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TechDirt Greenhouse

Posted on March 11, 2006 ·

I’ll be at the full-day TechDirt Greenhouse event today.  I’m looking forward to meeting people, hearing of new ideas. 

Preliminary info from Techdirt:

While I agree with Mike that the value of an event like this not only comes from the presenter, but also EVERYONE else attending, I still think publishing a list in advance is helpful.. except that you don’t do it old-fashoned conference-style (polished pages with the presenters bio’s), but in the tradition of TechCrunch parties, and all the  *.camp events.  Perhaps next time (Mike?).

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Filed Under: Bay Area, Blogging, Social Networking, Startups ·
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SVASE VC Breakfast Club with Sigma Partners

Posted on March 8, 2006 ·

Another SVASE  VC Breakfast Club session is coming up on Thursday, March 9th in San Jose.  It’s an informal round-table where up to 10 entrepreneurs get to deliver a pitch, then answer questions and get critiqued by a VC Partner. We’ve had VC’s from Draper Fisher, Hummer Winblad, Kleiner Perkins, Mayfield, Mohr Davidow, Emergence Capital …etc.

Thursday’s featured VC is Gregory C. Gretsch, Managing Director, Sigma Partners.  The Zvents post  has all the info and a map Zbutton , but please remember to click through to register either from zvents or directly here.  

These sessions are an incredible opportunity for Entrepreneurs, most of whom would probably have a hard time getting through the door to a VC Partners.   Since I’ve been through quite a few of these sessions, both as Entrepreneur and Moderator, let me share a few thoughts:

  • It’s a pressure-free environment, with no Powerpoint presentations, Business Plans…etc,  just casual conversation, but it does not mean you should come unprepared!
  • Bring an Executive Summary, some VC’s like it, others don’t.
  • Follow a structure, don’t just talk freely about what you would like to do, or even worse, spend all your time describing the problem, without addressing what your solution is.
  • Don’t forget “small things” like the Team, Product, Market..etc.
  • It would not hurt to mention how much you are looking for, and how you would use the funds…
  • Write down and practice your pitch, be ready to deliver a compelling story in 5 minutes.  You will have more time, but believe me, whatever your practice time was, when you are on the spot, you will likely take twice as long to deliver your story.
  • Last, but not least, please be on time!  I am not kidding… some of you know why I have to even bring this up.

See you on Thursday!

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Filed Under: Bay Area, Business, Social Networking, Startups ·
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Google Calendar and the TechCrunch Babel

Posted on March 8, 2006 ·

(Updated)

Here’s proof  on how International TechCrunch’s readership is.  This morning Mike leaked some information about Google’s long awaited calendar,  which apparently won’t be called GCalendar, but CL2  (is that a chemical formula or what? ).

Before we lazy Californians woke up, he already had 89 comments, close to half non-English.  By the time I finished writing this, comments are up to 103.. see samples below.  (Update: the number is likely over 103 now, but my blogging platform is

down, who knows when I’ll be able to post it .. and in the meantime

TechCrunch appears to be down, too .. what a day!)

Btw., where is Chandler?

  1. Pingback by pixelschrubber » Blog Archive » CL2 — March 8, 2006 @ 12:59 am

    […] Schalalalala…er wir entwickelt: Der CL2, also known as Google Calendar. Mehr darüber hier: http://www.techcrunch.com/2006/03/08/exclusive-screenshots-google-calendar/ […]

  2. Pingback by AboutDigital.ru » CL2 — March 8, 2006 @ 1:01 am

    […] Не буду переводить и комментировать эту стью в TechCrunch. Лучше посмотрите сами и оцените! Впечатляет! Тяжелые времена будут у других календарных сервисов… Google рулит! […]

  3. Trackback by techmonster — March 8, 2006 @ 1:04 am

    Google Kalender CL2…

    Schon lange wurde darüber geschrieben und es gingen auch einige Bilder durchs Netz – jetzt tauchen erneut Bilder des bald erwarteten Google Kalender CL2 im Netz auf. Michael Arrington schreibt in seinem Blog das er nun neue Bilder hat….

  4. Trackback by Julien Carnelos Blog — March 8, 2006 @ 1:20 am

    Le Google Calendar arrive……

    Vu sur TechCrunch,
    le calendrier google pointe le bout de son nez….

