jsjenkins168

If your schema is simple, you might want to check out SimpleDB. No need to setup tunnels (queries are handled over HTTP), and latency is super low when querying from an EC2 instance with both end points being inside AWS networks. You are also not charged for traffic between EC2/SimpleDB.

Marketing maybe yes, but telecom probably not.. The era of the telecom "deck" will die July 11th, 2008.

Google has said that they intend to offer an "AppStore" for Android, much like Apples.

The differences however will be: 1) You do not have to use it. 2) They will take much less than 30% (so they say)

While I agree with you for small-scale apps made by individuals, I think AppStore is a problem for startups looking to monetize their apps on a larger scale. 30% is a huge chuck off your total revenue any way you slice it. And remember, there is no legal alternative to AppStore for the iPhone.

Then they may go back to Android, when they realize Apple is taking 30% of their app revenue first.

Hey Steve, I thought Java was "dead"?

You are partially describing what GWT does. Except that it doesnt do much special in the way of CSS yet...

But in terms of Javascript/HTML/AJAX, it compiles separate versions for each browser (which are automatically loaded), virtually eliminating the need to handle various quirky browser behaviors. And any standard Java app server works fine for the server side, nothing special needed there.

I am shocked at the market cap loss YHOO is experiencing right now due to this story.. I've seen breaking news drive stock price fluctuations but this is pretty extreme.

A class on queue theory is great background for network programming.

This is starting to seem more common. Posts I see under new section that make me cringe inevitably shoot up to the top of front page. And seems like an increasing number of good posts are getting drowned out.

Agree downmod would be helpful. Even if it had a very high karma or HN usage period requirement in order to use I think it would help the community.

With the iPhone though we are potentially talking about the platform of the future.

Do you want a single monopoly controlling this? That type of situation has historically been bad for innovation.

As an analogy, how would things be if every internet web app created had to operate at the mercy of another company? Startup A has a great idea and wants to release an innovative new webapp. But they need to pay and have permission to do so, must operate in a tightly defined sandbox, and must share profits that they make. And the webapp could be kicked off the internet at anytime for breaking these rules.

Does that make you comfortable?

You are definitely not alone. I'm pretty worried myself. A phone to realistically compete with the iPhone (especially at its new lower price point) is nowhere in site and the walled garden seems to grow with each Apple announcement.

AppStore could be another Facebook platform situation where Apple kills startups at will simply by releasing their own version of a application. And Apple wont need to push icon updates, their apps can run as background services just fine.

I'd like to be optimistic about other emerging mobile platforms, but everyone else is so dreadfully far behind and thats a bit concerning for a developer.

To be honest, the only mobile application distribution site which will likely matter in a year will be the iPhone AppStore. Its likely to go live this month. Google has mentioned they will come out with their own app distribution site for Android but it is unclear when this will be or how much impact it will have.

The iPhone is going global and with the carrier subsidies, it will be cheap. My suggestion is to focus your efforts there.

The interns emails are posted in the comments. They really aren't that bad, and definitely dont warrant such a response from a CEO in my opinion