It seems like the SaaS media relationships departments have been busy since last night. Microsoft and BT are talking about BT Application Marketplace, Salesforce is hingting about its 25,000 user customer and Google is in fanfarre-mode with Apps Premie…

To everyone who has complained thus far: You are reading and commenting on Michaels blog because you obviously enjoy it. If you didnt enjoy it, you wouldnt be here.

For the most part, his “rumors” are on point and I for one enjoy hearing them. In fact, I think that it gives him MORE credibility. How could it give him less? He obviously has connections and that is certainly NOT a requirement of being a blogger – successful or not. The fact that he makes such blog posts about things that concern a great majority of TC readers is wonderful. If it doesnt concern you, fine – move on to the next post. No need to jump down his throat. Grow up!

I think #45 Michael Vu makes a good point – “Haters will always hate. Bloggers will always blog.”

Mike – keep up the good work.

stop loving yourself and get back to work

http://gspy.blo...um-is-live.html

http://online.w...e_whats_news_us

Google Inc. today is marching further into Microsoft Corp.’s core turf with a bundle of services targeted at corporations, including Web-based word-processing and spreadsheet applications.

The offering is the latest package of its services that Google, Mountain View, Calif., has created for organizations. In August, the company launched a free bundle of online applications, such as email and calendar services, which it says is now used by more than 100,000 small businesses. Google says test users of its new Google Apps Premier Edition include blue-chip companies like General Electric Co.

The new higher-end version of its application offerings for businesses costs $50 per user annually and includes more email storage and support for companies’ technology staff, as well as guarantees that the email service will be available virtually all of the time. Google says it expects to add other services to the bundles, possibly including its Blogger tool for creating Web logs, by year end.

Seriously though, I think most small businesses attracted to Gapps will stay with the free plan. It does give them a starting point to offer more features.

http://www.goog...mins/tour1.html

A free trial of premier edition is available until the end of April.

The search engine giant adopts a subscription model with its corporate software bundle to counter Microsoft Office and Windows Live.

By Paul McDougall
InformationWeek

Feb 22, 2007 **12:01 AM**
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** emphasis mine **

http://www.nyti...nyt&emc=rss

http://online.w...8724515603.html

What is going on here? Michael and crew, you guys are making a ton of money off of us reading your blog so please respect our opinions. The fundamental of Web 2.0 is user generated content, now you are criticizing us for expressing ourselves? Having said that, we appreciate your work and we love reading it.

Be grown ups and take our constructive criticism and improve so you can attract more users and make more $$

Your news piece was just lame, why don’t you just admit it and move on. We love to read your blog and continue to do so. We just want to keep the quality high; what is wrong with that? It is not “hater mentality” Ronald, it is caring.

i would really love to see more articles on the subject. like community building strategies and tips and advice on how to control haters. thanks.

If any of us had a blog with the audience of TechCrunch (and the monthly ad revenue), I seriously doubt anyone would be making irrelevant and childish comments. It’s one thing to be envious, but it’s something entirely different to be an ass.

If you don’t like something, don’t use/view it. It’s really that simple.