When I first started to use Mozilla Firefox two year ago, I thought it is really cool. Sunny brand, plus convenient function of opening multiple pages in one window.
Now I really hate it especialy when I open the task manager and see how much space it took from my laptop's RAM.
The space Firefox takes seems bigger and bigger, or biggest of all. Basically, it loses the advantage as a thin tool. Of course, it adds much more function, but more complicated. To persons such as me who like simple things, Firefox becomes boring. Even today when I opened Asiaexpat.com, a website said it preferred Firefox, the software could only open half of the pages, and then stopped, saying "done".... what a stupid software la.
So I opened the IE to work on everything, though it is troublesome to open so many windows. hoho, back to something familiar, the feeling is not that bad.
I like simplie stuffs, finally found...
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
bad Mozilla Firefox
When I first started to use Mozilla Firefox two year ago, I thought it is really cool. Sunny brand, plus convenient function of opening multiple pages in one window.
Now I really hate it especialy when I open the task manager and see how much space it took from my laptop's RAM.
The space Firefox takes seems bigger and bigger, or biggest of all. Basically, it loses the advantage as a thin tool. Of course, it adds much more function, but more complicated. To persons such as me who like simple things, Firefox becomes boring. Even today when I opened Asiaexpat.com, a website said it preferred Firefox, the software could only open half of the pages, and then stopped, saying "done".... what a stupid software la.
So I opened the IE to work on everything, though it is troublesome to open so many windows. hoho, back to something familiar, the feeling is not that bad.
I like simplie stuffs, finally found...
Now I really hate it especialy when I open the task manager and see how much space it took from my laptop's RAM.
The space Firefox takes seems bigger and bigger, or biggest of all. Basically, it loses the advantage as a thin tool. Of course, it adds much more function, but more complicated. To persons such as me who like simple things, Firefox becomes boring. Even today when I opened Asiaexpat.com, a website said it preferred Firefox, the software could only open half of the pages, and then stopped, saying "done".... what a stupid software la.
So I opened the IE to work on everything, though it is troublesome to open so many windows. hoho, back to something familiar, the feeling is not that bad.
I like simplie stuffs, finally found...
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Last week in BJ
Outside a bar in Shi Cha Hai, the most popular bar site in Beijing these days.
I really like BJ. People are nice, peaceful and open. The atmosphere just feels like home. Maybe I should seriously consider go back there.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Beautiful Hangzhou
Beautiful Hangzhou and West Lake, though I really had no time to enjoy. Run, run, run!!! flight, airport,hotel, airport, flight. Life is just a circle!!
Friday, July 07, 2006
Crazy Amy in a crazy Hong Kong
It' s always interesting to begin a new job, except that it always makes me crazy. New environment, new colleagues, new style and more important, new pressure. Am I a gongzuokuang, meaning crazy working type? I guess so. I could work for non-stop eight hours, and then water, and then another four hours. Even in the dream, I am still working.
Life is just like a box of chocalate and you never know what you will get from there. That's exactly true. Now what I get is a hard Swiss black chocolate. It is not easy to bite but really chanllenging. Also, you feel more and more sweet flavor for the process.
I've been thinking about the role of newspaper in the era nowadays. Peter Lynch, the famous fund manager, once said that newspaper is such a good and profitable business. Right then, but now so many competitors around the newspaper. For example, websites, companies don't need to release information to newspaper; instead put infos on the website. Another example, newswires who could operate for 24 hours and update every seconds.
So what will make a newspaper special? The content, the specific content, and the breaking content. That will make people curious to know the "new" thing from the newspaper, not the thing already given in the press release, not the repeating of the stock market annoucement. It is hard to maintain the principle as reporters are so easily attempted to do the easiest job. But newspapers have to maintain the principle, just as they have to maintain the balance way.
Something new, something I must get.
Life is just like a box of chocalate and you never know what you will get from there. That's exactly true. Now what I get is a hard Swiss black chocolate. It is not easy to bite but really chanllenging. Also, you feel more and more sweet flavor for the process.
