In my Technology Rankings -- which are infallible! -- I gave TBD.com a very good '27' score. That meant it should survive, at minimum, and indeed, I expected it to do quite well on the heels of its launch:

I wanted to explore TBD.com before its official launch because it is well-funded, has 'old media' staffers and has amassed over 100 bloggers (nee journalists) already. Can this work? I will use my TECHNOLOGY RANKINGS algorithm to score it. I believe that hyperlocal news sites can work -- provided they seek to maximize their embrace of the meta trends I use to rank technologies and business models.

Wrong! TBD has done crashed and done burned and the future of new hyperlocal news sites, for the near future at least, is now in doubt. From Newsosaur:

The rapid implosion of the high-profile TBD news site is further evidence that hyperlocal journalism is more hype than hope for the news business. Launched with considerable fanfare and generous funding only six months ago by Allbritton Communications, TBD was the latest effort in the nation’s capital to create websites filled with intensely local coverage that, it was hoped, would attract large and loyal followings. Instead, they cost a bundle and withered for lack of interest.

TBD faltered for the same four reasons its esteemed predecessors could not get off the ground. For the record, these are the same reasons that most ill-conceived media start-ups fail.

• Small audiences
• Big expenses
• Small revenues
• Big losses

The setback at TBD will not spell the end of the hyperlocal experiment. AOL this year is spending $50 million to fund the roll-out Patch.Com in dozens of communities across the land.

In my defense, I listed TBD.com as...TBD.com (hyperlocal news). So, the jury is still out. When I look back at my rankings, I see two big issues. Under "ADAPTABILITY", it scored a 4 out of 5. This is probably correct -- in theory. Hyperlocal news ought to be able to be replicated just about anywhere. However, adapting to new (local) markets and tastes and demographics is not easy, nor cheap. That should have factored in my scoring.

Similarly, under FREE, it scores a full 5 out of 5. I clearly need to revise how I define "FREE". Yes, the service was free -- to users. But, it costs a great deal to create! A free hyperlocal service that relies almost entirely on non-paid local bloggers, say, might deserve a 5 out of 5. A big corporate entity paying 'journalists' to create content does not.

I think the model still works. And I think it still works for hyperlocal news, in fact. But, I did get this one wrong and will have to make some modifications to my methodology.

My Technology: Dinosaur Watch has included email since the inception of the list. When run against my scoring, email just doesn't match up against the future. It's not social. Not real-time.

See for yourself:  http://brianshall.com/technology_deathwatch

Email scores a 23. Certain death is a score of 18 or less. Email occupies that world I liken to fax machines. It may be around, but it becomes more marginalized with each passing day.

Not all agree. From today's GigaOm on why email won't die:

• It’s universal. Just about everyone who’s online has an email account. Email works internationally and across cultures.
• It’s simple. You don’t need to explain to anyone how to send you a file using email.
• It’s asynchronous. Unlike IM, where both parties need to be online for it to work, emails are stored until the receiver is able to deal with them.
• It has few constraints. Unlike some other communication tools, email enables you to send very rich messages: you can simultaneously email a bunch of people, include as much information as you like, use HTML to add formatting, and easily attach supporting documentation or files.
• It’s controllable. Individuals and businesses can run their own email servers. You don’t need to rely on a third party to provide your messaging service.

I don't argue with those points. I just think they, like email, are becoming increasingly irrelevant or even more true for competing services. Time will tell which of us is correct.

Not sure why Yahoo has a video finance channel. Then again, not really sure why Yahoo does anything.

Come here. Give daddy some sugar. Come on...

A couple months ago, in my CITY RANKINGS, I researched Los Angeles, the big, car-designed city of America's past.

And it scored among the very highest of all the cities I have reviewed for economic potential in the age of the smartphone wars.

And there was much gnashing of teeth. Particularly, readers from Northern California couldn't believe how high LA scored, particularly compared to San Francisco. Well, now what have we here? Two months later and a report in TechCrunch shows that venture capitalists are looking at the Los Angeles-area as the next big thing.

Go on. Gimme that sugar!

According to the survey the number one location where VCs said they expected to invest in the next year was Southern California. Specifically, 17.4% named Southern California, 12% said they planned to invest in the Southwest and 10.5% said they planned to invest in the Southeast. Only 7.9% of VCs surveyed—most of whom live in Silicon Valley—said they intended to invest in Silicon Valley.

