gdp's Comments

Feld Thoughts : New Life Experience - The MRI

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 21:42:36 +0000

I worked on a nuclear MRI imaging venture at Bell Labs in Holmdel for a short period back in 1986 - went to the conferences, etc At the time GE was the market leader, and some guys at the Labs organized an "intrapreneurial" venture to tackle the remote imaging problem. Doctors didn't trust remote electronic MRI or X-Ray images at the time, no matter how how the resolution - they wanted FILM! :) The technology was already incredible by then - I can only imagine how much it's advanced in the past 25 years. Best of luck with getting the back squared away.

Feld Thoughts : I'm Dead To Your Suggestion That X Is Dead

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 06:18:47 +0000

I'd like to pose the question, though: is mobile computing dead?

Feld Thoughts : An Alternative For The Mac Address Book App?

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 04:28:48 +0000

agree - Mac Mail and iCal are better apps than their corresponding apps in Outlook for Mac. But the Contacts application in Office for Mac 2011, looks to me to be much stronger, than Address Book. It's a cleaner GUI, with a tabbed interface. Outlook for Mac 2011, the more I have used it, the more I am disappointed in Microsoft. I have a circle of friends in the UK who are Outlook Gurus. They reached the same conclusion - Microsoft may be about to create an "Entourage II" because they are afraid to bring the full power of Outlook to OS X. That's logical... if MSFT builds an Outlook application for OS X that is as good, and as fully-featured as Outlook for Windows (aka Office 2010), then they will likely give up at least 10 points of market share, from WIndows 7 to OS X. So you can see why they are dragging their feet with Office for Mac 2011, and Outlook in particular. Despite all that... in my experience, after using it for a few days, the Contacts application within Outlook, kicks AB's tail. And there's no reason not to use JUST the Contacts application within OL. Just launch it, then hide the left sidebar, and never think about Outlook email/notes/etc again... just use OL as a contacts client. I still prefer using Evernote, as an AB replacement. Despite it's lack of integration with other apps, the fact that it OCR's everything fed into it, and allows access from any browser/platform, makes it more useful to me. I just read through all the comments on this thread... a lot of good thoughts and ideas. I have been seeking "the best PIM" since about 1995, and the frustration continues... both in OS X, and on the Windows platform... the app that everyone uses the most, every day [sigh]. I interviewed Mitch Kapor about this "PIM quandary" at his HQ"s in SF in 2004... he's been trying to resolve it, with the Chandler project, for at least 5 years... to no avail. Mitch and his partner Jim Manzi invented Lotus Agenda, to address this very problem, before creating Lotus 123. He still considers it his greatest invention, even compared to Lotus 123. But PIMs are tough to commercialize and get through the channels; you have to go up against the biggest players.

Feld Thoughts : An Alternative For The Mac Address Book App?

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 17:45:50 +0000

I don't know why i didn't mention this Address Book replacement before - because I've been using it as my own Address Book replacement since Feb of this year, when i went paperless. E V E R N O T E ! I stumbled into this solution more or less by accident; i was already using Evernote because it gives me access to my reference information in the cloud, from any device. Because it OCR's everything you put in - even words imbedded in images - i just scan business cards, move then into my "Contacts" notebook, and all the keywords are indexed. I can search by area code, city, name, etc. There is no need to organize anything, just pile all your contacts in there - even hand written records. Evernote figures it all out, and it's always at your fingertips. You can add notes, lists, etc. Hard to beat, practically speaking. And Evernote does so much more. In other notebooks, i have (e.g.) an inventory of everything I have in storage, with a list of the contents of each container, photographs, notes, etc. In another, 15 years tax records. All of the serial numbers for my software licenses. They allow 500MB each month, of new uploads, on the paid plan (~$45/yr).

Feld Thoughts : An Alternative For The Mac Address Book App?

