I couldn't find the video, otherwise I'd put the link here, but a few months ago, I saw a video by 3 customers of Groupon: scuba dive shop, steak restaurant, and cupcake shop. Basically, Groupon takes 50% of the coupon value. So, if a merchant gives 50% off retail on the coupon, they only get 25% of retail. The cupcake shop experienced the same thing as this baker, but revised his idea of what Groupon is and is using it successfully. He now thinks Groupon is marketing with associated costs and just budgets accordingly. He also put some stipulations on the coupon: 1. No choice of flavors, you get what he has in stock and they choose what you get. 2. You must notify him advance (2 days), if you have a big order.

I just don't understand why Groupon doesn't set expectations properly with their merchants. When these bad things happen, all 3 (Groupon, Merchant, Customers) lose. Groupon loses follow-on business from the Merchant. Merchant gets overwhelmed and a bad reputation. Customers get a bad product or experience. If Groupon sets the expectations properly, I don't see why all three can't have a good experience. I assume the Groupon sales people are just pushing volume and don't have any training. But it should make sense that by setting expectations properly and coaching the Merchants, that Groupon would have follow-on business from the Merchant -- a much better business model than pushing a one-shot coupon.

There are no more incandescent light bulb factories in the US. This is another way to keep jobs in China. Hello Congress. WTF. Let's save energy and save the environment at the same time.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/07/AR2010090706933.html

Now I get it. This works that same way as the Cone of Silence in Get Smart.

1. Odd that during political races, (4) is fair game. Political opponents dig up dirt and sling it.
2. Convicted sexual predators and their locations are put on government websites. Here, (4) seems like fair game too.

So, I guess the key word is "unfair" consequences which is a judgment call -- and thus up to the jury.

People forget that repeated tries to login with random passwords will raise a red flag. Stealing the password and using it to get in without failures can be done without being flagged.

If you read the article, the 90% drop is after requiring registration for the free service. That's not a paywall. It's a free-registration-wall. Only 15,000 are paying. "1.2 million daily unique users" "150,000 users registered for access to the Times and Sunday Times while they were free, with 15,000 apparently agreeing to pay money." 15k/1.2M = 1.25%

Sounds like a prank pulled by the 3 astronauts. I mean, it wasn't just a rock they found on the ground and gave to the Dutch, but petrified wood.

From the article: "List of potential routes: California corridor : Bay Area, Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Diego" Just last year, CA voted and passed a proposition for a high speed rail. It looks like this is just a way of shifting the cost to the Fed. I bet the other high-speed rail lines are also planned routes by regional governments. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_High_Speed_Rail

From the Researchers at HP Palo Alto article: 'Their rather depressing finding is that "the more frequently an individual uploads content the less likely it is that it will reach a success threshold."' I would think the die-off in popularity is the same phenomenon as Hollywood making sequels that aren't as good as the original than due to the dilution of brand. For example: Rocky, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Star Wars. In all those cases, success = bigger budget for the sequels and slicker movie, but better movie? Rarely.

I doubt that farmer has trademarked simpledog. But you might as well check the US Patent and Trademark office first. Go here to search for existing registered trademarks: http://www.uspto.gov/main/profiles/acadres.htm Trademarks aren't the same as copyright. You must register your trademark with the US Gov.