David and Goliath: plus cela change?

There used to be a time when everyone looked for a company that would take on Microsoft. But now that’s old hat, and everyone’s rooting around looking for a company to take on Google.

Despite the claims to the contrary, that company isn’t Mahalo. Nor is it ChaCha. Sure, the people-powered search engines have passionate user bases to create topic guides. And the results are meant to be more trustworthy than Google, which is algothrym-based.

The question is, will the SEO industry change the status quo, given their entire industry is built around Google? With the financial interests at stake, it’s safe to assume not.

But that doesn’t necessarily mean that Google will inhibit the internet’s evolution. Given Google’s propensity to implement new services, it could be just a matter of time before it implements its own people-powered search engine user base.

So whilst companies like Mahalo and ChaCha might not make the history books for taking on Google, they might make it for influencing what Google becomes in the future.

Press Beach Party Memories

Everyone here is recovering from last night's Beach Party. Close to 200 journalists, analysts, GBCers and Chocolateers spent the night chatting, downing beers, sipping cocktails and nibbling beach food (by the tonne). A very busy night in Soho ended with dancing to bad 80s music and late cabs home.

Asking people at the door if they would like a lei broke the ice more than a little. Seeing how those leis were used - head bands, bangles, bow ties, manacles etc - revealed the Great British IT Press at its most innovative and absurd.

Also we got to see the new Flip video camera thanks to the journos who decamped from their PR event to our party.

Roll on 2009!