The Big Wave Blog

Question: What does Microsoft do when it cannot develop a good product?

Answer:
A: It buys out a competing company that has a good product (ex: Visio, Hotmail).
B: It uses its power to destroy the competing product (ex: Netscape, Lotus, WordPerfect, Novell, and Real Networks).

Let’s start with a personal statement from me: “Internet Explorer is the worst web browser I have ever used.” When Microsoft destroyed Netscape using its unfair advantage, it was not able to kill the code base. Mozilla Foundation inherited this code and in 2004 released the cure for the common Microsoft browser.

After killing Netscape, Microsoft did their usual thing; they never updated their terrible browser and left the world at the mercy of Internet Explorer. The growth of Mozilla’s Firefox has been phenomenal. It is now used by close to 17% of the world, compared with IE at 78%. With their total market domination in jeopardy, Microsoft finally woke up and released updates for IE (version 7 and  the “new” upcoming 8th version).

Lethargic companies that are not tuned into the future (and are in bed with Microsoft) force you to use Internet Explorer. Don’t give in! More people do use IE (for now), but it’s got nothing to do with security or performance… just plain lethargy brought about by Microsoft and their domination of the personal computer market.

What can our readers do to help save the world from Microsoft? CLICK HERE to download Firefox 3, which is one of the most superior browsers in the market. Ditch Internet Explorer,  as it has made the web a more treacherous and slower-paced environment.

Charles Darwin once said “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.” So let’s do our part in changing how we browse the web.

I would like to thank everyone in the beautiful village of Nosara, Costa Rica for your wonderful hospitality and generosity. I have visited Costa Rica many times before, but this was my first trip to Nosara, and by far my best trip to the country.

Nosara is a beautiful little village on the Nicoya Peninsula, made up of 2 beaches, Playa Guinoes and Playa Pelada. I stayed in Playa Pelada at Panchos Resort, but I surfed each morning and afternoon at the break in Playa Guinoes.

I would like to personally thank Craig Sutton, owner of Nosara Paradise Rentals and Fishing Nosara, and his friendly staff, for an exciting sunset fishing trip where we landed 3 Yellow Fin Tuna and 1 Rainbow Runner. Craig owns about 6 vacation rental properties in Playa Guinoes, just steps from the beach, and also coordinates fishing and snorkeling trips throughout the area. He is The Man To Know in Nosara, Costa Rica.

While in Nosara, I noticed some very smart marketing moves coming from such a tiny village nestled in the jungle. They were brilliant with domain names and have an excellent presence on the web.

I researched my trip from these sites:

• Surfing Nosara - Daily surf report from Playa Guinoes
• Fishing Nosara - Nosara fishing information, forecast and boat charters
• Nosara Yoga - Daily class schedule and teacher training at the Nosara Yoga Institute
• Nosara Surf Shop - Surf shop steps from the waves at Playa Guinoes where you can rent boards, take lessons and buy surf gear

I don’t think there is a town in Central America with a better web presence than Nosara. Not only are the domains a perfect fit for SEO, but the sites have very good information and are frequently updated.

Costa Rica is a beautiful country that is deeply rooted in the Pura Vida spirit (much like the Aloha spirit in Hawaii). Pura Vida translates to Pure Life, and that is exactly what you get when you visit Costa Rica: delicious food, friendly people, great waves and a beautiful landscape. I highly recommend it for your next vacation.

It was great to be in Anaheim to deliver the Leading Practices in Search Marketing: Basic & Advanced Sessions. I really enjoyed the crowd and received some very good feedback and questions.

I would like to thank all the attendees for their wonderful comments. I always look forward to bringing educational sessions to the area. This series of Search Marketing sessions has been very well received, and I really appreciate CHLA for inviting us to deliver this program to their members.

My next speaking engagement for CHLA will be at their Annual Northern California Trade show:

Northern California Hotel & Lodging Conference
September 18, 2008 10:00 am – 11:15 am
Doubletree San Jose, San Jose, CA

Click here to register and catch up with me in San Jose!

This weekend, our resident Surfing and Search Marketing Guru Ronnie was out giving surf lessons to the kids. He volunteered with a local group before heading out to beautiful Costa Rica for a surf trip.

It made me think of the time he first inspired me to get on a surfboard. Surfing by far has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. Ronnie’s willingness to share his vast knowledge has always amazed me, and he truly is a maven of his trade and his sport.

Having a good teacher changes how we look at life, and giving the gift of learning is definitely noble. The kids had a smashing time with their longboarder coach.

Here are some photos:

Ronnie shouting “PADDLE!”

Two of his students walking on water!

And one really old guy he inspired to hit the waves…

Thanks, Ronnie, for changing people’s lives through the joy of surfing and search marketing!