Web 2.0 Entrepreneur

The future is now!

• Posted by Tengku Zahasman on June 1st, 2007 filed in Thoughts, Technology


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Five years go, not so many people realize how much Ajax is going to influence the Web development industry as we see it today. In fact at one point I thought Javascript was going to die. Before Flash was invented, many people think the Web is a boring, dull world full of text pages and non-interactive static images. But things have changed drastically since then. If people who used to socialize using the Internet were once regarded as computer freaks, today they are called the “new age” people. Calvin Klein calls it “technosexual“. Thanks to the emergence of these two powerful Web technologies, the Web has become more alive and socially friendly even to the non-tech-savvy community.

Now imagine if in the near future, people will start developing Web applications using a new technology where users can manipulate stuffs in the webpage by using their fingers on a multi-touch screen monitor. Not only that, users can also upload/download files, images and videos from/to our thumbdrives or mobile gadgets by just placing them on the screen. Had you watched the movie Minority Report, you’ll know how cool this application is if it becomes a reality. Look no further, the future is nowhere but today. I say this after watching a cool video about a new product announced by Microsoft yesterday which is known as Microsoft Surface. Check out this video to see it in action:

While the technology of a multi-touch screen has already been invented years ago, it has never been designed to be as socially fancy as this 30-inch screen “coffee table” hardware. Looks like Microsoft is bringing this to mainstream. This new technology may not seem to be directly related to the Web application industry - or at least not yet - but I bet this innovation is gonna bring a huge impact on how we write Web applications in a few years to come. Imagine how many interesting things we can do when this technology is implemented on the Web. Be prepared for the next shift

Credits to TechCrunch and Smart-Machines

Web2.0 is about technology, not money

• Posted by Tengku Zahasman on May 23rd, 2007 filed in Thoughts, Entrepreneurship


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Reading Mike Arrigton’s recent post at TechCrunch really caught my attention and sparked some thoughts:

“When I look back at the pictures from those early events, I remember good times, and no one was talking about twenty million dollar venture rounds or selling out for a cool $1.65 billion. Companies like Meebo and Sphere literally launched in my living room in front of a couple of hundred genuinely interested people…

..snip..

It’s no longer about beautiful products and genius developers. It’s about the money and the status, and hot PR chicks and marketing departments.” - Mike Arrington

It’s true what he said. I’ve been hearing so much about new Internet startups seeking million bucks of venture rounds every month that I’m starting to get sick of it. Web 2.0 startups initially sparked off from tech enthusiasts and bright developers who believes in creating unique applications of their own that they love and hoped other people will love too. Money is not the first thing that comes into the picture. It’s the idea of making a difference that comes first - using Web technology as the backbone. Startups today seems to focus more on chasing the money, getting millions of capitals, and enhance their application with the intention of selling them off to some other giant companies like Yahoo, Google or eBay. This is what I don’t get. We don’t build applications to get capitals. We don’t build applications to sell them off. We build applications because we love it. If at a later time someone chips in offering a deal, then that’s something to be dealt later.

To me, real startup entrepreneurs are those who wishes to “marry” with their idea, developing the application till late at night with their small teams who also believes in what they are doing. Forget about capitals, they don’t mind starting off using their own money and credit cards, bootstrap all the way so that they could see their dream comes true. And they are the people who will cry if they had to sell their application to someone else. Isn’t it interesting to hear people create successful apps out of their garage or apartments? Meebo is an example. These are genuine entrepreneurs. “Profit” to them is the money that comes from the invention itself, not from those venturing rounds or hoping to be bought.

I suggest that you guys read that post in TechCrunch. Some of the comments are pretty interesting read as well.

If only Malaysia could have our own Silicon Valley….

Should you build localized or international web apps?

• Posted by Tengku Zahasman on May 10th, 2007 filed in Web App Development, Advertising, Thoughts


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Local web applications

Local web apps means the applications are focused and meant to be used by only some people in certain countries or communities, not meant to be used by the general Internet users everywhere. For example, if I am to build a localized web application, it may be something that only Malaysian users would be interested in using. Such app could be a Malay-based search engine that searches for only websites in the Malay language. Or it could be something like a video sharing portal - like YouTube - but only focused on Malaysian-made videos.

The good thing about localized web application is that it can get famous pretty quickly. People like something if it is close to themselves. You don’t need to put massive advertising to promote your web apps because word-of-mouth advertising will efficiently do the trick for you. Malaysian-specific web apps like Tumpang, Advertlets and Nuffnang proved this is true.

International web applications

International web apps on the other hand, can be used by anyone regardless of who they are or where they live. MySpace is a good example. Everyone can use it and it doesn’t specifically mention if it should only be used by, say, the American people. In fact, many big Web2.0 companies targets the wider audience - everyone. But unless you have a pretty damn brilliant idea, promoting an international web app can be quite tough as you need to reach for more people.

So which one is better?

Localized app give you fame very easily. But the fame you get is focused only to some geographically centralized users. If your international web app becomes successful, your credits will be recognized internationally. Localized app can pocket you money a lot faster, but international app is where the big bucks are made. If localized web apps can give you 10k a month, international apps could possibly give you a 100 times more, but that may take patience and longer bootstrapping. Making your international app a success takes more effort, and usually means needing more capital to do the marketing. Localized web app is way cheaper.

My point is, both local and international web apps have their own strengths and weaknesses. If you’re still new, maybe it is wise to start with a localized web app. Apart from giving you the good portfolio you need, it’ll also give you the experience of running a web2.0 application in a smaller scale. This can prepare yourself for your next international web app idea. Not only that, because localized web app needs less money and gives you cash faster, it will be the one to support your international web app developement that needs more money, more dedication, and more time to give you the wealth that you and your team are waiting for.