George Riddick

26 Comments

    • ON: Thu Nov 8th 13:37 PM
      Commented on:
      Google At Much Higher P/E Ratio Than Microsoft Was After 1,175 Days Public
      This will end up being one of the most notorious falls from grace of our generation ... tech or no-tech.

      Simply put, Google does not own enough assets with sizable barriers to entry to justify this kind of valuation. The world has gone crazy ... in my opinion ... much due to the fear of losing out to some of the emerging economies in today's Internet connected world (the BRICs as they call them).

      But you don't solve that kind of problem by betting on the "old grey mare with the cool new name". Branding is obviously very important these days, but with virtually no barriers to entry or easy shifts of market share or reversal of fortunes in any of their market segments, a company like Google can fall from grace as quick as lightning.

      Look waht agreeing to censorship in China, alone can do to a high tech company these days. It's un-American.

      Combine that with the fact that a huge percentage of Google's revenues come from the advertising and distribution of digital content they do not own, and do not even have to rights to display and distribute, and this fall could be a very nasty one, indeed.

      In my view, there is no justification in the world that can explain Google's trailing 12- months' multiple at 60 when Microsoft's in its initial hayday was only 21. Who's buying this "Hype"?

      Probably the little old ladies in Omaha who depend on their brokers for "rock solid" financial advice. What a shame.

      Thanks for bringing this issue to light.

      George P. Riddick, III
      Chairman/CEO
      Imageline, Inc

      griddick@imageline2.co...
      View article »
    • ON: Mon Nov 5th 10:20 AM
      Commented on:
      What's the Point of Google's Phone ?
      Good morning, Carl

      Good article. I think you have an excellent point here. If we have not learned one thing in the last three years, shame on us all.

      Google is damn smart! Their "OpenSocial" network timing was brilliant. It is my guess that they simply forced Microsoft to pony up for an inflated value in Facebook, while developing their counter-strategy with MySpace and others simultaneously.

      Here they go again with the carriers, a much easier target than the folks from Redmond.

      Too bad Google hasn't learned to play fair. Their willful copyright infringement activity, both here in the U.S. and abroad, is an embarrassment to an entire industry ... if not a nation.

      Stealing other people's property for your own personal gain is wrong. Google does it every single second of every single day. It's growing list of advertisers seem oblivious to it all. Google's business practices are shameful in my view.

      So now we're going to open up a few hundred million additional advertising opportunities to the rocket scientists, lawyers, and investment bankers from Mountain View.

      This should all be very interesting, indeed!

      George P. Riddick, III
      Chairman/CEO
      Imageline, Inc.

      griddick@imageline2.co...
      View article »
    • ON: Sun Nov 4th 10:29 AM
      Commented on:
      Google: Perhaps It Is Time For An Orkut Name Change?
      Google - Mike Tyson with a PhD

      Good morning, Carlin

      These Googlites are simply brilliant. They are the "baddest". They remind me of Mike Tyson in his prime ... only this time he has a PhD.

      Microsoft cannot seem to out-maneuver them at any turn. Here, Microsoft pays a hefty premium for a small stake in Facebook, and Google has them both back-peddling around the ring before the end of Round One.

      Don't you think the immediate availability of "OpenSocial" kind of takes the wind out of Facebook's sails as it prepares to announce its own advertising business model next week?

      Google is undefeated ... and carries a powerful knockout punch, the likes of which we have never seen in this industry. Every move they make is feared. They are always moving and jabbing ... jabbing and moving. They hit you with an uppercut (strong stock price surge after their third quarter earnings are announced), follow that with a left hook (delivery of "OpenSocial" with all of the powerful third parties already on board), and, before you catch your breath, they nail you with a powerful right to the chin (the new Google phone plan).

      Virtually every Google opponent ends up flat on their back on the canvas. Some never regain their former self-confidence, determination, or pride.

      But hasn't the Google arrogance and lawlessness started to wear thin ... both on consumers' minds and in the eyes of the investment community and the regulatory authorities? I think so. If not now, then soon. Let's hope I'm not wrong.

      But Google doesn't think so. They seem to think they are anointed with a unique right to set their own laws and rules of conduct (business and social) ... both here in the U.S. and across the globe.

      You see, Google has its own unique brand of "rape". They too, have tattoos painted on their face. And they'll bite your ear off in a flat second if you get too close to them.

      Their entourage includes some of the brightest investment bankers, rocket scientists, public relations specialists, and IP defense attorneys in our land. All as determined as the three amigos at the top of Google to snooker Internet users, business partners, shareholders, and advertisers out of every dime they claim to own.

      And all supported financially by the largest group of self-serving advertisers, lawyers, and investment bankers on the planet ... bar none. Aren't you growing tired of these claims of "willful blindness" we hear virtually every day coming from the folks in Mountain View and their business partners?

