SURVIVOR Silicon Valley

The spirit of Silicon Valley

2009-10-23T15:53:27-07:00

One of the best things about working in and around Silicon Valley is being a witness not just to invention but to reinvention. There are a few souls who get the importance of being contemporary, and they tend to build technology that serves as a platform for contemporary needs and uses -- not just to fulfill an obstinate personal vision.

Many examples may come to mind, but today I'm thinking of foldier, inc. I've been working with and providing a little advisory counsel to foldier for more than two years now, and it's great to see how this young effort continues to morph itself around consumer action as the founder and his development team refine the underlying technology platform to support that morphing. It's a sign of the kind of humility and presence of mind so important to doing business -- but all too often missing in this land of startups.

foldier began as an aggregator of personal content -- a way to gather and store the information of interest to any user, whether that information resides on his desktop or out in cyberspace. The underlying technology is the sweet part and what I believe is the heart of this little startup's being. So as the engineering team has strengthened the aggregator, the business team has watched what's happening with traditional media, driving foldier to a new application of its technical platform. As a result, foldier has morphed into a personal aggregator beyond the user's desktop, into a way for users to build websites that grab information of all kinds, turning the user into an independent -- and unique -- publisher of his or her own content. I can't wait to build my site and look forward to publishing it very soon.

Until then, it's terrific to have this reminder of what brought me out here and is keeping me here. For now, anyway.

I disagree with Tom Siebel about information technology

2009-05-04T09:53:06-07:00

Here's what Tom Siebel just told the BBC.

"I think Silicon Valley has been toppled from its pedestal. I think information technology is much less important in the global picture today than it was even 10-20 years ago. ... I think the areas where people will be making a difference and making important social and economic contributions will be in the area of energy and bio-engineering. While there will be contributions in bio-technology and bio-engineering and energy technology that will come out of the valley, I do not believe it will have the type of global leadership position in those areas that it did in information technology."

I'm no apologist for Silicon Valley. I'm here because all things technology -- info, bio, nano, energy -- whatever iteration one could name -- are present here. And despite all the wacky business ideas that get funded and the inept business models around excellent ideas that get funded, all roads still lead to this modern-day Roman empire.

However. This Rome is not burning, even with all the Neros we have trying to make it happen. I see no need for current and past leaders to announce the end of a particular aspect of the technology revolution. Even though technology is now the major force in bioengineering and renewable energy, we are still at the very beginning of what the world can do with information technology.

I understand that Mr Siebel is trying to make a point about the critical importance of technology for improving human health and protecting the environment. He's invested in those interests because they are the right thing to do and because there's money to be made. The technology is nascent. Information technology still is, too, I believe. It's evolving so quickly that exclusive innovations or applications are never the final curtain. The real value of the information technology revolution is that it continues lead to reinvention and reapplication of existing standards that the inventors' brains could not have begun to predict.

So, Mr Siebel, there is much more to be done with the information technology revolution you helped to spawn. Who knows. Maybe you'll even find a reason to return to it one day.

Web 2.0 Expo: A way to taste the Valley on a budget

2009-03-18T10:33:24-07:00

One of the most effective ways to survive the ups and downs of economic cycles in Silicon Valley is to take advantage of the complimentary or close-to-complimentary passes made available by the folks hosting important gatherings.

Web 2.0 Expo is a sterling example of how to meet, greet and renew on a limited budget. Excellent for the self employed, those in between jobs and others who may want to gain an instant immersion in all things Silicon Valley. Except for maybe the traffic.

We bloggers on Web 2.0 Expo are enjoying this opportunity, too. With no editorial control. So I want to share the main points of a briefing we just received.

With registration for a pass for the Expo Hall or Web2Open, an attendee has automatic access to any program or activity taking place in the main keynote hall.

Daily Keynotes: Experts engage in conversation, speak and share knowledge
Launch Pad: After a rigorous selection process by industry judges, five lucky startups present their demos
Tekzilla Live!: Hosts from the internet television company present hands-on reviews of the latest gear, tips and tricks for improving the tech you already own
Expo Floor: Companies present their Web 2.0-centric products and services that help you turn less into more
Expo Hall: Exhibitors demonstrate their technology wares and services
The Booth Crawl: In the Expo Hall, an event featuring vendor-sponsored libations, snacks and community interaction
Non-Profit Pavilion: San Francisco non-profit organizations invite you to get involved and make a difference
Solutions Showcase Theater: Sponsors and exhibitors engage in ten-minute presentations -- everything from demos, to case studies, to Q&A
Government 2.0 Track
Sponsored Sessions
Web2Open Hybrid Sessions
Web2Open & the Open Lounge: The official on-site unconference of community-driven sessions, speeddating Q&A and a casual, wi-fi equipped lounge
Sunlight Hackathon: An easy way for a developer to start building the new economy by participating in the Open Government movement -- this is a case where hackers are wanted
Community Room: An on-site meeting place for your organization and a quiet place to film some video
Birds of a Feather Sessions: A means for continuing focused discussions with like-minded folks -- you can create and/or attend an evening BoF.