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Mark Evans

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Archive for October, 2005

Bullish on BroadVoice

Nothing like a mention in Wired Magazine to make you feel better about your prospects - at least if you're BroadVoice,
which gets a big shot in the arm in the magazine's latest issue. In a
mini-review suitable for framing - or highlight  in a press release, Wired proclaims
“For people who keep homes in Manhattan, Paris, and [...]

Reading Between the Lines at the CRTC

So what's the CRTC really saying in its latest - and final - report on the competitiveness of Canada's $30 billion telecom industry? What does this statement mean to you?:
“The report indicates that local competition has increased since 2000, although competitors have not yet generally gained the same level of  market share in the local [...]

Microsoft to Unveil New Web Strategy

It could be deja vu all over again tomorrow when Microsoft holds a
press briefing to discuss its strategic plans for the Web. It seems
like only yesterday (actually, 1995) when journalists were called to an
Internet Strategy Day
in Redmond to hear Bill Gates talks about how he was going to change
the direction of the Titanic to after [...]

Telus Union Rejects Agreement

While the terms of Telus Corp.'s proposed collective agreement have are public due to a news blackout, it's hard to believe the Telecommunication Workers Union members
have rejected it by a narrow margin - 50.3% to 49.7%. (maybe there were
a few hanging chads that affected the outcome!?) It appeared the strike
had been settled several weeks ago [...]

Sphere: Intriguing But No Wow Factor

Sphere's raison d'etre is simple: “we thought we could build a much better search engine to serve the rapidly growing blogosphere”. This is a lofty goal given there is already plenty of competition (Ice Rocket, Technorati, Blogdigger, Google, etc.) that do a pretty good job. With the Sphere beta getting wider release, my first impression is it [...]

Forbes Don't Like Them Blogs

I'm a bit late to the growing debate on the Forbes cover story about blogs - spend most of yesterday golfing at Devil's Paint Brush,
one of the best courses in Ontario - but I must say I was blown away
from the bias and lack of objectivity in the “story”. As a
working journalist, it was obvious [...]

What To Do with eBay Billions

If Skype co-founder Niklas Zennstrom is looking for guidance on how to spend his eBay windfall, he might want to have lunch with eBay founder and chairman Pierre Omidyar, who has a growing investment portfolio being done through Omidyar Network. His latest investment is Digg.com, which recently raised $2.8 million, according to Silicon Beat. Omidyar's [...]

Canadian Blog Awards

Well what do you know, I got nominated for a Canadian Blog Award in the media category (although my blog is more technology/business). I'll have to start practicing my Sally Field acceptance speech  (…..you like me. Right now, you like me”) just in case.

Google's RSS/Portal Plans

I've received several e-mails from Google with the following message:
“Google would like to include your RSS feed(s) in our personalized homepage. This developing product allows users to add useful and interesting RSS feeds like yours to customized versions of the Google homepage. We wanted to let you know that we expect to add your RSS/XML feed [...]

Comcast Invests in Wi-Fi Equipment Maker

Ottawa-based BelAir Networks has attracted US$20-million
in private equity, including a strategic investment from the venture capital arm of Comcast Corp.,
the largest cableco in the U.S. This is Comcast Interactive's first
Canadian investment. BelAir, which makes wireless gear used to build
hotspots, is no stranger to U.S. telcos being part of
AT&T's bid for the city of Philadelphia's municipal [...]

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