Comments on: Money And A New CEO For SocialText http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/04/money-and-a-new-ceo-for-socialtext/ Startup and Technology News Tue, 07 Oct 2008 11:21:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Next New Networks Looking For Next New CEO http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/04/money-and-a-new-ceo-for-socialtext/#comment-2373256 Next New Networks Looking For Next New CEO Fri, 13 Jun 2008 22:23:33 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/04/money-and-a-new-ceo-for-socialtext/#comment-2373256 [...] he wanted to find a CEO to take his company to “thenext level.” Four months later, he found his replacement. (He remains chairman and [...] [...] he wanted to find a CEO to take his company to “thenext level.” Four months later, he found his replacement. (He remains chairman and [...]

]]> By: SocialText Putting A Little Social Into…Enterprise Wikis http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/04/money-and-a-new-ceo-for-socialtext/#comment-2187792 SocialText Putting A Little Social Into…Enterprise Wikis Thu, 17 Apr 2008 22:07:11 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/04/money-and-a-new-ceo-for-socialtext/#comment-2187792 [...] has raised just under $12 million over three rounds of financing. Last November, Mayfield moved into the Chairman/President role to make room for a new CEO, Eugene Lee. The [...] [...] has raised just under $12 million over three rounds of financing. Last November, Mayfield moved into the Chairman/President role to make room for a new CEO, Eugene Lee. The [...]

]]> By: Joe http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/04/money-and-a-new-ceo-for-socialtext/#comment-1732504 Joe Tue, 06 Nov 2007 16:43:27 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/04/money-and-a-new-ceo-for-socialtext/#comment-1732504 Don't any of you wiki providers out there have objective ROI to define why we should really care? Nathan only pointed to some general stuff. Is this a product searching for ROI riding on the back of "empowerment the people?" Don’t any of you wiki providers out there have objective ROI to define why we should really care? Nathan only pointed to some general stuff. Is this a product searching for ROI riding on the back of “empowerment the people?”

]]> By: Jeff http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/04/money-and-a-new-ceo-for-socialtext/#comment-1732367 Jeff Tue, 06 Nov 2007 15:52:06 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/04/money-and-a-new-ceo-for-socialtext/#comment-1732367 @Aaron - There are more ways to measure a company than "number of downloads" alone, especially considering Socialtext's core business is providing purpose-built appliances and/or hosted wiki services to its clients (not just giving away free software!). You seem to be overlooking the other recent metrics on Socialtext that demonstrate significant traction in market, like the company's position in the Gartner MQ (most visionary and second only to MSFT/IBM/BEA in terms of ability to execute) or the new public customer count of over 4K customers using Socialtext today (including names like Humana, Epitaph Records, Symantec, Nokia, many others). @Aaron - There are more ways to measure a company than “number of downloads” alone, especially considering Socialtext’s core business is providing purpose-built appliances and/or hosted wiki services to its clients (not just giving away free software!). You seem to be overlooking the other recent metrics on Socialtext that demonstrate significant traction in market, like the company’s position in the Gartner MQ (most visionary and second only to MSFT/IBM/BEA in terms of ability to execute) or the new public customer count of over 4K customers using Socialtext today (including names like Humana, Epitaph Records, Symantec, Nokia, many others).

]]> By: Eric http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/04/money-and-a-new-ceo-for-socialtext/#comment-1730123 Eric Tue, 06 Nov 2007 00:16:38 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/04/money-and-a-new-ceo-for-socialtext/#comment-1730123 @Aaron I understand your point - I was making a general statement that downloads are a good metric for companies whose revenue models involve "attention". I agree there is no mutual exclusivity here. I think part of what I was getting across is captured in your post (#15) - your statement adding the word "_startup_" suggests declining correllation between revenues/mindshare and downloads as an organization matures. I would agree with that as well. @Aaron I understand your point - I was making a general statement that downloads are a good metric for companies whose revenue models involve “attention”. I agree there is no mutual exclusivity here.

I think part of what I was getting across is captured in your post (#15) - your statement adding the word “_startup_” suggests declining correllation between revenues/mindshare and downloads as an organization matures. I would agree with that as well.

