Yahoo struck again over the weekend, making another small but important step forward in the world of Web 2.0 and consumer generated media (CGM). Knowing that their own blog platform, Yahoo360, was not being particularly well-received, Yahoo was smart to join forces with a stronger partner like Moveable Type. We use Moveable Type here at OTOinsights and endorse its feature set and usability. It's the real thing.
Like Google, Yahoo has a vision about Web 2.0 and is moving aggressively to secure its position. But, while Google builds, Yahoo buys and partners -- an interesting and key point of difference. The race is early, but the competitive dynamics are already starting to become clear.
This all said, would any of our readers in Redmond, WA care to sound a wake-up call for Microsoft? They really look and feel asleep at a time when the pace of change in this world appears to be accelerating. After all, there's only one Flickr, one del.icio.us, and one Moveable Type. When they're locked up, they're locked up ... no second chances (or at least no easy ones).
Here's what was announced:
"Yahoo Inc. (Nasdaq:YHOO - news) and Six Apart Ltd., creator of Movable Type -- the most popular software used to create professional blogs -- said on Sunday Yahoo will be the preferred supplier of Movable Type for small businesses.
The partnership is the latest in a string of deals by the world's largest Internet media company as it seeks to embrace so-called "social media," the new generation of Web sites that encourage Internet users to share written text, photos and videos.
On Friday, Yahoo acquired Del.icio.us, a site for users to share their favorite Web links. Earlier this year, it acquired Flickr, which offers a way to annotate and share photos.
Yahoo will effectively act as the preferred provider of Movable Type for small business users, taking advantage of its scale and efficiency, Anil Dash, vice president of professional products for San Francisco-based Six Apart, said in a phone interview.
"This is going to be our recommended (sales) channel for small business," he said."
We live in interesting times, indeed!
Best,
- James Gardner
Group Director/Life Sciences Practice Leader
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