I've been thinking about the role of newspaper in the era nowadays. Peter Lynch, the famous fund manager, once said that newspaper is such a good and profitable business. Right then, but now so many competitors around the newspaper. For example, websites, companies don't need to release information to newspaper; instead put infos on the website. Another example, newswires who could operate for 24 hours and update every seconds.
So what will make a newspaper special? The content, the specific content, and the breaking content. That will make people curious to know the "new" thing from the newspaper, not the thing already given in the press release, not the repeating of the stock market annoucement. It is hard to maintain the principle as reporters are so easily attempted to do the easiest job. But newspapers have to maintain the principle, just as they have to maintain the balance way.
Something new, something I must get.
Sunday, July 02, 2006
SCMP.com will provide free content
I've been hearing complaint from several friends on the website of South China Morning Post, the largest English newspaper in Hong Kong on its restriction of the free content. Now, according to reliable source, it will soon, only in a few days, allow readers to access to part of its content without subscribing the newspaper. (www.scmp.com)
Good news for those expats only reading English but caring about China. Congratulation, the paper has its first step to attract the online readers.
With more and more media covering China, the country has become a hottie among reporters and editors. Someone who has the vision to report the China in a balanced and neutral way will finally beat others. Hope the Post would be the one.
Good news for those expats only reading English but caring about China. Congratulation, the paper has its first step to attract the online readers.
With more and more media covering China, the country has become a hottie among reporters and editors. Someone who has the vision to report the China in a balanced and neutral way will finally beat others. Hope the Post would be the one.
Friday, June 23, 2006
More people come in to the PCCW deal
Among the buyers of PCCW's assets, it became more crowded with three funds coming in, Ashmore Investment Management, Spinnaker Capital and Clearwater Capital Partners.
This is the most interesting deal process I have seen: more and more bidders(both small and big) , and higher and higher willing-to-be-exposed price. Are the assets too good to be omitted? Or people are just too optimistics? Or Richard Li is so friendly with everyone that his asset are a must-see?
The three funds, according to their websites, are expertised in investing in debt, especially in distressed debt(one of Amy's expertised area, too). Coincidently, the three are jointly bidding for undersea cable carrier Asia Netcom, which is exactly belonged to the category "distressed debt", from China Netcom and its Beijing parent. It is said that the three will give Asia Netcom three years before a final solution. If the three also bought PCCW's alive assets, would three years too long?
Among PCCW's assets, the fastest growth comes from Now Broadband TV. It certainly beated other cable operators in terms of user number, and reported a good result in the PCCW's annual report 2005. I would call the service "alive asset", which will not be the right investment category for the three funds.(So why are they here?)
So now three groups, Macquarie, Newbridge and the three-fund consortium, are in the queue. Any further one coming into this fake game?
Big bet today(just for my readers):
If I were the banker, I will approach Mr. Rupert Murdoch, who just sold 20 percent stake of Hong Kong-based Pheniox TV to China Mobile, suggesting him to buy the Now broadband TV. It will be a good choice for the Australian tycoon to buy the opportunity in the growing cable TV market in Hong Kong, and thus opening the market in China as a result. Plus, he has the cash now from China Mobile.
Big belief today:
China Netcom will never allow any foreign companies buying the whole PCCW telecom network. In the political thinking, it must be in this way. So the choices remain with China Netcom: one is to buy PCCW itself in a decent way(isn't that many bankers planning to advise China Netcom) , or the other is to refuse and never cooperate with anyone.
Interesting findings today:
Lehman's relations
Rob Petty, the managing partner of Clearwater Capital Partners LLC, based in New York, once worked with Lehman Brothers, the advisor to PCCW on the deal, for 12 years. Lehman also worked with Ashmore on raising the funds. Hmmm, financial world is always small.....
This is the most interesting deal process I have seen: more and more bidders(both small and big) , and higher and higher willing-to-be-exposed price. Are the assets too good to be omitted? Or people are just too optimistics? Or Richard Li is so friendly with everyone that his asset are a must-see?
