A VC - Latest Comments in http://www.avc.com/a_vc/2008/10/hacker-news-tec.html

Re: http://www.avc.com/a_vc/2008/10/hacker-news-tec.html

Sahil Singh — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 08:51:28 -0000

nice article gonna bookmark this page !!!!

Re: http://www.avc.com/a_vc/2008/10/hacker-news-tec.html

tjgillies — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 14:59:32 -0000

very insightful!

Re: http://www.avc.com/a_vc/2008/10/hacker-news-tec.html

Richard MacManus — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 22:32:09 -0000

Interesting observation to say that Techmeme has Gabe's "voice". I'm not sure he'd like that, because as humans we have biases - so is that saying Techmeme has Gabe's biases? I don't think it does - my understanding is that Techmeme is about the algorithm, which evolved from the initial blog sources Gabe used right at the start. But right now it's the algo that runs things. I would say Techmeme has a unique brand and maybe that brand has a 'voice'.

I kind of agree though that Hacker News has Paul Graham's voice, because Graham is a very influential and outgoing personality on the Web (i.e. his fans love him and generally follow his opinions, which you can see in some of the stories on Hacker News).

Re: http://www.avc.com/a_vc/2008/10/hacker-news-tec.html

jarid — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 20:40:37 -0000

Case in point, do a Google search for "Google Killer":
-Cuill
-Powerset
-Quintura
-Clusty
-Hakia
-Wisenut

Oh, and 2 more.. lol
-Microsoft
-Yahoo

Re: http://www.avc.com/a_vc/2008/10/hacker-news-tec.html

Isaac — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 19:26:57 -0000

-- All algorithm and no "voice"'

Good observation. Hadn't ever stopped to think about that but it's quite obvious now that you've mentioned it.

As kidmercury says, the lack of personality will leave them competing on price and functionality alone, leaving loads of room for people to 'add flavour' with their own forays.

Re: http://www.avc.com/a_vc/2008/10/hacker-news-tec.html

Mrinal — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 18:14:29 -0000

Apart from the ones you mentioned, I would recommend Popurls - one source for all other social sites.

Re: http://www.avc.com/a_vc/2008/10/hacker-news-tec.html

Dasher — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 17:15:34 -0000

I was trying to think of one major service that Google created/invented first.

Search engine
Paid search
Email
Online docs
Maps
Mobile OS
Online video
Social networking
Browser
RSS/news/blog aggregators

None of the above. See what I mean?

In some of the cases they made major improvements to existing services, but I can't think of one thing they created first. So is 20% time mostly used to copying original ideas of others and trying to improving them?

Can anyone list services that originated from Google?

Re: http://www.avc.com/a_vc/2008/10/hacker-news-tec.html

Ben Ruedlinger — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 17:03:11 -0000

That is the ratecard price....actual revenue may vary....

Re: http://www.avc.com/a_vc/2008/10/hacker-news-tec.html

ProductArchitect — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 16:43:16 -0000

And I think we ought to give techmeme credit for actually featuring the google blogsearch news on top of its front page most part of this morning!

I'm pretty sure the site is more-or-less 100% algorithms not editorial selections. Still, there's an indirect "voice" by the way the algorithm works, the various tuning parameters that it surely has, and other secret sauce that I won't even speculate about.

Re: http://www.avc.com/a_vc/2008/10/hacker-news-tec.html

ProductArchitect — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 16:39:28 -0000

Now if Gabe can only figure out how to monetize the influence.

"Monthly rates begin at $5500" per http://techmeme.com/sponsor ... x6 ads at the moment = nice income, even assuming part of it goes to "pay him back" for working without any salary initially.

Re: http://www.avc.com/a_vc/2008/10/hacker-news-tec.html

Peter W — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 16:16:04 -0000

Just curious, Fred ... what blog aggregators do you use for music and politics?

Re: http://www.avc.com/a_vc/2008/10/hacker-news-tec.html

Lenny — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:47:11 -0000

I agree. TechMeme works beautifully. I have no desire to change no matter what comes along. I still check multiple news sources every day as Google News is just not a very nice experience.

