Filed under: Internet, Web services, web 2.0

The Golden Globes may be canceled but awards season is still underway. No, we’re not talking about the Oscars… the verdict is still out on them, but the nomination round of the eighth annual Weblogs Awards are underway.

Categories range from food and fashion to personal and tech. You can nominate up to three weblogs in each category, or up to four blogs in the coveted weblog of the year category. Anyone can vote, but you can only vote once. If you visit the site a second time and try cast a new vote your first vote will be overwritten.

The Bloggies may not have the red carpet or the low-cut dresses of the Oscars, but the winners do get the glamorous prize of 2007 pennies. That’s right a whopping $20.07. Oh, and bragging rights.

You have until 10pm PST on Friday to cast your votes. So vote early and umm… infrequently.

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Filed under: World wide web, Web services, Google

Ever wonder how long it takes to get from here to there? About 7 hours and 51 minutes according to Google Maps. It turns out both here and there are in France. If you’re still confused, there are two cities in France with the convenient names of H

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Filed under: Web services, AOL, Beta

This blog’s parent company AOL is planning some major updates to two of its cooler web services, Xdrive and BlueString. Xdrive is an on the web file storage service that gives you 5GB of space for free. But right now the service is hampered by a somewhat clunky interface. BlueSting is a recently launched service that lets users upload and arrange digital media to create personalized timelines.

This week AOL launched a series of BlueString Facebook applications under the My Memory Gallery label. The company also plans to create standalone widgets that you can use to embed timelines on blogs and other web sites.

We’re much more excited about the forthcoming desktop versions of BlueString and Xdrive. AOL is using Adobe Flex and AIR to create desktop interfaces for these web apps that will let users upload and arrange files simply by dragging and dropping them from their desktops. No need to upload files before you can begin arranging your timelines.

The new version of Xdrive will be called Xdrive Oxygen and is set for a February release. The desktop version of BlueString is scheduled for release in the first quarter of 2008.

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Filed under: Competitive strategy, Google (GOOG)

When Wikipedia was conceived, few would have thought it would end up in the regular top-10 of internet sites — but it has. The largest encyclopedia in the world has a viewership that any entity on the internet would kill for. Its strength remains in the ability of anyone to create and edit encyclopedia entries, giving the power to the people (literally).

What was next, then, for Jimmy Wales, one of Wikipedia’s founders? Why, a search engine, of course. Although Google has a tight grip on that market already, the new Wikia.com believes it can contend for the internet search championship belt at some point in time. It’s off to a very rocky start (and sorely disappointing to many), but does Wikia.com have a opportunity to compete against Google where internet stalwarts Yahoo, Inc. (NASDAQ: YHOO) and Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) have so far failed? if so, why?

According to Wales, Wikia.com will succeed because it will be more trustworthy than any other world wide web search provider. His reason is the same one that has made Wikipedia so popular: anyone will be able to control the results returned from a Wikia.com search. No automated Google algorithms or automated software bots that can be rigged to giving certain search results.

Is Wales correct? Will customers see the value in being able to vote down results that are fluff or not very relevant better than Google’s artificially intelligent software? If customers do see this value — and enough of them start using Wikia.com — Google could potentially see its largest threat yet in the internet search arena. But it will be years down the road from now before consumers flock to anything other than Google.

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Filed under: Competitive strategy, Google (GOOG)

When Wikipedia was conceived, few would have thought it would end up in the regular top-10 of internet sites — but it has. The largest encyclopedia in the world has a viewership that any entity on the web would kill for. Its strength remains in the capability of anyone to create and edit encyclopedia entries, giving the power to the people (literally).

What was next, then, for Jimmy Wales, one of Wikipedia’s founders? Why, a search engine, of course. Even though Google has a tight grip on that market already, the new Wikia.com believes it can contend for the internet search championship belt at some point in time. It’s off to a very rocky begin (and sorely disappointing to many), but does Wikia.com have a chance to compete against Google where internet stalwarts Yahoo, Inc. (NASDAQ: YHOO) and Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) have so far failed? if so, why?

According to Wales, Wikia.com will succeed because it will be more trustworthy than any other internet search provider. His reason is the same one that has made Wikipedia so popular: anyone will be able to control the results returned from a Wikia.com search. No automated Google algorithms or automated software bots that can be rigged to giving certain search results.

Is Wales correct? Will customers see the value in being able to vote down results that are fluff or not very relevant better than Google’s artificially intelligent software? If customers do see this value — and enough of them begin using Wikia.com — Google could potentially see its largest threat yet in the internet search arena. But it will be years down the road from now before consumers flock to anything other than Google.

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Filed under: Competitive strategy, Indices, Next huge thing, Green Stocks

Green energy and eco-friendliness were some top themes on consumer and business minds in 2007, and this will most likely continue into 2008 and in the coming years as well. Given the huge increase in fuel prices in the last 36 months, it’s no wonder that investors have pushed up the shares of these companies.

Alternative and green energies will, in my view, be an investment area that should demand attention this year if you’re ready to expose your portfolio to what’s not a trend at all, but what is becoming the future. There’s a reason why General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM) and Toyota Motor Co. (NYSE: TM), for example, continue making statements about vehicles that run on anything but gasoline.