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 16:03:12 +0000

Here's a related option, Brad -- DayLight Productivity Suite for iPhone and Mac. It's an enhanced address book / PIM for the iPhone (and companion Mac applications) that has some CRM functionality: http://www.marketcircle.com/daylite/ http://www.marketcircle.com/daylite/iphone/ I'm about to give it a workout...

Feld Thoughts : An Alternative For The Mac Address Book App?

Sun, 15 Aug 2010 10:58:32 +0000

OK - after 8 hours with Outlook - beautiful interface; actually nicer than Outlook for Windows. Very useable. But three early functional limitations that I see, right away: #1 it cannot create VIEWS, one of the most powerful features of Outlook; and the essence of a PIM - looking at your data from different perspectives. And #2, it cannot (e.g.) "drag and drop" transform emails into todo items; which everyone loved about Outlook a few years ago. Calendar, Task, Email, and Note items should all be "draggable" to other categories, to convert them into different types of PIM objects. Cannot due (yet), in this Beta version. And #3, it does not allow displaying data by "Groups". But the interface/GUI is beautiful, it's fast and very usable; those sorts of things could be easily fixed. Hopefully Microsoft will not create another dumbed-down version of Outlook - an "Entourage II". This is much slicker than Entourage, but the jury is definitely, still out. I was heavy into Outlook for years, had probably a dozen books on it, programmed it in VBA for GTD, used a lot of add-ons, used to hang out at SlipStick.com (Sue Mosher, an Outlook MVP's site), and i spent a huge # of hours optimizing Outlook for my GTD setup. So i have a love-hate relationship with Outlook. I was a fan of Arabesque Ecco before NetManage bought it, when it was the #1 PIM and Outlook was just an upstart - i came up to Redmond to interview the founders, it was so compelling. The NetManage acquisition killed off the only other truly great Windows PIM, and it took Outlook many years to catch up. There are still several things that Ecco was great at, that Outlook can't touch. I hope that Microsoft is truly serious about this new Mac version of Outlook! I can understand where they might not be, since this one app might double the market share for Macintosh computers - or even more.

Feld Thoughts : An Alternative For The Mac Address Book App?

Sun, 15 Aug 2010 02:35:35 +0000

OK, I'm running Microsoft Office for Mac Beta 6 now.... have been using Outlook for the past 45 minutes. This is a BEAUTIFUL implementation of Outlook! What's not to like?? I'm going to move everything over into Outlook... now I can return to my Outlook-based GTD system... Outlook is the one thing from Microsoft that I've missed. OK, Excel too... Excel in Mac Office 2004 was buggy and limited. By the time they release this and I can purchase a production version, should be even better!

Feld Thoughts : An Alternative For The Mac Address Book App?

Sun, 15 Aug 2010 01:25:44 +0000

Looks like Boy Genius came to a similar conclusion about the Outlook component of "Office for Mac 2011": http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2010/04/23/hands-o... In that article there is this link to a 53-screenshot gallery / overview of the new OS X Office package: http://www.boygeniusreport.com/nggallery/page-320... Seems that the entire Beta 6 was leaked on a Torrent, and people are checking it out. I'm still optimistic that they'll get Outlook squared away by the time it becomes a real product. In the meantime, i'm downloading the Torrent and will put in some hands-on time with Outlook for Mac Beta 6.

Feld Thoughts : An Alternative For The Mac Address Book App?

Sat, 14 Aug 2010 06:48:20 +0000

Wow, I did not know that there was a Beta version of Outlook for the Mac available. That is a MAJOR bummer. If Outlook for the Mac truly sucks, that is huge news and might even send APPL shares down Monday. There is a built-in expectation that MSFT has finally realized they should get serious with Office Applications on OS X, and that Outlook (plus updated Word/Excel/PPT) will be the proof in the pudding. How and why is Outlook for OS X so bad? I will find the download myself, and check it out too. Bummer.

Feld Thoughts : An Alternative For The Mac Address Book App?

