Technology

3/6/2012: Yahoo Layoffs Coming?

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I’ve been hearing about this story since yesterday: Yahoo is looking at some large layoffs.

Now this won’t surprise anyone because we’ve been waiting for this (while a lesser amount of us have been waiting for them to turn the corner).   Everything I’ve heard suggests a lot of non-tech cuts, dropping some products and lines (which will mean tech cuts) and general structure and focus work.  Considering the hiring of Boston Consulting Group, I’m not surprised.

Takeaways:

  • Duh.
  • This is probably Yahoo’s last chance to get it right.  However they aren’t ditching or selling themselves off, so there’s some plan there, or the vague illusion of one.
  • This may be a slight blow to Silicon Valley, which hasn’t always done well adsorbing layoffs in tough times, but I don’t expect it to be too bad.
  • Yahoo has got to get this right or give up.  Whatever this is, it’s the last chance before just being bought or selling themselves off in pieces.
  • After the layoffs I expect a small uptick in hiring as they replace people they didn’t need to get rid of.  This has the smell of a “more than we need” chance to me.
  • Frankly, I wouldn’t work at Yahoo unless you’re playing contrarian.  I’m not confident enough in their opportunities.
  • Morale at Yahoo has got to be TERRIBLE.

– Steven Savage

How Google Integrates Services

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“Android Market” really wasn’t the best name for the media hub that, well, the Android Market became.  Plus Google needs a more integrated, non-exclusive approach to media, so meet . . .

Google Play.

It’s a hub approach for media, just like, well, everyone.  Smart branding move though, and it shows just how serious Google is about the competition.  My only concern is Google may be overdoing the new stuff and there could be some exhaustion/confusion.

– Steven Savage

Lamar Smith Is Back To “Protect The Children”

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Lamar Smith, who gave us the disaster known as SOPA is now back with a supposed “protect the children/stop child porn bill” that really involves ISPs keeping your information and making it available without warrant. Now it’s only in the House, with no Senate version in sight.

TAKEAWAYS:

  • Lamar Smith apparently has decided to be the enemy of internet freedom and privacy in the House, so those of us working in IT who also like not being treated like criminals should keep an eye on him. Come to think of it when he leaves the House (I figure due to a scandal) we should ALSO keep an eye on him. Oh, and he’s a jerk.
  • Considering Smith introduced it, my guess is this bill could be a back-door to SOPA like shenanigans. If IPSs had to keep this information, it would be a lot easier to add SOPA-like abuses.
  • Technically a bill like this is a disaster as well, but note it’s not as much an “internet breaker” as SOPA. I’m suspecting this could be part of SOPA-returns-in-pieces.
  • The bill won’t come up until later this year, so it has a chance to die off – or be killed.
  • No, it’s apparent members of Congress don’t get the internet. *We* have to remind them.
  • I’m pretty sure Lamar Smith hates you.

– Steven Savage