I think Yelp is a pretty amazing site. To like it, use it and enjoy it, it has to have a developed user base in your city. The concept is simple, user generated content that rates business and gives "tips" and tricks. In my view, so far, yelp has done a good job of keeping content fresh and hasn't become, or at least not visibly succumbed, to advertiser manipulation.
But, what makes yelp work is how intuitively one can search by neighborhood. I sort of found myself picking between it and UrbanSpoon, which is also great. Ultimately, the little tips and tricks the yelpers are sharing are what makes yelp a little better. Indeed, I've got the bookmark to a great mobile search widget on my iPhone.
Techcrunch takes a look at Yelp's most recent funding (not quite profitable yet kids) and it's future competitors, which I agree, will be Google Local and Yahoo Local.
Yelp Raises $15 Million Fourth Round, Rumored Valuation $200 Million
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Lower Class Yahoo, Upscale Google
Poor People More Likely Use Yahoo, Those Better Off To Use Google
From TechCrunch, just as I enjoyed Freakanomics' analysis of Obama vs. Hillary is to Affluent vs. lower class statistics here are showing that Yahoo is more becoming to the lower end market and Google to the higher end. I think these sorts of data are particularly fascinating. If you are Google or Yahoo how do you tailor your content to your users?
From TechCrunch, just as I enjoyed Freakanomics' analysis of Obama vs. Hillary is to Affluent vs. lower class statistics here are showing that Yahoo is more becoming to the lower end market and Google to the higher end. I think these sorts of data are particularly fascinating. If you are Google or Yahoo how do you tailor your content to your users?
Thursday, February 21, 2008
More Fire in Kosovo/Serbia
Rioters Attack U.S. Embassy in Belgrade - New York Times
It will be interesting to watch how much coverage, at least in the U.S., Kosovo declaring its independence will get. In my view, this is big stuff. You see the Serbs say "Kosovo, what Kosovo, that state down there is part of Serbia." The Kosovars, at least by their recent declaration, and are majority Albanians (the ethnic variety), would tell you that Kosovo is independent. Russia, and many others would, and did, take the Serbian side. Others are still figuring it out, and some western Europeans are find with Kosovo being independent.
Of course the west is all about Kosovar independence, because honestly, how long has NATO has been marching around the place in army equipment? (Since the early 90's).
And what is of course appropriate, or perhaps expected, is that the Serbs are good and mad at the U.S. hence the attack in Belgrade, Serbia.
In all, this is a big tipping point for the region and the next few weeks will likely set the course for the next era in that region.
It will be interesting to watch how much coverage, at least in the U.S., Kosovo declaring its independence will get. In my view, this is big stuff. You see the Serbs say "Kosovo, what Kosovo, that state down there is part of Serbia." The Kosovars, at least by their recent declaration, and are majority Albanians (the ethnic variety), would tell you that Kosovo is independent. Russia, and many others would, and did, take the Serbian side. Others are still figuring it out, and some western Europeans are find with Kosovo being independent.
Of course the west is all about Kosovar independence, because honestly, how long has NATO has been marching around the place in army equipment? (Since the early 90's).
And what is of course appropriate, or perhaps expected, is that the Serbs are good and mad at the U.S. hence the attack in Belgrade, Serbia.
In all, this is a big tipping point for the region and the next few weeks will likely set the course for the next era in that region.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Foodies go to Tokyo
Where to Go in 2008 - Foodie Destination: Istanbul - Travel - New York Times
This price confirms my own belief. Tokyo is the best eating city in the world. No way the easiest but the Japanese insist on a quality a cut well above everyone else. You also have to figure Tokyo got more Michelin Stars than any other city simply because they have that many more people. But still, the quality.
This price confirms my own belief. Tokyo is the best eating city in the world. No way the easiest but the Japanese insist on a quality a cut well above everyone else. You also have to figure Tokyo got more Michelin Stars than any other city simply because they have that many more people. But still, the quality.
