Joyful Alternative's Comments RSS Syndication from SeekingAlpha.com http://seekingalpha.comuser/189777/comments http://seekingalpha.com/article/175484-google-microsoft-and-news-corp-fight-while-consumers-stay-anchored-to-free-content?source=feed#comment-780547 780547
That's the building block of news, which AP does very little of now.]]> Sat, 28 Nov 2009 09:47:27 -0500
That's the building block of news, which AP does very little of now.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/174273-even-amazon-bears-are-bullish?source=feed#comment-767602 767602 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:19:16 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/173354-europe-microsoft-woos-newspapers-by-funding-their-stick-to-beat-google?source=feed#comment-760871 760871
How big a piece of Google's action is newspapers?]]> Sun, 15 Nov 2009 10:54:08 -0500
How big a piece of Google's action is newspapers?]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/172731-why-magazine-covers-are-historically-great-contrarian-indicators?source=feed#comment-755096 755096 Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:26:11 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/172479-publishers-wake-up-online-readers-are-paying-you-in-attention?source=feed#comment-755087 755087
I wish I had a McClatchy newspaper in my town.]]> Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:21:23 -0500
I wish I had a McClatchy newspaper in my town.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/171859-the-web-doesn-t-belong-to-the-young-after-all?source=feed#comment-750371 750371 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:00:43 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/169748-eight-reasons-the-market-is-going-down?source=feed#comment-735206 735206 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:29:20 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/166681-ebay-growth-at-the-right-bid?source=feed#comment-720454 720454 www.auctionbytes.com/c.... These times of recession and unemployment should be glorious for eBay, but they've made both selling and buying so difficult and unrewarding that eBay is sinking.
Friend 1 Googled an obscure item he needs. The only seller is on eBay only. Friend attempts to buy it and balks at having to sign up for PayPal with "too much personal information." "Why can't I just use my credit or debit card directly? Why can't I send a check or a money order?"
NB: PayPal now has competition from Google and Amazon.
Friend 2 is downsizing her empty nest, with piles of slightly used and semi-antique stuff to get rid of. She had used eBay in the past but now finds it too complex, confusing, and "weird" to list her excess for sale. She tried Craigslist and reports great success.
Everything about eBay is too bloated to function now, including its code (slow loads that shut out dial-up buyers and frustrate everyone else) and executive pay. There's just one item I buy on eBay now and only because I can't persuade the seller to list it elsewhere, and I have a shelf of unusual items I'd like to auction off online because I don't know what they're worth but it won't be on eBay.
It's hard to believe this author is so enthusiastic about eBay stock---obviously not a "value" investor.]]> Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:25:24 -0400 www.auctionbytes.com/c.... These times of recession and unemployment should be glorious for eBay, but they've made both selling and buying so difficult and unrewarding that eBay is sinking.
Friend 1 Googled an obscure item he needs. The only seller is on eBay only. Friend attempts to buy it and balks at having to sign up for PayPal with "too much personal information." "Why can't I just use my credit or debit card directly? Why can't I send a check or a money order?"
NB: PayPal now has competition from Google and Amazon.
Friend 2 is downsizing her empty nest, with piles of slightly used and semi-antique stuff to get rid of. She had used eBay in the past but now finds it too complex, confusing, and "weird" to list her excess for sale. She tried Craigslist and reports great success.
Everything about eBay is too bloated to function now, including its code (slow loads that shut out dial-up buyers and frustrate everyone else) and executive pay. There's just one item I buy on eBay now and only because I can't persuade the seller to list it elsewhere, and I have a shelf of unusual items I'd like to auction off online because I don't know what they're worth but it won't be on eBay.
It's hard to believe this author is so enthusiastic about eBay stock---obviously not a "value" investor.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/165860-tech-online-trends-the-strong-get-stronger-in-e-commerce?source=feed#comment-712587 712587 Sun, 11 Oct 2009 11:30:32 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/163519-web-beats-tv-news-as-a-timely-media-source-case-in-point?source=feed#comment-693082 693082 Sun, 27 Sep 2009 11:28:00 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/163553-welcome-to-the-new-normal?source=feed#comment-693037 693037
This tampering in the officially measured labor force took place in the 1980s when unemployment was above 10%. The numbers of members of the military, which had been a separate category and counted as neither employed nor unemployed, were added to the number of employed, on the grounds that the military had become all-volunteer.]]> Sun, 27 Sep 2009 11:08:28 -0400
This tampering in the officially measured labor force took place in the 1980s when unemployment was above 10%. The numbers of members of the military, which had been a separate category and counted as neither employed nor unemployed, were added to the number of employed, on the grounds that the military had become all-volunteer.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/162253-time-to-take-a-bite-out-of-chipotle?source=feed#comment-683932 683932
So CMG had two days of free news, one announcing a free meal and another showing superlong lines. And I have CMG only 15 miles away, instead of 60.]]> Sun, 20 Sep 2009 11:46:11 -0400
So CMG had two days of free news, one announcing a free meal and another showing superlong lines. And I have CMG only 15 miles away, instead of 60.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/160494-are-consumers-paying-down-their-debt?source=feed#comment-668713 668713 Wed, 09 Sep 2009 11:44:47 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/159231-walmart-launches-walmart-marketplace?source=feed#comment-659891 659891 Thu, 03 Sep 2009 07:48:55 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/159285-china-sneezes-the-u-s-catches-a-cold?source=feed#comment-655962 655962 Tue, 01 Sep 2009 08:31:53 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/158604-craigslist-free-trumps-fee?source=feed#comment-648589 648589 Thu, 27 Aug 2009 08:50:06 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/158319-business-trends-banks-cars-healthcare-and-safe-vermont-mortgages?source=feed#comment-647034 647034
Mr. Collier obviously doesn't want his wife to fall through the cracks, and how nice for him that they received charity rather than a bill he'd be paying off for the rest of his working life. Should I fall through the cracks if my osteoarthritis makes another joint replacement necessary and I can't come up with the out-of-pocket expense (plus self-employed people don't get sick leave or sick pay!)? Keep in mind that the surgeon wants cash up front; he's had too many patients unable to pay him after he's done his part. Should somebody who makes $15,000/year and can't possibly pay insurance premiums of $350/month, not to mention all those out-of-pocket amounts, fall through the cracks? Is this guy a freeloader if he gets charity, too, when he gets cancer? And keep in mind that his and Mrs. Collier's charity are paid for by higher bills for you and me.

