January 31, 2009 24 Comments

Not Just The Web

RC Airplane When we think of how the web has changed this, we think about our ability to have a voice and express ourselves. When asked to define “Web 2.0,” I usually just shortcut and say it’s the two-way web. It’s our ability to shoot back that makes it interesting.

It is also, very much, about the removal of distribution roadblocks, of jumping the hurdles of authority.

I’m happy with this post by Chris Anderson (Long Tail, Wired,). In it, Anderson reports about a geeky side project that has now become a small business. But that’s not the story. He gives us the story closer to the end.

He built what amounts to an unassisted aerial vehicle for about $500, and has set up shop so that other remove controlled airplane enthusiasts could do the same. This used to be a military-owned technology, but with some tinkering, with a community, Chris has opened it up.

There’s something powerful in this story, if you extrapolate it beyond what Chris has done. Do you see it? Can you see possibility in all kinds of other areas?

Photo credit Erik Charlton

ChrisBrogan.com runs on the Genesis Framework

Genesis Theme Framework

The Genesis Framework empowers you to quickly and easily build incredible websites with WordPress. Whether you're a novice or advanced developer, Genesis provides you with the secure and search-engine-optimized foundation that takes WordPress to places you never thought it could go.

With automatic theme updates and world-class support included, Genesis is the smart choice for your WordPress website or blog.

Become a StudioPress Affiliate

  • http://www.suzemuse.ca Sue Murphy

    I suppose it’s a sort of “if you build it, they will come” approach but with a good twist. Anderson did not start this business because he wanted to make a quick buck. The business grew out of his passion for this type of technology. Therefore, everything he put into it had genuine intention behind it. The community grew out of a shared passion – he had the ability to seek out those people who wanted to be involved with this stuff.

    This is a good lesson for those of us who are out here trying to build successful businesses and an excellent reminder of where our intentions should lie. Thanks for sharing this.

  • http://www.suzemuse.ca Sue Murphy

    I suppose it’s a sort of “if you build it, they will come” approach but with a good twist. Anderson did not start this business because he wanted to make a quick buck. The business grew out of his passion for this type of technology. Therefore, everything he put into it had genuine intention behind it. The community grew out of a shared passion – he had the ability to seek out those people who wanted to be involved with this stuff.

    This is a good lesson for those of us who are out here trying to build successful businesses and an excellent reminder of where our intentions should lie. Thanks for sharing this.

  • http://www.suzemuse.ca Sue Murphy

    I suppose it’s a sort of “if you build it, they will come” approach but with a good twist. Anderson did not start this business because he wanted to make a quick buck. The business grew out of his passion for this type of technology. Therefore, everything he put into it had genuine intention behind it. The community grew out of a shared passion – he had the ability to seek out those people who wanted to be involved with this stuff.

    This is a good lesson for those of us who are out here trying to build successful businesses and an excellent reminder of where our intentions should lie. Thanks for sharing this.

  • http://inoveryourhead.net Julien

    Nice one, but Chris Anderson from TED is a different guy than the Wired or Long Tail guy.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Anderson_(TED)
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Anderson_(writer)

  • http://inoveryourhead.net Julien

    Nice one, but Chris Anderson from TED is a different guy than the Wired or Long Tail guy.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Anderson_(TED)
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Anderson_(writer)

  • http://inoveryourhead.net Julien

    Nice one, but Chris Anderson from TED is a different guy than the Wired or Long Tail guy.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Anderson_(TED)
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Anderson_(writer)

  • http://stevenimmons.org Steve Nimmons

    Some of the power of Web2 is removal of hierarchy (although I would also argue a counterpoint that Web2 is creating its own hierarchy). I have something of a theory that the ‘Web2′ power brokers are becoming the new ‘A&R’ men spotting and promoting talent in the digital pool.

    Back on point :-) – self-belief and availability of ‘reinforcing’ examples of others’ success is a great motivator. This is where Web2 has really revolutionised the ‘opportunity space’…

  • http://stevenimmons.org Steve Nimmons

    Some of the power of Web2 is removal of hierarchy (although I would also argue a counterpoint that Web2 is creating its own hierarchy). I have something of a theory that the ‘Web2′ power brokers are becoming the new ‘A&R’ men spotting and promoting talent in the digital pool.

    Back on point :-) – self-belief and availability of ‘reinforcing’ examples of others’ success is a great motivator. This is where Web2 has really revolutionised the ‘opportunity space’…

  • http://stevenimmons.org Steve Nimmons

    Some of the power of Web2 is removal of hierarchy (although I would also argue a counterpoint that Web2 is creating its own hierarchy). I have something of a theory that the ‘Web2′ power brokers are becoming the new ‘A&R’ men spotting and promoting talent in the digital pool.

    Back on point :-) – self-belief and availability of ‘reinforcing’ examples of others’ success is a great motivator. This is where Web2 has really revolutionised the ‘opportunity space’…

  • http://dannybrown.me Danny Brown

    Isn’t this what Open Source has been doing for years, though?

    Look at the WordPress community – the amount of plug-ins that are released every day show that if you have something worth sharing, and do it, you’ll get the users.

  • http://dannybrown.me Danny Brown

    Isn’t this what Open Source has been doing for years, though?

    Look at the WordPress community – the amount of plug-ins that are released every day show that if you have something worth sharing, and do it, you’ll get the users.

  • http://dannybrown.me Danny Brown

    Isn’t this what Open Source has been doing for years, though?

    Look at the WordPress community – the amount of plug-ins that are released every day show that if you have something worth sharing, and do it, you’ll get the users.

