Being in the bootstrap startup space is a challenge. I have found Y Combinator’s concept very interesting. Check a worthwhile read @ Inc.: The Start-up Guru: Y Combinator’s Paul Graham.

Interesting move in the cloud application space yesterday with Google’s announcement of Google Apps Sync for Microsoft Outlook. An often touted problem of the cloud is “lock in”. The enterprise is looking to move beyond proprietary solutions and blend the best for their own competitive advantage. This announcement is the first step to solve that problem. It will be interesting to see how Microsoft responds.

Check the Official Google Enterprise Blog for more details: Use Microsoft Outlook with Google Apps for email, contacts, and calendar.

100th post. That did not take too long.

Good read @ E-Commerce Times by Ed Sullivan Monetizing the Cloud 101: The Proof Is in the Profit. The article rightly points out that the advantage in the cloud is opening up your offering. Third-party developers can then create market-specific products. Apple is specifically mentioned; however, Salesforce.com and even Twitter have thriving developer environments. Force.com has become a required marketplace for a third-party CRM developers. Twitter API has spawned hundreds of applications based on Twitter, although time will tell how Twitter will profit.

Solid read at the New York Times: Apps Are Booming as Companies Seek a Place on Your Phone. No surprise that apps are booming. This trend has been happening since the iPhone App Store was announced. A closed platform on one network with limited hardware versions gives the developer a tremendous advantage. Developing cross-platform and cross-carrier is extremely difficult if only because of the myriad of certifications required on each carrier network. After certifications the complexity can actually grow depending on the application. The App Store has caused carriers (including ATT Wireless) and handset makers to scramble and re-brand their existing “app stores”. ATT Media Net? Nokia’s Ovi? Just to name 2. Every major carrier and handset maker has announced their own “app store” initiative. None are likely to capture the development community’s attention they way the iPhone App Store has.

Jenna Wortham’s article features local Seattle iPhone App Store success story UrbanSpoon. I certainly congratulate UrbanSpoon on their success. First they created one of the killer apps for iPhone and then sold their bootstrapped startup to IAC. They have an enviable position. Personally, I would like to see less content specific applications and more applications that solve existing problems (i.e. cross-platform, carrier) with mobile devices. Try sharing a vCard from a non-iPhone to an iPhone. This type of problem is only going to grow as mobile devices become more complex.

Check this article: You Say You Want a Cloud Revolution @ GigaOM. The evolutionary/revolutionary argument can be applied to just about any technology. It is a good reminder for thinking about that next great idea.

Was playing around with some of the Flickr photo tools recently at Big Huge Labs. My personal favorite is the “Motivator” that allows you to create Successories-style posters. I have never been much of fan of that genre and my humor leans towards sarcasm. The Sumatran tiger at Woodland Park Zoo was co-operating on a recent trip, so I was able to come up with this gem.

Check out Motivator at Big Huge Labs.

Happy Weekend.

Interesting read @ CNet by Ina Fried, Ray Ozzie’s cloud hangs over the Valley.

And yes, it only rains in Seattle. It is never sunny. Ever. You would not want to visit. Especially in July or August. We all grow gills.

Joke: “Why did it take God 7 days to create the Earth?”

Answer: “Because He did not have the install base.”

Google Wave has captured a lot of attention since it’s announcement, but it is not production ready and will likely have a “beta” tag on it for years. And years. Microsoft’s BPOS offering is here today. The name does not exactly roll off the tongue; however, it is in production.

Google and Microsoft will battle over the cloud application space. Google’s challenge will be to penetrate the enterprise. Microsoft already has a huge base of enterprise partners and resellers with established relationships. At the end of the day it will be about value, but it is a lot easier if you are the incumbent. Expect Microsoft to leverage its huge base of enterprise partners and get a big footprint for BPOS.

Solid read on Microsoft’s cloud application services at Tom’s Hardware. Check Microsoft’s BPOS: Cloud Computing’s Silver Lining?.

Site: Microsoft Business Productivity Online Standard Suite

Happy Friday to my 2 readers.

I have not blogged about QR Codes, but I have been looking into them for some time. The application potential is tremendous. Codes are in our future.

Check New ’2D barcodes’ puts info at the tip of your camera phone.

QR Codes are not new. Just new everywhere that is not Japan.

A mid-week, weekend-style post. I recently got word that Mario Batali and Anthony Bourdain were seen in one of my favorite places to eat, Café Presse. Nestled in between the Capitol Hill neighborhood and Seattle University, Café Presse has a great bar/café feel. The food is fantastic, especially the fries.

Café Presse (206) 709-7674
1117 12th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122

The same owners also run Le Pichet in Belltown — a more convenient location for the throngs of cruise ship tourists now running through Seattle. Another great place and I would recommend.

Le Pichet (206) 256-1499
1933 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98101

Also in Belltown with a similar bar/café feel is Tom Douglas’ Serious Pie. Carved out of the bakery that fuels his restaurants, the bar seating and simple menu make it a great place to eat. Pizza is the menu. “Serious” pizza. Chanterelles and truffle cheese? Morels and green garlic pesto? Hard to beat. My personal favorite is the clam and pancetta.

Serious Pie (206) 838-7388
316 Virginia St, Seattle, WA 98101