AMAZON LAUNCHES A9 SEARCH ENGINE

I have stated several times that "search" is the killer application of the Internet. And there is lots of money to be made in the search field. Now we have Amazon jumping into the pot with its own search operation (based on Google technology). I would bet that if early tests score well for Amazon, we can someday see Amazon breaking away from Google as other large organizations have done in this area.

DIGITAL RIGHTS MANAGEMENT

Based on the success Jupitermedia (the company I work for) had at its inaugural DRM Strategies trade show this week in New York City, I can tell readers that the digital rights area is going to be a growth sector for both the intellectual rights side of the topic as well as the enterprise. Chair person Bill Rosenblatt brought together a terrific group of speakers over three days (Bill edits our Web site dealing with DRM and is an independent consultant). Microsoft ran a cocktail reception that was well attended. Based on this successful launch, Jupitermedia is planning a larger version of the show in Los Angeles in late September.

ISPCON IS BACK!

ISPCON was once a huge trade show that at one time was owned by my former company, Mecklermedia. Mecklermedia was sold to Penton Media in 1998. Ultimately ISPCON declined under the Penton watch and it was sold to its former head of sales, Jon Price. Last year Jon sold a large interest in the show to us at Jupitermedia. And now the show is thriving once again. It is running in Washington, DC at the Washington Hilton. It is great to see a terrific show like ISPCON making a comeback in an age in which most tech shows are declining or dying.

INTERNET PLANET REPORT

This new show recently picked up several exhibitors including Overture. Registrations are looking strong. The theme of the show is "growing business online." I think the hook for registrants (they are signing up nicely) is the presence of the powerful Jupiter Research team that dominates the seminar program and the added benefit of allowing paid attendees to get 20 minute "one on one consulting sessions" with most of the Jupiter analysts. This is going to be an interesting and exciting experiment and I will keep you posted.