Google stock

I was one of those who poured all the money into Google (very unimaginative).

I made a total of $292.96 - a 0.3% profit. Miserable but hey, at least I did not lose money and in this market, that's quite a feat to accomplish!

Has anyone seen this?

Pretty cool...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gmP4nk0EOE

What we watch and how we watch it?

Last Sunday's NYT features the new reality of the way we watch now.

Research Outline

Research Question:
As video sits are uniquely expensive to maintain and operate:
a) ...how many sites can the market sustain at the same time? (As of now, it is looking like one video site per market)
b)...what is the revenue needed to be able to generate a profit? (Cost minus revenue = profit)

Background on YouTube
YouTube is the world’s fourth-largest site measured by uniques and the seventh largest measured by page views. Google jumped at the opportunity to purchase YouTube after only a year in the market for a total of $1.65 billion. However, was the purchase a leap before looking? As of the end of 2008, YouTube still has not generated profit for Google. In fact it is costing more and more money to keep YouTube’s site up and they are having issues with copyright and also struggling to learn how to turn a profit in YouTube while trying to stay as a free video hosting site. Currently YouTube is trying out a number of avenues to turn a profit. YouTube recently unveiled a screening room for indie films. It has allowed a special long form video for “content partners” and plans to sell music, movies, books, electronic games and concert tickets online while developing new advertising formats to boost revenue.
CBS is a prime example of how the old news networks can progress along with the new media format. Since CBS started to offer clips of its shows on YouTube two years ago, the network has registered more than 4.3 million views of its clips. Recently CBS announced it will offer full length episodes in exchange for the right to sell its own ad inventory. In the past two years, in addition to signing on CBS, YouTube has attracted some 900 content partners. YouTube CEO Chad Hurley is currently trying to attract more content partners as he expects the online ad market to grow to about $5 billion.

Methodology
-Conduct a historical track of YouTube's revenue growth from 2005 (first started) to 2008
What is YouTube's current cost of operation and what is the magic number needed to turn a profit to justify its pricetag?

-Compile a list of everything that YouTube has publicly announced that it is going to do to make a profit (Screening Room, AdSense, etc.) and predict which one will be the most profitable hence to best focus efforts and expansion on.

-Interview representatives from YouTube to gauge current concerns and future plans


Suggestions?

Netflix and Maghound

I am going to speculate if Maghound will be successful or not based on observing Netflix's success. I will identify successful components of Netflix and compare it to Maghound to see if those elements are available in Maghound. This outline is not finalized form and it surely needs more organization, but here's what I have so far.

1. History of Netflix
A. Brief description of Netflix
- It is the world’s largest online movie rental service, with more than eight milion subscribers.
- For low monthly price, members can watch movies and television episodes online, and they can also get DVDs delivered to their house.
- There are no due dates or late fees.
- Growth history for past years.
B. From beginning to present: how Netflix was developed and gained popularity

2. Success of Netflix
A. Q3 2008 Financial Results show that Netflix has been doing well despite a challenging economic environment.
B. Subscribers: Subscribers rose 23 percent from last year.
C. Revenues: revenue grew 16 percent compared to last year.
D. More data will be added.

3. Why is Netflix successful?
A. Number of collections available: more than 100,000 DVD titles and more than 12,000 choices that can be watched instantly
B. quickness: 95% of Netflix members live in areas that generally receive shipments in one business day.
C. user-friendly interface: very easy to surf the web and order DVDs.

4. Future of Netflix
A. Next week, Netflix will launch movie services on XBOX 360
B. There is no direct competitor for this business.

5. Is the successful components of Netflix also available in Maghound?
- This part will probably be the most important part of my paper. Also, it should be the most insightful. I have to do more research to figure this part out.

6. Possible Scenarios of what could happen.

My major concerns

- After the individual conference, I received a very intriguing idea, which is to consider itune as well. However, after researching, I realized that itune is not too similar to Netflix and Maghound. For now, I’ve decided not to include analysis of itune for my paper. Do you think Itune is relevent to my research topic?

- I am writing this paper on the assumption that Netflix and Maghound have similar business models. However, movie business and magazine business certainly have different aspects needed for success. Is it safe to speculate Maghound's success based on Netflix's successful elements?

Digital Footprints

People are constantly tethered to technology - technology that helps them communicate with each other. This constant ability to interact, ensures that they are able to maintain, or build social capital. Tools like cell phones and digital cameras, and the means of distribution – the Internet – has enabled them to instantly capture and share the world for posterity. This has caused the loss of privacy, which has given rise to several online privacy and/or identity management companies.

Potential sources:
Online policy makers/analysts
Random people on social networking sites
People from online privacy management companies

Comparing content interest across different markets for online newspapers

You'll find my outline in PDF form here.

I look forward to your feedback!