This 530 word article published by CNN could have easily been shortened into just 83 words:

"Prominent internet thinkers" (who ever they are) believe that we'll run out of IP addresses by the end of the year. This situation is a lot like what phone companies experienced in the late 80's when they ran out of phone number. Currently, our system for assigning IP addresses can only handle 32 bits of data, which allows for 8 numbers.  One solution, called IPv6 (for "version six), has been in development for about decade and can handle 128 bits of data.

Maybe it's not so much "innovation" because the technology is here to accomplish it, but it's the ability to make things happen.

See the FCC wants to have 100Mbps service to 260 million people in 2020. That's along the same lines as Obama wanting all cars to get 35mpg by 2016. Of course, both of those goals could have been met last year.

But back to really fast internet.

Gigaom highlights a few municipalities, organizations, and businesses bringing super fast internet to homes and businesses. In this article is a quote that really stands out:

No doubt there are others capable of providing advanced communication services. But unless we did it ourselves, we didn’t believe that others would bring these type services to every home and business in our community.

Never say, “I didn’t have time to do it.” It’s a lazy excuse. You always have time. It’s much better to say, “I chose not to do it” or “I decided to do something different with my time instead.”

Dear Foursquare…if I’m ever framed for murder, will you act as my alibi in court so long as I’ve checked in somewhere other than the murder scene?

Because if so, that’s the only reason I can think of why I’d want to tell the world where I’m at every hour of every day.

I had now idea that a guy like Adam, who’s face looks as smooth as a baby’s bottom (I wouldn’t know actually because I’ve never touched it) could grow something so woolly. Truly amazing!

I can’t say I have ever watched an advertisement that has delighted my senses to the point where, after watching it, I walked away wanting to buy the product. That is until I watched Old Spice’s The Man Your Man Could Smell Like YouTube commercial.

So for my birthday, my wife gifted me a bottle of Old Spice High Endurance Body Wash (yes, the 3X clean version) so that I can stop smelling like lady scented body wash and start smelling like a “man.”

Update: This is my second favorite Old Spice commercial.

One of my chats…

Bob: Hi Cookie Monster!
Bob: One moment while I read your comment (Ps. You’re my favorite Sesame Street character)
Cookie Monster: C is for cookies (ref)
Bob: I like cookies too.
Bob: So it looks like you are having troubles logging in, huh?
Cookie Monster: Nope, I can’t log in.
Bob: I’m sorry to hear that. Can you please delete your cookies?
Cookie Monster: What?! Why do I want to delete my cookies? I want to EAT my cookies!
Bob: Oh, I’m sorry, not the cookies you eat, but the cookies in your browser.
Cookie Monster: My browser has cookies? I did not know that.
Cookie Monster: Where can I find them? I want to eat them.
Bob: Ummm, maybe we should start with clearing your cache.
Cookie Monster: Ok, how do I do that?

I was less than impressed with the iPad when it came out. When I got to touch it and play with it, I grew fond of it. But there was something missing from it for me: purpose.

Now it has purpose because 37signals came out with Draft, a sketch app.

This is really exciting for me because I come up with ideas all the time (just ask my wife). I jot them down on paper and eventually scan and transfer them over to my computer to put in Evernote (the second purpose-driven app for the iPad) for safe keeping.

Now I just need an iPad.

I have this belief that in business and life, one can never be too late. Too late to start, too late to change, too late to grow up, too late to un-grow up, or too late to beat the competition.

MySpace
Just look at MySpace. The reigning King of social networks in the early 2000's was booted from his throne and is now forgotten. Why? Because a new prince (yes, a lowly prince) allured the people with his good looks and charm. Facebook was a welcoming sight (literally) to the ugly and immature choice we had before it.

MySpace dominated the social networking space and was one of the most visited sites in the world. One of the most visited sites in the w.o.r.l.d. Now they are the 29th most visited site (as of July, 2010 according to this site) and Facebook is #1.

Today, the old king is back with a new facelift. But is it too late for it to regain the throne? Despite my earlier stated belief, I think it's too late. That is, if MySpace is planning to head up against Facebook, it is too late. But if they focus on a slightly different niche, then they will simply change the game and become king once again, but  in a different arena. That would be a wise move, indeed.

Craigslist
Just look at Craigslist. This king's ways are so so simple that even the paupers can use it. He's devastated the neighboring townsfolk's businesses and made it really easy for people to sell stuff, find jobs, find employees, find significant others, and much much more.

Along the road, young lads try to take on the King, but so far none have succeed. One such competitor is Oodle, which recently was purchased by WalMart. While Craigslist appearance could be likened to a burlap sack (which is about the only area I think could be improved), Oodle's interface is just too cluttery. I can't imagine what browsing and posting is like.

Craigslist came at just the right time and provides just the right service for millions of people. They are sitting in a perfect seat - the kings seat.

Beating Craigslist
Though tough, I think it can be done. And Oodle has already failed IMHO. To beat Craigslist, or any other "king", I think there are 4 ways to do so:

1. Keep it simple, but improve it's looks (good looks count)
2. Stay focused on the niche (though Craigslist caters to hundreds of categories, they are still and only a classified service).
3. Look for the weaknesses (Craigslist get's spam, people will grow tired. Look for a way to decrease the noise and increase the relevance. Also, Craigslist is so simple yet they never add features. Don't pour on the gravy, just add some parsley.)
4. Make it fun.

I don't think I'll ever have the desire to take on Craigslist, but there are plenty of other fish in the sea and those are the 4 principles I keep in mind when I'm thinking about an idea I have.

I'll leave you with today's Gaping Void lesson:

All great ideas come with great stories baked-in. And all great stories have adversity baked-in. "Against the odds" etc. David doesn't always beat Goliath in real life, of course. That said, being David is the human condition. Being Goliath is not. -Futility via Gaping Void