The three funds, according to their websites, are expertised in investing in debt, especially in distressed debt(one of Amy's expertised area, too). Coincidently, the three are jointly bidding for undersea cable carrier Asia Netcom, which is exactly belonged to the category "distressed debt", from China Netcom and its Beijing parent. It is said that the three will give Asia Netcom three years before a final solution. If the three also bought PCCW's alive assets, would three years too long?
Among PCCW's assets, the fastest growth comes from Now Broadband TV. It certainly beated other cable operators in terms of user number, and reported a good result in the PCCW's annual report 2005. I would call the service "alive asset", which will not be the right investment category for the three funds.(So why are they here?)
So now three groups, Macquarie, Newbridge and the three-fund consortium, are in the queue. Any further one coming into this fake game?
Big bet today(just for my readers):
If I were the banker, I will approach Mr. Rupert Murdoch, who just sold 20 percent stake of Hong Kong-based Pheniox TV to China Mobile, suggesting him to buy the Now broadband TV. It will be a good choice for the Australian tycoon to buy the opportunity in the growing cable TV market in Hong Kong, and thus opening the market in China as a result. Plus, he has the cash now from China Mobile.
Big belief today:
China Netcom will never allow any foreign companies buying the whole PCCW telecom network. In the political thinking, it must be in this way. So the choices remain with China Netcom: one is to buy PCCW itself in a decent way(isn't that many bankers planning to advise China Netcom) , or the other is to refuse and never cooperate with anyone.
Interesting findings today:
Lehman's relations
Rob Petty, the managing partner of Clearwater Capital Partners LLC, based in New York, once worked with Lehman Brothers, the advisor to PCCW on the deal, for 12 years. Lehman also worked with Ashmore on raising the funds. Hmmm, financial world is always small.....
PCCW's sale may be only a camouflage
The most breaking news in town these days is Tycoon Richard Li Tzar-kai, the biggest shareholder of PCCW, plans to sell the company's telecom assets, including broadband, mobile, wireless and TV services,(see PCCW's annual report here) ,possibly to one of the two private equity funds, one is Australia-based Macquarie Bank, and another is U.S. Newsbridge Capital.
People's attention was suddenly attracted to PCCW's rising share price, and the deal price, reportedly over HK$60 billion; Unfortunately, no one thinks on the other side: why the two private equity funds exposed their interests in PCCW, so early before any decision come? Any specific purpose to publicize it so quickly?
Private equity funds are famous for their deep pocket, and more importantly, beating return. Macquiarie Bank said on their website that the average return was 28 percent for its total portofolio by the end of 2004. Normally, the funds usually buy part or the whole stake in a company before restructuring it and selling out in three to five years.
So let's now guess the plan the two private equity funds are making on the PCCW deal right now. Maybe they see the trend for Hong Kong telecom operators to merge together in the future ten years, and make the assumption that PCCW, the biggest fixed line operator, will stay at last. They will have two options then: one is to list the assets on the stock market, possible, but difficult as it is hard to expect the situation of the stock market at that time: another option is to sell it to another party. In Hong Kong, except for Li's family, the only possibly buyers with enough capital are the mainland telecom companies including China Netcom. (China Mobile, which already bought a small HK operator, raised the example for further buying out from the four rich state-owned tele companies)
The plan sounds good, but unfortunately, China Netcom, the already second biggest telecom operator with 20 percent stake, couldn't agree on selling assets which will charge it more in the future. Off the record, I believe it has the assignment from the Ministry of Information Industry to do something in Hong Kong, the reason it doesn't want to make money from any share deals. Its spokeman also said it never plans to make money from the PCCW's stake.
