#9 LAST GASP OF KNOW-IT-ALL DOT BOMB HOT SHOTS
The Dot Com Bomb syndrome got its start way back in April
of 2000, but the bloodbath never really ended. In fact, in 2001, it just
got worse. The common talk went from "They decided to hold off on their
IPO," to "They just laid off 1/3 of their staff, " to "They're
selling their massage tables and ergonomic chairs to pay the rent on their
smaller office space, bonuses have been cancelled, and contracts are on
a week to week basis." Things got really bad. But what seemed to put
the final nail in the coffin of the dotcom boom was the end of Excite.
Originally profiled in Robert Cringely's PBS documentary
as the golden boys of the internet, the founders of Excite literally started
the company in their garage. In subsequent interviews Cringely marveled
as the team went from garage, to huge new office, to custom built company
complex all in just a few years. But in 2001, when ExciteAtHome (the new
name of the company) finally succumbed to the digital grim reaper, it became
clear to all but the most deluded that the party was once and for all over.
Now dot coms have been reduced to trying to make a profit and building businesses
that fill underserved niches just like everyone else. In the end, this may
turn out to be a good thing.
*pictured above: one of the original Excite! pimps |
