo realmente muchos proyectos así, pero si en USA. Muchas de las compañías referentes en internet de finales de los 90 nacieron literalmente en un garaje. Gente como Bill Gates o Steve Jobs empezaron así, literalmente. Hace años que el concepto romántico del garaje ha caído en desgracia. Imagino que era previsible y que igual es hasta sano, pero esos “proyectos de garaje” no han desaparecido, se han transformado. Lo que en el año del 98 era una idea, un equipo, un reducido espacio físico y unas horas muertas de programación, creatividad, probaturas y trabajo con ilusión, hoy es un power point oa lo sumo un pdf y un rosario de visitas a Business Angels, Family Offices, Capital Riesgo y eventos varios. No quiero prejuzgar ni posicionarme claramente, pero si hacer una pequeña reflexión en voz alta y oír vuestra opinión: ¿No gastamos hoy en día el tiempo en “buscar el dinero”, literalmente, cuando hace 10 años, la generación anterior ni se planteaba realizar un Business Plan inicialmente, sino que lo que querían era empezar demostrando su concepto, su ejecución (con sus medios, rudimentarios muchas veces), y su capacidad? A finales de los 90 eran chicos jóvenes, muchas veces pre-universitarios los que ponían en marcha su proyecto. Hoy en día rara vez ves emprendedores menores de 24-25 años, casi siempre habiendo acabado o próximos a terminar la carrera, es decir, cuando “tienen que salir” a buscarse la vida, pero no antes. ¿Con el cambio generacional no hemos retrasado el timming?. ¿Se trataría de un cambio total; de la inquietud de antaño a la necesidad?. Aquellos chicos de instituto, menores de 20 años, que tenian y creaban su proyecto con ilusión, ¿ya no existen? Y finalmente, si la crisis cierra el grifo del dinero, ¿Qué sentido tendrán esos pdf y power point que circulan como locos de mesa en mesa?. ¿Agudizará el ingenio esa falta de liquidez?. Es decir, ¿Volveremos al garaje? No se si volveremos a ese punto, pero si creo que si así fuera, en cierto modo tendría más encanto.

Tags: Emprendedores , Web 2.0

Pero, ¿Dónde coño están los JASP?

Siempre me hizo gracia en los 90 eso de los JASP , eso de los Jóvenes Aunque Sobradamente Preparados. Parece que ahora los llaman JASPI (añadiendo la “I” de infravalorados). No lo había escuchado nunca; me debo estar haciendo mayor. Llevo meses pensando , ¿donde coño están?. (con perdón) Nos quejamos mucho del poco apoyo a los emprendedores que se presta en España y en general en los países del habla hispana, pero curiosamente cuando alguien, yo en este caso, busca un emprendedor, para ponerle al frente de un equipo, un proyecto y un presupuesto no es fácil encontrar lo que busca. Uno de nuestros grandes proyectos, a desarrollar en 2009 es el proyecto Madrid.net. Compramos el dominio hace meses por unos 30.000€ , y me hace especial ilusión este proyecto porque en primer lugar quería hacer algo en mi ciudad, en segundo lugar creo que tenemos una fórmula de negocio trasplantable a modo de franquicias o aperturas propias en una segunda fase dentro de unos años a otras grandes ciudades. Another powerful reason is that I believe strongly in the sector and thematic guides in major markets high level of business, is a great niche with great potential for exploitation even in internet and mobile internet. We've been "dating fashion", "fashion of social networks" and clearly handsome two sectors, one immediate, the music that I think will be the key sector in the coming months and will look much movement, hence our adventure yes.fm , and the other sector in my opinion will be in 2009 and especially in 2010 the micro content, e-commerce and local advertising and media guides, and we want to position ourselves Madrid.net launching in 2009. Queremos que nuestro portal temático sea una red social dedicada al mundo cultural, turístico, y de ocio en Madrid, con noticias y foros temáticos segmentados a nivel de pueblo, barrios, distritos, e incluso calles y centrada en desarrollos de comercio electrónico, con muchas posibilidades publicitarias y de negocio. We have certain commitments plus investment and public support for the project, which would be developed in English and Spanish, and possibly Japanese.

A few months ago I started searching for an entrepreneur to captain this project. The idea is to build a team around commercial and editorial and find a person with a very defined; young, even young wicked!, Living for years in Madrid and know the community, who has some experience and / or knowledge of sales and marketing, which includes Web 2.0 and especially have a special initiative and enthusiasm to develop their own project with the financial support of our structure and guaranteed. Unfortunately I have not been with this person, and I still searched, trying to find profile in the coming months. Seeking someone with great enthusiasm, eager to take on the world, and offer significant financial incentives as an important stake in the project, and increase the same as goals. Unfortunately not many people with that enthusiasm and initiative enough, or at least I'm not even finding and many of the people I value when I know further, I see that what they want is a peaceful life easier, a table and a salary to make ends meet without hassle. A come and get it fast in a quiet, smoothly, without having to think and seek the things around and without costing too much effort. Shame, but I see more and more young people are looking for a job mileurista, soon to be rich without much effort, work 9 to 15 hours, or morning and afternoon, but smoothly, without illusions, without compromise, without hassle, without requirements Extra hours that is easy and comfortable living, pay the mortgage and the weekend off. Few people are willing to that extra extra, that sacrifice, enthusiasm and entrepreneurship that I'm looking for. I continue my search so if you know my JASP, recomendármelo not stop!

Tags: entrepreneur , undertake , Madrid , entertainment , Web 2.0 , Yes.fm