So both Macquarie Bank and Newsbridge are facing a deal that will upset future buyers, which is unwise to do. Plus, HK$60 billion is not a small number to both parties. Newsbridge's total managed assets in the world is only US$3.2 billion, or nearly HK$ 25 billion, accounting for less than a half of the reported price on PCCW's assets, according to its website.(Macquarie's asset number couldn't be found)
Then, the only result I could get is that nothing will happen, except for the rising up stock price of PCCW. (Or maybe some secret deal between PCCW and China Netcom)
(Update on June 24 for some grammar mistake)
People's attention was suddenly attracted to PCCW's rising share price, and the deal price, reportedly over HK$60 billion; Unfortunately, no one thinks on the other side: why the two private equity funds exposed their interests in PCCW, so early before any decision come? Any specific purpose to publicize it so quickly?
Private equity funds are famous for their deep pocket, and more importantly, beating return. Macquiarie Bank said on their website that the average return was 28 percent for its total portofolio by the end of 2004. Normally, the funds usually buy part or the whole stake in a company before restructuring it and selling out in three to five years.
So let's now guess the plan the two private equity funds are making on the PCCW deal right now. Maybe they see the trend for Hong Kong telecom operators to merge together in the future ten years, and make the assumption that PCCW, the biggest fixed line operator, will stay at last. They will have two options then: one is to list the assets on the stock market, possible, but difficult as it is hard to expect the situation of the stock market at that time: another option is to sell it to another party. In Hong Kong, except for Li's family, the only possibly buyers with enough capital are the mainland telecom companies including China Netcom. (China Mobile, which already bought a small HK operator, raised the example for further buying out from the four rich state-owned tele companies)
The plan sounds good, but unfortunately, China Netcom, the already second biggest telecom operator with 20 percent stake, couldn't agree on selling assets which will charge it more in the future. Off the record, I believe it has the assignment from the Ministry of Information Industry to do something in Hong Kong, the reason it doesn't want to make money from any share deals. Its spokeman also said it never plans to make money from the PCCW's stake.
So both Macquarie Bank and Newsbridge are facing a deal that will upset future buyers, which is unwise to do. Plus, HK$60 billion is not a small number to both parties. Newsbridge's total managed assets in the world is only US$3.2 billion, or nearly HK$ 25 billion, accounting for less than a half of the reported price on PCCW's assets, according to its website.(Macquarie's asset number couldn't be found)
Then, the only result I could get is that nothing will happen, except for the rising up stock price of PCCW. (Or maybe some secret deal between PCCW and China Netcom)
(Update on June 24 for some grammar mistake)
Thursday, June 22, 2006
China's Best Banks
One of my blog's readers sent me a letter asking for China's banking sector, while I always has conservative words to say. Banking stocks are the most popular stocks in the Hong Kong stock market, but in fact, investors, especially retail investors, had no idea about the bank espcially the brick-like IPO books. Dangerous to invest in some companies nothing familiar except for the name is really dangerous.
(P.S. the names for Chinese state-owned banks are really famous these days. I met someone from Germany a few days before, where he could recite all Big Four's names. Lol, isn't that amazing)
I will talk about some real experience in using the service of the banks, which I always believe will be helpful in choosing stocks and make long-term investments.
China Merchants Bank, is the best bank I've ever met. Its retail service will not be worse than, or even better than the HSBC, the largest retail bank in Hong Kong. As a new bank originated from the young city Shenzhen, China Merchants clearly develops its advantage on the high quality of the service as well as its good online system. With easy clicks, one could do everything on the lender's website. Also, its credit card is the best, too, and almost every of my friends living in big cities have one CMB credit card. I remember I received the short message confirming a deal on my mobile phone just 30 seconds after I paid on the counter using the card. Isn't the speed amazing?
The CMB's logan is most interesting "we are everywhere", and it does.
China CITIC bank and China Everbright Bank, the two mid-size lenders due to be listed in Hong Kong in 2006: I once used the card of CITIC banks, hmmm, how to say, not that comfortable, but required to use by the university to pay the tuition. Both belong to the conglomate group, but will that help?