As a long-time self-employed person (and health insurance buyer), I wish I had access to "Medicare for All." I suspect never before in history have so many people looked forward to their 65th birthdays.]]> Wed, 26 Aug 2009 09:36:30 -0400
Mr. Collier obviously doesn't want his wife to fall through the cracks, and how nice for him that they received charity rather than a bill he'd be paying off for the rest of his working life. Should I fall through the cracks if my osteoarthritis makes another joint replacement necessary and I can't come up with the out-of-pocket expense (plus self-employed people don't get sick leave or sick pay!)? Keep in mind that the surgeon wants cash up front; he's had too many patients unable to pay him after he's done his part. Should somebody who makes $15,000/year and can't possibly pay insurance premiums of $350/month, not to mention all those out-of-pocket amounts, fall through the cracks? Is this guy a freeloader if he gets charity, too, when he gets cancer? And keep in mind that his and Mrs. Collier's charity are paid for by higher bills for you and me.

As a long-time self-employed person (and health insurance buyer), I wish I had access to "Medicare for All." I suspect never before in history have so many people looked forward to their 65th birthdays.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/157528-barnes-noble-finds-new-revenue-streams?source=feed#comment-640564 640564 Fri, 21 Aug 2009 19:09:59 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/156196-everyone-wants-a-national-broadband-network-but-nobody-wants-to-pay-for-it?source=feed#comment-630898 630898 Sat, 15 Aug 2009 09:59:38 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/155697-helloooo-moral-hazard?source=feed#comment-628635 628635
By and large, all anybody knows is what the mass media will tell them, which isn't anything that will affect the ownership of the mass media. For example, Keith Olberman of MSNBC was told by the network brass to stop picking on a Fox News host because Rupert Murdoch was retaliating by publishing stories about GE sales to Iran. So don't blame ordinary people for not reacting to what they don't know about.]]> Thu, 13 Aug 2009 14:55:09 -0400
By and large, all anybody knows is what the mass media will tell them, which isn't anything that will affect the ownership of the mass media. For example, Keith Olberman of MSNBC was told by the network brass to stop picking on a Fox News host because Rupert Murdoch was retaliating by publishing stories about GE sales to Iran. So don't blame ordinary people for not reacting to what they don't know about.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/155347-bankruptcy-filings-definitely-not-another-green-shoot?source=feed#comment-626037 626037
The cramdown bill was Arlen Specter's first big vote as a newly minted Democrat, and he flunked. (Go, Joe!)

My worry now is that all those lobbyists are now making a mess of health care reform and that we'll wind up with a program that's more wasteful than Medicare Part D, say, requiring everyone to buy crappy overpriced health insurance from the same corporations that have been ripping off their insureds for decades.]]> Tue, 11 Aug 2009 23:43:00 -0400
The cramdown bill was Arlen Specter's first big vote as a newly minted Democrat, and he flunked. (Go, Joe!)

