Dear Papa,We know that you are on the cutting edge of technology so we wanted to know if you were one of the lucky small business entrepreneurs like us who got an iPhone?

Charles and Megan Wilkshire, Helena MT

Dear Helena Empty (and Charles and Megan)…

Unfortunately even though I am, as you say, on the cutting edge of technology, I have been burned all too often by being a guinea pig…uh…beta tester…what I mean to say is…an early adopter of new technology. I subscribe to the philosophy of letting other lab rats work out all the defects in a product before I submit myself to such pain.

And, I’m cheap.

But since you asked, here is a link to a really funny video about a guy, maybe a small business owner, who tried to get an iPhone. I hope you enjoy.

View “The Solo Entrepreneur and the iPhone”

Dear Papa,

I see you have a link to Line Rider on your site. Does that mean that it is taking over your life like it is mine?

Slip Sliding Away, Duluth MN

Dear Mr. (or Ms.?) Away…

I assume you are referring to the highly addictive Flash “game” called Line Rider. You’re right, I have provided a link to that “resource” under the del.icio.us links sidebar. (You do know about Delicious right? Web 2.0? Bought by Yahoo? Hmm? If not, then get a clue and read my fascinating thoughts on Web 2.0.)

Anyway, back to your cry for help about Line Rider; the game where your draw the lines that the cute monkey-looking sled rider follows. I have to admit that my kids and I have enjoyed the nifty videos that Line Rider freaks have produced on YouTube and Google Video (sorry for being redundant).

And since I am a “Web 2.0 Professional” I have taken this “tool” for a test run in the effort to learn more about what one can do with Flash. But, since I do not see any immediate revenue-generating opportunities from developing Line Rider skills I would advise that you focus your creative energy elsewhere. Here’s an idea! Maybe you could start a Line Riders Anonymous support group and make it a virtual community. Then all of you sick LR addicts could IM each other when you get the urge to slip ‘n slide.

If that doesn’t work then you may need to get professional counseling. I frankly do not have the bandwith right now so call somebody else.

(now where did I put that pen tablet?)

Dear Papa,

I keep on reading about new web sites and companies that are using something called Web 2.0? What is Web 2.0 and where can I get a copy?

Sincerely, Nate Dayton OH

Mr. OH! Where did you ever get such a cool middle name like Dayton? Anyway, I’m so glad you asked about Web 2.0 or as I like to call it WEB…TWO…OH!

I’m so, soooo, sorry that you are apparently still using Web 1.0 or as we Web 2.0 Gurus like to call it…antiquated puny web. It is about time you enter the new millennium and start learning about the next generation of webness.

Here is my short list of things that put the OH! in Web 2.0…

1. You need a cool Web 2.0 name with lots of x’s and o’s or missing vowels or if you want to really be cutting edge get one of those names that have lots of dots in them like u.rsopu.nyw.eb (no www or .com to be the coolest). If you need some assitance in this area use this fancy Web 2.0 name generator which will generate a name and also a cool Web 2.0 business idea.
2. You need to use a Really, Really, Really… BIG typeface on your Web 2.0 site. This is so obvious that it hurts to write it but get a clue…Web 2.0 is BIGGER than antiquated puny web so use a bigger font!
3. To be Web 2.0 you need to use the latest cool TWO OH! technologies like AJAX, RSS, tags, mashups, social bookmarking, MySpace-ness, you know cutting edge-type stuff.

Nat, there is so much more to write but listen I’ve got to go change my domain name to p.ps.ft!

In the meantime, here are some helpful links to assist you in your Web 2.0 research:

• Wikipedia entry for Web 2.0
• The O’Reilly article that coined the term Web 2.0

Make sure to write me back when you get a clue.

I don’t understand “ask papa” humor…

Even if you don’t get the humor in any of my “Ask Papa” posts I will be sure to include some legitimate links at the end of the articles to help you learn more about the subject.