Search Champs, the event itself is now over and as readers might recall I was very excited about being invited. I have many, many thoughts about the event, the interaction and what we saw, but of course to respect the NDA I must — and will — be careful about what is shared.

From what I understand the information will continue to flow (under NDA, most of it, but some of it over time the NDA will be lifted), which perhaps even excites me more. What does this mean for readers of this blog? That I could have an opportunity in the future to get early views of releases and be able to give detailed reviews of some future products as long as they come with non-NDA status. You bet I’m excited about that.

I did blog a little bit about non-NDA stuff yesterday, but admittedly it was pretty sparse. I tried experimenting blogging with just with my pen (again), instead of using the keyboard and I’m still not much better at it. At the end of this piece I’ve pointed to other Champs blog entries.

Meeting other champs
The networking aspect of this event was fantastic. Met a few people I’ve written about on this blog like Michael Arrington from TechCrunch. I was delighted to learn that he liked what I’d done with the dated OPML file Nov 15 - Dec 31, 2005 and was interested in talking to me more directly about that. Because I hadn’t heard back from him when I wrote about this originally, I didn’t really know where we stood. Now, I’ve made a connection which might lead to some other interesting things down the road. Search Champs facillitated this meeting. Michael, if you happen to be reading this, then I will definitely be getting back to you in the near future on the other thing you asked me to look at.

Also spoke at length with Nathan Weinberg from Inside Microsoft and Inside Google on a number of issues relating to blogging and search, including whether Yahoo should want to be #1 or not, which was a subject of much discussion.

I was able to personally thank Gina Tripani the editor of one of my favorite blogs: LifeHacker for all the fine work they do over there. To my surprise she offered me a comment login — of which I definitely accepted — so I can now leave comments on the Gawker properties, thank you again Gina for this generous offer and friendliness.

I mentioned to author Dori Smith (blog: backupbrain) that I considered bringing my dog-eared Javascript for the World Wide Web 3rd Edition for her to autograph and then decided that might be a bit cheesy. She said that would have been an honor as an author. Perhaps another time. I really do enjoy and use those Peachpit Press Visual Quickstart Books, especially the smaller tomes. Dori is also credited by Robert Scoble — many times, he’s really thankful — by being the person who encouraged him to blog. Dori has posted the email at Robert’s request from Tuesday June 13, 2000. Now you know who really to thank or flame Lastly, Dori mentioned a couple of Mac software titles, which I wrote one name down, and the other has escaped me. Dori, if you should happen to read this, what was the name of that program that was similar to ActiveWords again? I have the other timer one writen down.

Of course there were numerous other meetings with champs and this could become way too long if I go on, so I’ll save those other meetings for future blog entries when/where relevant. Also, there were numerous Microsoft contacts which I hope will turn out being as fruitful as well.

My 2 1/2 rusted pennies on Search Champs
Overall, I must say this event itself was outstanding. It met and exceeded my expectations on a number of levels. I do have constructive criticism on specific products/services we were shown and tried to be a vocal participant when requested and will continue to do my best to use the proper channels to give the right parties direct feedback.

Must admit I woke up this morning expecting to see the mailing list hopping with activity as it was throughout the event and some crickets were chirping. I’m guessing mostly due to the fact people are travelling home and may not be connected yet. That would be a major disappointment for me if the group dynamic doesn’t continute beyond the event itself. The inertia is there and I sincerely hope it continues.

I’ve criticized Microsoft numerous times on this blog about shipping vs. coming soon stuff and if anything I hope the former is what Microsoft focuses on doing. Ship, ship, ship, should be the company motto in 2006 and beyond. But did this lack of shipping regularly hurt Microsoft financially?

Seems like the answer is no. While we were in Champs Microsoft released impressive quarterly results:

Microsoft reported quarterly revenues of $11.84 billion, up 9 percent from a year earlier. Net income rose 5 percent year over year to $3.65 billion from $3.46 billion, or 32 cents a share. Operating income fell 2 percent to $4.66 billion. Sequential comparison: In the fiscal first quarter, revenue was $9.74 billion, with operating income of $4.05 billion and net income of $3.14 billion, or 29 cents a share.

Other Champs blogging
Richard MacManus: Microsoft Search Champs Non-NDA Stuff
Alex Barnett has more details on the DOJ privacy conversation that Microsoft lifted the NDA including a 42 minute podcast with Fred Oliveria, Dion Hinchcliffe, Joshua Porter, Chris Pirillo, Thomas Vander Wal and the Search Champs organizer, Brady Forrest.
Michael Arrington shares some first day thoughts
Dion Hinchcliffe on Trust and Privacy in Web 2.0
Ted Leung: Search Champs thoughts: “‘ve been impressed with the degree of openness that I’ve seen in the post blogging Microsoft, and with the people at Microsoft that I know personally. So I took this opportunity to try and take a step toward the world that I want to live in.”
Joshua Porter on the DOJ / Microsoft situation.
Fred Oliveria: “There needs to be a conscious effort to protect the user’s data, from all these players - together, not individually. Until we see that, this sort of story will continue to surface.”

Did this post make you go hmm?

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