Todd Lyden

photo © 2009 Amanda | more info (via: Wylio ) Wow, I've been a slacker. But I've found a GREAT reason to post: Punchtab . You will notice the red ribbon on the upper left corner.  It is part of a plugin to REWARD you for interacting with this site. So far, I gotta say, I'm impressed with it. I've seen the idea elsewhere, but nowhere has done it with such FREEMIUM enthusiasm. The integration is pretty much seemless and is improving by the second. I put it on the site this week and have already seen multiple changes (all great improvements!). What is even more impressive: the folks behind it. See them here.   In asking questions and getting responses, I've already interacted with Ben and Mehdi. And they were RESPONSIVE. Mind you, this the early phase so I'm sure it'll get harder, but they raised some money to help with that. As more and more of online is becoming about gamification, it is nice to see a product REALLY do it in such a simple and positive manne...

It seems like in the current economy that more and more people are trying to get on the do-it-yourself, cheap-as-possible, "can we do it for free" bandwagons. This bit explains it better than I ever could:  http://radar.oreilly.com/2008/10/effect-of-the-depression-on-te.html Depressions/recessions are GOOD for innovation and acceptance of the "low cost solution." Do you know anyone considering jumping on to  Google Apps  or perhaps already using cheaper/free alternatives like Open Office? The most common reaction to those notions are "well, you are going to get what you pay for." However, as the  freemium  model is becoming more and more prevalent, we've created a consumer mind set that is going to EXPECT something for nothing. Sure, you can do business the "old way," but freemium isn't that old. The backlash against offering stuff for free as way of operating exists, but for the bootstrapping soul who just wants to make...