      "We didn't know we were doing anything illegal, your honor."

      Google has gained much of its prominence on the backs of other people's hard-earned properties that have been stolen. They are among the most notorious copyright infringers ("pirates") this country has ever seen. They are brilliant ... I'll give them that. But, they are also unethical at almost every turn ... they are arrogant, greedy, hypocritical, and deceptive ... AND many of their operations are illegal.

      They routinely treat other people's property as their own. Not just with YouTube, but with many software and search functions within Google itself. They perpetuate and support "public domain" scams. They routinely ignore U.S. Copyright laws ... and subsidize willful copyright infringement at thousands of web sites around the world.

      In countries where Copyright compliance is a joke (such as Brazil), Google reigns supreme. I presume this is where the bulk of the Orkut 67 million users reside.

      I have studied the U.S. Copyright laws (both civil and criminal) closely now for over twelve years. The U.S. now claims to be requiring copyright "enforcement"... enhancements in its trade negotiations with other countries in Asia, Europe, and South America.

      Who are we fooling here?

      We don't enforce our own copyright laws fairly or consistently in this country. How do we expect Brazil, Russia, India and China (the "BRICs") to follow our lead? ... let alone the hundreds of other countries who are not nearly as close to the spotlight.

      Read our criminal copyright laws. You'll see that Google has violated these laws at a rate over 5,000 times the volume (both in dollar volume and quantity of works infringed) as is required to receive the maximum criminal penalty of $1,000,000 per willful infringement and up to five years in jail.

      Is the Department of Justice asleep at the wheel? Or, are they, too, simple afraid of being hit by the Google right cross?

      Why aren't these laws being enforced? Why is this country leaving it up to the small companies (like my own) and creative individuals who produce over 85% of the new and original copyrighted works in this country to tackle Google and its growing army of IP attorneys and pirating web site partners worldwide?

      Only three things stopped Mighty Mike in his prime:

      1. His friends and wife told him they were sick of his shenanigans and were leaving him.

      2. He couldn't control his own greed and arrogance ... let alone his temper.

      3. We put him in jail for breaking the laws of this land.

      Don't you think it's high time we consider some of these exact same types of remedies for mighty Google? I do!

      I am sick and tired of suffering marketplace "knockouts" at their expense ... especially when their activities are both unethical and illegal.

      We need a company we can all be proud of to carry this belt as "World Champion" of the Internet space.

      Your thoughts?

      George P. Riddick, III
      Chairman/CEO
      Imageline, Inc.
      griddick@imageline2.co...
      View article »
    • ON: Fri Nov 2nd 13:46 PM
      Commented on:
      Learning from Google: Openness is the Key
      Google - Mike Tyson with a PhD

      Good morning, Jeff

      These Googlites are simply brilliant. They are the "baddest". They remind me of Mike Tyson in his prime ... only this time he has a PhD.

      Microsoft cannot seem to out-maneuver them at any turn. Here, Microsoft pays a hefty premium for a small stake in Facebook, and Google has them both back-peddling around the ring before the end of Round One.
      Don't you think the immediate availability of "OpenSocial" kind of takes the wind out of Facebook's sails as it prepares to announce its own advertising business model next week?

      Google is undefeated ... and carries a powerful knockout punch, the likes of which we have never seen in this industry. Every move they make is feared. They are always moving and jabbing ... jabbing and moving. They hit you with an uppercut (strong stock price surge after their third quarter earnings are announced), follow that with a left hook (delivery of "OpenSocial" with all of powerful third parties already on board), and, before you catch your breath, they nail you with a powerful right to the chin (the Google phone plan).

      Virtually every Google opponent ends up flat on their back on the canvas. Some never regain their former self-confidence, determination or pride.

      But hasn't the Google arrogance and lawlessness started to wear thin ... both on consumers' minds and in the eyes of the investment community and the regulatory authorities? I think so. If not now, then soon. Let's hope I'm not wrong.

      But Google doesn't think so. They seem to think they are anointed with a unique right to set their own laws and rules of conduct (business and social) ... both here in the U.S. and across the globe.

      You see, Google has its own unique brand of "rape". They too, have tattoos painted on their face. And they'll bite your ear off in a flat second if you get too close to them.

      Their entourage includes some of the brightest investment bankers, public relations specialists, and IP defense attorneys in our land. All as determined as the three amigos at the top of Google to snooker Internet users, business partners, and advertisers for every dime they claim to own.

      And all supported financially by the largest group of self-serving advertisers, lawyers, and investment bankers on the planet ... bar none. Aren't you growing tired of these claims of "willful blindness" we hear virtually every day coming from the folks in Mountain View and their supporters? "We didn't know we were doing anything illegal, your honor."

      Google has gained much of its prominence on the backs of other people's hard-earned properties that have been stolen. They are among the most notorious copyright infringers ("pirates") this country has ever seen. They are brilliant ... I'll give them that. But, they are also unethical at almost every turn ... they are arrogant, greedy, hypocritical, and deceptive ... AND illegal.

