>I am an investor, not a speculator.
Access to the internet is a commodity -- which is why AOL is so special. Its own content (i.e., chat
rooms, BB's) is anything but a commodity. So, you get that and unlimited internet access for $19.95. I
challenge you to identify a product out there that can compete with that combination. It does not exist.<
Brad, if I believed that AOL would dominate the content area in the future, I would not have a problem with the stock. But, will it? AOL's most popular content is the Motley Fool, which is rapidly becoming discredited and seems to want to move to another venue. James tells us that IRC is a good substitute for AOL chat rooms. In addition, you have Microsoft saying it is willing to spend in the billions to make MSN a success. How is it spending that money? On developing content. How is AOL, with hardly two nickels to rub together, going to compete with that? AOL is a channel or channels on the internet, competing against numerous other channels called web sites. IF they can maintain a content edge, they may maintain viewership and IF they maintain viewership they MIGHT be able to make a buck from advertising. Unfortunately for them, the odds are long, since the competition is quite viable, and unlike couch potatoes (did I spell that right Dan Quayle?), web surfers can click through the advertising. In this respect, MSN has the right idea. They are trying to turn the web into a PASSIVE form of entertainment, which is more conducive to advertising. Gates has vision, Case just has chutzpah. |
