The Mozilla Foundation, the non-profit group behind the Firefox web browser (I highly recommend using it instead of Internet Explorer) recently announced that it was launching a for-profit division. This is wonderful news, as it is another case for how firms can create sizable revenue streams by focusing on giving away something for free. Firefox is an excellent product, and now that it has

Here's a pretty interesting hypothesis on how the Internet will evolve. Disregarding the companies mentioned and the corporate consolidation that is anticipated, the overall idea of the short film is very true: we are living in a world of peer production, whereby the users are creating the media they will consume. This is resulting in a massive amount of information, and machines will be

Aaron Wall, the mastermind behind SEOBook.com, has been interviewing some of the most reputable names in the seach industry. His latest is with NickW, search marketing's most entertaining personality (and not short on talent and experience either). Check it out. Here are some interviews Aaron has conducted that are worth checking out: Interview with NFFC Interview with Dan Thies Interview with

If you're just starting out on the web, even knowing where to begin can be daunting. One great way to get some inbound links and to get started on the search engine optimization process is to get links from directories. As we note in the ActoBook, though, it's important to get links from the right directories. To find out which ones are the right directories, check out the list over at

Innoblog has an interesting comment on changes in the DVD market. The question they're asking is whether or not DVD vending machines can challenge the likes of Netflix for the DVD distribution market. When it comes to distribution channels, cost is a big, big factor. Whoever can distribute at the lowest cost stands a very good chance of winning, as they can underprice their competitors while

Seth Godin has a short post on the inevitability of change. Check it out. Companies often fear change because they think that it will bring about the cannibalization and/or commoditization of their existing product line. For instance, Vodafone's decision to block Skype is a prime example of this. They are blocking VOIP technology because they are afraid of it. VOIP is the future, though, and to

An article at Fast Company and a discussion at SearchEngineWatch are both making note of taking down two of the most dominating companies out there: Google and Apple. I commented on strategies for taking down both of those companies in The Underdog's Solution. Whenever an industry champ loses the top spot, it's a sign that a whole industry is changing, and that consumer values are changing as

Seth Godin and Aaron Wall -- two people I really like, and hence include in my recommended links list -- are both talking about egos, and the importance of marketing to the ego. Generally speaking, the ego is most motivated to seek adulation. Put another way: how can you make your customers more popular? Should you take Apple's route, and give them an mp3 player that makes them more fashionable?

IPCentral reports on a story from Digital Music News documenting that those who steal copyrighted music via P2P file sharing applications are the same individuals that spend the most on legally buying digital music. Key quote:File-sharers spent an average of $9.63 (5.52 pounds) per month on legal music, while their non-swapping counterparts spent only $2.21 (1.27 pounds) over the same period.The

CNET reports on how Verizon, Sprint, and Motorola are all plotting to begin using the cell phones they manufacture as a medium to sell mp3 players. This comes just months after Ericsson's decision to partner with Napster to deliver music via cell phones as well. This is a classic example of how value shifts within an industry, how firms can identify what innovations will be valuable, how products

Salesforce.com is an online CRM solution -- in other words, they help companies manage information about their customers and develop efficient sales processes. Companies that have a large sales staff and/or a big client base can benefit significantly from properly using a CRM solution like Salesforce.com. CNET is reporting that Salesforce will be embarking on a new endeavor to allow their users

Josh Kaufman has compiled a list of books that entrepreneurs can read to get a "personal" MBA -- the homeschooled version that is just as good and $150,000 cheaper. Check out his list. There are some key books missing from his list that I'd love to see on there: The Innovator's Dilemma by Clayton Christensen The Innovator's Solution by Clayton Christensen and Michael Raynor Unleashing the