      They routinely treat other people's property as their own. Not just with YouTube, but with many software and search functions within Google itself. They perpetuate "public domain" scams. They routinely ignore U.S. Copyright laws ... and subsidize willful copyright infringement at thousands of web sites around the world.

      In countries where Copyright compliance is a joke (such as Brazil), Google reigns supreme.
      I have studied the U.S. Copyright laws (both civil and criminal) closely now for over twelve years. The U.S. now claims to be requiring copyright "enforcement"... enhancements in its trade negotiations with other countries in Asia, Europe, and South America. Who are we fooling here?

      We don't enforce our own copyright laws fairly in this country. How do we expect Brazil, Russia, India and China (the "BRICs") to follow our lead? ... let alone the hundreds of other countries who are not nearly as close to the spotlight.
      Read our criminal copyright laws. You'll see that Google has violated these laws at a rate over 5,000 times the volume (both in dollar volume and quantity of works infringed) as is required to receive the maximum criminal penalty of $1,000,000 per willful infringement and up to five years in jail.

      Is the Department of Justice asleep at the wheel? Or, are they, too, simple afraid of being hit by the Google right cross?
      Why aren't these laws being enforced? Why is this country leaving it up to the small companies (like my own) and individuals who produce over 85% of new and original copyrighted works to tackle Google and its growing army of IP attorneys and pirating web site partners worldwide?

      Only three things stopped Mighty Mike in his prime:

      1. His friends and wife told him they were sick of his shenanigans and were leaving him.
      2. He couldn't control his own greed and arrogance ... let alone his temper.
      3. We put him in jail for breaking the laws of this land.

      Don't you think it's high time we consider some of the exact same type of remedies for mighty Google? I do!
      I am sick and tired of suffering marketplace knockouts at their expense ... especially when their activities are both unethical and illegal.

      We need a company we can all be proud of the carry this belt as "World Champion" of the Internet space.

      Your thoughts?

      George P. Riddick, III
      Chairman/CEO
      Imageline, Inc.
      griddick@imageline2.co...
      View article »
    • ON: Fri Nov 2nd 12:42 PM
      Commented on:
      Is Google's OpenSocial Really The Second Coming?
      Google - Mike Tyson with a PhD

      Good morning, Alpha

      These Googlites are simply brilliant. They are the "baddest". They remind me of Mike Tyson in his prime ... only this time he has a PhD.

      Microsoft cannot seem to out-maneuver them at any turn. Here, Microsoft pays a hefty premium for a small stake in Facebook, and Google has them both back-peddling around the ring before the end of Round One.
      Don't you think the immediate availability of "OpenSocial" kind of takes the wind out of Facebook's sails as it prepares to announce its own advertising business model next week?

      Google is undefeated ... and carries a powerful knockout punch, the likes of which we have never seen in this industry. Every move they make is feared. They are always moving and jabbing ... jabbing and moving. They hit you with an uppercut (strong stock price surge after their third quarter earnings are announced), follow that with a left hook (delivery of "OpenSocial" with all of powerful third parties already on board), and, before you catch your breath, they nail you with a powerful right to the chin (the Google phone plan).

      Virtually every Google opponent ends up flat on their back on the canvas. Some never regain their former self-confidence, determination or pride.

      But hasn't the Google arrogance and lawlessness started to wear thin ... both on consumers' minds and in the eyes of the investment community and the regulatory authorities? I think so. If not now, then soon. Let's hope I'm not wrong.

      But Google doesn't think so. They seem to think they are anointed with a unique right to set their own laws and rules of conduct (business and social) ... both here in the U.S. and across the globe.

      You see, Google has its own unique brand of "rape". They too, have tattoos painted on their face. And they'll bite your ear off in a flat second if you get too close to them.

      Their entourage includes some of the brightest investment bankers, public relations specialists, and IP defense attorneys in our land. All as determined as the three amigos at the top of Google to snooker Internet users, business partners, and advertisers for every dime they claim to own.

      And all supported financially by the largest group of self-serving advertisers, lawyers, and investment bankers on the planet ... bar none. Aren't you growing tired of these claims of "willful blindness" we hear virtually every day coming from the folks in Mountain View and their supporters? "We didn't know we were doing anything illegal, your honor."

      Google has gained much of its prominence on the backs of other people's hard-earned properties that have been stolen. They are among the most notorious copyright infringers ("pirates") this country has ever seen. They are brilliant ... I'll give them that. But, they are also unethical at almost every turn ... they are arrogant, greedy, hypocritical, and deceptive ... AND illegal.

      They routinely treat other people's property as their own. Not just with YouTube, but with many software and search functions within Google itself. They perpetuate "public domain" scams. They routinely ignore U.S. Copyright laws ... and subsidize willful copyright infringement at thousands of web sites around the world.