I rank cities based on how well they are positioned to leverage the great leveling -- the current period we have entered where smartphones, hyperlocal services, free and globally scaleable networks, real-time response and social media are remaking the planet's economy. Obviously, the more potential for embracing change, new services and new wealth, then the increased likelihood for prosperity and thus, livability. But, it's not an exact correlation.

My full list here (still working toward 100): http://brianshall.com/city_rankings

My top 10:

1. Taipei

2. Tokyo

3. London

4. Singapore

5. Zurich

6. Berlin

7. Madrid

8. Dublin

9. Vancouver

10.New York

The top 10 from some group called the Economist Intelligence Unit:

1. Vancouver, Canada

2. Vienna, Austria

3. Melbourne, Australia

4. Toronto, Canada

5. Calgary, Canada

6. Helsinki, Finland

7. Sydney, Australia

8. Perth, Australia

9. Adelaide, Australia

10. Auckland, New Zealand

In my ranking of technologies and new business models, Skype is near the very top (here). Now, my Great Leveling algorithm used to rank these technologies is, dare I say, infallible, so I don't need to provide you with any justifications. Rather, this is just a very good article on an amazing game-changing, industry-shifting service:

Skype now accounts for eight percent of all outgoing global calls. The success of Skype has propelled the company to be recognized amongst the top global telecommunication services. Not only does Skype function as a social medium, it is also a money-saving tool for businesses of the future. With only five years of experience under the company’s belt, its projections for future growth in the marketplace look more than healthy. Skype has come to revolutionize phone bills and the way society is controlled by the industry. Say goodbye to costly long-distance phoning, and hello to an efficient Skype, or other VoIP solution.

Skype is not only beneficial to the daily activities of any business; it is specifically an influential tool of top entertainment industries. ESPN has adopted the use of Skype to engage in interviews that they would previously have not been able to do. With the fast-paced setup of Skype’s video conferencing, ESPN was able to interview the quarterback from Oregon during the always-busy Thanksgiving weekend. UCLA and Arizona State are both broadcasting through Skype. Skype’s ESPN partnership is bringing the public more information about the service, and increasing the awareness of VoIPs. Soon, Skype and other forms of video communication will be integrated into mainstream media.

Skype is looking ahead towards a future where all communication will go through Internet services. Josh Silverman recently stepped up to the plate as Skype’s new CEO. He hopes to better develop Skype’s popularity in the working world. Silverman promises improvements in technology and customer service. Jonathan Rosenberg has been hired as the new technologist to move Skype along further to match future competitors. Previously a “Cisco Fellow” working in the Voice Technology Group at Cisco System, he set strategies for their own business voice system. Skype’s tactical strategies for its technological advancements are riding on Rosenberg’s employment. On Rosenberg’s website, he explains his qualifications and hopes for a better Skype of the future.

As of late, Skype has introduced Skype for SIP and Skype for Asterisk. “These solutions enable your PBX to be configured so your employees will be able to make Skype calls directly from their existing desk phones, without needing any new training. And with click-to-call buttons on your website and emails customers can reach you for free when they use Skype.” These configurations make calls completely free after an initial setup, and long-distance phone conversations become unbelievably inexpensive. Skype will soon be the new standard for small businesses who can’t afford large phone bills but are still involved in global growth.

My ranking of cities still has Taipei in first place. Remember, this is a (infallible) algorithm based on factors that will determine the success of the particular urban ecosystem in the age of the Great Leveling: when technology and power and opportunity and information are evenly distributed.

This scoring and ranking of cities is *not* based on their current businesses -- as everything is being destroyed, that's not relevant. However, a reader pointed me to a Taiwanese company that I must say has impressed me and is certainly helping the city deserve its lofty ranking.

Hon Hai

Basically, if you have an iPhone or iPad or probably a Kindle or laptop or anything electronic -- of the kind that is so advanced we can no longer, if ever, make these in America -- then there's a good chance it was actually made by Hon Hai. Even if it does have a nice "designed...in Cupertino" sticker on it.

More on Hon Hai:

Hon Hai Precision Industry may be the biggest electronics company you never heard of. The company, more commonly known by its trade name, Foxconn, is one of the world's largest contract electronics manufacturers. It manufactures computer, consumer electronics, and communications products, including connectors, cable assemblies, enclosures, flat-panel displays, game consoles, motherboards, servers, and TVs. Hon Hai, doing business as Foxconn Technology Group, also provides design engineering and mechanical tooling services. The global company's customers include Apple, Cisco, Dell, Nokia, and Sony. CEO Terry Gou founded Hon Hai in 1974 to make plastic switches for TVs.