Re: http://www.avc.com/a_vc/2008/10/hacker-news-tec.html

Andrew — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:42:52 -0000

I do the same thing when I see the word "killer." Its so annoying. Iphone killer? Ipod killer? Yeah right.

If anything, techmeme killed google's tech news section years ago.

Re: http://www.avc.com/a_vc/2008/10/hacker-news-tec.html

delmar — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:29:42 -0000

that's how you inform yourself? eek. you're really self-selecting. sorry but that ain't enough. i use all three of the sources quoted above - but that's just the beginning of knowledge.

Re: http://www.avc.com/a_vc/2008/10/hacker-news-tec.html

Ezra Nugroho — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 14:48:27 -0000

Hi Fred,

It's nice to know that you like blog aggregation sites. I personally like that over feed readers too.

Anyway, do you have a favourite on VC blog aggregation?
I just launched http://www.planetvc.com yesterday, featuring vc bloggers including you!! :)
Hopefully you might find it useful to keep up with other VC bloggers.

Do let me know your thoughts about it.

Re: http://www.avc.com/a_vc/2008/10/hacker-news-tec.html

steveray — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 14:24:51 -0000

The last true killer technology may have been VHS

Re: http://www.avc.com/a_vc/2008/10/hacker-news-tec.html

NICCAI — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 13:58:11 -0000

You're not doing a very good job pumping the stock you just bought.....:D Just kidding. Thought it was funny. The important part about Google Blog Search is that it isn't limited to the tech scene. I think that will appeal long term as more and more influencers crop up in other industries and disciplines.

Re: http://www.avc.com/a_vc/2008/10/hacker-news-tec.html

ceonyc — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 13:28:31 -0000

And "people" live to die another day against our machine overlords...

Re: http://www.avc.com/a_vc/2008/10/hacker-news-tec.html

Jamie Lin — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 12:16:41 -0000

And I think we ought to give techmeme credit for actually featuring the google blogsearch news on top of its front page most part of this morning! (I actually linked to this post via there!) If that's a choice Gabe actually made, man I admire him for embracing the news and stay true to his site's purpose, serve its readers.

As far as comparing the updated google blogsearch with techmeme, besides what you have said, I think google's interface is also too standard google cookie cutter. they still have a long way to go before becoming as easy to use as techmeme, which is essentially what aggregators are about -- providing convenience, right?

Re: http://www.avc.com/a_vc/2008/10/hacker-news-tec.html

kenberger — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 11:32:41 -0000

I follow Techmeme by monitoring its homepage RSS in my feedreader.
blogsearch.google.com doesn't seem to have that (someone pls tell me if i'm missing it).

That's a BIG deal.

Re: http://www.avc.com/a_vc/2008/10/hacker-news-tec.html

fredwilson — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 11:00:25 -0000

i think if i ever meet Gabe, i'll immediately recognize his voice. it's all over techmeme actually

Re: http://www.avc.com/a_vc/2008/10/hacker-news-tec.html

fredwilson — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 10:59:43 -0000

the hype machine, you get to listen and read at the same time. it's awesome

Re: http://www.avc.com/a_vc/2008/10/hacker-news-tec.html

Josh Young — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 10:55:09 -0000

How does Gabe's voice shine through Techmeme? How might it be different if someone else built it?

Re: http://www.avc.com/a_vc/2008/10/hacker-news-tec.html

Ben Ruedlinger — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 10:40:06 -0000

Fred, it's about influence. While Google will likely win the race for traffic, Techmeme already has the hearts and minds of the influencers. I don't know about you, but I don't see that changing soon. Now if Gabe can only figure out how to monetize the influence....

Ben Ruedlinger
http://wistia.com
Wistia, Making Video Productive

Re: http://www.avc.com/a_vc/2008/10/hacker-news-tec.html

Wesley Barrow — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 10:20:33 -0000

hello, fred. which aggregator do you read for music?