]]> By: Aaron Fulkerson http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/04/money-and-a-new-ceo-for-socialtext/#comment-1730059 Aaron Fulkerson Mon, 05 Nov 2007 23:58:21 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/04/money-and-a-new-ceo-for-socialtext/#comment-1730059 @Me: I should say, downloads are the only meaningful metric for _startup_ open source enterprise software companies. @Me: I should say, downloads are the only meaningful metric for _startup_ open source enterprise software companies.

]]> By: Aaron Fulkerson http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/04/money-and-a-new-ceo-for-socialtext/#comment-1730057 Aaron Fulkerson Mon, 05 Nov 2007 23:57:33 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/04/money-and-a-new-ceo-for-socialtext/#comment-1730057 @Eric: Redhat, MySQL, Alfresco, Novell, etc sell eyeballs? Oky doky. Downloads are the only meaningful metric for open source enterprise software companies. @Eric: Redhat, MySQL, Alfresco, Novell, etc sell eyeballs? Oky doky.

Downloads are the only meaningful metric for open source enterprise software companies.

]]> By: Eric http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/04/money-and-a-new-ceo-for-socialtext/#comment-1729721 Eric Mon, 05 Nov 2007 21:37:45 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/04/money-and-a-new-ceo-for-socialtext/#comment-1729721 @Aaron - downloads are a good metric for a company whose revenue model is selling eyeballs. Not the case at ST. @Aaron - downloads are a good metric for a company whose revenue model is selling eyeballs. Not the case at ST.

]]> By: Lily http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/04/money-and-a-new-ceo-for-socialtext/#comment-1728993 Lily Mon, 05 Nov 2007 17:28:42 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/04/money-and-a-new-ceo-for-socialtext/#comment-1728993 @betty Ouch, don't forget your blogging etiquette. That's not a very nice thing to say and you know he most likely will stumble upon these comments. @betty Ouch, don’t forget your blogging etiquette. That’s not a very nice thing to say and you know he most likely will stumble upon these comments.

]]> By: betty http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/04/money-and-a-new-ceo-for-socialtext/#comment-1728955 betty Mon, 05 Nov 2007 17:13:25 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/04/money-and-a-new-ceo-for-socialtext/#comment-1728955 I've worked for Eugene Lee. All I can say is, those people are in for a lot of abuse. I’ve worked for Eugene Lee. All I can say is, those people are in for a lot of abuse.

]]> By: ed http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/04/money-and-a-new-ceo-for-socialtext/#comment-1728932 ed Mon, 05 Nov 2007 17:02:24 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/04/money-and-a-new-ceo-for-socialtext/#comment-1728932 I don't see any specifics about ROI. You can do better, I hope! I don’t see any specifics about ROI. You can do better, I hope!

]]> By: Aaron Fulkerson http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/04/money-and-a-new-ceo-for-socialtext/#comment-1728844 Aaron Fulkerson Mon, 05 Nov 2007 16:36:03 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/04/money-and-a-new-ceo-for-socialtext/#comment-1728844 @ed Don't ask us, ask the users: http://www.mindtouch.com/blog/2007/10/29/network-computing-can-web-20-evolve-into-an-enterprise-technology/ @ed

Don’t ask us, ask the users: http://www.mindtouch.com/blog/.....echnology/

]]> By: ed http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/04/money-and-a-new-ceo-for-socialtext/#comment-1728768 ed Mon, 05 Nov 2007 16:06:34 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/04/money-and-a-new-ceo-for-socialtext/#comment-1728768 Can you wiki commenters actually call out some verifiable ROI on wikis? Sure wikis can help with collaboration and can quickly get staff to embrace since it "empowers them." But how about defining some real payback for this technology. Not saying it does not exists, but I would like to hear some specific details. I also was wondering if anyone has heard about a company called Customervision, which proclaims to have found the balance between open and controlled collaboration. Can you wiki commenters actually call out some verifiable ROI on wikis?

Sure wikis can help with collaboration and can quickly get staff to embrace since it “empowers them.” But how about defining some real payback for this technology. Not saying it does not exists, but I would like to hear some specific details.

I also was wondering if anyone has heard about a company called Customervision, which proclaims to have found the balance between open and controlled collaboration.

