Chapter 6

As I was reading I saw a phrase used, "age of collaboration". I do know that we are now labled to be in the information age, I can see how the next age would be the collaboration age. I still struggle with the concept of the contributors not being compensated. I just do not understand why anyone would share the hard work they put into gathering data, for the example in this chapter of the Human Genome Project, and not reap the benefits. I can also see how figuring out how to keep the info coming is going to be a very toughy subject. As you can tell I am back to being pesimistic about this idea. I just don't see how this can be benificial to small and medium size companies.

Chapter 5 Prosumer

I have finally been engaged in the book. The author finally gave a few example that I can grasp. For example the alterations of the ipod nano, which was kind of outdated, due to it mentioning that someday they might turn it into a cellphone, which we all know now exists and is called the Iphone. The combination of the Beatles White Ablum and JZ's black album. The Lego argument was kind of weak. I like the how he has introduced the arguement of the media. I do see how contributions from amature video could be a great media tool. I am going to check out slashdot.com and digg.com to see how it works. First time I have ever heard of these websites. I hope the remainder of the book can engage me like this chapter did.

Chapter 4

ideagoras. I think that I am already outdated for technology. All I have done is read through this book trying to prove the book wrong. The peer production concept does work. It works at making data free in the case of limewire, napster and all the other networks. Sure, there are a few way orginizations have learn to capture a few dollars, but not the traditional networks had. If I read one more line about harnessing all the world talents using this great invintion, oh I just read the next line in this book and that was the phrase it used. I think that the authors are using horrible examples such as IBM and other huge conglomerate.Anything can work for them if they throw enough money at it. How can this help smaller companies. Alright I have already the fourth chapter and will tell you how. the smaller companies will someday scour the internet for the leftover projects of conglomerates and somehow figure out a way to make a dollar.Chap 4 mentions iccocentive and others alike. I got on to this site the other day and read through a few of their policies in terms of info sharing and if I am not mistaken, the person who post the problem get access to the solution whether they pay the ransom or not. If not, then the owner of the website gets to keep the solution. This does not seem very open information like to me.

Chapter 3- Peer Production

I am and writing as I read. Ok, I read the first two pages and the authors are already addressing my concerns while furthing my argument. How can peer production be profitable to companies when they have no control. I will keep reading to find out. So peer production is about feeling good about solving a problem, wow I hope that some day we can pay bills or distribute limited resources by feeling good about solving problems. That was a joke. Ok, another reference to wikipedia. I am glad that they brought up the most important fact about peer contributions, they can't be monitored, in turn watering down the valididty of the product. Sure it is possible for companies such as IBM to invest a 100 million dollars and recieve 500 million worth of work in return, but not everyone has the resource that IBM has to make it happen. Still not convinced. Ok some examples for small business uses. I can see how these applications are possible but not everyone in the world are computer programmers.

Chapter 2

I do agree that the virtual networks are reducing costs and completely changing the way business is performed. Reducing costs are great but it is causing the technology industry much turmoil as we all know. Coase's law is a legitamat argument and business methods/models do seem to be following this law. The problem I still struggle with is if companies continue to move toward horizontal integration with increasing numbers of outsourcing, some day traditional companies with permanent employees will no longer exist. Then what? Are all tasks performed remotely, by individuals that have no interest in the organizations long term goal. So who is the organization? What does it consist of? I guess that is what the remaining chapters will explain.

Intro and First chapter

This sound like it will a interesting one. I have a pretty good feeling that I will disagree with the authors on a regular basis but I plan to keep an open mind. On the theory of open information sharing and implementing it in an organization, I am skeptical. If you were disclose all info to the public, the competitive advantage will be lost. I can see how using these methods to solve a single problem such as the mining company did can work. But to fill an organization with "remote employees" contributing to the cause of the organization will have disastrous effects. These contributors have no invested interest in the organization. Ok, mabey I will be pursuaded in the upcoming chapters, but he will have to do more than give me strung together theory with a few weak examples as he has done so far.