Comments on: Hungry Founder Puts Mowser In The Deadpool http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/hungry-founder-puts-mowser-in-the-deadpool/ Startup and Technology News Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:58:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Update: Mowser Assets Find a home at dotMobi http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/hungry-founder-puts-mowser-in-the-deadpool/#comment-2284954 Update: Mowser Assets Find a home at dotMobi Fri, 09 May 2008 13:56:15 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/hungry-founder-puts-mowser-in-the-deadpool/#comment-2284954 [...] always a good idea to kill your startup in public. Russell Beattie did that last month with Mowser, a service that converts regular Web addresses into mobile-friendly ones, because he [...] [...] always a good idea to kill your startup in public. Russell Beattie did that last month with Mowser, a service that converts regular Web addresses into mobile-friendly ones, because he [...]

]]> By: Update: Mowser Assets Find a home at dotMobi http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/hungry-founder-puts-mowser-in-the-deadpool/#comment-2284955 Update: Mowser Assets Find a home at dotMobi Fri, 09 May 2008 13:56:15 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/hungry-founder-puts-mowser-in-the-deadpool/#comment-2284955 [...] always a good idea to kill your startup in public. Russell Beattie did that last month with Mowser, a service that converts regular Web addresses into mobile-friendly ones, because he [...] [...] always a good idea to kill your startup in public. Russell Beattie did that last month with Mowser, a service that converts regular Web addresses into mobile-friendly ones, because he [...]

]]> By: Andy Moore http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/hungry-founder-puts-mowser-in-the-deadpool/#comment-2199603 Andy Moore Sat, 19 Apr 2008 19:10:46 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/hungry-founder-puts-mowser-in-the-deadpool/#comment-2199603 It's a shame to hear Mowser is going down the pan but it's not the mobile web, limited connections and small screens that's responsible for the demise of Mowser. I feel the business model and decision to not fully ad-support the service is the reason it doesn't reap the rewards expected. It’s a shame to hear Mowser is going down the pan but it’s not the mobile web, limited connections and small screens that’s responsible for the demise of Mowser. I feel the business model and decision to not fully ad-support the service is the reason it doesn’t reap the rewards expected.

]]> By: El precio de la aventura at Linked http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/hungry-founder-puts-mowser-in-the-deadpool/#comment-2182733 El precio de la aventura at Linked Wed, 16 Apr 2008 12:04:46 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/hungry-founder-puts-mowser-in-the-deadpool/#comment-2182733 [...] otras razones me puso de tan mal humor algunos comentarios estúpidos, arrogantes y prepotentes que apacieron en Techcrunch respecto a la noticia: It sux I know and getting into debt to fund it sux too; but that’s [...] [...] otras razones me puso de tan mal humor algunos comentarios estúpidos, arrogantes y prepotentes que apacieron en Techcrunch respecto a la noticia: It sux I know and getting into debt to fund it sux too; but that’s [...]

]]> By: James Whatley http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/hungry-founder-puts-mowser-in-the-deadpool/#comment-2182536 James Whatley Wed, 16 Apr 2008 10:41:13 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/hungry-founder-puts-mowser-in-the-deadpool/#comment-2182536 http://tinyurl.com/6yjw7v Interesting comments ^ http://tinyurl.com/6yjw7v

Interesting comments ^

]]> By: David Berube’s Blog » Blog Archive » Mowser is Dead, Not the Mobile Web Folks. http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/hungry-founder-puts-mowser-in-the-deadpool/#comment-2181824 David Berube’s Blog » Blog Archive » Mowser is Dead, Not the Mobile Web Folks. Wed, 16 Apr 2008 05:54:56 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/hungry-founder-puts-mowser-in-the-deadpool/#comment-2181824 [...] is dead – so the mobile web must be dead to. If you’re a reader of Read Write Web, TechCrunch and the others you would be lead to believe this as true. It’s the furthest thing from the [...] [...] is dead – so the mobile web must be dead to. If you’re a reader of Read Write Web, TechCrunch and the others you would be lead to believe this as true. It’s the furthest thing from the [...]

