So while earlier in the week there was a panel on "everything you wanted to ask a lawyer but were afraid to ask," Wednesday, May 26th you could find out about "everything you wanted to know about the on-line sex industry but were afraid to ask." NYNMA's panel, "The Frontier Of Business & Technology: What You Can Learn From The Online Sex Industry" drew a large crowd despite the controversy and nervousness of more than a few board members. Panelists included Steve Becker, Lead Internet Strategist, General Media (Penthouse's Parent); Jane Duvall, Editor & Founder, Jane's 'Net Sex Guide'; Rufus Griscom, Founder, Nerve.com; Mark Hardie, Senior Analyst, Forrester Research, Inc.; and Mark Tiarra, CEO, Tiarra Corp; President, United Adult Sites. Sun Microsystems stepped up to the plate to sponsor the reception. Afterwards I chatted with Stephanie Agresta (barnesandnoble.com), the proud Chip Austin (pres. and CEO, bol.com) of barnesandnoble.com's recent IPO (raising $450 million in an initial stock sale), Seth Price--who's now at FreeRide.com, and Damon Torres of Robocast. Chip introduced me to two enterprising young men, Jeffrey Ungar and Geoff Clendenning, from Reflexive Networks, who are giving Linkshare a run for their money. Murray Alter and Tom Hyland of Price Waterhouse Coopers were also out and about at this event, schmoozing with other guests like Ben Austin of Comet Systems and Kevin Sickles of Sun. Even Neeraj Khemlani showed up for some filming he's doing for his documentary on Silicon Alley.
A chronicle of the people and events in technology, internet and media since 1997, mixed in with snapshots of musings and observations.