      In countries where Copyright compliance is a joke (such as Brazil), Google reigns supreme.
      I have studied the U.S. Copyright laws (both civil and criminal) closely now for over twelve years. The U.S. now claims to be requiring copyright "enforcement"... enhancements in its trade negotiations with other countries in Asia, Europe, and South America. Who are we fooling here?

      We don't enforce our own copyright laws fairly in this country. How do we expect Brazil, Russia, India and China (the "BRICs") to follow our lead? ... let alone the hundreds of other countries who are not nearly as close to the spotlight.
      Read our criminal copyright laws. You'll see that Google has violated these laws at a rate over 5,000 times the volume (both in dollar volume and quantity of works infringed) as is required to receive the maximum criminal penalty of $1,000,000 per willful infringement and up to five years in jail.

      Is the Department of Justice asleep at the wheel? Or, are they, too, simple afraid of being hit by the Google right cross?
      Why aren't these laws being enforced? Why is this country leaving it up to the small companies (like my own) and individuals who produce over 85% of new and original copyrighted works to tackle Google and its growing army of IP attorneys and pirating web site partners worldwide?

      Only three things stopped Mighty Mike in his prime:

      1. His friends and wife told him they were sick of his shenanigans and were leaving him.
      2. He couldn't control his own greed and arrogance ... let alone his temper.
      3. We put him in jail for breaking the laws of this land.

      Don't you think it's high time we consider some of the exact same type of remedies for mighty Google? I do!
      I am sick and tired of suffering marketplace knockouts at their expense ... especially when their activities are both unethical and illegal.

      We need a company we can all be proud of the carry this belt as "World Champion" of the Internet space.

      Your thoughts?

      George P. Riddick, III
      Chairman/CEO
      Imageline, Inc.
      griddick@imageline2.co...
      View article »
    • ON: Wed Oct 31st 09:58 AM
      Commented on:
      The Lawsuit That Could Cripple Google: Will American Airlines Ruin Everything?
      Yes,

      If this is what it takes to teach the executives and lawyers at Google that the laws of this country are in place for both small companies AND large companies to follow, then so be it. A small short term sacrifice will be well worth the ultimate advantages we will all eventaully see from "fair play".

      I have not followed this trademark case closely, but I do know quite a bit about the many, many copyright cases currently filed, or soon to be filed, against Google. Google is a flagrant copyright infringer. Google simply has decided to make up it own new set of intellectual property rules, and pay whatever consequences it may have to down the line.

      If you think this takes away all of the "free" in our free market, think again. Google didn't accumulate a market value of over $220 billion in less than three years as a public company by doing anything that truly benefits anyone other than themselves and their investment bankers.

      Google operates one of the most "successful" scams this industry has seen since the early Internet days of 1999 and 2000 when practically everything in this space was "vaporware".

      This will not be the only case against Google that goes to trial in 2008. Believe me.

      George P. Riddick, III
      Chairman/CEO
      Imageline, Inc.

      griddick@imageline2.co...
      View article »
    • ON: Mon Oct 29th 14:12 PM
      Commented on:
      Old Media Versus New Media: Moving Toward a Whole New Balance?
      Enter your comment hereHi David,

      This is an excellent article. You bring this debate, which I personally see as one of the most significant in determining the future of the Internet over the next five years or so, to light in a well balanced fashion. These issues are VERY complex.

      I know. My small electronic graphic arts content (clipart illustrations, design templates, digital logos, cartoons, and animations) development company (Imageline, Inc.) here in Virginia has fought these piracy issues ever since the DMCA was first enacted back in 1998. We know the law VERY well. We also know what its intended purpose was then ... and still is now ... a purpose that has been twisted around routinely by the high-priced copyright defense teams retained and employed by the Google's and AOL's of the world.

      It was not at all surprising to me the see Google, YouTube, AOL, Yahoo, and Time Warner absent from the list of "signees" who put forward the new "UGC Principles" earlier this month.

      Here's the problem. Without these companies involved, the implementation of two or more "standards" will simply create mass confusion in the marketplace. Pirates thrive on mass confusion. It provides fuel for their ongoing crimes. It places enforcement in the hands of a select few federal judges, and the slick talking (and often unscrupulous) attorneys, who actually hear and/or present these complex cases.

      In my view, five (5) things need to happen here to make all of this effective:

      1. Small companies need to be represented in these crucial industry discussions. We produce over 80% of all the new copyrighted works in this country and yet no small business that I am aware of was even asked to comment on the new UGC Principles before they were announced.

      2. This cannot simply be another weapon in the hands of Microsoft in its ongoing war against Google for online advertising and search supremacy. Did you notice the Microsoft copyright statement at the bottom of the "UGC Principles" web page?