]]> By: Kontra http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/hungry-founder-puts-mowser-in-the-deadpool/#comment-2180936 Kontra Tue, 15 Apr 2008 22:00:04 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/hungry-founder-puts-mowser-in-the-deadpool/#comment-2180936 Mr. Beattie has had an extraordinarily weak appreciation of tech developments and trends. A classic example is when he declared 'game over' for MS PlaysForSure *competitors* in 2005: "I've been watching Microsoft's moves over the past few weeks and I can pretty much say that it's game over for a lot of Microsoft competitors, though they may not realize it yet." http://www.russellbeattie.com/notebook/1008231.html Another one is the leading comment he left at my blog recently, dismissing the impact of the iPhone: "The mobile market is huge and worldwide, and Apple is a minnow swimming among the sharks" Who can beat iPhone 2.0? http://counternotions.com/2008/03/10/iphone2-competitors It's always sad to see someone down at a personal level, but I always found the attention paid to his tech punditry inexplicable. Mr. Beattie has had an extraordinarily weak appreciation of tech developments and trends.

A classic example is when he declared ‘game over’ for MS PlaysForSure *competitors* in 2005:

“I’ve been watching Microsoft’s moves over the past few weeks and I can pretty much say that it’s game over for a lot of Microsoft competitors, though they may not realize it yet.”

http://www.russellbeattie.com/.....08231.html

Another one is the leading comment he left at my blog recently, dismissing the impact of the iPhone:

“The mobile market is huge and worldwide, and Apple is a minnow swimming among the sharks”

Who can beat iPhone 2.0?
http://counternotions.com/2008.....ompetitors

It’s always sad to see someone down at a personal level, but I always found the attention paid to his tech punditry inexplicable.

]]> By: DP http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/hungry-founder-puts-mowser-in-the-deadpool/#comment-2180461 DP Tue, 15 Apr 2008 19:08:07 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/hungry-founder-puts-mowser-in-the-deadpool/#comment-2180461 I think that the mistake most of the mobile startups make is that they apply the same business and ecosystem model from the desktop web to mobile web. Mobile web is NOT dead and continues to grow but unfortunately as a small startup, it is very difficult to generate a profit and stay in business. One of the previous commenters listed a number of startups "doing well" but we have to be reminded that none of them are actually making any significant money from mobile. Most of them are able to sustain themselves and fight to stay relevant from the investment they raised. I am convinced that for the time being, there only 2 kinds of companies that'll succeed in the mobile web space: 1. A big desktop web company who can cover the losses with rev from the desktop or 2. A startup that raises lots of money to cover their burn for the next 3 to 5 years. There's a lot of activity in this space but I do not believe that mobile web, in its current form, is in a state that can support lots of startups; especially those that depend on traffic. Therefore, I believe that it is the big companies that will first see some success from monetizing the mobile web. They will find that the mobile web will prove to be a business on its own or at least help their desktop business. Only then will startups have a chance to thrive which is why they need to raise lots of money now. If their current business plan calls for generating enough traffic in the next 2 years to stay in business, might as well close shop early because I do not believe this will happen. I think that the mistake most of the mobile startups make is that they apply the same business and ecosystem model from the desktop web to mobile web. Mobile web is NOT dead and continues to grow but unfortunately as a small startup, it is very difficult to generate a profit and stay in business. One of the previous commenters listed a number of startups “doing well” but we have to be reminded that none of them are actually making any significant money from mobile. Most of them are able to sustain themselves and fight to stay relevant from the investment they raised.

I am convinced that for the time being, there only 2 kinds of companies that’ll succeed in the mobile web space:
1. A big desktop web company who can cover the losses with rev from the desktop or
2. A startup that raises lots of money to cover their burn for the next 3 to 5 years.

There’s a lot of activity in this space but I do not believe that mobile web, in its current form, is in a state that can support lots of startups; especially those that depend on traffic. Therefore, I believe that it is the big companies that will first see some success from monetizing the mobile web. They will find that the mobile web will prove to be a business on its own or at least help their desktop business.

