computer running very slow again. have too many auto start programs.? too much memory conflict and background tasks using the bandwidth.? removing following with a focus on coupons.com coupon printer Box.net. sync (just going to access via web on this...

Just finished reading the Groupon 10Q and reading the analyst slides.? I wonder how many analyst or pundits actually read the 10Q versus just listening to the company spin in the conference call.? Maybe that is expecting too much.? Last...

The daily deal business has it?s share of challenges.? One particular challenge is merchants providing products to the daily deal companies who themselves have shaky financials or questionable business models.? One huge blow up last year was Peanut Labs project...

Finn has five girls over for sleepover.? so I am shopping online for lots of stuff I have had on the list for some time. ? Smart Hacks 6 pack of Sugru.com fix all silicon Replacement Gibbons Slack line for...

whoops.. hello letterly authors, ? last week, the agency that we used to register the?letter.ly?domain was taken down as a side effect of the war in libya (.ly is the libyan top level domain). our domain registration expired, and we...

A Daily Deal promotion is basically a marketing tool for merchants.? One of many including advertising, PR, coupons, word of mouth, reviews, directories, and other ways a merchant can use to attract and retain customers.? America is generally a free...

Ok, I am in the software business and all software has bugs. Some software has more bugs than others. Some software is just simply poorly designed. Especially in areas where the application at first blush is pretty simple and anyone...

Ok, this is my personal blog, so I can say personal things. This is Martin Tobias speaking.? Ok, I am also the CEO of Tippr with a dog in the Groupon/Livingsocial group buying fight, but this post is showing up...

I have been talking about the power of putting deals in context with content for a long time.? This is the future of daily deals, not another site full of coupons.? Today, this was brought home in spades while reading...

One of the great things about the PoweredByTippr platform is that the technology can enable group commerce for anyone with an audience.? This audience can be hyper local in one city, national with multiple local audiences, national with no...

How many $10 bills could you sell for $5.? Well bunches.? That is basically what http://weeklycinema.com was doing with discounted movie tickets.? At Tippr we promoted the offer for them and sold thousands.? Customers love discounted movie tickets.? We could...

I am not making this stuff up.? Monopolies generally keep prices high and extort consumers.? While Groupon is not a monopoly, they are the big boys in daily deal and are able to use their weight to lock up merchants...

I will gather in Seattle with many other great speakers at TechNW on Monday September 27th.? It's a day-long event featuring innovative technology companies in the Northwest.? At TechNWhttp://ow.ly/2DFQr?you'll hear from industry thought leaders, hot start-ups, successful entrepreneurs and local...

Dear Friend, Each week, we here at Defeat 1098 report our contributions to the Washington Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) in accordance with campaign finance rules. Yes on 1098 is required to do the same. There has yet to be a...

Ah to be a 24 year old CEO of a hot company again.? The mistakes I would not make?? Well the CEO?s job is to be optimistic and put a positive spin on things to the press, but it is...

Ok, you have all been reading lately about how the big daily deal sites are hurting small merchants and doing more harm than good.? So far I have stayed out of this one.? But a friend sent me this picture...

Hi Martin, I would like to confirm hat we have allocated the first production slots and your Jetpack will be number 26 Congratulations. I will write and sign a letter confirming this. Kind regards Glenn Martin Founder Martin Aircraft Company...

I may be a helpless romantic and optimist, but I generally believe that most founders of start-ups are trying to do good and create great products.? Being an entrepreneur myself, I tend to believe hard work and innovation will win...

Dan and the good folks over at Dutch Bike company in Boston are hard at work on my new Swift.  I am SOOOO excited to get it! Check The DBC website while major renovations progress... * *www.dutchbikes.us <http://www.dutchbikes.us>  Let us know...

I have been in the technology business for a very long time.? There is always a darling of the moment.? One such darling is Groupon (disclosure my company Tippr is in competition with them).? I am always intrigued by how...

Ok, I have had two weeks with the Ipad.? My Twitter followers have already gotten a tweetful, mostly about the various ways the device is crippled.? Well here are my thoughts somewhat organized: SUMMARY: A cute device that i will...

When is a deal not really a deal?? I have been a member of Gilt Groupe for awhile.? Great prices on designer stuff right?? Well at least that is what I thought until I read this article today. Seems like...

from G2 ? By Gordon Thomas LONDON ? Agents for Britain's MI5 intelligence service have discovered that Muslim doctors trained at some of Britain's leading teaching hospitals have returned to their own countries to fit surgical implants filled with...

Ok, Google made a big sweep a couple months ago and de-activated about 20% of their Adsense publishers.? My personal account which I used for this blog was deactivated for ?posing a significant risk to the Google Adsense program?.? Well...

As I have posted before, Twitter killed my blog.? Thankfully frienfeed has kept my off-blog activities updating here.? But it is a new year. And I am going to re-commit to publishing more on my blog. More long form thoughts....

Thinking alot lately about how to use on-line to drive local community and local purchases. Was in my favorite men?s store in Seattle, Oslo?s the other day and picked up the 3/50 project flyer.? Very cool project.? Didn?t know anyone...

We launched Kashless.org last year after Christmas in Seattle.? I was surprised to see that the first item posted was a Christmas tree and Christmas decorations.? When I think back, it makes alot of sense.? What to do with all...

Got called by four media people today on the tank explosion at Imperium renewables in grays harbor. Check out their web site for the official story. Some highlights: No injuries. The site has full containment burm (I rode the atv...

My friend Susanna over at Citizen Coffee has decided to do a get in on this group buying craze (see Groupon) and is offering $10 of coffee and yummie grinds for $5 (no joke).? But you can buy direct from...

yea.? Rode this morning with @bikeNYc.? Specialized aluminum frame with carbon fiber fork....

Existing home sales up over 10% in October.? Why?? The Tax credit.? It is a bit like tax crack.? Just like the cash for clunkers was for the auto industry, but the direct immediate effect on consumer behavior is measurable...

Wow, the latest six month trailing stats are devastating for the Newspaper industry.? Weekly circulation down 10.6% and sunday down 7.4%.? Some papers lost more than 25% of circulation in the last six months.? Ouch Editor and Publisher story...

I always like first hand data.? Here is some first hand data from by brother who just sold his 15 year old Toyota pick-up ?The Craigslist syndrome - too many flakey? people who want everything for nothing.? I just sold...

I have been thinking about the sinking dollar lately.? Kudlow MR. Supply side has been saying the low dollar is the end of America economy and leadership worldwide.? Not sure.? I agree if people stop buying it and stop buying...

The row last week over Angel funding and presenting fees has been completely overblown.? I am sad to be still writing about it actually.? A key problem in the marketplace for money that start-ups participate in is information.? What is...

Ok, now that I have cooled off a bit, here is my last word on this boring non-issue topic. Here is the problem I have with Jason?s first blog post: - demanding zero fees from Angel groups treats them all...

Received this just now as his editor deleted my comments. Ok, the ?big fat idiot? was out of line, but come on.? Jason is spinning this up like some human rights violation and defaming plenty of Angel groups.? This is...

Well I have been taking quite a bit of crap from my developers for even having a Windows box.? Now I am hosting a Windows launch party just to get the funny hats from Msft.? But now with those totally...

Old school pictures with all the good spots. Going to surf Populars this morning....

Outside sbux by the modern art museum. I love the old school stuff with the Brooks seat, green chromo frame and white grips. Very schwin I'm Martin Tobias and I endorse this message....

CraigsList has what is called a ?user moderated? system. Users can flag listings in any number of categories, the results being the listing gets removed. Their site boasts ?millions of inappropriate listings removed every month?.? It further claims that ?98%...