      3. All major Internet service providers (Google, Yahoo, AOL, CNET, and others) MUST be forced to adopt any new principles that have half a chance of being effective. There's such a close parallel to the people who signed these new guidelines and those who have signed up to support Hulu (a new YouTube competitor), that one cannot help but be cautious, and curious, when taking a closer look at everyone's true objectives.

      4. Foreign Internet companies, especially those that play on our own financial systems, such as NASDAQ (i.e. Baidu, ReDiff, and others) must be forced to comply as well. What good does all this do if it simply drives Internet consumers to international web sites, search engines, and portals?

      5. The interests of all copyright industries, not just television and movies, must be adequately addressed for any new "standards" to be effective. What about music, books, graphic arts, journalism, cartoon strips, poems, photography, animations, and the many, many other groups that depend on adequate copyright protection for survival?

      There is NO WAY Congress meant to provide loopholes that encourage willful infringement in the DMCA, or in the copyright laws of this country. By allowing "online service providers" to benefit economically from the support of piracy web sites, as Google does with literally thousands of web sites around the world every single day, a liberal interpretation of the DMCA "safe harbor" and "fair use" provisions in our copyright laws, actually increases copyright infringement in this country ... let alone encourages the destructive impact on U.S. owned copyrights we see now overseas.

      I hope these new "UGC Principles" will be the catalyst that brings ALL interested parties to the table. Something needs to be done and it needs to be done fast. If we lose this war to the pirates, our economy will suffer the consequences for many, many years (if not decades) to come.

      Thanks for helping to get this important public debate underway. Let's hope some of the "big players" can learn to listen.

      George P. Riddick, III
      Chairman/CEO
      Imageline, Inc.
      griddick@imageline2.co...
      View article »
    • ON: Tue Oct 23rd 12:13 PM
      Commented on:
      Is Yahoo Gaining on Google?
      Hi Wayne,

      Good article. I have watched these two closely over the past three months as well. I like what I am seeing at Yahoo.

      Even though Google has gained more market value (over $50 billion) in this time period than Yahoo is worth, things change on a dime in this tech industry. I know. I have been in it for over 30 years. Did someone say "dinosaur"?

      Things won't change based on who's search screen is the most cluttered. They could, however, based on any of the following:

      - Advertisers lose faith in the integrity of the technology middleman. I see this happening already with Google, as most of the major media, entertainment, communications, and other technology companies seem to be turning against the folks from Mountain View.

      - The lack of respect for the laws of this country, and a total lack of respect for the copyrighted works of others, starts to turn practically everyone except the "copyleft" crowd against them. The vast majority of people in this country still try to follow our laws and seek to pay a fair price for their use of copyrighted works. When Google gives everything away for free (even when they don't have the rights to do so) without financial penalties or other recourse, it disrupts the balanced economic system in this country enormously. I have not witnessed Yahoo following Google on this trend towards rampant Internet piracy and an obvious attempt to establish new "laws" applicable only to the Googlites and their partners.

      - "We're Number 1 Syndrome". This is when arrogance, corporate greed, hypcocisy, and other unethical business practices become the norm rather than the exception. It happens all of the time in this society. The Dallas Cowboys caught it. The LA Lakers got it. So did IBM, AT&T, and Microsoft. Apple may also have it now. And we won't go into Enron or Worldcom ... we don't have time.

      Wayne, I have noticed recently that copyrighted material remains in the Google image search system long after it is taken down by the pirating web site publisher. Do you suppose this is because advertising revenues continue to be derived from such unlawful activities?

      How many legitimate advertisers do you think will stand by and tolerate this kind of unlawful behavior once it it exposed. Google has some tough times coming. Believe me. If there was ever a time to keep a close eye on "number 2", it may well be this fall, winter, and spring.

      Viacom is just the tip of the infringement iceberg that the USS Google seems to have willingly steamed into in the dark of night.

      If I were Yahoo, I'd be ready to send in some life rafts.

      George P. Riddick, III
      Chairman/CEO
      Imageline, Inc.

      griddick@imageline2.co...
      View article »
    • ON: Mon Oct 15th 11:12 AM
      Commented on:
      Google vs. Microsoft: Blue/Red Ocean Earnings Productivity
      You are obviously a numbers guy, Victor. I applaud that, and realize that most of Wall Street operates that way.

      But I think what happens on Main Street and on Consumer Lane is just as important, if not more so in the long haul.

      You seem to ignore one crucial ingredient in your analysis. Google achieves a healthy percentage of its revenue and profits by sponsoring and/or subsidizing illegal activity and displaying and distributing property it has no legal rights to distribute.

      When investors begin to realize the downside risks of Google gaining its dominance based on this kind of unlawful and unethical business practices, the tide will turn.

      Mark my word on this one, Victor. I am 58-years-old, have been involved with the technology and copyright industries for over 30 years now (starting with IBM in the mid 70s), and I've seen this happen time and time again.

