Reddit and JotSpot Acquired

Two Web 2.0 companies' acquisitions were announced today: JotSpot by Google, and Reddit by Wired. hpcanswers writes, "Google has bought JotSpot, a maker of wiki software. From the linked FAQ: 'Google shares JotSpot's vision for helping people collaborate, share, and work together online. JotSpot's team and technology are a strong fit with existing Google products like Google Docs & Spreadsheets, Google Apps for Your Domain, and Google Groups.' The purchase price has not been disclosed." Coverage of the JotSpot deal is everywhere; Cnet's and the AP's are thorough. And MattSparkes writes, "The user-generated news site Reddit has been bought out by Wired's parent, Condé Nast, for an undisclosed sum. As the great big Web 2.0 bubble continues to inflate towards the popping point, and Boston sees a few more young millionaires move west, who will we see bought out next?"

No Bubble This Time

[RunFatBoy.net]

I don't believe that we will approach a bubble like we did in the late 90's. The very fact that people are apprehensive about such evaluations is a good sign that hopefully things will stay in check.

37 Signals wrote a good article a while back trying to keep this hype in check.
http://www.37signals.com/svn/archives2/dont_believ e_businessweeks_bubblemath.php [37signals.com]

Remember, part of an evaluation is function of current value vs. a projection of ROI. How will this investment in Reddit be returned? I have no clue, but the very fact that we're thinking about these issues (as opposed to an all-out buying frenzy in the early 90's) is a better sign.

Jim
http://www.runfatboy.net/ [runfatboy.net] - Exercise for the rest of us.

I Know I Know!

[eldavojohn]

As the great big Web 2.0 bubble continues to inflate towards the popping point, and Boston sees a few more young millionaires move west, who will we see bought out next?

Slashdot! By ... um ... Google. And it will be bundled in with everything else and called YouGoogleDot Beta. It will be improved by parsing our comments and suggesting goods and services to us based on our thoughts and rantings. The sections will change slightly with the 'Google' section being renamed to 'The Section' and all the other being given the prefix of 'Google's Attempt to Build a Better.'

However, if Steve Ballmer buys Slashdot, it might be shut down with the server boards & hard drives made into urinals in Ballmer's private bathroom. Oh, think of all the bright futures of the mighty Slashdot!

Re:No Bubble This Time

[coldtone]

I don't think anyone believes web 2.0 is bubble proof. While some of these companies are going for a ton of money. (youtube, myspace) given there ranking in terms of Internet traffic these amounts are not absurd.

The others seam to be going for less then 50Mil. This is not a lot of money considering how much it would cost a big company to.

a) duplicate the software,
b) Advertise it, and build a brand
c) grow a community.

Its simply cheaper and easier for them to buy.

Re:I Know I Know!

[yanos]

Your sig should read:

Slashdot: A place where I'm +5 Insightful when I really tried my best to be funny.