Close
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home IT Management
    • IT Management

    Next-Gen Jim Rapoza

    By
    Jim Rapoza
    -
    January 29, 2007
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      Its the latest and greatest new thing! It will solve all your technology problems and save you time and money! Its not only a big productivity booster, but its also cool, l33t, wicked awesome—whatever the cool kids are saying nowadays.

      Its Jim Rapoza 2.0!

      So what is Jim Rapoza 2.0? Its sort of like classic Jim Rapoza, but it uses all the technologies, products and trends that are getting the most press and attention right now: blogs, RSS, wikis, podcasts, social networks and so on.

      I know what youre thinking: Isnt that just classic Jim Rapoza with some new functionality thrown in? And really, Jim, youve been in this technology writing game for a long time now. Shouldnt we be up to something more like Jim Rapoza 7.0?

      All these things are true, sure. But they also illustrate why you, dear reader, have no future in public relations, marketing and general self-promotion. Linking yourself or your products to some cool new technology isnt really about doing something new; its mainly about providing the illusion of doing something new.

      You see, I hit upon the idea of Jim Rapoza 2.0 after I started seeing the term “Enterprise 2.0” time and time again in recent months. Like you, I thought, Enterprise 2.0? Come on! Enterprise technology is pretty darn old. I mean, if it had versions, wed be in double digits by now.

      Also, when I looked at the products that were being positioned as Enterprise 2.0 solutions, I thought, Whats the big deal? They typically seem to fit into one of two camps: Either the Enterprise 2.0 product is a classic enterprise product, such as a document management system or portal, that has added some Web 2.0 features, or it is a standard Web 2.0 app, such as a blog or wiki, that has added features so its a little more enterprise-friendly.

      When I first looked at these supposedly new and radically updated products and services, none of their improvements struck me as being all that major. And, in the past, when products went through much more radical changes, no one saw a need to rename or reposition whole product categories—for example, back in the 1990s, when classic enterprise systems became Internet- and Web-capable.

      But then I realized I was thinking like a technologist and an IT guy and not like a marketing and sales guru. Sure, an IT guy looks at these products and thinks, Whats the big deal? You added some common-sense capabilities, and now you act like its this whole new thing?

      But these savvy Enterprise 2.0 companies arent pitching their products to IT professionals. Smart and capable IT people tend to be a little boring when it comes to enterprise systems. They are more than happy to stick with an older but solid system rather than move to some newer system for fairly minor new capabilities (especially for capabilities that often easily can be added through third-party and free open-source products).

      Instead, the Enterprise 2.0 pitch is directed at businesspeople, who often are not very technology-savvy but are increasingly controlling the IT spending at their companies.

      Lots of these people come from the sales side, and lets face it: The people in sales today were often the cool kids in high school.

      Its like the kids today who will drop hundreds of dollars for the latest iPod, even though lesser-known MP3 players often offer more features and capabilities. They know its not about actual value; its about being seen with the white earbuds. When these people grow up to buy IT products, they dont want to be seen as some loser with old products. They want the latest and greatest—they want Enterprise 2.0!

      Put me down as a believer anyway. Sure, some of the sensible-shoe grandma types might say Enterprise 2.0 products look pretty much like the same old thing. But, by adding those two little numbers, I, like the Enterprise 2.0 vendors, can send out press releases and present myself in the marketplace as if I were actually doing something cool and radical.

      So, say hello to Jim Rapoza 2.0 because hes here to stay. Well, at least until some other new technology trend comes along. (Next-Gen Jim, anyone?)

      Labs Director Jim Rapoza can be reached at jim_rapoza@ziffdavis.com.

      Check out eWEEK.coms for the latest news, reviews and analysis on IT management.

      Jim Rapoza
      Jim Rapoza, Chief Technology Analyst, eWEEK.For nearly fifteen years, Jim Rapoza has evaluated products and technologies in almost every technology category for eWEEK. Mr Rapoza's current technology focus is on all categories of emerging information technology though he continues to focus on core technology areas that include: content management systems, portal applications, Web publishing tools and security. Mr. Rapoza has coordinated several evaluations at enterprise organizations, including USA Today and The Prudential, to measure the capability of products and services under real-world conditions and against real-world criteria. Jim Rapoza's award-winning weekly column, Tech Directions, delves into all areas of technologies and the challenges of managing and deploying technology today.

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Big Data and Analytics

      Alteryx’s Suresh Vittal on the Democratization of...

      James Maguire - May 31, 2022 0
      I spoke with Suresh Vittal, Chief Product Officer at Alteryx, about the industry mega-shift toward making data analytics tools accessible to a company’s complete...
      Read more
      Cybersecurity

      Visa’s Michael Jabbara on Cybersecurity and Digital...

      James Maguire - May 17, 2022 0
      I spoke with Michael Jabbara, VP and Global Head of Fraud Services at Visa, about the cybersecurity technology used to ensure the safe transfer...
      Read more
      Applications

      Cisco’s Thimaya Subaiya on Customer Experience in...

      James Maguire - May 10, 2022 0
      I spoke with Thimaya Subaiya, SVP and GM of Global Customer Experience at Cisco, about the factors that create good customer experience – and...
      Read more
      Cloud

      IGEL CEO Jed Ayres on Edge and...

      James Maguire - June 14, 2022 0
      I spoke with Jed Ayres, CEO of IGEL, about the endpoint sector, and an open source OS for the cloud; we also spoke about...
      Read more
      Big Data and Analytics

      GoodData CEO Roman Stanek on Business Intelligence...

      James Maguire - May 4, 2022 0
      I spoke with Roman Stanek, CEO of GoodData, about business intelligence, data as a service, and the frustration that many executives have with data...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2022 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×