The Next Big Thing

[mrmarket]

You make a valid point Huge One. How much of an effect will Myspace have on the actual NWS stock price?

Well...right now Myspace is charging dirt cheap advertising rates...and their revenue stream is small. That's not a bad thing though, since online rates are really starting to increase.

I tell you..the site is addictive and it has ALL of the add-ins that Yahoo and Google have (search, groups, forums, email, pictures, video, audio, etc). It is a very very very clever business model. I'd say it's the best thing on the internet right now.

Getting back to your original question, NWS has about 22 billion in revenue so it would take a while before Myspace can start to move this stock. Having said that, ADM's stock has moved with ethanol. I guess if you could hedge against the rest of NWS crappy businesses somehow, there would be a way to benefit from Myspace.

[dmk112]

I agree with the VOIP. I have been using skype lately and have been impressed.

Funny you mention TIII, as I was watching it sometime ago a'la poorman.

Vonage is releasing an IPO some time this year...it should be huge.

[grebnet]

Tiii

Im glad to see someone else geting excited about TIII. I bought a lot on 4/4/ and 4/5 , so have been in the hole for a while.

[skiracer]

I like this idea. Where do you buy from? PA alcohol laws suck, but they are getting more lenient. I think (but not 100% sure) that I can legally import wine from dealers. I think...

I'm not sure about the PA alcohol laws but if you contact some of the top wineries in California they will give you the low down on buying case lots of their future years production in advance of their releases. They can now ship to most stqtes or you can go there to pick up your purchases. It helps if you have a contact in California to take possession to store your merchandise while you make your preparations if you're going to ship it or move it yourself.
There are a growing number of small boutique vinyards and large established ones that are producing great wines from California, both whites and reds. You really have to know what wineries are in vogue and demand. Plus the ones that are putting out the great wines year after year. You just can't buy anything but have to know what is of value and what is just typical. I'll put a list together of a number of decent vinyards that would fill the bill if you're interested in starting a collection for appreciation plus enjoyment. It's become quite an industry from 15 or 20 years in the past. Now it has become harder to obtain case lots from the top wineries as their total production for future years gets sold out rather quickly as the demand has increased dramatically for the great wines. Some vinyards and years that we bought in 1986 for $10 - $15 a bottle are now worth in the range $300 to $350 if you can even get them. You would be amazed at the number of people out there with plenty of money that would pay astronomical amounts for specific vinyards an years. When you have held them that long it becomes hard to sell or trade them off as they are not really replaceable and becoming rarer every year. It's fun and great to know that you have something that is a rare commodity that everyone would like to get their hands on.

[mrmarket]

I'm not sure about the PA alcohol laws but if you contact some of the top wineries in California they will give you the low down on buying case lots of their future years production in advance of their releases. They can now ship to most stqtes or you can go there to pick up your purchases. It helps if you have a contact in California to take possession to store your merchandise while you make your preparations if you're going to ship it or move it yourself.
There are a growing number of small boutique vinyards and large established ones that are producing great wines from California, both whites and reds. You really have to know what wineries are in vogue and demand. Plus the ones that are putting out the great wines year after year. You just can't buy anything but have to know what is of value and what is just typical. I'll put a list together of a number of decent vinyards that would fill the bill if you're interested in starting a collection for appreciation plus enjoyment. It's become quite an industry from 15 or 20 years in the past. Now it has become harder to obtain case lots from the top wineries as their total production for future years gets sold out rather quickly as the demand has increased dramatically for the great wines. Some vinyards and years that we bought in 1986 for $10 - $15 a bottle are now worth in the range $300 to $350 if you can even get them. You would be amazed at the number of people out there with plenty of money that would pay astronomical amounts for specific vinyards an years. When you have held them that long it becomes hard to sell or trade them off as they are not really replaceable and becoming rarer every year. It's fun and great to know that you have something that is a rare commodity that everyone would like to get their hands on.

Ski...I like drinking red wine.

[diogenes]

Vonage is releasing an IPO some time this year...it should be huge.

I think they offered members a set price on the IPO?

[skiracer]

Ski...I like drinking red wine.

The reds are my favorites. We have an extensive collection between the 5 of us in our little cartel. I prefer to drink the better and more valuable ones as opposed to trading or selling them for profit. It is amazing how they have appreciated in value. A Caymus or Heitz Cabernet from the late
1980's is non-replaceable an if you could find one available it would cost at least $400/450 a bottle in todays market. We were buying case lots from those vinyards and those years for $10 a bottle or $100 for a 12 bottle case in 1985/1986 which were premier years an almost unobtainable now. The yuppies caught on in the late 80's and drove the prices an availability through the ceiling. The supply of the really good ones is nowhere near enough to meet the demand in todays market for the product.

[peanuts]

I'm not sure about the PA alcohol laws but if you contact some of the top wineries in California they will give you the low down on buying case lots of their future years production in advance of their releases. They can now ship to most stqtes or you can go there to pick up your purchases. It helps if you have a contact in California to take possession to store your merchandise while you make your preparations if you're going to ship it or move it yourself.
There are a growing number of small boutique vinyards and large established ones that are producing great wines from California, both whites and reds. You really have to know what wineries are in vogue and demand. Plus the ones that are putting out the great wines year after year. You just can't buy anything but have to know what is of value and what is just typical. I'll put a list together of a number of decent vinyards that would fill the bill if you're interested in starting a collection for appreciation plus enjoyment.

I went to the local spirits store and asked some PA specific questions. I guess that I can order directly from the winery, but I have to get it shipped to the state owned spirit store... PA makes people jump through hoops for alcohol... kind of like trained dogs. My guess is that this fact will limit the market participants of wine investors, and if I get in now, I should be sitting on some great (and rare in PA) stuff for the future. I even have an old pump cellar in my house that I will have to convert into a wine cellar... Thanks for the idea Skiracer.

What are some of the West Coast wineries that you suggest, and what vintages? Who makes the best Cab, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Grigio, Chard? Thanks

Ski...I like drinking red wine.

O' HUGE one, I will set aside some good red for you if the Meeting of the Minds ever takes place in Atlantic City.

[peanuts]

I think they offered members a set price on the IPO?

Vonage IPO was this morning... and tanked early on. They are losing money.

[diogenes]

Ski...I like drinking red wine.

Woot.com just went into the wine business:

http://wine.woot.com/

[jiesen]

Myspace seems to be popular with teens extending all the way to the post-college years.
Actually, not a bad idea!

How'd that Myspace play do for Newscorp? I am shorting FB today, because I know in 10 years, we'll look back on FB just like we do Myspace now. Next time the market tanks, this short will help make up for the drop in the rest of my stocks.

I have a feeling that the next company Mark Z buys trying to keep FB relevant, he'll be overpaying for it by not just $20B but more like $50B or $100B. Once everyone else realizes this, FB should be back at $30/shr, if that.

Also, it's really tough to keep your EPS growing at 50% when you dilute your stock by $50B at a time, and when there's no more market to be had.

[Websman]

Myspace = Nospace

[jiesen]

Facebook = Faceplant (just wait for it...)