Big Four:
Bank of China is good at its service in foreign currency service. Hong Kong investors are enthusiastic about its stock partly because Bank of China's Hong Kong branch has done a good job. Many friends used the account in BOC to buy U.S. dollars. If Bank of China has departed its foreign currency service, I will definitely invest.
Industrial & Commercial Bank of China: big,big,big. but in fact, never use its service before. Just too far away from me.
Agricultural Bank of China: farmers know the brand better than me. But it just want to escape from this special advantage. Come on, agricultural services could make a lot of money if you could focus on it.
China Construction Bank: the relatively smaller size made it flexible. One of its most famous serivice is to pay electronic and water bills. But I always have to queue up to pay them as there are so many people.
"Good housewives couldn't cook without rice", but with so many options in banks these days, why not go to China to test the services? All in all, it's the only and most effective way to know your investment.
(P.S. the names for Chinese state-owned banks are really famous these days. I met someone from Germany a few days before, where he could recite all Big Four's names. Lol, isn't that amazing)
I will talk about some real experience in using the service of the banks, which I always believe will be helpful in choosing stocks and make long-term investments.
China Merchants Bank, is the best bank I've ever met. Its retail service will not be worse than, or even better than the HSBC, the largest retail bank in Hong Kong. As a new bank originated from the young city Shenzhen, China Merchants clearly develops its advantage on the high quality of the service as well as its good online system. With easy clicks, one could do everything on the lender's website. Also, its credit card is the best, too, and almost every of my friends living in big cities have one CMB credit card. I remember I received the short message confirming a deal on my mobile phone just 30 seconds after I paid on the counter using the card. Isn't the speed amazing?
The CMB's logan is most interesting "we are everywhere", and it does.
China CITIC bank and China Everbright Bank, the two mid-size lenders due to be listed in Hong Kong in 2006: I once used the card of CITIC banks, hmmm, how to say, not that comfortable, but required to use by the university to pay the tuition. Both belong to the conglomate group, but will that help?
Big Four:
Bank of China is good at its service in foreign currency service. Hong Kong investors are enthusiastic about its stock partly because Bank of China's Hong Kong branch has done a good job. Many friends used the account in BOC to buy U.S. dollars. If Bank of China has departed its foreign currency service, I will definitely invest.
Industrial & Commercial Bank of China: big,big,big. but in fact, never use its service before. Just too far away from me.
Agricultural Bank of China: farmers know the brand better than me. But it just want to escape from this special advantage. Come on, agricultural services could make a lot of money if you could focus on it.
China Construction Bank: the relatively smaller size made it flexible. One of its most famous serivice is to pay electronic and water bills. But I always have to queue up to pay them as there are so many people.
"Good housewives couldn't cook without rice", but with so many options in banks these days, why not go to China to test the services? All in all, it's the only and most effective way to know your investment.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Mainland Chinese telecom operators enter into the real capital market
Among all the Chinese state-owned companies listed in Hong Kong, the telecom sector have exposed most to the capital market. especially these days.
China Mobile: acquistions overseas, such as buying into Millicom and Pakistian Telecom.
Comment: Good way to expand, but the operator's lack of experience in overseas market may trigger the crisis in the management of new merged companies.
China Unicom: South Korea Telecom is in talks to buy 10 percent stake of China Unicom, possibly in the form of buying new issue covertible bonds.
Comment: Will the deal help with the performance of China Unicom? I wonder. 10 percent stake will not certainly improve the service as well as expanding the market share.
China Netcom: Australia-based Macquarie Bank may spend 40 billion HK dollars to buy the telecom assets of PCCW in which China Netcom has a 20 percent stake.
Comment: I guess PCCW is doing this to press on China Netcom, the second largest shareholder, to join the bid, but China Netcom may not want to do this, especially after Edward Tian suning, famous for his skill on capital market, left the company.
China Telecom: nothing has happened yet, as its performance isn't good these days. But I believe Wang Xiaochu, the former chairman of China Mobile, will do something soon.
