I don't see how we are disagreeing. And I am certainly not disagreeing with anything clutch has ever told me. Don't be so divisive and protective. I'm just trying explain technology that you aren't considering. Someday, I'll describe the software technologies available that support Clutch's wishes, and can address much of the cc.net feedback wish lists I've seen...like the wish for tapping into streaming video feeds. The NBA has to initiate these technologies, though. And they can easily maintain copyright and generate revenue. Jeff, your principles are good and sound. These technologies can preserve them. The Internet arena has a different respect for autonomy than you seem to give it credit for. I find it sad that the best grassroots initiators like you are often highly skeptical of corporations. Why is that? Maybe I just trust the Internet more. And tend to think big! I have been part of negotiations between websites, and I do not fear them or believe they ever attempt to use control to influence change on another site. It is not done that way. I believe you when you say the Sports Industry is showing ineptness at using the Internet like other industries. But that will soon change. And, imo, you will see the NBA embrace and cater to fan sites--to not take them over, but to benefit from them in an unintrusive manner. I truly believe that. That is because I know company's who sell that type of technology. That their sales pitch--unintrusive, autonomy, privacy, automation, etc. They've got it down. And eventually the NBA will hear their schpiel. [This message has been edited by heypartner (edited February 16, 2001).]
It's not a lack of trust of investors. For me, it is an understanding of the dynamics of doing business. When you decide to become a for-profit enterprise, they dynamic of what you do immediately changes. Suddenly, you've entered a new element that takes on a life of its own. I'm not saying it is a bad thing, just a complicated thing. In order to make profit, you have to set reasonable and attainable goals, grow your business, market yourself, etc. Running a site as vast and wide-ranging as cc.net is difficult. Adding all of the complexities that come with earning money increases the difficulty. I'm not talking about internet technology. There hasn't been a technology developed that can get you out of paying taxes (legally anyway), paying your bills, keeping track of finances, marketing youself and your business, projecting revenues, creating new ways to profit, etc. To do that means to add diversity that is unnecessary and complicated. I run a business and I love it but it requires balancing checkbooks, updating business plans, marketing, budgeting, advertising, hiring a CPA to do my taxes, shipping and receiving even before I get to the elements I like and care about. What you are suggesting in a for-profit business for cc.net goes well beyond the boundries of just adding internet technology to take advantage of new advancements. It doesn't even take into account how much income it would take to bring a return on that investment let alone make it worth doing. As it is, I'm sure Clutch barely has enough time to handle all of the responsibilities of the site and take care of his own life cosidering the size and scope of cc.net. Assuming there is enough profit to be made to pay all the bills for the site, pay for the costs of running a business, pay for assistants to help manage the work, is there enough to pay for things like home mortgages, food, electricity bills? I don't care much for sponsorships in general because the require compromises. I remember being in bands sponsored by corporate groups and being required to wear certain clothes, play certain gigs and thank them in public even if we found their company to be repugnant. But, that isn't why I view them as problematic here. I view them as difficult in the case of cc.net because of the incredibly complex nature of managing sponsors, advertisers, the site and the business that is spawned from it. Sometimes, progress does more harm than good. ------------------ Me fail English? That's unpossible.
