Re: UKNM: Wimps?

[Nick Sweeney]

> > >While people on this list are winging on

> > >about the "impact" of such-and-such a piece of javascript, our counterparts

> > >in the US are drawing up plans that result in soon-to-be ubiquitous

> > >properties such as Amazon, Expedia, Excite, Yahoo, SixDegrees, AOL,

> > >AltaVista, Planetall etc etc etc.

> 

> Reading this, I find myself, unbelievably sympathising with bankers and

> venture capitalists.


You have a point, though I disagree with your reasons. Point is, the US

market has all the criteria that make investment in tech startups

attractive:


* a telco/cable network that makes online access cheap

* a sales tax system and distribution network that makes ecommerce attractive

* several large, established market players prepared to acquire promising ventures 

* the NASDAQ, and an IPO/trading system that makes it easy to make money from hype.


The conservatism of traditional UK banks extends well beyond tech

ventures: I can think of the way that Coutts treated Virgin in the 80s,

bouncing Branson's cheques as if he were a student going over his

overdraft limit.


> What exactly are the criteria for 'Ubiquity'???. Some reasonable

> majority of the 4 million people who have the equipment to log on going

> to your portal to ignore some banners?


We're talking UK here? As the medium du jour, there's been enough

publicity for Amazon and Yahoo. I agree that it's nothing compared to the

visibilty (and corresponding budget) of traditional brands, but then

again, those brands haven't made the transition to ecommerce in the areas

where there's a net pioneer in competition. Anyone bought from hmv.co.uk?


Nick