Andy recognized by The Standard

Congrats are in order for pal and uber Blogger Andy Abramson - his blog Voip Watch was just recognized as one of the top B-Z blogs by The Standard. Personally I consider Andy an A blogger of the highest caliber in the Communications field, but these accolades are a bit different as The Standard is an all business encompassing publication - VoIP is crossing over from niche to mainstream and Andy is at the head of the pack.

Andy and I both share a passion for Bleeding Edge communications. Although I can't speak for Andy, I believe he shares the following sentiments. The driving reason we are in this field is simply what the Standard is recognizing here. VoIP and related IP communications can radically change the way you do business, it is so much more than cheap phone calls. It is empowering and exciting to take SMB's and show them inexpensive solutions that can give them an incredible advantage over their competition, thus changing the way they do business forever. It is that aha! moment when the CEO or VP of Sales of a company sees the possibilities of how this stuff can help them, which drives us.

Congrats Andy!

Kudo's from Alec here.

Skype chat with eBay buyers? Not a chance

Being probably the most vocal proponent of Skype in NA (I mean I love this software) - I drive people nuts talking about it, rarely do any of my business conversations not have an exchange about Skype - or a username etc., with a client or partner, or the inevitable 'oh you have to try it, let me send you a headset...

But I found myself in an interesting predicament today: I dabble in eBay, I sell used movies and assorted media, games etc., and replace it with new stuff occasionally. Not having listed an item for sale in probably 6 months - I put a few up to be bid on as I head out for vacation next week. I was presented with an option I had not seen before in eBay Canada - which was to list my Skype username for voice and chat connections with potential buyers. Well in a work, NOT BLOODY LIKELY. The beautiful part about eBay lies in the fact I have to do nothing after I put up the auction - no contact (maybe a question or two) with any buyers and that is fantastic. There are no expectations from either party to provide that level of support, mostly due to the fact the stuff is greatly discounted and quite frankly self explanatory.

This probably doesn't hold true for super high value items like cars, or property - but in those cases I still want that seller to have a storefront and a 1800 number - it gives a sense of legitimacy to the purchase - I am not sure why.

Until I was faced with this question - I didn't fully understand the confusion and skepticism I heard from eBay powersellers back in 2006 at the eBay live devcon and show in Vegas - they didn't understand why eBay wanted them to talk to their buyers - now I get it.

Note to eBay - get out, there is no fit, don't wait a year. Google and Apple can do something grand with Skype. Get out of the way and unload it.

Power of 3? yeah right.