      It won't just be the "numbers" that bring these companies down.

      George P. Riddick, III
      Chairman/CEO
      Imageline, Inc.

      griddick@imageline2.co...
      View article »
    • ON: Thu Oct 11th 14:02 PM
      Commented on:
      Google vs. Microsoft: Call It A Draw
      Hi Larry,

      I agree with Gardner on many of these points, but not it's overall conclusion. I do not know how many years it will take, and I can't even really name the most logical contenders (if they've even hatched yet) but I will bet my bottom dollar that a different company ends up winning this game.

      The skeletons in these two closets are far too plentiful and far too deep ... and each comapny has antagonized far more people than Wall Street realizes.

      Corporate cultures, corporate honesty, integrity, respect for both suppliers and customers, compliance with the law, respect for Intellectual Property rights, and fair play are FAR more important than many of the analysts covering these two technology giants realize. I have been at this game now for over 30 years and I've seen it all happen before.

      Here's an article I wrote a month or so back on this very subject:

      **********************...

      It's the "Battle of the Titans" on 5 simultaneous fronts ... but the outcome of this "war" may surprise you

      That's the way I see it, anyway ... perched comfortably on my deck ... Blackberry and laptop in hand ... watching the birds chirp away and wondering why everyone doesn't come to see Virginia in the fall. It's absolutely beautiful!

      "They're probably afraid they'll catch one of our 'high humidity holdover' days from August", I say to my new Cardinal friend.

      Anyway, I read a few interesting articles this morning and it occurs to me that this intra-industry technology "war" is quickly coming down to two major players. I call them the "titans" ... and everyone else is trying to choose their sides.

      Look at some of the recent news:

      * IBM now supports OpenOffice more aggressively and is throwing Lotus Notes into the mix
      * Microsoft officially introduces its "live online" Office Suite in late September
      * Google teams up with Sprint and is testing their own set of "advertising supported" mobile phones
      * Novel essentially sells out to Microsoft at the expense of many of its long term allies
      * Brazil applies to become an official subsidiary of Google, any spreads piracy throughout South America
      * Microsoft takes over half of India ... both here and there .. and sponsors it own international cricket tournament in the process
      * Google continues romancing China like a teenage boy in a French Class
      * Apple sits back and enjoys the battle knowing full well its market value will sharply increase with controversy
      * Google's market valuation shoots past IBM, and starts to close in on Wal-Mart ... in just 3 years!
      * Sun, IBM, and Google seem to be having a new and interesting "affair"
      * Microsoft and AT&T sign up to testify in Washington against Google as a monopoly

      If this were a conventional war, "Poor little Google" wouldn't stand much of a chance. But those folks from Mountain View have changed the playing field and they have Microsoft running scared. They're fighting this one out in the jungles, across the sandy deserts, in outer space, as well as in the dark corners of Main Street, Wall Street, and Madison Avenue. They are also well aware of the unique blend of greed and "techno-hype"... that drives both Wall Street and Washington. And a few thousand rocket scientists don't hurt their cause much either ... except perhaps when "common sense" comes into play.

      The Googlelites are street fighters. They know how to align themselves with the gullible masses. They are excellent at attracting third world cultures and emerging markets. They sponsor elections. They rob from the middle class and give to the poor ... and "donate" to select members of the middle and upper class as they see fit, as well. They make virtually all of their money by selling advertising on web sites, many of which are nothing more than willful piracy sites talking advantage of our youth and our underprivileged ... let alone the undereducated.

      They anointed themselves as the organizer of all the worlds' information ... and that includes everything and everyone who don't want the Googlelites to touch their private information or property, as well. Google apparently held a public forum on the issue, but no one showed up to vote other than their senior scientists, CEO, departing CFO, General Counsel, a few members of their Board, half the lawyers in California, and, of course, all of the venture capitalists and investment bankers who helped develop the Google war plan in the first place.

      Microsoft has a decided advantage in armament and in size. Problem is, too many of the plain citizens don't like them. Their expense structure is so large they have lost forever what it might take to stay nimble and adjust to changing tides ... let alone lead the innovation train. Doesn't look like the federal and state governments care too much for Redmond, either ... except perhaps some of those who have accepted free software and other bribes along the way.

      Another problem is some (let's make that "many") people still believe monopolistic business practices are evil in this country ... especially when they have to pay more for software than is logical and are forced to upgrade in order to use many new hardware devices and software features that might actually help them improve their position on both the economic and self-esteem totem polls. This silent majority is becoming "no so silent" anymore these days.

      Case in point. Microsoft had the perfect opportunity to do what was right this fall and modify its "image search" engine functions to comply with the long standing copyright laws in this country ... and guess what? ... they chose not to do so. I know. I brought it to their attention in May and was politely told to "pound sand". Perhaps they thought honesty from Microsoft would give Google an even further marketplace lead. And don't these folks from Redmond depend on the adequate protection of copyrights for their own survival?

