I figure if there hadn't been a Slashdot, there never would have been a NewsForge (yeah, I know) and if there hadn't been a NewsForge, I wouldn't have had three amazing years of an editorial job like no other. Working as an editor on that site was an education in so many ways, and an opportunity that ultimately began with your creation. So, thanks for the opportunity, however six degrees it might have been.
Starbucks does not franchise. In instances where they want a presence but can't because a master concessionaire owns the rights (your friendly neighborhood international airport is an example) they will license the name and concept, and we're still not talking about independent businessmen here (unless you count companies like HMS Host or Albertson's as small businesses).
it sucks that some very good and unique coffee shops go under because Starbucks moves into the neighborhood
Does this actually happen? I've seen very little to suggest that the arrival of a Starbucks drives cafes out of business, but rather the Green Mermaid comes in with the education and advertising and actually defines a market segment that smaller businesses offering better product can build upon.
Admittedly, I'm basing this on my own casual reading and experience. I've been flipping through Google News to find the few articles I've read recently that are packed with quotes from independent operators stating what I did in the previous paragraph. Alas, I've been up for way too long due to work issues and my Google-fu is weak.
One thing I do know from personal experience when I lived in the Bay Area was that one local cafe owner in my neighborhood shrieked a blue streak about a Starbucks down the street eventually putting her little operation out of business. Oh, the unfairness! Small mom-n-pop pushed out by the corporate Satan!
Never mind the fact that her cafe was often filthy, filled with ancient pastries and served cups with the weakest shot pulls anywhere. But remembering that, it's made me wonder if perhaps those small cafes that went out of business had bigger problems than a Starbucks opening up around the corner?
1) Hire/fire. When the work was over, I didn't need the teams any more. With the Indian vendor, I could cut back without worry.
Well, as long as you didn't feel bad, I guess that's all that matters. I mean, it's impossible to feel guilty about displacing local tech workers if you simply don't hire any in the first place, right?
So, how long until this latest appliance is disowned (scuse me, "minimized due to a re-prioritization of the corporate mission") by its maker? I wish it all the success in the world, but so far similar products haven't enjoyed a very long shelf life.
How I saw it was that Gates and Jobs were portrayed along the lines of what someone -- the director? -- perceived as the "personality" of the computers/platforms they made their riches on.
Jobs has personality. We've been told that Macs have "personality."
Gates was cold and awkward. Certain camps would say the same thing about PCs.
But fluff? Yeah. Text into pictures, nothing inspiring or groundbreaking.
Heh, thank you for confirming this. Watched it very early one morning a few weeks ago. I had heard about it, probably remembered some ad, so I thought I was watching a replay from earlier that evening. When the media blitz started a few days later, I was really confused.
My own take on it was that it might be interesting to someone who hasn't read (or at least skimmed the first chapter at the bookstore) one of the many books detailing Silicon Valley lore.
To anyone else, you should be able to quote the script as it's chapter and verse of just about anything you've heard regarding Gates and Jobs.
Slashdot Mirror
I figure if there hadn't been a Slashdot, there never would have been a NewsForge (yeah, I know) and if there hadn't been a NewsForge, I wouldn't have had three amazing years of an editorial job like no other. Working as an editor on that site was an education in so many ways, and an opportunity that ultimately began with your creation. So, thanks for the opportunity, however six degrees it might have been.
just about all Starbucks are franchises.
:)
Starbucks does not franchise. In instances where they want a presence but can't because a master concessionaire owns the rights (your friendly neighborhood international airport is an example) they will license the name and concept, and we're still not talking about independent businessmen here (unless you count companies like HMS Host or Albertson's as small businesses).
it sucks that some very good and unique coffee shops go under because Starbucks moves into the neighborhood
Does this actually happen? I've seen very little to suggest that the arrival of a Starbucks drives cafes out of business, but rather the Green Mermaid comes in with the education and advertising and actually defines a market segment that smaller businesses offering better product can build upon.
Admittedly, I'm basing this on my own casual reading and experience. I've been flipping through Google News to find the few articles I've read recently that are packed with quotes from independent operators stating what I did in the previous paragraph. Alas, I've been up for way too long due to work issues and my Google-fu is weak.
One thing I do know from personal experience when I lived in the Bay Area was that one local cafe owner in my neighborhood shrieked a blue streak about a Starbucks down the street eventually putting her little operation out of business. Oh, the unfairness! Small mom-n-pop pushed out by the corporate Satan!
Never mind the fact that her cafe was often filthy, filled with ancient pastries and served cups with the weakest shot pulls anywhere. But remembering that, it's made me wonder if perhaps those small cafes that went out of business had bigger problems than a Starbucks opening up around the corner?
don't go to Starbucks if you don't like them
But... but... what will we rage against then?
Just because Microsoft changed their stance from pro to neutral (not against), this makes them bigoted?
No, it doesn't. It simply makes them indifferent.
Active hatred I can handle. This is, somehow, worse.
They're located in the center part of the tower that does not spin.
D'ya think Tim might have some issues surrounding exclusion from the Bohemian Grove?
1) Hire/fire. When the work was over, I didn't need the teams any more. With the Indian vendor, I could cut back without worry.
Well, as long as you didn't feel bad, I guess that's all that matters. I mean, it's impossible to feel guilty about displacing local tech workers if you simply don't hire any in the first place, right?
I really hated Fry's.
Then I moved from the San Francisco Bay Area to Dubuque, Iowa. The local computer 'superstore' is Aisle 4 in the Staples office supply outpost.
I'm so happy to be back in the Bay Area.
So, how long until this latest appliance is disowned (scuse me, "minimized due to a re-prioritization of the corporate mission") by its maker? I wish it all the success in the world, but so far similar products haven't enjoyed a very long shelf life.
How I saw it was that Gates and Jobs were portrayed along the lines of what someone -- the director? -- perceived as the "personality" of the computers/platforms they made their riches on.
Jobs has personality. We've been told that Macs have "personality."
Gates was cold and awkward. Certain camps would say the same thing about PCs.
But fluff? Yeah. Text into pictures, nothing inspiring or groundbreaking.
Heh, thank you for confirming this. Watched it very early one morning a few weeks ago. I had heard about it, probably remembered some ad, so I thought I was watching a replay from earlier that evening. When the media blitz started a few days later, I was really confused.
My own take on it was that it might be interesting to someone who hasn't read (or at least skimmed the first chapter at the bookstore) one of the many books detailing Silicon Valley lore.
To anyone else, you should be able to quote the script as it's chapter and verse of just about anything you've heard regarding Gates and Jobs.
Original?
*snort*
It looks like a 20th Anniversary Mac.
And it's from Packaged Hell? No thanks.