One of my friends writing a "Gossip" finance column once did research on the places where state-owned companies held the annual group meeting. He found that all four telecom companies moved the place to Hong Kong from Beijing, which is unlike from giant companies. In my view, holding the AGM in HK at lease shows the company wish to expose to the capital market.
Now is the telecom sector, my next bet is the banking sector, active in M&A market in the next ten years.
China Mobile: acquistions overseas, such as buying into Millicom and Pakistian Telecom.
Comment: Good way to expand, but the operator's lack of experience in overseas market may trigger the crisis in the management of new merged companies.
China Unicom: South Korea Telecom is in talks to buy 10 percent stake of China Unicom, possibly in the form of buying new issue covertible bonds.
Comment: Will the deal help with the performance of China Unicom? I wonder. 10 percent stake will not certainly improve the service as well as expanding the market share.
China Netcom: Australia-based Macquarie Bank may spend 40 billion HK dollars to buy the telecom assets of PCCW in which China Netcom has a 20 percent stake.
Comment: I guess PCCW is doing this to press on China Netcom, the second largest shareholder, to join the bid, but China Netcom may not want to do this, especially after Edward Tian suning, famous for his skill on capital market, left the company.
China Telecom: nothing has happened yet, as its performance isn't good these days. But I believe Wang Xiaochu, the former chairman of China Mobile, will do something soon.
One of my friends writing a "Gossip" finance column once did research on the places where state-owned companies held the annual group meeting. He found that all four telecom companies moved the place to Hong Kong from Beijing, which is unlike from giant companies. In my view, holding the AGM in HK at lease shows the company wish to expose to the capital market.
Now is the telecom sector, my next bet is the banking sector, active in M&A market in the next ten years.
Friday, June 16, 2006
I am in Nanjing
I am on a business trip to Nanjing now. Thing really change fast here.( I guess so do the other cities in China).
Picture: my little sister(not in a real family relation) and me in a coffee bar in the Interntional Trade Centre in Nanjing.
Monday, June 05, 2006
June 4, in Victoria Park, candela party
It has been raining these days, but I was impressed yesterday, when over 19000(official number) or 44000(non-offcial number) HK people went to Victoria Park to join the memorial pary for students died in June, 4, 1989. They were peaceful most of the time, but really enthusiastic when crying the slogan. (Picture will be uploaded soon). No matter what the truth is at that time, there HK people is respectful, for their 17-year persistance
Thursday, June 01, 2006
breaking stories make brands, but then
It's always breaking stories making brands for media. I broke a story last week(link), then the next day, Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, and South China Morning Post all made a follow-up story. Moreover, New York Time quote the Standard in one of its stories, which really made me flattered.
It's always cool to break news in the business reporting. But on the other hand, business reporting has to be careful to be critical, not that close to your business sources. It's hard to balance. Reporters are always tempted to make the deal with business sources in getting first-hand news, but then hard to be neutral to balance various business bodies.
I need to be careful all the time..... remember....
It's always cool to break news in the business reporting. But on the other hand, business reporting has to be careful to be critical, not that close to your business sources. It's hard to balance. Reporters are always tempted to make the deal with business sources in getting first-hand news, but then hard to be neutral to balance various business bodies.
I need to be careful all the time..... remember....
Sunday, May 28, 2006
The best cappuccino in Hong Kong
I had the best cappuccino in Hong Kong on Saturday, and along with a great blueberry cheese cake. The place is called Cova in Lee Gardens of Causeway Bay. (the introduction and the address could be found here from our paper).
The cappuccino is not as much sweet as others do, and there is no gap between the level of milk and the coffee, both two mixed pretty well. The Blueberry cake is beautiful, along with some soft cream. (Pity me didn't photo it before I eat it out). Besides, the environment is good, with decent tables and chairs. My friend who was with me there definitely knows the best place in Hong Kong. The price is not that bad, three cappuccino and two cheesecake cose 255 HK dollars.
Good try for all.
