Google Street View - here be dragons?

Habe gerade mit Genuss einen Artikel auf Zeit Online von mspr0 gelesen: Here be dragons... so wie sich früher vor den Drachen an den Rändern der Welt fürchteten, fürchten wir uns heute vor dem engmaschigen Netz von Google. Auch wenn ich ein großes Mißbrauchspotenzial bei der immer weitergehenden Vernetzung des Internets erkennen kann, in USA die Versicherungen gegen "Identity Theft" boomen und absehbar ist, dass so einige Sci-Fi-Szenarien in wenigen Jahren zur Realität werden: Embrace Change. Die neuen mobilen Services und Social Media können unser Leben leichter machen... nie mehr ohne Google Maps in einer fremden Stadt, schon im Vorfeld wissen wie mein Hotel aussieht, mit Nokia OVI navigieren, während der Messe unser CRM aufrufen und natürlich direkt den Klatsch und Tratsch an meine Freunde weitergeben... frei nach dem Motto: "Dass muss ich XX erzählen". I like!

Hier der Artikel auf Zeit Online: Digitale Identität: Das Ende des freiwilligen Internets

Mein erstes Barcamp: Castlecamp in Zell am See/Kaprun

Freue mich gerade auf mein erstes Barcamp... Castlecamp in Kaprun... als ehemaliger Unternehmensberater sollte mir ja das Prinzip der "selbstorganisierenden Unkonferenz" eigentlich ein Greuel sein... aber Nein, ich freu mich drauf.

Dank Rainer Edlinger sind wir mit Skiinfo und Bergleben diesmal auch Partner des Castlecamp und ich werde sicherlich hier und auf Facebook ein wenig berichten!

Challenge Roth

Die Challenge in Roth ist noch immer der größte Langdistanz-Triathlon Europas... und vielleicht auch der emotionalste. Die egsamte Stadt steht hinter der Veranstaltung und fiebert entsprechend mit. Wir auch:



Mehr Infos auf unserem Triathlon-Portal

Bergleben.de is live

It has been quite a long time since my last post. A lot of things have moved, a lot of things have changed. By now I am the sole CEO of XNX - a responsibility I did not ask for... but definitely a challenge to take on.

On Friday we have launched a new project that is a dramatic next step in the development of XNX and Skiinfo: Bergleben.de
Based on our successful portals Bike2b.com and Mountains2b.com we added a regional layer with activity details such as Bikeparks, GPX-Tours and Climbing destinations.

The launch is always just a first step - the project will need to live and develop, something we are looking forward to do.

Please check it out: www.bergleben.de

Ski2b.com Relaunch

Wow, after a lot of work we have finally released a new version of our main portal focussed on Ski Weltcup: Ski2b.com

It has been very quiet from my side for the last three months and the main reason for that was work work work. With the new Ski2b.com live (after a very impressive teamwork from our tech and editorial departments) and the new Skiinfo.de launching in a couple of weeks I finally found the spare time and motivation to post again.

The new look & feel will be applied to all of our 2b-portals in the next months and you can expect some further structural changes. E.g. all snow reporting will happen on Skiinfo side in the future.

Also both sides are growing together nicely without some of the frills I have seen in other "mergers that actually are a takeover" ;-) No really, a cultural fit should be your main concern when integrating two companies as it will make things so much easier.

I will post again in a couple of days with an update on Wakeboarding. The summer is basically over, but I have tested three more spots lately:
- See 0f Galillee (Genezareth): Walk on Jesus`footsteps
- Tel Aviv
- Hamm (my new homebase)
and am gonna post in some details!

Soccer and Pageimpressions

There are some things that no marketing campaign can buy... having a product that is rare and that a lot of people want is the best way.



One of our clients was able to offer a limited number of tickets along with travel for the Quarter Final Germany - Portugal. As they usually have travel packages that are targeted at VIP customers for selected Bundesliga Games, their website was in the middle of season break = hibernation = no traffic at all.



