Michael Gracie

I just finished installing the Joost client. Despite having a self-imposed deadline for day’s end and a full schedule for the weekend, I had to stop what I what I was doing, just to say “wow!” The install was the generally easy, drag and drop that I’ve become accustomed to on OS X, and registering was cake. I had to jump through a few Snitch hoops, as it kept alerting me to new peer-to-peer connections being made (then I just selected “Any Server” and “forever”). The content selections and first blush picture quality? That’s the “wow” - it’s great. Simply great.

What else I’ve noticed

• I’ve seen a little transparent ad popup on the screen, but before I could click the “X” to close it, it closed itself.
• I’ve seen a commercial break - same advertiser, and about ten seconds or so. No more intrusive than a TV ad, but seemingly shorter.
• There were a few frame freezes and stutters when I loaded a browser to start this entry. Since then, nothing but continuous picture and sound.
• The windowed screen mode on a MacBook Pro is clear, clear, clear. Full screen mode on a 23″ Cinema Display leaves a bit to be desired.
• The app is eating between 30% and 40% of my CoreDuo processor’s capacity, on a continuous basis. But it’s pretty cool in the house so the fans aren’t running.

My initial conclusion…pretty darn slick. And I’ll have to qualify my opinion: I’ve been thinking plenty about new visual entertainment options lately. Been meaning to can the television (I rarely use it anyway), and after Comcast nixed my Discovery Channel access I was seeking new options even more. Then yesterday I gave my television to a friend, to be used in their kids’ room. I’ve since debated getting a bigger one (if mostly for movies) or getting another Cinema display to attach to the Mac Mini stereo system which resides in the living room. I’m also thinking about getting a Slingbox tuner for cable signal grabbing (since canceling said signal actually results in a higher overall cable bill and lower bandwidth - don’t ask why).

But I think I’ll keep things the way they are, and tinker with Joost a bit more before making any decisions at all. Now back to work (distracted by National Geographic Wild).

UPDATE: One thing I won’t be doing is getting a Tivo. After all, it depends on cable.

UPDATE 2: The Joost control interface is functional and cool too.

UPDATE 3: Some say Joost has limitations, primarily related to US broadband.

Union Square Ventures just funded Twitter. Fred Wilson noted that the company has no business plan, but they’ll figure that out as they go. Paul Kedrosky threw in his two cents, coming to the broad conclusion that business plans give investors too much to nitpick. These guys are professional investors, so you have to listen. You don’t have to follow - it’s just the opinions of two investors who happen to know each other pretty well - but you do have to listen.

A good portion of the investment and entrepreneurial communities will proceed to adopt the same tack now that it’s been publicized. Others will call this attitude a sign of froth in the market, and become more cautious about ongoing opportunities. Giving investors what they want (or don’t want) should be viewed as a by-product of which camp they are in.

Listen to a few stories around the fire before you decide which camp that is.