The International Broadcasting Bureau, an arm of the US government, has slipped some bucks to Anonymizer to make their identity protection free for users from Iran. This enables the users to access Web sites that the mullahs have deemed threatening immoral.

I do enough trashing of government entities here that's it's just fair to check in when one does show a clue. I'm proud to pay my taxes for this little subsidy. Here's hoping the folks in Iran find something amusing and liberating to do with the service.

Via Pejman
8:58:23 PM    

"...what we mean by information... is a difference which makes a difference." - Gregory Bateson

That's a quote and essay that I have recommended to those of the geek persuasion who get a little too far into the Shannonesque view of things. For the entrepreneur putting together a business plan or pitch, though, a questioning form of Bateson's definition should be almost a mantra: "Is this a difference that makes a difference?"

Entrepreneurs are legitimately driven to seek and exploit every bit of differentiation to be found in their technology, market access, team and partnerships. But everyone in this end of the business repeatedly sees pitches where that crucial question is not asked, where the whole batch of cards collapses with one sharp interjection:

"We're six months ahead of the market with our technology!" Isn't the typical sales cycles with these customers 12 months?

"We can prove a savings of 15% on this BOM item!" Will a product manager buy into the risk inherent in your new technology?

"We've got the most sophisticated summarization feature yet, and it's patented!" Does your market segment view that as core functionality, or a feature?

You get the picture. Often a nominal difference (differentiation) doesn't really make a difference by the time it reaches the customers. No information, no value added, no business case. The Bateson question is a diagnostic for this. Many people find it hard to attack their own plans in this way. If that's the case, give the most contrarian team member a black hat and a charter to attack. Or find a good, experienced friend or advisor to apply the needle, with bribes and forgiveness for each whopper diagnosed. Better they find it than we do.
5:45:36 PM    

A great post at Winds of Change on the coming 'Mobile Parts Hospital' that will deal with military vehicle maintenance by fabbing replacements on the spot. Also an excellent and informed discussion on the implications for American military and competitive advantages, and links to civilian trends. Entrepreneurs take note.
1:07:14 PM