  5. Pingback by Luca Mondini » Blog Archive » — March 8, 2006 @ 1:30 am

    […] Sono disponibili in anteprima su TechCrunch, i primi screenshot di Google Calendar, applicazione di cui era previsto il lancio qualche mese fa. CL2, questo il nome del progetto, è invece ancora in beta e lo sarà, almeno secondo quello che riporta l’autore del post, Michael Arrington. La fuga di notizie, grazie ad uno dei 200 beta tester coinvolti, ci lascia intuire che CL2 sarà assolutamente integrato con GMail e permetterà la creazione, la ricerca e la condivisione di eventi. E’ probabile inoltre che l’aggregazione di eventi, in stile Eventful, sia implementata. Ai fan della grande G o delle applicazioni Web 2.0 non resta che aspettare, io continuerò ad utilizzare nel frattempo il mio D*I*Y Planner… […]

  6. Trackback by Abundando — March 8, 2006 @ 1:44 am

    Más pantallazos de Google Calendar…

    Podéis encontrarlos en un post de Techcrunch: Exclusive Screenshots: Google Calendar….

  7. Pingback by Details und Screenshots zu Google Calendar at RAINonline — March 8, 2006 @ 1:46 am

    […] Auf TechCrunch und GigaOM findet ihr die ersten Details und Screenshot zu “CL2&Prime – oder Google Calendar. […]

  8. Pingback by Textw�ste » Blog Archive » Google Calendar — March 8, 2006 @ 2:27 am

    […] Im Moment wehen einige Ger�chte �ber ein neues Google Produkt durch das Internet: den “Google Calendar”. TechCrunch hat jetzt Screenshots ver�ffentlicht und gibt auch sonst ein wenig Einblick. […]

  9. Trackback by meneame.net — March 8, 2006 @ 2:41 am

    Imagenes exclusivas del nuevo google calendar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!…

    Primeras imagenes oficiales del proximo lanzamiento de google…

  10. Pingback by 还没想好 » 真正的Google CL2 — March 8, 2006 @ 2:44 am

    […] 更多图片 […]

  11. Pingback by Las capturas de Google Calendar — Proletarium — March 8, 2006 @ 2:48 am

    […] TEch Crunch es como el New York Times de internet, tiene acceso a cosas que nadie tiene, hoy han publicado las primeras capturas dignas de Google Calendar (¡por fin!): […]

  12. Pingback by BlueAce » Google’s Office komt dichterbij dankzij CL2 — March 8, 2006 @ 2:51 am

    […] TechCrunch heeft de scoop met nieuwe screenshots van een nog te releasen kalender dienst van Google: CL2. CL2 makes it easy — even effortless — to keep track of all the events in your life and compare them to what your friends and family have going on in theirs.    […] 

  13. Trackback by meneame.net — March 8, 2006 @ 2:54 am

    Anlise do Google Calendar…

    Ainda no abriu mas esta revista j fez a anlise. Parece interessante….

  14. Pingback by google calendar at quintal do xanato — March 8, 2006 @ 3:01 am

    […] jah ha algum tempo que os rumores comecaram a aparecer mas desta parece que eh mesmo a serio. podem ver com o que se vai parecer o cl2 (eh o nome da coisa e ainda bem porque nohs jah temos um cl), e sempre ajuda a passar o tempo ateh estar disponivel. […]

  15. Trackback by Error500 — March 8, 2006 @ 3:04 am

    Imágenes de Google Calendar ¿o CL2?…

    Primeras imágenes de lo que será el Google Calendar, aunque al parecer el nombre oficial será CL2. Las tienen en …

  16. Pingback by Desinformados » Primeras im�genes de Google Calendar — March 8, 2006 @ 3:42 am

    […] La gente de TechCrunch (c�mo no) se ha hecho con las primeras im�genes de Google Calendar CL2, lo cual est� creando un buzz impresionante. Al contrario que los anteriores fakes, Michael Arrington afirma que estos screenshots fueron filtrados por trabajadores de Google, e incluye todas las im�genes con que se ha hecho y una buena descripci�n del servicio. Puedes verlo en este enlace. […]

    Pingback by MTYBlogs » CL2 — March 8, 2006 @ 4:07 am

  17. […] Al parecer este será el nombre del Google Calendar que ya arrojó sus primeras imágenes que pueden ser vistas en Techcrunch y una explicación mas detallada la puede ver en Error 500. […]

  18. Pingback by .. — March 8, 2006 @ 4:17 am

    […] 然後文章中列出一些cl2的功能，看起來相當不錯，真令人期待 Exclusive Screenshots: Google Calendar […]

  19. Trackback by kbglob — March 8, 2006 @ 4:26 am

    Google Calender…

    Ya estan empezando a aparecer algunos datos adicionales y screenshots del Google Calender.
    Tiene la misma interfaz que Gmail, y la simpleza de todas las aplicaciones de Google.