      I, for one, can't stand hypocrisy. It's probably the only business practice I hate more than piracy.

      So, Microsoft has the bulk of the soldiers, all dressed up meticulously in their corporate colors and standing at their guard posts all around the world ... but Google has the guerrilla warriors hiding behind semantic shells and bricks and mortar as well ... let alone innocent women and children who blindfully follow their lead ... and, all the while taking full advantage of the anonymity of the Internet.

      So who is going to win this "Battle of the Titans"?

      Here's my view. Microsoft will win some battles and Google will win some battles, but NEITHER one of them will ultimately win the war. A new player, or set of players, will emerge. I am almost certain of that. Players who respect honesty and fair play. Players who will not sell out our morals and business ethics for all the oil in the Mid-east, or all the toys in China. Players who respect copyrights and the hard work of the hundreds of thousands of artists, songwriters, musicians, writers, photographers, journalists, illustrators, cartoonists, and poets, who make our country so unique and so wonderful. Players who believe in both the "fair use" of copyrighted works for research and innovation, and the honesty of the "Public Domain" ... but only within the confines of what is legal and what is not.

      People who respect the law of the land. Even if they wish some laws would change faster than they do.

      People who shoot straight with their customers, their suppliers, government regulators, members of the legislature ... and the judiciary ... and with their shareholders. A new set of players. A new breed of business ethics, honesty, and fair play. A culture that can once again be respected around the world. It will come about. I'm convinced of that. It's simply a matter of how long it will take to evolve.

      If the gourmet free lunches and cricket tournaments have to bite the dust in the process, then so be it. The rest of us deserve an honest shake in all of this Web 2.0 excitement as well. And we expect our leaders to have some class, be honest, and set the proper examples for our kids.

      Not these two Titans!

      George P. Riddick, III
      Chairman/CEO
      Imageline, Inc.

      griddick@imageline2.co...
      View article »
    • ON: Thu Oct 11th 11:26 AM
      Commented on:
      Google Leads in Global Search, But Rivals Are on Radar
      Good morning, Judith

      I think I represent a minority of folks out here who have an entirely different view of Google than you, and most other financial journalists and analysts, I follow these days.

      You see, you continue to report on all the phenomenal upside of this thing they call "google" ... yet you completely ignore the more predictable downside. This misleads investors in my view, and leads to the type of things that happened back in 2000.

      The little old ladies in Omaha end up holding the bag.

      Google, for years, has written its own rules. Its rocket scientists invented a new moral compass owned and operated exclusively by a select few inside Google .. and several of their lawyers, investment bankers, and venture capitalist friends as well.

      They rob from the middle class and give to the poor ... and others in the middle class .. and to the rich ... and to themselves. Over and over again. Google is one of the most flagrant copyright infringers on the planet. Day in and day out ... millions of times a day ... every day.

      Not everyone plans to sell out and settle with Google, as they apparently see all of this "shaking out". Wait and see.

      And if you don't think a misguided moral compass, unethical business practices, corporate arrogance, hypocrisy, and greed can bring down someone as mighty as Google, you might want to think again.
      Can you spell ENRON?

      Judith, I would never make such a claim without substantial proof of what I say. I'd be happy to review our research, and our extensive documentation, with you in more detail if you ever decide to tell your readers the flip side of the Google story. The true side.

      George P. Riddick, III
      Chairman/CEO
      Imageline, Inc.

      griddick@imageline2.co...
      View article »
    • ON: Thu Oct 11th 10:48 AM
      Commented on:
      Google to Distribute YouTube Ads; Shares Top $600
      Good morning, Steven

      I think I represent a minority of folks out here who have an entirely different view of Google than you, and most other financial journalists and analysts, I follow these days.

      You see, you continue to report on all the phenomenal upside of this thing they call "google" ... yet you completely ignore the more predictable downside. This misleads investors in my view, and leads to the type of things that happened back in 2000.

      The little old ladies in Omaha end up holding the bag.

      Google, for years, has written its own rules. Its rocket scientists invented a new moral compass owned and operated exclusively by a select few inside Google .. and several of their lawyers, investment bankers, and venture capitalist friends as well.

      They rob from the middle class and give to the poor ... and others in the middle class .. and to the rich ... and to themselves. Over and over again. Google is one of the most flagrant copyright infringers on the planet. Day in and day out ... millions of times a day ... every day.

      Not everyone plans to sell out and settle with Google, as they apparently see all of this "shaking out". Wait and see.

      And if you don't think a misguided moral compass, unethical business practices, corporate arrogance, hypocrisy, and greed can bring down someone as mighty as Google, you might want to think again.
      Can you spell ENRON?