My worry now is that all those lobbyists are now making a mess of health care reform and that we'll wind up with a program that's more wasteful than Medicare Part D, say, requiring everyone to buy crappy overpriced health insurance from the same corporations that have been ripping off their insureds for decades.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/154831-finding-the-real-economy?source=feed#comment-621851 621851 Sun, 09 Aug 2009 11:01:04 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/153158-bloomberg-reports-extreme-recession-i-m-shocked?source=feed#comment-612654 612654 Mon, 03 Aug 2009 09:41:40 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/151591-the-truth-about-u-s-housing-numbers?source=feed#comment-605645 605645
I suspect this sort of crime is rampant throughout the country now, especially where there are lots of empty cells in private prisons, but unfortunately today's journalists don't seem interested in such things.]]> Tue, 28 Jul 2009 17:07:43 -0400
I suspect this sort of crime is rampant throughout the country now, especially where there are lots of empty cells in private prisons, but unfortunately today's journalists don't seem interested in such things.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/148095-why-economic-dogma-threatens-our-future-prosperity?source=feed#comment-583554 583554 Sat, 11 Jul 2009 11:38:09 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/147319-keeping-my-investments-on-sidelines-as-market-lacks-clear-direction?source=feed#comment-577249 577249
The stimulus package seems to be being put to good effect around here, with one road closed for reconstruction of an elderly bridge and another road being reconstructed and redirected. Even commercial real estate looks pretty good, with finishing touches being added to a new gas station-convenience store-drug store minimall on the main drag, as well as, believe it or not, a new car dealership, both within "walking distance" of me.

But further away from my doorstep, the state has a budget impasse from income decreasing and citizens' needs increasing, and state workers are about to go on partial pay. I have friends in Georgia and Michigan who've been permanently laid off jobs they've held for 10 or 15 years. And the national and world stats don't look good.

Marketwise, I'm sitting on the sidelines, with cash at the broker's, waiting to see what happens next.]]> Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:18:50 -0400
The stimulus package seems to be being put to good effect around here, with one road closed for reconstruction of an elderly bridge and another road being reconstructed and redirected. Even commercial real estate looks pretty good, with finishing touches being added to a new gas station-convenience store-drug store minimall on the main drag, as well as, believe it or not, a new car dealership, both within "walking distance" of me.

But further away from my doorstep, the state has a budget impasse from income decreasing and citizens' needs increasing, and state workers are about to go on partial pay. I have friends in Georgia and Michigan who've been permanently laid off jobs they've held for 10 or 15 years. And the national and world stats don't look good.

Marketwise, I'm sitting on the sidelines, with cash at the broker's, waiting to see what happens next.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/145233-shift-in-boomer-habits-bodes-poorly-for-traditional-tv-service-providers?source=feed#comment-561761 561761
One correction: It's MySpace that's thought to be popular with teenagers, and I don't know any friends who are on it. FaceBook started out as social networking for college students, and I know a lot of people on it. I don't go there much because it's just a lot of online goofing off. I do check LinkedIn daily, and I'd pay for an upgrade if I were looking for a new job or otherwise needed it.]]> Thu, 25 Jun 2009 09:00:08 -0400
One correction: It's MySpace that's thought to be popular with teenagers, and I don't know any friends who are on it. FaceBook started out as social networking for college students, and I know a lot of people on it. I don't go there much because it's just a lot of online goofing off. I do check LinkedIn daily, and I'd pay for an upgrade if I were looking for a new job or otherwise needed it.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/144665-could-movies-books-and-music-be-amazon-s-achilles-heel?source=feed#comment-558772 558772
Yet in many important ways, you don't actually own the book. You can't lend it to a friend without lending the whole Kindle apparatus, and you can't sell it (even on Amazon!) when you're done with the book. I can't see toting the whole Kindle to read on the subway or in the doctor's office waiting room.

From my perspective, I don't see how Amazon could raise the price, as you suggest.]]> Tue, 23 Jun 2009 09:32:11 -0400
Yet in many important ways, you don't actually own the book. You can't lend it to a friend without lending the whole Kindle apparatus, and you can't sell it (even on Amazon!) when you're done with the book. I can't see toting the whole Kindle to read on the subway or in the doctor's office waiting room.

From my perspective, I don't see how Amazon could raise the price, as you suggest.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/144447-aols-politicsdaily-quickly-surpasses-rivals?source=feed#comment-557720 557720
Politico is more like Drudge with "big names."]]> Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:06:45 -0400
Politico is more like Drudge with "big names."]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/143621-debt-debt-and-more-debt-in-store-for-the-u-s?source=feed#comment-550015 550015
(Full Social Security is now age 66 and rising, on its way to 67. Additional increases to 70 are not impossible. I'd like to see civil service full retirement hit at least 60.)]]> Wed, 17 Jun 2009 08:40:44 -0400
(Full Social Security is now age 66 and rising, on its way to 67. Additional increases to 70 are not impossible. I'd like to see civil service full retirement hit at least 60.)]]>