The cappuccino is not as much sweet as others do, and there is no gap between the level of milk and the coffee, both two mixed pretty well. The Blueberry cake is beautiful, along with some soft cream. (Pity me didn't photo it before I eat it out). Besides, the environment is good, with decent tables and chairs. My friend who was with me there definitely knows the best place in Hong Kong. The price is not that bad, three cappuccino and two cheesecake cose 255 HK dollars.
Good try for all.
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Never proud of anything
My professors in the University of Hong Kong always told me that my English is not good; However, I don't believe at all, the reason I slept well in the past few months.
In fact, it isn't so good as I think. After an experienced reporter told me my weak writing standard yesterday, I felt so frustrated. Yes, never proud of anything, because I still have a lot of things to learn.
In fact, it isn't so good as I think. After an experienced reporter told me my weak writing standard yesterday, I felt so frustrated. Yes, never proud of anything, because I still have a lot of things to learn.
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Bank of China, a must-buy or not?
Bank of China's coming IPO made every retail investor in Hong Kong crazy. Everyone is waiting for the opening of application on Thursday, because of what? Tycoons' lead in buying the lender's stake, its famous brand, or others?
I am not a huge Bank of China fun, just like this person in the Bloomberg's story today(BTW, it's the only story I considered as "neutral", not "flattered". Personally, the only bank I like in the mainland China is China Merchants Bank, great service and high-quality people.
I may be too narrow minded on the BOC's service, as it doesn't only include retail services. It also has monopoly rights in many wholesale and enterprise services, but I will not buy stocks for the company I don't like.
Maybe a lot of people will blame me on that. Right, there will definitely a short-term profit from buying its shares on the first day and sell them in several days, say, a month maybe. Because the IPO organisers should try to maintain and increase the price(I guess, no factual cause). But don't you remember Warron Buffett's famous words: invest in long-term profit. Short-term investors, especially smaller ones, couldn't win all the time.
I'd better not to say much, but I really want to say something different.
I am not a huge Bank of China fun, just like this person in the Bloomberg's story today(BTW, it's the only story I considered as "neutral", not "flattered". Personally, the only bank I like in the mainland China is China Merchants Bank, great service and high-quality people.
I may be too narrow minded on the BOC's service, as it doesn't only include retail services. It also has monopoly rights in many wholesale and enterprise services, but I will not buy stocks for the company I don't like.
Maybe a lot of people will blame me on that. Right, there will definitely a short-term profit from buying its shares on the first day and sell them in several days, say, a month maybe. Because the IPO organisers should try to maintain and increase the price(I guess, no factual cause). But don't you remember Warron Buffett's famous words: invest in long-term profit. Short-term investors, especially smaller ones, couldn't win all the time.
I'd better not to say much, but I really want to say something different.
VC aiming Toodou
Toodou.com, a podcasting website set up in 2004(if I didn't remember it wrongly), has got the second round of investment, or US$8.5 million from three VC. Marc should be so happy on that. I have seen how this website grows up, from nowhere to some big idea.
To tell the truth, the website is still small now. But the website does have potential to develop with more people falling in love with the camera shooting and editing. Also, it does have good management. Hope they will have good luck.
P.S. English press release here. (the founder's website)
To tell the truth, the website is still small now. But the website does have potential to develop with more people falling in love with the camera shooting and editing. Also, it does have good management. Hope they will have good luck.
P.S. English press release here. (the founder's website)
Sunday, May 07, 2006
How to be an effective social network website?
I always get email from Linked in, friendster,and other social websites. Now there is a new website named wealink, started by one of my VC friends Issac. After a round of Internet bubble, the trend now comes to the Internet's social level, more complicated but easier understood by common people.
When I discussed with Lutz Winter, a German Internet enterpreneur, last week, we just agreed that the social network needs to provide more personal details. You couldn't imagine that two strangers could become friends in reality finally without any knowledge of the other. For example, it is always easy to make friends through blogs; after reading one's blog for a while, it is easier to understand the blogger and his/her thought and then next step, be the friends. If social websites could do something just like blog does, it will be much better.
