Boat as Device; Boat as Fun in the Sun

I recently bought a power boat...yes I know...way too much money in regards to gas and general up keep. But, it is amazing. I love that I have a boat, but what I love more is the fact that I am learning. On Saturday, I spent the entire day on the boat with my brother-in-law wiring. We had to re-route a lot of the electricity and battery power. It isn't done yet, but we got her going. The amount of electronics on the boat is fantastic. I have a GPS, radar, sonar....all sorts of power running through the entire boat. I am learning about AC DC versus 110 power and I also have a generator. I am learning charts, codes, signals, engines and everything I can to be a smart boater. And, while I bought the power boat, I am also taking sailing lessons. The water is so fantastic.

Beyond what I am learning from an electronics perspective, I just love the water. My friend Jeffe helped me move the boat yesterday from Point Richmond to Pier 39 in San Francisco. It was so beautiful going across the bay. And again...back to learning. I was learning the rules of the sea road...tankers, sailors, commercial boats, who has the right of way and who doesn't. So fantastic to be at the helm of my boat and feeling the power of it in my hands. I am happy that Bocatina (her name) is up and running. Bring on the learning.

From Demo to Digital Living

Yes...I know...I should have blogged about the DEMO reunion the other week at that time. But between real work, email, Facebook, LinkedIn and the list goes on...one can only try to keep up.

So...on that note...I love DEMO. I will still never forget when Devicescape launched its consumer facing product at that show. It was just so amazing and it really makes you realize how cool tech is. The energy is high and everyone is just excited. The DEMO reunion was a lot of fun...a solid mix of CEOs, VCs, small tech companies in general to of course...the PR folks like me.

This week I attended CONNECTIONS: The Digital Living Conference hosted by Parks Associates. I would say it is a good, local brand awareness exercise. The media attendance was “ok” and the leads I hear were also “ok” to “good.” But, again, branding was strong.

One company that I think is super cool is Green Plug, Inc. the company aims to provide innovative green power components that allow manufacturers to standardize on one universal power connector and eliminate environmental waste. I am personally a huge fan of this. Not just from an environmental perspective…but I am so over cords. Why can’t all electronic manufacturers standardize on one cord. There is no reason for me to have a cord for my computer, a cord for my phone, a cord for my digital camera, etc., etc., etc… Such a hassle when one travels.

Ok…my two cents…

Online Viral Marketing -- Always Successful

I am a true believer in viral marketing. While print publications are still highly important, it is also very important to drive traffic to a company's web site. Therefore, a key strategy I like to implement with many of BOCA's clients is an online, viral PR strategy.

It is amazing to see how a client's traffic can increase because they are blogging about thoughtful topics. May I add that thoughtful is a key word.

After six months of hard work, a client of mine finally sustained critical mass due to our blogging effort.

Another BOCA client, implemented their own "editorial calendar" of discussion points and people are reading their content.

And, both of these clients are building relationships with key members of the media, especially online media, because of their thoughtful commentary. Web traffic is up, lead generation is up and news coverage is up. These are all exciting things.

ASP versus SaaS: What?

I love what I do for a living and after many years of ERP, CRM, HRMS….I am consistently happy about new non-enterprise software. The technology that is so far removed, yet impacts my (our) everyday life is amazing—Atheros, Intel, Wind River, Devicescape—or the technology that is so close and familiar like Facebook, MySpace and "Apple" (I need to put Apple in quotes b/c it is super cool technology but closed, expensive and exclusive—in branding), Slacker and more are for the consumer and the benefit of the masses.

At the end of the day, be it the enterprise consumer (yes there is the CTO…COO…that wants to drive economies of scale and cost reduction down), or the traditional consumer…it is all about making life easy with technology.

While I am writing about random enterprise and non-enterprise software, my original thought was ASP versus SaaS.

As a PR person I consistently remember ASP (so long ago, but just blogging about it now). Yet, ASP and SasS are the same thing, but ASP is the original “category” defined by some individual that is now gone. Why did SaaS take off over the ASP? I don’t mean to appear questionable, but as an individual in the industry….I literally hear one thing and think…wasn’t it that other thing just a few year ago and aren't they the same thing? Was the branding for SaaS that good? I am impressed by category creation. I know the ASP/SaaS argument has been had…but I sill tend to thing: WOW…the power of thought, category and a solid budget.

The definitions from Wikipedia are below…

An application service provider (ASP) is a business that provides computer-based services to customers over a network. Software offered using an ASP model is also sometimes called On-demand software or software as a service (SaaS). The most limited sense of this business is that of providing access to a particular application program (such as medical billing) using a standard protocol such as HTTP.

