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Rumors have been circling all week about a fight between Google and Microsoft over a minority stake in Facebook to essentially provide the advertising model for Facebook.

Well, Microsoft won with a $240 million dolloar minority equity stake in Facebook. Bigger than that is the price provides a tangible valuation for Facebook - which is (drum roll…) $15 billion. Wow.

Ridiculous? Yes. Dangerous? Yes. Why? It’s not worth that much - look at Skype. Sure, different model but same valuation techniques.

So what does Microsoft get out of the deal aside from the minority equity stake? Oh just the exclusive third-party advertising platform for Facebook (sorry Google). Pretty good deal to get in front of 47million users.

Reuters - Microsoft pays $240 million for Facebook stake

Tags: Facebook, Microsoft

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…I am your non-iPhone customer who has been waiting for his Windows Mobile 6 upgrade for his Blackjack that we were promised in JUNE.

It seems that AT&T has not only cannabilized their other products because of the iPhone - but also their other subscribers.

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One of my favorite programs on NPR is Tom Ashbrook’s OnPoint (9am in Iowa on 640AM). On Monday they discussed an interesting situation going on in Hollywood. Twenty years ago writers in Hollywood went on strike because they made no royalties off of video rental sales (remember VHS?). The issue now - the Internet.

As everything goes online - from trailers to scenes to full episodes and movies - the new distribution models are creating an interesting debate. If NBC makes money by showing The Office online do the writers get a cut? They get a cut from DVD sales (although they are asking for more) - should they not get a cut from online revenue? NBC can claim they do not want to guarantee a cut because the model is not proven nor are the distribution methods.

I agree with Michael Winship, President of the Writers Guild of America. If the network / studio makes money using these new distribution methods than the writers should get a percentage.

If the writers don’t get what they want - they will go on strike. TV shows will run reruns and late night shows will be stagnant. We’ll get to settle for more reality shows it appears.

What do you think?

[Update] It looks like the strike is looming - 90% of WGA (Writer’s Guild of America) have voted to authorize the strike. Read

Listen to Hollywood Showdown on OnPoint (Windows Media and Real Media)

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Flickr photo from dogwelder

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This is a simple one: If you do business on the web than you should read this book. Okay, now go buy it.

All joking aside this is a must read book by fellow Central Iowa Blogger Brett Trout. Other than the content of the book my favorite feature is the lack of legalese and straight to the point talk about legal issues when running online business.

If you run business online - whether blogging, e-commerce, advertising, social networking - you should be aware of the legal issues in everything that you do.

Brett goes beyond just running a business online but also includes those of us who do much more online - social networking, blogging, etc. Learn how to avoid scams, copyright infringement and other legal issues you wouldn’t have thought of without it.

Brett makes the point of “Avoiding Big Mistakes Before They Happen” which I see as the overall theme of the book. Do the little things now before you get into big trouble that will cost much more money and even more time.

Also, check out Brett’s interview with former Iowan and would-have-been Central Iowa Blogger Chris Pirillo.

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