Even though 2007 saw great returns with renewable energy stocks, 2008 holds the same promise. Looking for areas in which to research and invest? Start by focusing in on companies within the WilderHill clean energy index (which contains 48 renewable energy stocks). The index was up 58% in 2007 after single-digit gains in 2005 and 2006. While solar power stocks already saw a big increase in 2007 (some with 100% returns), that arena might take more careful scrutiny for 2008 if you’re looking for market-leading stock performance. At the same time, wind energy stocks are poised for larger returns in 2008 in the game to lead market returns for all renewable energy stock categories.

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Filed under: Competitive strategy, Indices, Next massive thing, Green Stocks

Green energy and eco-friendliness were some top themes on consumer and business minds in 2007, and this will most likely continue into 2008 and in the coming years as well. Given the massive increase in fuel prices in the last 36 months, it’s no wonder that investors have pushed up the shares of these companies.

Substitute and green energies will, in my opinion, be an investment area that should demand attention this year if you’re ready to expose your portfolio to what is not a trend at all, but what is becoming the future. There’s a reason why General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM) and Toyota Motor Co. (NYSE: TM), for example, continue making statements about cars that run on anything but gasoline.

Even though 2007 saw great returns with renewable energy stocks, 2008 holds the same promise. Looking for areas in which to research and invest? Begin by focusing in on companies within the WilderHill clean energy index (which contains 48 renewable energy stocks). The index was up 58% in 2007 after single-digit gains in 2005 and 2006. While solar power stocks already saw a big increase in 2007 (some with 100% returns), that arena might take more careful scrutiny for 2008 if you’re looking for market-leading stock performance. At the same time, wind energy stocks are poised for larger returns in 2008 in the game to lead market returns for all renewable energy stock categories.

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Filed under: Competitive strategy, Economic data, SanDisk Corp (SNDK)

SanDisk Corp. (NASDAQ: SNDK) has made its name in the consumer electronics arena mostly through flash memory products (like that card inside your digital camera). It is also the second-largest maker of digital media players, behind only Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) and its ubiquitous iPod.

But, as talk of a 2008 U.S. consumer spending slowdown make the rounds in the media (with some betting against it until later this year), SanDisk CEO Eli Harari believes his computer memory company will mostly be insulated from any slowdown effects in the U.S. He has a great reason too — for years, SanDisk has ensured that it grows international sales to diversify itself against a slowdown in any particular market.

Gee, what a novel idea. Harari recently said, “Two-thirds of our revenue in the third quarter came from overseas and this isn’t by accident . . . we’re completely driving market share outside of the United Says. If there’s to be a recession, we’re very well positioned.”

As long as international and U.S. consumer see a need to feed themselves more digital storage (phones, cameras, computers, you name it), SanDisk will be there to supply the demand and provide more product for less price over time. Unfortunately, SNDK investors aren’t recognizing this, as the company’s shares are trading at two-year lows on fears of an oversupply in the flash memory market, combined with fears of consumers curbing their digital memory buys. Hey, everyone — stop using all those gadgets and prove the market right, okay? Yeah, right.

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Filed under: Competitive strategy, Economic data, SanDisk Corp (SNDK)

SanDisk Corp. (NASDAQ: SNDK) has made its name in the consumer electronics arena mostly through flash memory products (like that card inside your digital camera). It is also the second-largest maker of digital media players, behind only Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) and its ubiquitous iPod.

But, as talk of a 2008 U.S. consumer spending slowdown make the rounds in the media (with some betting against it until later this year), SanDisk CEO Eli Harari believes his personal memory company will mostly be insulated from any slowdown effects in the U.S. He has a great reason too — for years, SanDisk has ensured that it grows international sales to diversify itself against a slowdown in any particular market.

Gee, what a novel idea. Harari recently said, “Two-thirds of our revenue in the third quarter came from overseas and this is not by accident . . . we’re absolutely driving market share outside of the United Says. If there is to be a recession, we’re very well positioned.”

As long as international and U.S. consumer see a need to feed themselves more digital storage (phones, cameras, computers, you name it), SanDisk will be there to supply the demand and provide more product for less price over time. Unfortunately, SNDK investors aren’t recognizing this, as the company’s shares are trading at two-year lows on fears of an oversupply in the flash memory market, combined with fears of consumers curbing their digital memory buys. Hey, everyone — stop using all those gadgets and prove the market right, okay? Yeah, right.

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Filed under: Deals, Industry, Competitive strategy, Boeing Co (BA)

Most of the momentum for aircraft sales has appeared to be with Boeing (NYSE: BA). Its 787 Dreamliner has been selling well despite a delay in launching the plane. Its new stretch 747 has also done well, as have some of the newer versions of its old planes.

Rival Airbus picked up a key piece of business when aircraft leasing company AWAS (Ireland) Ltd.decided to purchase 100 of its jets. According to The Wall Street Journal the “jetliners are valued at $6.9 billion.” The paper adds, “AWAS Chief Executive Franklin Pray said he was surprised how eager Airbus and Boeing had been for AWAS’s business, given the strong demand.”

That may get to the heart of the matter. With huge production facilities going at full capacity, it is hard to say what Boeing and Airbus are actually charging for their planes. Each is fighting for market share because the demand for huge aircraft isn’t going to stay white hot forever. And, cutthroat competition often means discounting.

When Boeing releases its earnings for the fourth quarter, it will be interesting to see whether its gross margins will stay high. The market is obviously concerned. Boeing trades at a 52-week low.

New airplanes are still selling, but at what price?

Douglas A. McIntyre is an editor at 247wallst.com.

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