Yesterday I started a thread to discuss the VC-funded Web 2.0 industry.

There's a tragedy in the making here. A huge amount of creativity is being captured with no visible plan for what to do when the shakeout comes. When companies start failing, or business shifts, or the cycle ends -- things that every insider knows will come someday -- where will the archives go?

The VC-backed tech world is way out on a limb and they keep building on it. The VCs, some of whom say they are anxious to discuss any possible flaw in their business model, haven't yet shown up to discuss this problem. It's all part of the free-vs-paid thread.

I think it's getting close to time that tech re-forms again. Next time around, let's invent a funding model for our web services that creates sustainable value. We haven't managed to create sustainable energy, or anything else for that matter -- maybe we can start the reboot of human civilization around our online presences.

Bottom-line: If today's VC won't fund a sustainable web, a web with a future, let's create a new kind of VC that does.

 7/24/2012; 7:24:47 PM.

We all believe one half of America is crazy. All we differ on is which half.

That may be an over-simplification.

More specifically, half of America thinks the other half is crazy. And the other half thinks the first half is lazy, stupid and corrupt.

Another truth imho is that we all watch too much TV, and that's what really makes us crazy.

We're also all confused. Some of us think there's a way out of the confusion -- blame someone else.

 7/24/2012; 10:31:21 AM.

Panasonic has carved out a niche in ruggedized computers.

"Panasonic Toughbook mobile computers are engineered to withstand drops, spills, dust and grime, and to perform in the harshest environments."

The same idea should apply to websites. I want to register a domain for 100 years. And point it to this folder, also for 100 years. I want to be sure the organization that I purchase this service from has a chance of being here to fulfill their obligation.

And btw, I don't want to have to use proprietary software to create the content. That would be a bad idea if longevity is the goal.

 7/24/2012; 9:55:37 AM.

I like to help people get what they want done esp if I think they're doing good work. But when busy people try to get help from not-busy people, the result can be pretty awful.

Working with computers isn't conducive to a whirlwind approach. You really can't do writing, design or development work inbetween crazy-busy-life tasks. Computers don't lend themselves to that kind of thought. You often don't find the problem till you have a chance to quietly and dispassionately go through the situation, asking all kinds of questions along the way. It's been observed many times that the problem often turns out to be something dumb that you overlooked. That's exactly the kind of thing you can't see when you're whirling around.

Often the best help a friend can offer when trying to work out a technical problem is to wait until you're not busy. The bug isn't in the computer, usually -- it's in something you did, or something you aren't noticing. And the only way to fix it is to calm down and get un-busy.

 7/24/2012; 9:21:59 AM.