  • http://www.seoresults.co.za Jaq @ SEO Results

    Good grief, the links off this post to the story and beyond led to loads of interesting stuff! GPS is key to this autopilot board they’re promoting, and it is really cool to see an enthusiasts’ passion culminate in a working, viable product, albeit in an extremely niche, hobbyist type market.

    Danny’s comparison to WordPress works for me, I can not agree more. There are loads of really passionate people doing awesome stuff with WordPress, and it’s growing versatility is truly amazing.

  • http://www.seoresults.co.za Jaq @ SEO Results

    Good grief, the links off this post to the story and beyond led to loads of interesting stuff! GPS is key to this autopilot board they’re promoting, and it is really cool to see an enthusiasts’ passion culminate in a working, viable product, albeit in an extremely niche, hobbyist type market.

    Danny’s comparison to WordPress works for me, I can not agree more. There are loads of really passionate people doing awesome stuff with WordPress, and it’s growing versatility is truly amazing.

  • http://www.seoresults.co.za Jaq @ SEO Results

    Good grief, the links off this post to the story and beyond led to loads of interesting stuff! GPS is key to this autopilot board they’re promoting, and it is really cool to see an enthusiasts’ passion culminate in a working, viable product, albeit in an extremely niche, hobbyist type market.

    Danny’s comparison to WordPress works for me, I can not agree more. There are loads of really passionate people doing awesome stuff with WordPress, and it’s growing versatility is truly amazing.

  • Pingback: It’s a race to see who will win first – Social Media or repression - WinExtra

  • Pingback: Are We Following The Wrong People? | Regular Geek

  • Pingback: Ruud Questions: Alexander van Elsas | Search Engine People | Toronto

  • Pingback: Demystifying Social Media for companies « Alexander van Elsas’s Weblog on new media & technologies and their effect on social behavior

  • Pingback: Long Tail Software | Front Office Box

  • coach_outlet

    that's so gooooood!
    BTW
    does anyone seen http://www.gucci-outlet-store.com,
    http://www.discount-coach-outlet.com and
    http://www.louis-vuitton-outlet-store.com before?
    my friends give me these webs, but i donno witch one is good,
    who can Select one for me please?

  • http://www.ozgurdunyam.com SesliSohbet

    Thank you for the information your provide.
    sesli
    Sesli Chat
    SesliSohbet siteleri
    SesliSohbet

  • http://www.usaugg-shops.com UGG

    ancient flame totem
    it stops the mouth not to say suddenly. three monster fox in front of it, have stood slowly, the hand extends to the bosom, put out nightfall uggs discount ugg boots both sides to have the red silk guangzhou's magic weapon, was precisely the unreliable fire warning. in this hot flame steamings in the lava burrow, the unreliable fire warning is also short black ugg illuminated faintly blushes, but center it that ancient flame totem, ugg usa as if also will at this moment burn ultra short ugg general, several want to spurt thinly. three monster fox,

    open in the ugg uk small ordinary way of seeing things that gentle white clothing female, at this moment is staring in hand's unreliable fire warning, several, some drop of teardrops, have not dropped quietly suddenly in the unreliable fire warning, a moment later, changes to makes the white smoke, curls raises. the book arrives at here, what is really the tear falls the front piece, mourns in one's heart, if dies, compares the author to write about here also unavoidably to stop the pen not to be good, does not endure to continue, that falls quietly waterdrop, but also withers and falls between your mine heart

  • Ugg boots sale

    1.Ugg footwear is a great regard for your base like many reasons.cheap uggs for sale. Probably the most rocky landscape. Another equally important disputeugg uk is the ever-mounting medley of styles ugg boots saleand ensign that you are removable to buy ugg boots, actually form to the shape of the arch.。 UGG Bailey Button★UGG Argyle Knit★UGG Cardy★UGG Crochet★UGG Flower★UGG Leopard★UGG Mini★UGG Paisley★UGG Short★UGG Tall★UGG Elsey Wedge★UGG Infants Erin★UGG Langley★UGG Lo Pro★UGG Lo Pro Button★UGG Locarno★UGG Mayfaire★UGG Nightfall★UGG Rainier Eskimo★UGG Sundance II★UGG Ultimate Bind★UGG Ultra Short★UGG Ultra Tall★UGG Suede★UGG Upside★UGG Roxy★UGG Seline★UGG Corinth Wedge★UGG Liberty★UGG Highkoo★UGG Knightsbridge★UGG Bomber Jacket★UGG Adirondack★UGG Suburb Crochet★UGG Bailey Button Boots★UGG Classic Argyle Knit★UGG Classic Cardy Boots★UGG Classic Crochet Boots★UGG Classic Flower boots★UGG Classic Tall Boots 5684 Leopard★UGG Classic Mini Boots★UGG Classic Paisley Boots★UGG Classic Short Boots★UGG Classic Tall Boots★UGG Elsey wedge Boots★UGG Infant's Erin Baby★UGG Women's Langley Boots Black★UGG Lo Pro Button Boots★UGG Women's Locarno Boots★UGG Mayfaire boots★UGG Nightfall Boots★UGG Rainier Eskimo Boots★UGG Sundance II Boots★UGG Ultimate Bind Boots★UGG Ultra Short Boots★UGG Ultra Tall Boots★UGG Suede Boots★UGG upside Boots★UGG Roxy Tall Boots★UGG seline Boots★UGG Women's Corinth Boots in Cocoa★UGG Liberty Boots★UGG Highkoo Boots★UGG Knightsbridge Boots★UGG Bomber Jacket Boots★UGG Adirondack Tall Boot★UGG Suburb Crochet Boots★
    2.MBT Habari★MBT Karani★MBT Kaya★MBT Kisumu★MBT Lami★MBT M.Walk★MBT Moto GTX★MBT Sapatu★MBT Sport 2★MBT Tariki★air jordan shoes