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 23:05:25 +0000

the question is how good of port MSFT will do, with Outlook. They have been hammering on it for 15 years, so if they bring the whole thing to the Mac it should be the best PIM going. But if they just create another "Entourage"-like PIM, then forgettaboutit... BPOS may look like a blech, but it's very successful - MSFT has 40M seats deployed -- it's already a half-Billion dollar business for them. $10 per seat for hosted Exchange, SharePoint, Live Meetings, and OCS. Second only to SharePoint as their fastest-growing product. But most SharePoint deployments are in-house, while BPOS is a 100% hosted (SaaS) offering. The press spends all it's time talking about Azure, but MSFT's real traction, to date, with hosted apps is actually happening with BPOS. Yep, on the Mac address book - with such a robust developer ecosystem for OS X apps, it's amazing that no one created a decent replacement for "Address Book". You would think that someone like Omni Group, Panic Software (etc) would be all over that.

Feld Thoughts : An Alternative For The Mac Address Book App?

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 01:32:57 +0000

Brad, i think the answer for you is about to arrive, from Redmond. Microsoft is close to releasing a new version of Office for the Mac, which will include Outlook; replacing Entourage. Others monitoring this thread may know more specifics about the timing. Here's an article about it on Mashable: http://mashable.com/2009/08/13/microsoft-outlook-... In the meantime, as others have mentioned, Contacts for GMail just received a major upgrade. I've been using GMail contacts as my central repository for contacts; then sync utilities to keep those contacts in sync with Address Book on the Mac. But I have never liked the OS X contact app, so am looking forward to Outlook on the Mac, too. As an interim solution, you could also utilize Microsoft's BPOS (Business Productivity Online Services) http://Microsoft.com/online -- and use the address book component. It's hosted by Microsoft; not client-side; but if you're used to Outlook on the PC, the hosted Exchange address book would make for a decent interim solution, until MSFT's OS X / Cocoa Outlook client arrives.

Feld Thoughts : Now That's How You Do An Angel Pitch Event

Sun, 8 Aug 2010 07:01:43 +0000

Yes, I know that Jason and Mike split up, after that fight at the last TechCrunch 50. They are colorful people who provide a lot of entertainment to the Tech community. I regret my "heat of the moment" comment about TechStars. That was out of line, and I would like to retract that cheap shot. There is nothing at all wrong with TechStars. You, David, Andy (et al) are making dreams possible for young entrepreneurial teams that would otherwise, have to go work in the coal mines. I have interviewed several of those teams, and am happy to see that so many great things are coming for them, thanks to the TechStars program. Sincerely, -steve b.

Feld Thoughts : Now That's How You Do An Angel Pitch Event

Sun, 8 Aug 2010 06:08:26 +0000

Brad, you make a good point and in theory, at least, i agree with you. We are on the same page with regard to that. As a former member of the Keiretsu Forum (K4), i can tell you with absolute certainty that (at least in Northern California) the members *DO* in fact, pay. $3,000 per year, for membership to fund operations. The startups also pay a modest fee ($1,500 per chapter) to present, after they are accepted to pitch. The K4 actually doesn't see many "concept stage" businesses - they are mostly profitable, growing concerns that pitch the member Angels, instead of seeking a bank loan, in order to expand operations. They don't fit the VC model. I never attended the former K4 chapter in Boulder, and have no idea how it contrasts with the vibrant, active chapters in Northern California, and the Pacific Northwest. My experiences with the K4, and all of it's terrific members, are limited to the chapter in Silicon Valley (Mountain View), the East Bay (San Ramon), and in Seattle+Bellevue, WA. Those are really great groups. I don't claim to know anything about the other 14 chapters, as i have no personal experience with them. The root of this problem is that Jason launched the OAF as a "Holy War" against the K4, claiming they are terribly scummy people, ripping off startups. That is so far from the truth. I know you are a very thoughtful person, and likely don't feel the same way. I doubt you would take a radical position like that, without knowing more about the K4 and all the good work they do for entrepreneurs. I tried to get Jason to attend a K4 meeting, but he ridiculed my invitation, and clearly knows nothing about them. I apologize for even bringing up your great TechStars operation, which I am definitely a fan of. That was a bit of a cheap shot on my part. I will avoid commenting on the OAF or the K4 in the future, as it is a bit of a hot-button issue for me.

