Archive for January, 2007

I consider myself an avid reader of all things news related, and I have recently gotten into reading a variety of blogs that are more industry related (Internet that is) as well as a handful of VC blogs as well. Below is a list of the blogs I keep tabs on an a thought or two on each:

1. Venture Beat - Pretty good overall industry report. Focuses on providing news and information about private companies and the venture capital that fuels them.
2. Mashable - Focuses exclusively on Social Networking companies. Great source for finding out what is going on in that space.
3. PaidContent.Org - covers all things digital media, focusing on where media and entertainment companies operate: online, wireless, desktop and off-desktop applications, products and services.
4. TechCrunch - Good review site for all the new Internet companies and products. If you have an Internet company you want to get the word out on, I suggest starting here. Go here and post a write up on the forum about your company. They get a ton of PVs, so it will definitely get you the exposure. TechCrunch’s editor is Michael Arrington, if you are in the industry, you know who he is!
5. ValleyWag - Great resource for the “dirt” on all things valley related. It is “the” tech gossip rag!
6. A VC - This is Fred Wilson’s personal blog. He is a VC and is a partner at Union Square Ventures. He discusses an array of topics, from product / company reviews to entrepreneurial advice, to his travels to Italy (he spent 2 weeks there with his fam over the holidays).
7. How to Change the World - This is Guy Kawasaki’s personal blog. He describes his blog as a pratical blog for impractical people. Guy is a wonderful guy (no pun intended). He is well respected in the industry and has written several books. He started out with Apple and is is currently a managing director at Garage Technology Ventures.
8. Blog Maverick - OK, I know what you are going to say, do you really read this? I just started reading it, and it is worth it. Mark Cuban can be a bit boisterous at times, but he does have a lot of good points on a variety of subjects.

OK, so that just about sums it up. If you get a chance, take a look at these. There is some good reading to be found!

I bought this book back before Christmas, and have not gotten too far into it. It is titled “Getting Stoned with Savages” (available here from Amazon) by J. Maarten Troost. I would classify it as a travel memoir, comical at times, dry and hard to read at others. I thought it was going to be similar to “Driving over Lemons” by Chris Stewart (another travel memoir writer), but it is not. I read Stewart’s book back in the summertime, and it was a pretty good read. I will continue on with this one, but at the rate I am reading, it may be next Christmas before I finish it!