Software as a service (SaaS, typically pronounced 'Sass') is a model of software deployment where an application is hosted as a service provided to customers across the Internet. By eliminating the need to install and run the application on the customer's own computer, SaaS alleviates the customer's burden of software maintenance, ongoing operation, and support.

Universal Wi-Fi/Internet Access - New York Times FON Profile

This weekend I read the New York Times story by John Markoff, “Global Dreams for a

Wireless Web,” which is a very large profile on the company FON. While the story focuses on FON, it basically is about the CEO's vision to get people Internet access. I personally am a huge believer in ubiquitous Wi-Fi access and I am consistently surprised that my city, San Francisco, still does not have universal Wi-Fi.

With the thousands of Comcast cable boxes and Linksys routers…if we were to just open it up and allow people access…this city (as well as other major metropolitan cities) would be Wi-Fi enabled. Yes, I know there are security risks…but with the many amazing brains in Silicon Valley (let a lone the world) I am sure we could figure something out.

So, here is my crazy concept:

What if people just didn’t security enable their Linksys or any other type of Wi-Fi router in their home?

What if neighborhoods bonded together to create Wi-Fi towers—much like how there are cell towers around the city (world) due to operators, we could just open up hot spots in our neighborhoods? We could bypass the bureaucracy of the big boys and the city superintendents and do it ourselves. Now, that would be great. I live in Cole Valley, the dwellings of Craig from Craigsligt. Maybe we could get him to help sponsor a grassroots neighborhood initiative for Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi access, 27/7 immediate Internet. That would be great. I am already doing a bit of my part by not locking my router. Maybe, I need to take it one step farther.

On another note, there are so many interesting start-ups that have a similar vision to FON. I remember going to DEMO in 2007 with my client Devicescape and FON announced their company and vision along with Whisher. All these companies have something very similar within their visions:

Getting people on the Internet (Access)
Free, ubiquitous Internet (Availability Everywhere)
Internet, Internet, Internet to the masses

While FON and Meraki (another super cool company with a Free The Net concept) are about getting people Internet, Devicescape is all about access from any device. Beyond handsets or lap tops, their vision is Wi-Fi access from any device, anywhere, anytime. Imagine, a digital camera with built in Wi-Fi so when you take those photos…you can send them immediately versus tethering up to your PC as a conduit. Imagine bypassing expensive cell lines and offloading to Wi-Fi. Now, imagine more Wi-Fi so we can really live this dream.

I would like to see FON, Meraki, Boingo and Devicescape all work together in lock-step to help consumers like me get more access to the Internet so I can enjoy the services from the Internet.
Ok..my two cents as am a Wi-Fi junkie in full support of these companies. And, a independent thinker/worker who needs more Internet cafes, parks and the like.

San Francisco Still Going

As I continue to build my business and network, I go to many events and outings in San Francisco/Silicon Valley. Last week, Wednesday, I hit hot spot Americana and it was busy. Most likely the fact that San Francisco was sunny and 90 degrees is part of this reason, but wow...I couldn't get over the amount of techies. Coming off the heals of the New Tech Group the night before, I just couldn't help to think, "wow, this city is amazing, beautiful, powerful and still going." I am incredibly proud to be part of this fabric.

As the recession looms forward and politics are at play, I look forward to seeing what will happen in this vibrant city filled with innovation and thought. I could also report on Microsoft and a few other cool announcements, but I really just wanted to salute this place—go San Francisco.

SF New Tech Meet Up - My First Time

So for the first time ever, I went to the SF tech meet up where they also show betas...I have to say I enjoyed it. Not only was it good networking, there were some interesting companies that provided the audience with a demo and some food for thought.

As I am a woman I should not like this site, but I like Zivity (http://www.zivity.com/). I am probably being naive as my passion in the day was art (BA in art history from Cal), but I really would like to approach the site as a portal for photo sharing and revenue for the photographer and artist. Yes, there are some nudes, but nudes are also art - think of David. The woman providing the presentation was having a bit of a hard time, but I would like to salute her for having the gumption to go on stage. This site will most likely make a killing because as we all know – sex is a money maker. Plus, the subscription based business model will work. For only $10 I know many men and women that will pay to see tasteful, yet seductive photos.

I love the wine concept on the iPhone. As a wine enthusiast, I can very much appreciate it. He never clearly defined his business model, but what does he care – they can be picked up by wine spectator magazine or a content provider type as a nice service for clients.

While the above two companies remind me of the 1999 .com or bomb companies…Ribbit to me appeared like it can be a true disruptive force. Developers love the open source and open platforms…with Ribbit you can have “unified communications” sans Cisco.

Well…I will continue to attend these events, listen, learn and network. I love San Francisco and the Valley…I am so happy to be part of these 21st Century “Belle Opaque” salons.