The Development Abstraction Layer – Joel on Software

Interesting article, but bullshit from my experience. Successful software companies are driven by good marketing, which identifies unfilled needs. Programmers implement the solution. The problem is when companies create solutions that nobody needs. Certain programmers may have marketing acumen, but they're two distinct roles, and the marketing role is drastically more important to the business. FWIW, I was a programmer, and now manage programmers.

People are making big bucks through business in virtual words or social networking.

Second Life Businesses – various businesses selling things in the Second Life virtual world, including Anshe Chung estimated to make $150k/year through virtual real estate. How long before the first SL Starbucks?

The MySpace Economy – guy makes $200k/year through site hosting tools for users to customize their MySpace profiles. Other entrepreneurs customize profiles for a fee.  Buying an online personality?