Then they got word that they could offer tickets. One hour after Germany won against Austria the package went online . Yesterday night the offer went offline (sold out!). See the curve:

Let`s hope that Germany proceeds all the way to the finals... we will see a curve like that after/before every game :-)

And one more thing on IT development: I truely believe in the 90/90 rule.

Skiinfo AS acquires XNX GmbH

It`s been over a month since my last post - damn it. In the meantime we have made quite some progress. Accounting, controlling and setting up new processes takes a big chunk of my daily work. But we definitely see a lot of progress... a major piece of work - in fact one that we had been working on since February 2007 has now been closed and I am very proud and honoured to post the official press release. On Sunday I am off to vacation in Israel - 30°C and sun is the forecast... with zero skidays this winter I am all ready for the summer.

Skiinfo AS acquires XNX GmbH

Skiinfo.com, the leading network of Snow Resort information in Europe with Headquarters in Oslo (Norway) is taking over XNX GmbH. It was agreed that the purchase price for Germany-based XNX and the related Sports2b network is not to be disclosed.

The decision was made based on a successful collaboration in the past, complementary product portfolios and markets. Skiinfo is the leading provider of Ski Resort data and up-to-date snow- and weather information in Italy, Scandinavia and France. More than 1000 ski resorts in Europe are being updated on a daily basis. The takeover will provide Skiinfo with a strong presence in Germany and Austria.

Since 1997 XNX has built up its own Sports2b-Network and has extensive experience in the Online-Wintersport market. Taking over the maintenance of skiinfo.de and .nl is a logical step for the editorial department of XNX, while Skiinfo closes a gap on the map. Another advantage is XNX’s PR Distribution, which is being used by well-known Tourism Associations of the Alps. It will provide additional content to Skiinfo’s users, ranging from exclusive news to the latest event information.

XNX will have a seat on the board of directors of Skiinfo AS. All former XNX-shareholders are now shareholders of Skiinfo AS and will remain on board, being strongly committed to the future growth of the new company. The current product portfolio of XNX will be continued with the same employees and new features and extensions are already under development. The product portfolios of both companies will be integrated step by step to further improve the service towards skiresorts.

Martin Fiala (Managing Director, XNX GmbH): In my perspective Skiinfo is the only true European Wintersport network with strong roots in all major markets. We are looking forward to the future, having found the perfect partner for further growth. Together we will be able to provide European Products and Services to our customers.

Jaron Schächter (Managing Director, XNX GmbH): For XNX the integration with Skiinfo is an exciting step, taking us from the local market to an international level. It will allow us to further streamline our product portfolio and position us clearly. Main target is to extend the reach of Skiinfo in German and other languages. With “Skier’s Lounge” we are running the only social network around skiing that can offer a European touch.

Espen Schrøder (CEO, Skiinfo AS): Since starting the cooperation with XNX, we were enthusiastic about the professional team, and their network of partner websites. Our business models are highly complementary, and since the German-speaking area is the most important market in Europe, we are really excited about this merger. Together with the products of XNX we are looking forward to a strong future growth and a market leading position as the number one European provider of ski related information.

About Skiinfo:
Skiinfo is the leading European online platform about skiing. Snow- and weather reports are daily updated and delivered in various languages. Information about slopes, parks and related services make it a complete portal. Key factor is the high quality and depth of data that made Skiinfo a well-established provider of content to more than 100 partners including Newspapers, TV Stations and Online-Portals. Founded in Oslo in 1996 Skiinfo has now local presence with offices in Annecy/France, Torino/Italy and employees in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Denmark and the UK.

Its website is www.skiinfo.com


About XNX:
XNX GmbH powers a network of sport portals. From Skiing to Outdoor, from Mountain bike to Climbing – with its specialisation each portal has its own strong position. Customers of XNX include well known athletes, associations, major portals and the sport industry for which XNX creates, delivers and distributes content. Founded in Münster/Germany in 1997 XNX is now part of the Skiinfo group.

Its website is www.xnx.de