70's, 80's and today, in terms of rescission
Calculated Risk: Feldstein on the Recession
Reading the Calculated Risk blog often equates to some rather deep economics, but this particular post does a great job of explaining why the current recessive trends don't mirror that of the 70's and 80's, because at the end of the day, so much has to do with the fed TARGET interest rate. (Remember the fed doesn't set the rate, it controls the money supply that results in the rate)
So what this calculated risk post does in analyze the WSJ and the NYT economics columnists and their general agreement that housing prices wont pop back as was seen from the high interest rates (and their reductions) in the 70's and 80's as the housing market simply cant respond to the Fed's current fire sale.
Reading the Calculated Risk blog often equates to some rather deep economics, but this particular post does a great job of explaining why the current recessive trends don't mirror that of the 70's and 80's, because at the end of the day, so much has to do with the fed TARGET interest rate. (Remember the fed doesn't set the rate, it controls the money supply that results in the rate)
So what this calculated risk post does in analyze the WSJ and the NYT economics columnists and their general agreement that housing prices wont pop back as was seen from the high interest rates (and their reductions) in the 70's and 80's as the housing market simply cant respond to the Fed's current fire sale.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
NYT Goes to Rome
Rome Travel Guide - Hotels, Restaurants, Sightseeing in Rome - New York Times Travel
I'm noting this because once, Rome, yes, I would like some, but two, it is interesting how the NYT Online is getting further and further away from a traditional "newspaper" format and looking more and more like a travel web site. I have mixed feelings on this, I prefer to see the information presented in newspaper format because that is what I have come to expect from the NYT. On the other hand, it is easy to scan all the content related to, in this case, Rome.
I'm noting this because once, Rome, yes, I would like some, but two, it is interesting how the NYT Online is getting further and further away from a traditional "newspaper" format and looking more and more like a travel web site. I have mixed feelings on this, I prefer to see the information presented in newspaper format because that is what I have come to expect from the NYT. On the other hand, it is easy to scan all the content related to, in this case, Rome.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Best Obama/Clinton Commentary Yet
Best Obama/Clinton Commentary Yet
Questions for Dr. Retail - New York Times
Brooks op-ed done in a really neat way that equates Clinton to Safeway, a commodity provider, and Obama to Whole Foods, the value added solution. And then predicts that indeed the super-delegates will decide who runs the Dem's ticket.
So what do you want in your Dem, commodity, or value added? Do you shop at Safeway or Whole Foods, or maybe both?
Questions for Dr. Retail - New York Times
Brooks op-ed done in a really neat way that equates Clinton to Safeway, a commodity provider, and Obama to Whole Foods, the value added solution. And then predicts that indeed the super-delegates will decide who runs the Dem's ticket.
So what do you want in your Dem, commodity, or value added? Do you shop at Safeway or Whole Foods, or maybe both?
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Complay Logo Evolution
Companies Change, So Do their Logos
Fun Techcrunch to look at today, see what Apple, Google, and Microsoft have done to the logos over the years. It takes you back.
Fun Techcrunch to look at today, see what Apple, Google, and Microsoft have done to the logos over the years. It takes you back.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Super Fat Tuesday
The Cooper Concerns - New York Times
Brooks' column is worth reading today. And what a day today will be for the US. Brooks hits the nail on the head here, Hillary can be a great president, but there is some parts that could be considered concerning and the story here of her very icy sounding interactions with other politicians ought to be considered especially as Americans look to choose a president that might improve U.S. global opinion.
Brooks' column is worth reading today. And what a day today will be for the US. Brooks hits the nail on the head here, Hillary can be a great president, but there is some parts that could be considered concerning and the story here of her very icy sounding interactions with other politicians ought to be considered especially as Americans look to choose a president that might improve U.S. global opinion.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Quote: Secret Destinations
“All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware” Martin Buber
Why do you travel? What do you want from it? Do you travel to "get away" or to "get to?" Do you want to observe or do you want to participate? All is good, but what do you want, right?
Why do you travel? What do you want from it? Do you travel to "get away" or to "get to?" Do you want to observe or do you want to participate? All is good, but what do you want, right?
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