News and Analysis

Oh Daddy – A roundup of the latest GoDaddy/SOPA mess

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Where to start.  We'll I'll start by mentioning there were other issues capturing my attention, but I am merely one man, albeit a handsome and charming one with a killer fedora.

Anyway, so let's see where we are.

GoDaddy has been accused of slowing domain name transfers, mostly by happy rival Namecheap who's been benefiting from their troubles.  GoDaddy has responded that they have not exactly slowed them, but put some limits in place due to "nefarious" activity.  I'm honestly not sure how much they're hurting, but they seem concerned – and really, using the word "nefarious" is bad PR.

It appears GoDaddy has been happy to turn off domains before for minor conditions.  This is one complaint, but it's interesting to read.  If there are more issues like this they may come to light.

There's an attempt to organize a "Dump GoDaddy Day" on the 29th of December.

Yeah, I know.

Takeaways:

  • I'm not sure how much this is hurting GoDaddy money-wise.  I've not seen reliable long-term numbers (well long-term for how short-term this is).  It is clear they are at least worried.
  • They've gotten a black eye in the internet-savvy community – essentially their bad action has become meme.  This is nearly impossible to recover from.  They may not be defeated or destroyed, but they will be marked.
  • The domain-name transfer throttling doesn't necessarily have to be true – people will assume it is due to their actions and attitude.  That's a sign of bad PR.
  • Speaking of PR, theirs is abysmal.  This is a great example of what not to do, PR-wise.
  • If the story about the domain closing noted above is true, and other stories are out there that are similar, it will fuel further bad will towards them.  Wait to see if there are other disgruntled people out there.
  • Seeing how NameCheap jumped on this is a reminder of how fast business can change when so much is electronic.  You can be riding on top and then get upset very, very quickly – because people can take advantage of your problems/mistakes/stupidity very fast.

– Steven Savage

Eco/Geekonomics – Sears and Kmart stores to close

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Not a happy holiday season apparently.

I had been hearing about trouble at Sears, but not the Kmart part of Sears Holdings.  There's a hefty amount of stores closing, about 100-120.  I'm sure the lousy economy is an obvious part of it – as is the move to online (and man, judging by the scene out here during shopping time, online is a good bet).

They're also not alone – Wal-Mart is hurting.  They just have presence, gobs of cash, and stranglehold on their side.

So why is this here, in our Sanctum Geektorum?  Because this is big news:

  • Those quick retail jobs people rely on for cash are going to be affected by lack of opportunity.
  • If there is more of a move online that may change opportunities – and bring some for you.  As I've noted many times I still think Wal-Mart is going to try and build an online presence.
  • Amazon is more likely to be further in the crosshairs after this because, well, e-commerce and such.  This is going to further negative attention on Amazon – though it may result in a can't-beat-em-join-em approach.
  • These closings could affect communities severely depending on where they are.  It may affecy yours.
  • It's a reminder many brands are not "sacred" in this economy.  Your name will not necessarily save you today.

– Steven Savage

Burn Your Box

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Is your career in a rut?  Is your business in a rut?  Are you in a rut?

If you're in this situation, you've probably been told "think outside the box," which basically means "get outside your current assumptions" to see new opportunities and solutions.

This is wrong.  You should not think outside the box career-wise.

You should get out of the box, set it on fire, and jump up and down on the ashes before sweeping them into the river to be washed out to sea forever.  You then need electroshock therapy to forget your box.  By the time "the box" has imprisoned you it's not something to get out of a little bit – it is something to DESTROY.

In fact, here's a guilty secrets for us geeky, neo-literati, otaku fan-types.  We are just as capable as anyone of being able to straightjacket our minds.  In fact, we're probably very good at it since we're use to using our imaginations, and we can dream up an amazing amount of ways to shackle ourselves.

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