For instance, if I get some messages from people who wanna to be my friends, then the website should provide some functions like trial period, to give me some time to read his/her blogs to really know the person. After that, it will be up to my mind to meet her or not. Then it will be more perfect.
When I discussed with Lutz Winter, a German Internet enterpreneur, last week, we just agreed that the social network needs to provide more personal details. You couldn't imagine that two strangers could become friends in reality finally without any knowledge of the other. For example, it is always easy to make friends through blogs; after reading one's blog for a while, it is easier to understand the blogger and his/her thought and then next step, be the friends. If social websites could do something just like blog does, it will be much better.
For instance, if I get some messages from people who wanna to be my friends, then the website should provide some functions like trial period, to give me some time to read his/her blogs to really know the person. After that, it will be up to my mind to meet her or not. Then it will be more perfect.
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Hukou makes differences
When I was in the junior school, I had classmates who were from rural area. They have to pay more tuition than I did as they didn't have a urban Hukou, which is just like the a born certification for farmers.
This is not good, I always believe.(Except for those family want a second child, they could have the quota if their first child is female and the mother has rural Hukou). But for many, they are curious of having the same treatment as ones from urban areas. At least, all my friends are eager to get them.
So many of them tried through illegal ways such as spending a lot of money, maybe a year's income. Then they will have the advantages to enjoy better schools, better medical system, and even better husband/wife. Also, a Hukou in big cities such as BJ and SH will enjoy special treatments in entering universities and job huntings.
But, wait a moment, how come different borning place, instead of hard working or smart minds, could decide a person's fate? That's at least unfair to almost two thirds of the total populations living in rural areas.
So here I saw some good news: Zhejiang province said it will unit both urban Hukou and rural Hukou together by 2007, Xinhua reported. If Zhejiang could do it, the other areas may be on their way.
This is not good, I always believe.(Except for those family want a second child, they could have the quota if their first child is female and the mother has rural Hukou). But for many, they are curious of having the same treatment as ones from urban areas. At least, all my friends are eager to get them.
So many of them tried through illegal ways such as spending a lot of money, maybe a year's income. Then they will have the advantages to enjoy better schools, better medical system, and even better husband/wife. Also, a Hukou in big cities such as BJ and SH will enjoy special treatments in entering universities and job huntings.
But, wait a moment, how come different borning place, instead of hard working or smart minds, could decide a person's fate? That's at least unfair to almost two thirds of the total populations living in rural areas.
So here I saw some good news: Zhejiang province said it will unit both urban Hukou and rural Hukou together by 2007, Xinhua reported. If Zhejiang could do it, the other areas may be on their way.
Monday, May 01, 2006
The future of E-paper
One day in last August, when I gave a lecture on New Media and Internet to a bunch of experienced reporters, someone raised the below question:
E-media couldn't replace print media as people still prefer to read papers instead of computers.
Suddenly I came up with the idea of e-paper. I answered: right, but rememer technology improves faster than people think; maybe one day we have the e-paper, just like print media; you don't even need to read as it will read for you.
Now, seems my answer comes true. A Belgium newspaper De Tijd, is planting the traditional newspaper style into the electronic form without any change in the format, probably coming in this month. Though the e-paper still lacks color, it is no longer a science fiction, said New York Times.
Wow, amazing? isn't it? That's Amy always like technology. You couldn't really imagine what kind of chocalcate in that box.
It is expensive, but you could imgagine the future. No paper waste, always changing text and advertisement, more importantly, you could only bring a piece of paper instead of inches-thick paper.
When the newspaper is said to be dying, here is another solution. But don't make it too complicated at first. At least, I don't need to update it " Wi-Fi hot spots or through Internet connections", as it will be too expensive charged by greedy telecom operators.
Say, I have a X41 Tablet, but never(maybe once or twice per month) to use digitizer pen; I also have the news service on my mobile for financial news and entertainment news, but I never read them as it is too complicated and easily be charged more than you planned.
So let's say if e-paper will be nichy or mass........
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