Online markets have everything that the consumer needs and it is much more creative, fun and simply easier to use. 

People are discovering new ways to share information and it has become a more fun and innovative approach. 

The first article, The Cluetrain Manifesto, differs from the second article in that its main focus is on the market vs. the company.  How much better the market is than the company and how the company gets in the way of its employees and in the way of the market.  This article believes that the company is not needed. The second article talks about the market’s advantages mostly and not so much about the company, instead about a new economic model for the media and entertainment industries.  He talks about the Long Tail model.

This first article compares to the second article “The Long Tail” in that they both recognize the software market and how smart and interactive it is becoming with consumers.  People are making the internet smarter and faster than most companies. 

  In the reading “The Long Tail”, I found myself agreeing with Chris Anderson on his approach to the long tail.  He uses the Entertainment industry, which helps back up ideas presented in both the first and the second reading.  You can find everything you need on the internet: stuff on back catolog, older albums, Tower Recors, Barnes and Nobles, Amazon, etc.  Thousands of books and songs are on sale on the online market that are not even available on shelves in stores.   These online markets not only have almost every available item, is much cheaper according to Chris Anderson, but also you have online help.

A new exchange of knowlege is beginning to emerge. There are creations like pandora that gives you on the spot music when you want it and after listening to your favorite artist, you are able to listen to a list of other artist that are in the same genre that you probably have never even heard of, giving you new choices and ideas.  “Long Tail business can treat consumers as individuals, offering mass customization as an alternative to mass-market fare”.  Who wouldn’t want to be treated this way?

QUESTIONS

Doesn’t it make more sense to use these online markets to purchase items since you are guaranteed to find it online and not always guaranteed to find it in the actual company store?

Do you go out to rent videos or are you a consumer of Netflix?  Is there a reason why you are either one?  Convenience (netflix), don’t watch movies that often (blockbuster / other video stores)

Are there any downfalls to this online market?  It may be easy to browse and purchase items but what about receiving items (shipping)?