Comments on: Human powered search http://fukumimi.wordpress.com/2006/08/15/human-powered-search/ Shin Fukushige, a returnee venture capitalist living and working in Tokyo Thu, 10 Dec 2009 05:07:43 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: TechCrunch UK launched….. « from the inside, looking in http://fukumimi.wordpress.com/2006/08/15/human-powered-search/#comment-1775 TechCrunch UK launched….. « from the inside, looking in Mon, 28 Aug 2006 16:39:56 +0000 https://fukumimi.wordpress.com/2006/08/15/human-powered-search/#comment-1775 [...] Maybe my feed doesn’t allow me access to that content. Am I persona non grata chez TechCrunch for pointing out the obvious and asking for more disclosure? (see my previous posts 1,2,3) [...] [...] Maybe my feed doesn’t allow me access to that content. Am I persona non grata chez TechCrunch for pointing out the obvious and asking for more disclosure? (see my previous posts 1,2,3) [...]

]]> By: fukumimi http://fukumimi.wordpress.com/2006/08/15/human-powered-search/#comment-1633 fukumimi Wed, 16 Aug 2006 10:10:11 +0000 https://fukumimi.wordpress.com/2006/08/15/human-powered-search/#comment-1633 Quinn, Yes, I do know that hatena is looking to become more international. It will be interesting to see if they can build up a presence in SV. Doing business over there is in some respects significantly different from doing business in Japan. That they have built up a wide portfolio of Web2.0 tools is impressive, but critics would argue that they haven't really innovated, that mostly they've just produced localised versions of concepts born elsewhere. More importanly perhaps, the apparently lack of focus in their lineup may be seen as a weakness. It's difficult to build a real business on a set of lightweight tools. I would say in their defense that they are probably experimenting and trying to find _the_ killer app. Clearly they are a fast moving company, and in the Japanese environment, that is still a big differentiator. However, in the big wide world, there is plenty of competition from other fast moving, ambitious companies. As far as Unoh's Photozou english language version is concerned, I think it is an exercise in raising international exposure. Basically a Flickr/Photobucket clone, and similar sites are dime a dozen. Do they have what it takes to stand out from the crowd? Only time will tell, but I personally don't see a huge exit there. I've had a look around Photozou but didn't see anything that would make me switch from Flickr, for example. And remember, Flickr was acquired for less than $50M. OK, an IPO exit would see a higher valuation, but the whole area still feels like features rather than businesses. Of course, if you can get to IPO you could probably buy other features and build a more diversified business, but they you will be battling the big boys. Unoh does have a couple of other sites, which are probably a lot easier to extract sales and advertising revenue from (DVD Seikatu and Eiga Seikatu, respectively. Basically an on-line DVD store and a movie community), but again these businesses are in pretty competitive areas. Quinn,

Yes, I do know that hatena is looking to become more international. It will be interesting to see if they can build up a presence in SV. Doing business over there is in some respects significantly different from doing business in Japan.

That they have built up a wide portfolio of Web2.0 tools is impressive, but critics would argue that they haven’t really innovated, that mostly they’ve just produced localised versions of concepts born elsewhere.

More importanly perhaps, the apparently lack of focus in their lineup may be seen as a weakness. It’s difficult to build a real business on a set of lightweight tools. I would say in their defense that they are probably experimenting and trying to find _the_ killer app. Clearly they are a fast moving company, and in the Japanese environment, that is still a big differentiator. However, in the big wide world, there is plenty of competition from other fast moving, ambitious companies.

As far as Unoh’s Photozou english language version is concerned, I think it is an exercise in raising international exposure. Basically a Flickr/Photobucket clone, and similar sites are dime a dozen. Do they have what it takes to stand out from the crowd? Only time will tell, but I personally don’t see a huge exit there. I’ve had a look around Photozou but didn’t see anything that would make me switch from Flickr, for example. And remember, Flickr was acquired for less than $50M. OK, an IPO exit would see a higher valuation, but the whole area still feels like features rather than businesses. Of course, if you can get to IPO you could probably buy other features and build a more diversified business, but they you will be battling the big boys. Unoh does have a couple of other sites, which are probably a lot easier to extract sales and advertising revenue from (DVD Seikatu and Eiga Seikatu, respectively. Basically an on-line DVD store and a movie community), but again these businesses are in pretty competitive areas.

]]> By: quinn http://fukumimi.wordpress.com/2006/08/15/human-powered-search/#comment-1614 quinn Tue, 15 Aug 2006 09:54:47 +0000 https://fukumimi.wordpress.com/2006/08/15/human-powered-search/#comment-1614 Hi fukumimi san, I suppose you know hatena is wanting to do more outside of Japan. I have a feeling that they would be the first one to change this kind of tendencies or whatever it is.. Another company just launched web service in English, but I am not sure about this one is kicking off any of the competitors. http://www.unoh.net/en_news/2006/08/pr20060809.html Hi fukumimi san,
I suppose you know hatena is wanting to do more outside of Japan. I have a feeling that they would be the first one to change this kind of tendencies or whatever it is..

Another company just launched web service in English, but I am not sure about this one is kicking off any of the competitors.
http://www.unoh.net/en_news/2006/08/pr20060809.html

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