I am certain that I am not the most productive at using email, but I am pretty happy with the simple system that I have come up with. It has two key components. The first is to answer the bulk of emails when I first open them. This is possible because most emails require only a very short response and often only a minimal action (confirming a meeting, making an introduction, etc). There is a temptation (at least for me) to read such emails and think that I will get back to them later. But I w...

Covestor is taking a big step today by opening up the service more broadly. A linked investment account is now no longer a requirement for participating. This will make the great investment talent that is already present at Covestor more widely accessible. Congrats to the team, which has worked incredibly hard on this. We are excited to see the next phase in the development of Covestor and encourage any self directed investor to check it out. Here is the announcement in the team’s own words.

I am certain that I am not the most productive at using email, but I am pretty happy with the simple system that I have come up with. It has two key components. The first is to answer the bulk of emails when I first open them. This is possible because most emails require only a very short response and often only a minimal action (confirming a meeting, making an introduction, etc). There is a temptation (at least for me) to read such emails and think that I will get back to them later. But I w...

Covestor is taking a big step today by opening up the service more broadly. A linked investment account is now no longer a requirement for participating. This will make the great investment talent that is already present at Covestor more widely accessible. Congrats to the team, which has worked incredibly hard on this. We are excited to see the next phase in the development of Covestor and encourage any self directed investor to check it out. Here is the announcement in the team’s own words.

Call for Topics (Web 2.0 Expo Workshop): Looking for topics and issues to discuss at a workshop that I am doing with Charlie O'Donnell at Web 2.0 Expo.

Call for Topics (Web 2.0 Expo Workshop): Looking for topics and issues to discuss at a workshop that I am doing with Charlie O'Donnell at Web 2.0 Expo.

One mantra that is often brought up for entrepreneurs is to “fail early” (and some add “and often”). The theory is that if your business is not working it’s better to fold before you have spent a lot of money and try something else instead from scratch. There is not just the money - if you go too long in one direction you build an organization that has inertia in that direction making it difficult if not impossible to change direction. I have certainly seen this happen firsthand many times an...

One mantra that is often brought up for entrepreneurs is to “fail early” (and some add “and often”). The theory is that if your business is not working it’s better to fold before you have spent a lot of money and try something else instead from scratch. There is not just the money - if you go too long in one direction you build an organization that has inertia in that direction making it difficult if not impossible to change direction. I have certainly seen this happen firsthand many times an...

A while ago, I was critical of Apple for including Safari by default in their software update. Given the widespread protest, Apple subsequently changed the update pretty much along the lines I and many others had suggested. Today it’s Microsoft’s turn for a ribbing. I have a 4+ year old Panasonic laptop that works great. Runs Windows XP and is usually snappy and super stable. Yesterday morning it slowed to a complete crawl and I could not easily determine why. Well it turns out that Microsoft...

A while ago, I was critical of Apple for including Safari by default in their software update. Given the widespread protest, Apple subsequently changed the update pretty much along the lines I and many others had suggested. Today it’s Microsoft’s turn for a ribbing. I have a 4+ year old Panasonic laptop that works great. Runs Windows XP and is usually snappy and super stable. Yesterday morning it slowed to a complete crawl and I could not easily determine why. Well it turns out that Microsoft...

With the most recent unemployment report we have officially entered into a recession. I believe this also marks the end of the Web 2.0 mini bubble. During the days of inflated valuations we had some - most notably Marc Andreesen - saying that it was not a bubble. I think that was at least in part so as to not make their own investors feel like they were getting a bad deal (ditto for Peter Thiel and Facebook). Yet it is exactly these kind of non-VC deals in the stratosphere that are the best i...

With the most recent unemployment report we have officially entered into a recession. I believe this also marks the end of the Web 2.0 mini bubble. During the days of inflated valuations we had some - most notably Marc Andreesen - saying that it was not a bubble. I think that was at least in part so as to not make their own investors feel like they were getting a bad deal (ditto for Peter Thiel and Facebook). Yet it is exactly these kind of non-VC deals in the stratosphere that are the best i...

I am excited about the 3G version of the iPhone. With faster speed and enterprise integration it has almost everything I want. My remaining issues can probably be overcome by some software upgrades. In particular I would like to see copy and paste and would prefer a horizontal keyboard with larger keys for typing emails. Given the new pricepoint I expect we will see a further uptake of the phone, although I have to understand the data plan especially when it comes to European travel. I am pre...

I am excited about the 3G version of the iPhone. With faster speed and enterprise integration it has almost everything I want. My remaining issues can probably be overcome by some software upgrades. In particular I would like to see copy and paste and would prefer a horizontal keyboard with larger keys for typing emails. Given the new pricepoint I expect we will see a further uptake of the phone, although I have to understand the data plan especially when it comes to European travel. I am pre...

So excited – got my Bug today. Here is a picture from the ceremonial unboxing. Now all I need is a lot of rain this weekend :)

So excited – got my Bug today. Here is a picture from the ceremonial unboxing. Now all I need is a lot of rain this weekend :)

A couple of days ago I was riding on a Metro North commuter train behind a group of teenagers who were loudly discussing something. I say something because I could not make out their topic as it was drowned out by the word “like” appearing three or more times in every sentence. Now I am generally not language obsessed and English is my second language, but the complete lack of expressiveness among the teenagers and their constant substitution of “like” for more complicated words or expression...

A couple of days ago I was riding on a Metro North commuter train behind a group of teenagers who were loudly discussing something. I say something because I could not make out their topic as it was drowned out by the word “like” appearing three or more times in every sentence. Now I am generally not language obsessed and English is my second language, but the complete lack of expressiveness among the teenagers and their constant substitution of “like” for more complicated words or expression...

Recently I have heard some people say that they would have voted for Hillary Clinton, but are now planning to vote for John McCain. Anyone even contemplating this should make sure to look past their perception of John McCain and inspect his voting record. My firm believe is that actions speak louder than words and whatever McCain has been telling voters and the press, what should matter more in assessing his judgment and his basic philosophy is how he has actually voted. It turns out that McC...

Recently I have heard some people say that they would have voted for Hillary Clinton, but are now planning to vote for John McCain. Anyone even contemplating this should make sure to look past their perception of John McCain and inspect his voting record. My firm believe is that actions speak louder than words and whatever McCain has been telling voters and the press, what should matter more in assessing his judgment and his basic philosophy is how he has actually voted. It turns out that McC...