Only then will startups have a chance to thrive which is why they need to raise lots of money now. If their current business plan calls for generating enough traffic in the next 2 years to stay in business, might as well close shop early because I do not believe this will happen.

]]> By: tarekesber.com» Blog Archive » Russell Beatties iPhone Effect http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/hungry-founder-puts-mowser-in-the-deadpool/#comment-2180309 tarekesber.com» Blog Archive » Russell Beatties iPhone Effect Tue, 15 Apr 2008 18:25:30 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/hungry-founder-puts-mowser-in-the-deadpool/#comment-2180309 [...] as the iPhone got people talking about the future of Mobile, Russells bold proclamation has got everyone talking about the future of the Mobile Web. Some agree with him, many don’t but [...] [...] as the iPhone got people talking about the future of Mobile, Russells bold proclamation has got everyone talking about the future of the Mobile Web. Some agree with him, many don’t but [...]

]]> By: Roy http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/hungry-founder-puts-mowser-in-the-deadpool/#comment-2179298 Roy Tue, 15 Apr 2008 13:42:45 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/hungry-founder-puts-mowser-in-the-deadpool/#comment-2179298 18: clever 18: clever

]]> By: Markus Göbel's Tech News Comments http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/hungry-founder-puts-mowser-in-the-deadpool/#comment-2178823 Markus Göbel's Tech News Comments Tue, 15 Apr 2008 11:21:08 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/hungry-founder-puts-mowser-in-the-deadpool/#comment-2178823 Why I nearly never used the mowser? Because I didn't need to. Most of mobile websites I read through Google's mobile RSS feedreader. It also strips away the unnecessary information and loads pages very fast. Or I use Opera Mini. Why should I make a detour over the Mowser website? Why I nearly never used the mowser? Because I didn’t need to.

Most of mobile websites I read through Google’s mobile RSS feedreader. It also strips away the unnecessary information and loads pages very fast. Or I use Opera Mini.

Why should I make a detour over the Mowser website?

]]> By: Mowser Founder Says Mobile Web Is Dead. It’s The Opposite http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/hungry-founder-puts-mowser-in-the-deadpool/#comment-2178680 Mowser Founder Says Mobile Web Is Dead. It’s The Opposite Tue, 15 Apr 2008 10:41:35 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/hungry-founder-puts-mowser-in-the-deadpool/#comment-2178680 [...] entreprenuer Russell Beattie, and it’s time for him to deadpool Mowser. Read the details in Duncan’s post from earlier [...] [...] entreprenuer Russell Beattie, and it’s time for him to deadpool Mowser. Read the details in Duncan’s post from earlier [...]

]]> By: Ric Johnson http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/hungry-founder-puts-mowser-in-the-deadpool/#comment-2178608 Ric Johnson Tue, 15 Apr 2008 10:22:44 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/hungry-founder-puts-mowser-in-the-deadpool/#comment-2178608 Do not lose hope! I started http://Free.TV eight years ago, and due to the dot Com Bomb, I had to call it quits. I did not lose it all live most internet companies, but we did not eat steak for quite a while. The good news: Tivoization of the web has finally happened The bad news: I did not make any money. I still believe that it will a LONG time before it actually pays off. Yes, some VCs are smart and sold YouTube, but it is not a revenue model for Google (yet) My advice to mowser: Get back in the saddle. Learn the hard lessons and next time you will make it Do not lose hope!
I started http://Free.TV eight years ago, and due to the dot Com Bomb, I had to call it quits. I did not lose it all live most internet companies, but we did not eat steak for quite a while.
The good news: Tivoization of the web has finally happened
The bad news: I did not make any money. I still believe that it will a LONG time before it actually pays off. Yes, some VCs are smart and sold YouTube, but it is not a revenue model for Google (yet)
My advice to mowser: Get back in the saddle. Learn the hard lessons and next time you will make it