Feld Thoughts : Local. Organic. Wi-Fi.

Tue, 3 Aug 2010 07:17:47 +0000

I'm not so sure, paramendra - it seems to me that Brad is "loosing his edge" in Homer...

Feld Thoughts : Give More Than You Get

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 03:53:44 +0000

yeah, Brad i probably mis-read this one. Micah made such an excellent point, I probably shouldn't have detracted from it with another, probably less-thoughtful comment:) Certainly, I didn't mean to imply that i have any insight into how you may or may not react to any issue. Heck, I've only met you once and that was a whirlwind business meeting (a one hour interview) in which i was surprised by your comments on just about everything that we discussed:) So I was definitely in error if, in my comment implied that i know much of anything of your character, or how you might or might not react to anything. Just sloppy blog comment writing on my part. Happens once in a while:-) Hey, you should be spending your time cleaning up the crisis/mess at Standing Cloud, anyway - right? :)

Feld Thoughts : Turning Snark Into Humor

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 03:36:23 +0000

I submit that you guys (and gals) at Standing Cloud have missed the point. And by making fun of those that have been lightly critical (ok, maybe a little snarky) you are driving home how badly you missed the point. The point was: your site was ugly. PAINFUL UGLY. it is an unspoken truism that if you put up an ugly site, your customers can't get past that. Even if you have the best, most amazing product or service for them. Web users have a short atttention span, and one of first filters they use is, "did this site take the time to make it look appealing to me?". I would suggest laying off criticizing the messenger. I trust Brad that you are a serious startup with an amazing offering; but the ugly site was SUCH a turnoff. I see you've been tuning it, and I'd say it looks like a garden-variety web 2.0 site now. There are probably great things under the hood; i don't know. So lay off shooting the messengers! It's not trivial feedback, as you portray it. And it's DEFINITELY not about the font(s). That's my feedback.

Feld Thoughts : Open Android vs. Closed iPhone

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 02:27:40 +0000

eric and deathwish, are you getting paid by someone to write the lamest blog posts possible by mankind? wtf?? lol.

Feld Thoughts : Grumby

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 08:09:25 +0000

paramendra, if you are looking for SEO chits for posting here, you're barking up the wrong tree. You do understand that your comments, like those on almost all major blogs, are no-indexed, right? Also, you might want to consider loosing the shades. Are you trying to say you are a Cartel member? or what.

Feld Thoughts : Grumby

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 08:03:09 +0000

Kessler is a little weird, though.... he writes like he is part of Wall Street, but also part of Silicon Valley; when in reality he hasn't been seen in either location, and isn't part of the community. What in the h___ does he actually do? He's funny in print, makes a great keynote, and writes some ok books for sure... but I find his insights and wisdom... un-insightful. And lacking connection to the reality of startup companies.

Feld Thoughts : Give More Than You Get

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 07:47:19 +0000

I agree with micah, there is something out of whack here. Givers don't worry about getting; but i'd take it a step further. My observation is that Brad's long-time friend, as great as he/she probably is, is out of alignment with the fundamental "give and take", or ebb and flow of business relationships. This person seems to be calculating, in an overt fashion, some kind of return on every favor granted, or action taken in a business relationship. That is not how it's supposed to work! There is "quid quo pro"; but you aren't supposed to have to think about it so hard; it just works - when it does. When it doesn't you are very likely doing something wrong. So i submit that this person is probably failing and has chosen to blame other people. Wherein the problem, is likely within their own behavior. And they are choosing to blame others, instead of face up to the problem, which lies within their own control. As evidence, they have even made their own friend Brad feel guilty/bad - one of the most fun, generous, and thoughtful persons in the venture capital industry. Case closed!