    ……

  20. Pingback by .:: www.marlonguerios.com ::. » Google Calendar em vista — March 8, 2006 @ 4:27 am

    […] Para saber mais: Exclusive Screenshots: Google Calendar […]

  21. Pingback by Effair | Billet | Google Calendar — March 8, 2006 @ 4:29 am

    […] Des screenshots de CL2, le nouveau logiciel de calendrier de Google. […]

  22. Pingback by savek blog » Archiwum bloga » Screenshots: Google Calendar — March 8, 2006 @ 6:25 am

    […] Screeny z nowego narzędzia Google: Exclusive Screenshots: Google Calendar. […]

  23. Pingback by Macsira.com » Capturas de Google Calendar — March 8, 2006 @ 6:28 am

    […] Aquí podeis ver el resto « Instalar Linux en un iPod 5G   […]

  24. Pingback by Blog de Dr. Max Glaser » Blog Archive » Mas informaciones sobre Google Calender — March 8, 2006 @ 6:40 am

    […] Hoy dia, en el blog de techcrunch han aparecido una serie de screenshots de Google Calendar. […]

  25. Pingback by ENGRENAGEM – Media e Tecnologia: blog sobre jornalismo, citizen journalism, blogosfera e novas tecnologias — March 8, 2006 @ 6:55 am

    […] Uma fuga fez chegar � Web screenshots do Google Calendar. […]

Update (3/8): Related posts:

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Filed Under: Bay Area, Blogging, Marketing / PR, Software, Startups, Technology ·
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Are we Men or Children? But Sometimes the Children are Men :-)

Posted on March 4, 2006 ·

This is one of those cases where I had the urge to quickly comment on a post by Ken; then all of a sudden I realized it has it’s own place on my blog.

Ken laments on how  “little blogospats that are popping up all over the Blogosphere sound more like my kids fighting over a Polly Pocket than anything resembling reasoned conversation.” 
He refers to “Roy Schestowitz, all worked up because Scoble can’t build a computer out of wood and pine sap”  Roy goes a step further though: “Scoble cannot tell his ass from his face”  Hm, I have to agree with Ken, “the second you stop talking about the issue and start attacking your opponent, you have lost. Game over.” 
Random Bytes comes to Scoble’s defense: “I’ve chatted with him and he definitely left me with the impression that he didn’t wear his pants on his shoulders … There are all types of geeks out here. Some of us, I guess, are just ass-faces. Others, like Robert’s reader, seem to be just mainly asses.”    On the pants, issue, let’s refer to the expert, who knows Robert doesn’t wear his pants on his shoulders. He wears no pants at all, everyone knows he goes Naked.:-)

On a more serious note, I have news for Roy (and others): Technology’s primary role is to advance the lives of all of us, and guess what, that means mostly for non-technologists. We need  the ‘hardcore’ technologists who create it, the non-techie users (the rest of the world, which happens to be the majority), and the in-betweeners, who explain it, help us select and use it.

Ken, on a brighter note, to your “Are we men or are we children”:  well sometimes the children are men.  Here’s a blog worth reading.  Ben Casnocha was definitely a child when he started his first business (see USA Today Article). His not some kind of business-whiz-kid only. He eats books for lunch, reviewing a hundred or so per year. He is Captain of his high-schools basketball team.  He turned 18 a few days ago, but as a new subscriber to his blog, I think I’ve uncovered a big trick: he really is 28. At least intellectually. 

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Filed Under: Bay Area, Blogging, Humor, Startups ·
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SVASE VC Breakfast Club with Claremont Creek Ventures

Posted on February 27, 2006 ·

I’ll be moderating another SVASE  VC Breakfast Club session on Thursday, March 2nd  in Oakland, at Deloitte & Touche’s offices.  It’s an informal round-table where up to 10 entrepreneurs get to deliver a pitch, then answer questions and get critiqued by a VC Partner. We’ve had VC’s from Draper Fisher, Hummer Winblad, Kleiner Perkins, Mayfield, Mohr Davidow, Emergence Capital …etc.

Thursday’s featured VC is John Steuart, Managing Director, Claremont Creek Ventures. Event Information and registration is here.  

