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I love reading about economic theories and how they relate to and describe the internet and the information economy. An article I read some time ago called Bad competitors are ruining markets everywhere helped clarify my thoughts on the industry. The article makes me even more impressed by the founders of Craigslist than I already was.

It describes how their interest in the utility of information (specifically classified advertisements) has contributed to the collapse of the business model of classified advertising supporting newspapers. According to the English Times newspaper: "Craigslist is a public service as much as a private company. For [founders] Newmark and Buckmaster, the internet has a higher calling than money-making."...Read Full Article»

University of Melbourne gives student squatters 5:00pm deadline to move out.

Transport Forum wants new rail links at Rowville and Tarneit.

Melbourne toll road operator ConnectEast Group says it has accumulated more than half of its $450 million capital raising.

About 2,000 TAFE teachers have gathered in Melbourne to demand the Victorian Government reduce staff casualisation and improve salaries.

Monsieur Truffe is a chocolate shop slash cafe on the Collingwood side of Smith St near the lovely Wabi Sabi Salon. They do a simple French breakfast of coffee or hot chocolate and plain or chocolate croissants, which are divine. The coffee is was average when I was there but once they get a new barista and the business gets settled (they have been open about 3 months) I am sure it will improve....Read Full Article»

This is a review of the wonderful new Turkish restaurant Gigibaba on Smith St in Collingwood, with a few tangential diversions. Chef Ismail Tosun previously ran the Eminem restaurant in the inner Perth suburb of Leederville; if any comparison is possible between the cultural desert of Perth and the oasis of Melbourne, then Leederville is the closest thing to Fitzroy in Perth....Read Full Article»

I was walking past the Graffitti Club (I"m not sure what the deliberate misspelling means, but it makes it easy for Google to find it) on Johnston St recently and decided to go inside to find out more about it. It"s in the space of the former CES / Centrelink offices. Inside, the main bar area has a small stage with a DJ setup and pool tables, flat screens and video games....Read Full Article»

Brunswick St women"s fashion shop IDS commissioned artist Deb some time ago to paint some of her signature female figures on their shop door and doorway. On a recent weekend walk I noticed that someone had added to her work and I am not sure how I feel about it.

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I worked in Carlton for 3 years and used to know it well, but that was nearly 3 years ago. Despite its wealth and style, I get the impression that Carlton has lost some of its cool. Compared to Fitzroy and Brunswick, where bloggers document the street art and review every new cafe within days of them opening, Carlton is significantly underblogged although there is much to write about and review....Read Full Article»