Rice’s Riffs

Yahoo! has launched their new social networking platform into private beta. It is very Facebook-like with some interesting features. If you would like an invitation to try it out email me wmrice [at] gmail [dot] com.
My Yahoo!Mash Profile: http://mash.yahoo.com/wmriceusa

The announcement that IBM has received approval for mortgage originations could be bigger news than many might first imagine. This could be the entrance of mortgage as a service (MaaS) taken from the lessons of SaaS.

IBM Lender Business Process Services, or LBPS, received clearance to provide mortgage origination services for federally insured Federal Housing Administration [...]

Does this enhance conversion rates?
Tags: hugh macleod, advertising, conversion, consumer, marketing

There is major focus on the current mortgage market and the myriad of effects on everything from consumers to advertisers. But are is there a bigger economic picture to be heeded?
Should we be tweaking our business plans and preparing our investment portfolios for a recession?
Tags: mike rivers, investments, portfolio, mortgage market, investing, recession

While the media and the market is focused on mortgage meltdowns, downgrading online Ad companies, and maybe even pitch-forking a few lead generation companies a few smart people (notice, I added myself–hey, it is my blog there must be a bit of ego in me) are thinking about building a better lead generation mouse trap:

Jerry [...]

I tripped upon (via Steve Rubel’s Lifestream) an interesting article about the decline of face to face chat in our digital world.
Perhaps this is why I so enjoy a great conversation and the occasional flared debate.
Tags: social networks, conversation, bill rice, chat

I want to know more about my readers. What do you read? What do you find interesting? Who are you?
So, here is my thought–send [wmrice AT gmail DOT com] me or do the following:

If you use Google Reader send me your share link. Here is mine
If you don’t use Google Reader make sure I have [...]

First, if you have not begun reading Marc Andreessen’s blog, put it in your feed reader and start.
Now, turn your attention to Marc’s analysis of Facebook and ignore any reference to “Facebook.”
I often find that Web 2.0 labeled technologies’ infrastructure and philosophical value is lost in the immaturity of current users implementation. That is [...]

One of my perennially favorite fantasy players, Kevin Youkilis, just started blogging: Yooooouuuuukkkkk
I love this trend that I think started with Curt Schilling. This is a great way to bring the fans back inside the game!
Technorati Tags: Youkilis, baseball, blog, mlb, boston, redsox

This is one of the big questions and ideas for the future that Dave Winer ponders.
Technorati Tags: Internet, archives, social content