These sessions are an incredible opportunity for Entrepreneurs, most of whom would probably have a hard time getting through the door to a VC Partners.   Since I’ve been through quite a few of these sessions, both as Entrepreneur and Moderator, let me share a few thoughts:

  • It’s a pressure-free environment, with no Powerpoint presentations, Business Plans…etc,  just casual conversation, but it does not mean you should come unprepared!
  • Bring an Executive Summary, some VC’s like it, others don’t.
  • Follow a structure, don’t just talk freely about what you would like to do, or even worse, spend all your time describing the problem, without addressing what your solution is.
  • Don’t forget “small things” like the Team, Product, Market..etc.
  • It would not hurt to mention how much you are looking for, and how you would use the funds…
  • Write down and practice your pitch, be ready to deliver a compelling story in 5 minutes.  You will have more time, but believe me, whatever your practice time was, when you are on the spot, you will likely take twice as long to deliver your story.
  • Last, but not least, please be on time!  I am not kidding… some of you know why I have to even bring this up.

See you on Thursday … and now I get to show off my cool  Zvents button: Zbutton

Update:  We just got Crunch-ed. Thanks, Mike!

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Filed Under: Bay Area, Business, Startups ·
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Naked (?) Party at TechCrunch

Posted on January 22, 2006 ·

It only took 40 minutes for the 5th TechCrunch Party to “sell out” after Mike announced it on his blog. 200+ people registered on the wiki, and those left out left out are asking for unused slots or even offering Mike $$$ to get in … Wow, talk about popularity! (see my notes on a previous party).Nc125 On a hunch I checked eBay – nothing yet

Departing from the original formula, the 4th one became a launch party for Riya – this time it’s a celebration of the launch of Naked Conversations, the new book by Shel Israel and Robert Scoble.

Having just seen Chris Pirillo’s Naked Review, and knowing there will be a heated tent in the backyard makes me wonder .. hm.. will there be a format change? Just how naked will this party be?

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Filed Under: Bay Area, Blogging, Humor, Social Networking · Tagged:
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California, Wine Country, 2006 Jan 1st.

Posted on January 1, 2006 ·

STORMS AND FLOODS USHER IN THE NEW YEAR / NAPA AT GROUND ZERO
Kayaks prove a handy means of transportation for Sandy and Steve Booth, who paddle down Coombs Street in Napa to check on their woodworking business. Chronicle photo by Michael Macor

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Filed Under: Bay Area ·
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CourseCafe is Taking Off

Posted on December 6, 2005 ·

I just profiled a week ago. ( CourseCafe, “the Other FaceBook“)  At the time they just went live with their first pilot at Pepperdine. 
Apparently a wildfire started: they are now live at Drexel, Pepperdine, Rose Hulman, RPI, SJSU, Stanford, UC Davis.
Wow… Congrat’s! 🙂

Update (1/22):  Here’s the new CourseCafe Blog.

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Filed Under: Bay Area, Blogging, Business, Collaboration, Personal Productivity, SaaS, Social Networking, Software, Startups ·
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Only in San Francisco…

Posted on November 27, 2005 ·

Filed Under: Bay Area ·
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SVASE VC Breakfast Club with El Dorado Ventures

Posted on November 14, 2005 ·

I’ll be moderating another SVASE  VC Breakfast Club session on Thursday, November 17th.   It’s an informal round-table where up to 10 entrepreneurs get to deliver a pitch, then answer questions and get critiqued by a VC Partner. We’ve had VC’s from Draper Fisher, Hummer Winblad, Kleiner Perkins, Mayfield, Mohr Davidow, Emergence Capital …etc.

Thursday’s featured VC is Shanda Bhales, General Partner, El Dorado Ventures. Event Information and registration is here.  

These sessions are an incredible opportunity for Entrepreneurs, most of whom would probably have a hard time getting through the door to a VC Partners.   Since I’ve been through quite a few of these sessions, both as Entrepreneur and Moderator, let me share a few thoughts:

  • Yes, it’s a pressure-free environment, with no Powerpoint presentations, Business Plans…etc,  just casual conversation, but for God’s sake it does not mean come unprepared!
  • Bring an Executive Summary, some VC’s like it, others don’t.
  • Don’t just talk freely about what you would like to do, or even worse, spend all your time describing the problem, without addressing what your solution is.
  • Follow a structure, and don’t forget “small things” like the Team, Product, Market..etc.
  • It would not hurt to mention how much you are looking for, and how you would use the funds.
  • Write down and practice your pitch, and please be aware that whatever your practice time was, when you are on the spot, you will likely take twice as long to deliver your story.
  • Last, but not least, please be on time!

See you on Thursday … and now I get to show off my cool new Zvents button: Zbutton

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Filed Under: Bay Area, Business, Social Networking, Startups ·
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