]]> By: Luca Passani http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/hungry-founder-puts-mowser-in-the-deadpool/#comment-2178531 Luca Passani Tue, 15 Apr 2008 09:51:38 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/hungry-founder-puts-mowser-in-the-deadpool/#comment-2178531 I am actually friends with the Mowser guys. I also understand the frustration when something you have worked very hard on doesn't work out as you hoped. So I won't be too hard on Russ when he writes: "I think anyone currently developing sites using XHTML-MP markup, no Javascript, geared towards cellular connections and two inch screens are simply wasting their time, and I'm tired of wasting my time." I just want to say that the fact that someone has failed to succeed with the mobile web does not mean everyone else will. In fact, there are companies that bet on mobile and are actually successful. Of course, it takes a lot more to creating a successful start-up than being a good blogger. I would go as far as saying that being a blogger may actually be counter-productive: one may end up living in a virtual world of their own which is very disconnected from day-to-day reality. Luca I am actually friends with the Mowser guys. I also understand the frustration when something you have worked very hard on doesn’t work out as you hoped. So I won’t be too hard on Russ when he writes:

“I think anyone currently developing sites using XHTML-MP markup, no Javascript, geared towards cellular connections and two inch screens are simply wasting their time, and I’m tired of wasting my time.”

I just want to say that the fact that someone has failed to succeed with the mobile web does not mean everyone else will. In fact, there are companies that bet on mobile and are actually successful.
Of course, it takes a lot more to creating a successful start-up than being a good blogger. I would go as far as saying that being a blogger may actually be counter-productive: one may end up living in a virtual world of their own which is very disconnected from day-to-day reality.

Luca

]]> By: Ist das mobile Web tot? | Mobile2Null http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/hungry-founder-puts-mowser-in-the-deadpool/#comment-2178201 Ist das mobile Web tot? | Mobile2Null Tue, 15 Apr 2008 08:12:22 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/hungry-founder-puts-mowser-in-the-deadpool/#comment-2178201 [...] Techcrunch addthis_url = 'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mobile2null.com%2Fmobile-web%2Fist-das-mobile-web-tot'; [...] [...] Techcrunch addthis_url = ‘http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mobile2null.com%2Fmobile-web%2Fist-das-mobile-web-tot’; [...]

]]> By: Jim Long http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/hungry-founder-puts-mowser-in-the-deadpool/#comment-2178111 Jim Long Tue, 15 Apr 2008 07:45:05 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/hungry-founder-puts-mowser-in-the-deadpool/#comment-2178111 Too bad, mowser wat pretty good, now i'll have to go back to www.baresite.com and squeezer.com. why not just leave the site online? Too bad, mowser wat pretty good, now i’ll have to go back to http://www.baresite.com and squeezer.com. why not just leave the site online?

]]> By: Peter http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/hungry-founder-puts-mowser-in-the-deadpool/#comment-2178071 Peter Tue, 15 Apr 2008 07:29:58 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/hungry-founder-puts-mowser-in-the-deadpool/#comment-2178071 p.s. props to the dude for trying. p.s. props to the dude for trying.

]]> By: Ramen Noodles http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/hungry-founder-puts-mowser-in-the-deadpool/#comment-2178060 Ramen Noodles Tue, 15 Apr 2008 07:26:42 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/hungry-founder-puts-mowser-in-the-deadpool/#comment-2178060 Buttered macaroni is _so_ Web1.0. Buttered macaroni is _so_ Web1.0.

]]> By: Peter http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/hungry-founder-puts-mowser-in-the-deadpool/#comment-2177840 Peter Tue, 15 Apr 2008 06:11:11 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/hungry-founder-puts-mowser-in-the-deadpool/#comment-2177840 The mobile web is dead! (Shut up, Scoble!) Long live the iPhone! and Android! and Twitter! and moblogging! and lifecasting! and GPS! and music and media viewing and listing and buying and sharing! and walking tours and tourism! and gaming! and hiking and biking and protest technology! and just about everything useful and new and creative you might ever want to do in your life - all being done with your mobile phone! The mobile web is dead! (Shut up, Scoble!)

Long live the iPhone!

and Android!

and Twitter!

and moblogging!

and lifecasting!

and GPS!

and music and media viewing and listing and buying and sharing!

and walking tours and tourism!

and gaming!

and hiking and biking and protest technology!

and just about everything useful and new and creative you might ever want to do in your life - all being done with your mobile phone!