]]> By: John http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/04/money-and-a-new-ceo-for-socialtext/#comment-1728603 John Mon, 05 Nov 2007 15:06:09 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/04/money-and-a-new-ceo-for-socialtext/#comment-1728603 Why waste more money on this startup (it being not a startup anymore, but rather a finish-up (I coined it, 5 cents everyone time someone uses it)) Coined on this blog in this article. http://techwaste20.blogspot.com/2007/11/in-world-of-online-why-does-anyone-care.html Why waste more money on this startup (it being not a startup anymore, but rather a finish-up (I coined it, 5 cents everyone time someone uses it))
Coined on this blog in this article.

http://techwaste20.blogspot.co.....-care.html

]]> By: Aaron Fulkerson http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/04/money-and-a-new-ceo-for-socialtext/#comment-1728530 Aaron Fulkerson Mon, 05 Nov 2007 14:30:19 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/04/money-and-a-new-ceo-for-socialtext/#comment-1728530 @Mike and @Nathan, You guys are so diplomatic. :-) I'm only voicing what's already become common knowledge. With open source companies you have a clear metric for gaging public interest and success: downloads. @Mike and @Nathan,

You guys are so diplomatic. :-)

I’m only voicing what’s already become common knowledge. With open source companies you have a clear metric for gaging public interest and success: downloads.

]]> By: Steve Ballmer http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/04/money-and-a-new-ceo-for-socialtext/#comment-1728055 Steve Ballmer Mon, 05 Nov 2007 11:29:13 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/04/money-and-a-new-ceo-for-socialtext/#comment-1728055 Nonetheless, I wonder how much they pay? I do hav a little spare time on my hands. http://fakesteveballmer.blogspot.com Nonetheless, I wonder how much they pay?
I do hav a little spare time on my hands.

http://fakesteveballmer.blogspot.com

]]> By: Steve Ballmer http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/04/money-and-a-new-ceo-for-socialtext/#comment-1728053 Steve Ballmer Mon, 05 Nov 2007 11:27:47 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/04/money-and-a-new-ceo-for-socialtext/#comment-1728053 ONE MORE TIME! All of this "social" stuff is a ..... C'mon you know, say it..... a FAD! http://fakesteveballmer.blogspot.com ONE MORE TIME!
All of this “social” stuff is a ….. C’mon you know, say it…..

a FAD!

http://fakesteveballmer.blogspot.com

]]> By: Nathan Schmidt http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/04/money-and-a-new-ceo-for-socialtext/#comment-1727652 Nathan Schmidt Mon, 05 Nov 2007 07:05:29 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/04/money-and-a-new-ceo-for-socialtext/#comment-1727652 Of course the Alexa numbers (as random as they may be) don't tell the real story for Socialtext -- they're selling into enterprises who aren't hosting the product under the socialtext.* domains. They could be doubling sales every month and it wouldn't show up on Alexa. Of course the Alexa numbers (as random as they may be) don’t tell the real story for Socialtext — they’re selling into enterprises who aren’t hosting the product under the socialtext.* domains. They could be doubling sales every month and it wouldn’t show up on Alexa.

]]> By: Mike Cannon-Brookes http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/04/money-and-a-new-ceo-for-socialtext/#comment-1727609 Mike Cannon-Brookes Mon, 05 Nov 2007 06:25:45 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/04/money-and-a-new-ceo-for-socialtext/#comment-1727609 Mate, mate - come on - you just wish you'd had $14.1m to play with ;) m Mate, mate - come on - you just wish you’d had $14.1m to play with ;)

m

]]> By: Aaron Fulkerson http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/04/money-and-a-new-ceo-for-socialtext/#comment-1727544 Aaron Fulkerson Mon, 05 Nov 2007 05:44:36 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/11/04/money-and-a-new-ceo-for-socialtext/#comment-1727544 Wow! Looking at Socialtext.net and Socialtext.com on Alexa and Compete.com, then reviewing their Sourceforge.net download stats: I'm shocked! All these metrics have been in a dramatic decline since the beginning of the year. Here's an interesting and relevant read: http://www.mindtouch.com/blog/2007/10/17/comparative-downloads-on-sourceforgenet/ It's clear they have, at least, a very serious quality problem with their software. Wow! Looking at Socialtext.net and Socialtext.com on Alexa and Compete.com, then reviewing their Sourceforge.net download stats: I’m shocked! All these metrics have been in a dramatic decline since the beginning of the year.

Here’s an interesting and relevant read: http://www.mindtouch.com/blog/.....eforgenet/

It’s clear they have, at least, a very serious quality problem with their software.

]]>