      Steven, I would never make such a claim without substantial proof of what I say. I'd be happy to review our research, and our extensive documentation, with you in more detail if you ever decide to tell your readers the flip side of the Google story. The true side.

      George P. Riddick, III
      Chairman/CEO
      Imageline, Inc.

      griddick@imageline2.co...
      View article »
    • ON: Thu Oct 11th 10:44 AM
      Commented on:
      Google: The Emerging Media Mogul
      Good morning, Carl

      I think I represent a minority of folks out here who have an entirely different view of Google than you, and most other financial journalists and analysts, I follow these days.

      You see, you continue to report on all the phenomenal upside of this thing they call "google" ... yet you completely ignore the more predictable downside. This misleads investors in my view, and leads to the type of things that happened back in 2000.

      The little old ladies in Omaha end up holding the bag.

      Google, for years, has written its own rules. Its rocket scientists invented a new moral compass owned and operated exclusively by a select few inside Google .. and several of their lawyers, investment bankers, and venture capitalist friends as well.

      They rob from the middle class and give to the poor ... and others in the middle class .. and to the rich ... and to themselves. Over and over again. Google is one of the most flagrant copyright infringers on the planet. Day in and day out ... millions of times a day ... every day.

      Not everyone plans to sell out and settle with Google, as they apparently see all of this "shaking out". Wait and see.

      And if you don't think a misguided moral compass, unethical business practices, corporate arrogance, hypocrisy, and greed can bring down someone as mighty as Google, you might want to think again.
      Can you spell ENRON?

      Carl, I would never make such a claim without substantial proof of what I say. I'd be happy to review our research, and our extensive documentation, with you in more detail if you ever decide to tell your readers the flip side of the Google story. The true side.

      George P. Riddick, III
      Chairman/CEO
      Imageline, Inc.

      griddick@imageline2.co...
      View article »
    • ON: Thu Oct 11th 10:41 AM
      Commented on:
      Is Google's Price Breakthrough Justified?
      Good morning,Valuecruncher

      I think I represent a minority of folks out here who have an entirely different view of Google than you, and most other financial journalists and analysts, I follow these days.

      You see, you continue to report on all the phenomenal upside of this thing they call "google" ... yet you completely ignore the more predictable downside. This misleads investors in my view, and leads to the type of things that happened back in 2000.

      The little old ladies in Omaha end up holding the bag.

      Google, for years, has written its own rules. Its rocket scientists invented a new moral compass owned and operated exclusively by a select few inside Google .. and several of their lawyers, investment bankers, and venture capitalist friends as well.

      They rob from the middle class and give to the poor ... and others in the middle class .. and to the rich ... and to themselves. Over and over again. Google is one of the most flagrant copyright infringers on the planet. Day in and day out ... millions of times a day ... every day.

      Not everyone plans to sell out and settle with Google, as they apparently see all of this "shaking out".

      And if you don't think a misguided moral compass, unethical business practices, corporate arrogance, hypocrisy, and greed can bring down someone as mighty as Google, you might want to think again.
      Can you spell ENRON?

      Valuecruncher, I would never make such a claim without substantial proof of what I say. I'd be happy to review our research, and our extensive documentation, with you in more detail if you ever decide to tell your readers the flip side of the Google story. The true side.

      George P. Riddick, III
      Chairman/CEO
      Imageline, Inc.

      griddick@imageline2.co...
      View article »
    • ON: Thu Oct 11th 10:39 AM
      Commented on:
      Google's Inflated Market Cap Not THAT Amazing
      Good morning, David

      I think I represent a minority of folks out here who have an entirely different view of Google than you, and most other financial journalists and analysts, I follow these days.

      You see, you continue to report on all the phenomenal upside of this thing they call "google" ... yet you completely ignore the more predictable downside. This misleads investors in my view, and leads to the type of things that happened back in 2000.

      The little old ladies in Omaha end up holding the bag.

      Google, for years, has written its own rules. Its rocket scientists invented a new moral compass owned and operated exclusively by a select few inside Google .. and several of their lawyers, investment bankers, and venture capitalist friends as well.

      They rob from the middle class and give to the poor ... and others in the middle class .. and to the rich ... and to themselves. Over and over again. Google is one of the most flagrant copyright infringers on the planet. Day in and day out ... millions of times a day ... every day.

      Not everyone plans to sell out and settle with Google, as they apparently see all of this "shaking out".

      And if you don't think a misguided moral compass, unethical business practices, corporate arrogance, hypocrisy, and greed can bring down someone as mighty as Google, you might want to think again.
      Can you spell ENRON?

      David, I would never make such a claim without substantial proof of what I say. I'd be happy to review our research, and our extensive documentation, with you in more detail if you ever decide to tell your readers the flip side of the Google story. The true side.

      George P. Riddick, III
      Chairman/CEO
      Imageline, Inc.

      griddick@imageline2.co...
      View article »
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