Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : General Magic -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Drew Freeman who wrote (3780)	9/23/1998 6:40:00 PM
From: pgl52	Respond to of 10081

how about this service ROOT mentined in Business Week this week, is this competition? Business Week, Sept 21, 1998 pp124-125

To: Drew Freeman who wrote (3780)	9/23/1998 7:00:00 PM
From: deepresearch	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 10081

Drew, Very nice perspective on the channels - I am inclined to agree with your analysis on the long-term future for many of the resellers. BTW, Wireless IT show update (Vegas Oct 12-14): Kevin Surace speaking, along with some of the competition: Voice Moving Data: Voice Recognition Technology Voice recognition technology has become the darling of Wall Street. Find out why this new technology has become the latest buzz in the financial community. Learn of the latest applications using voice recognition and explore how this technology can promote consumer acceptance and use of enhanced services. Confirmed Speakers: Michael Gulledge, VP, Marketing, Glenayre Maria Martinez, GM & VP, Internet & Connectivity Services Division, Motorola, Inc. Robert C. Nelson, President & CEO, CrossMedia Networks Corporation Gary Roshak, VP, GM, Enterprise Division, Wildfire Communications Inc. Kevin Surace, VP & GM, Product & Network Services, General Magic Moderator: Antony Bruno, Reporter, RCR wirelessit.com./program.htm#11

To: Drew Freeman who wrote (3780)	9/27/1998 9:28:00 PM
From: Seconds Out	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 10081

I just got back from a few days away and was intrigued by some of the events and posts during this time frame. Regarding the advertising schedule being pushed ahead, I don't think it was out of concern about sluggish subscriber growth. I say this because I believe management's expectations for the initial roll out was for it to be a final phase of beta testing. Let them see what type of feedback they get from a nationwide network of users, who also happen to be shareholders or others close to the company for the most part. It was the final test for deficiencies like time zone issues, e-mail forwarding, etc., and was being done with a very forgiving customer base. A shrewd move in my opinion. I think management gave a conservative date for beginning the ads because they didn't know how long it would take for an acceptable concept to be agreed upon and for the ads to be created. Not missing deadlines has been important to management for some time now. I do believe management has recognized the need for moving forward more quickly because of the stock market's reaction to this very conservative approach, and is now balancing its cautiousness with some agressiveness also due to recent announcements by potential competition. They could have held the ads even though complete, but wisely saw fit to commence now. I believe that the company is not doing the ad campaign to protect the resellers. I may be synical, but I feel that most of the initial resellers were signed up because "they were there" and the quantity would show well. Obviously, it didn't show well enough based on the stock price movement right after roll out. The list was not a who's who, and only a handful are major players in their market. Some resellers will survive due to their size and existing business relationships with the target market in their respective areas. Certainly GMGC's ads will help to a degree as well. I believe that a new generation of resellers will be coming aboard who are truly national, or at least regional, in scope. These new resellers will complement the stronger existing resellers, and will provide positive momentum until the Carriers begin offering the service in earnest. By sometime next year many of the resellers on the day one list will be gone but the market will not care. The Portico service will survive or fail without regard to most of the early resellers. I can already picture the images from the WSJ ad in point of sale displays at Circuit City, Comp USA, or Best Buys just like they are now integrated into the website. Drew, I agree that GMGC does not have to worry about creating the unified messaging market, but I think it is too severe to say that they need to worry about keeping up with it. As you know, Portico is much more than unified messaging. I think they are ahead of the curve on the technology front, but need to get with some major players as far as implementation...getting the product to the marketplace. I am expecting that need starting to be answered over the next month, IMHO. I would, as always, appreciate any feedback pro or con to my thoughts. Seconds Out.