]]> By: Mike D. http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/hungry-founder-puts-mowser-in-the-deadpool/#comment-2177724 Mike D. Tue, 15 Apr 2008 05:33:58 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/hungry-founder-puts-mowser-in-the-deadpool/#comment-2177724 I found it a little odd that Russell's post didn't mention iPhone. Speaking from personal experience, my time on the mobile web increased about 500% when I got my iPhone. Russell, if you're reading this, did the iPhone have any impact, positive or negative, on Mowser? I found it a little odd that Russell’s post didn’t mention iPhone. Speaking from personal experience, my time on the mobile web increased about 500% when I got my iPhone. Russell, if you’re reading this, did the iPhone have any impact, positive or negative, on Mowser?

]]> By: techno.blog("Dion") http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/hungry-founder-puts-mowser-in-the-deadpool/#comment-2177673 techno.blog("Dion") Tue, 15 Apr 2008 05:17:28 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/hungry-founder-puts-mowser-in-the-deadpool/#comment-2177673 <strong>The future of the Mobile Web is strong...</strong> Russ Beattie has closed up shop for Mowser and people are rushing to declare the death of the mobile Web. I like Russ, and was glad to see him back on the scene and blogging a storm, even if he can be a touch offensive from time to time ;) But, just b... The future of the Mobile Web is strong…

Russ Beattie has closed up shop for Mowser and people are rushing to declare the death of the mobile Web.
I like Russ, and was glad to see him back on the scene and blogging a storm, even if he can be a touch offensive from time to time ;) But, just b…

]]> By: Chris http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/hungry-founder-puts-mowser-in-the-deadpool/#comment-2177633 Chris Tue, 15 Apr 2008 05:03:00 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/hungry-founder-puts-mowser-in-the-deadpool/#comment-2177633 throwing away your savings for a web 2.0 company? I really hope this is a wake up call to people who are thinking about doing the same thing. I wonder how the Koolaid tastes with his Mac and butter. throwing away your savings for a web 2.0 company? I really hope this is a wake up call to people who are thinking about doing the same thing.

I wonder how the Koolaid tastes with his Mac and butter.

]]> By: John http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/hungry-founder-puts-mowser-in-the-deadpool/#comment-2177584 John Tue, 15 Apr 2008 04:48:38 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/hungry-founder-puts-mowser-in-the-deadpool/#comment-2177584 I'm glad he finally realized what I told him when he started. I’m glad he finally realized what I told him when he started.

]]> By: entrepreneur|unemployed http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/hungry-founder-puts-mowser-in-the-deadpool/#comment-2177555 entrepreneur|unemployed Tue, 15 Apr 2008 04:39:44 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/hungry-founder-puts-mowser-in-the-deadpool/#comment-2177555 One more thing, I do give him credit big time for taking his idea to the bitter end. Been there and still doing it... One more thing, I do give him credit big time for taking his idea to the bitter end. Been there and still doing it…

]]> By: entrepreneur|unemployed http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/hungry-founder-puts-mowser-in-the-deadpool/#comment-2177547 entrepreneur|unemployed Tue, 15 Apr 2008 04:37:03 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/hungry-founder-puts-mowser-in-the-deadpool/#comment-2177547 "for those of you insensitive clods reading from your iPhone Safari browser" LoL. When I looked at my site online through mowser, I thought cool, good job.Then I went through mowser on my iphone, and the site butchered my design...no wonder it deadpooled. It should have never been about trying to reconstruct the internet for mobile browsers, it should have been about reconstruction of the mobile browser for the internet...oh well, better luck next time. “for those of you insensitive clods reading from your iPhone Safari browser”

LoL. When I looked at my site online through mowser, I thought cool, good job.Then I went through mowser on my iphone, and the site butchered my design…no wonder it deadpooled. It should have never been about trying to reconstruct the internet for mobile browsers, it should have been about reconstruction of the mobile browser for the internet…oh well, better luck next time.

]]>