Jack_Straw - 3:54 am on Aug 11, 2002 (gmt 0)

But, Inktomi...

If you turn it around very fast "for free" listings, what incentive will be left to encourage paid listings?

Fresh content and quick turn around sound great. But, something is not credible here. In light of the lengths you have taken in the recent past to "encourage" paid submissions, what can we expect from you now? We all know revenue stream is an issue for Inktomi (as it is for all of us).

If you turn index too swiftly for free listings, what will be the value proposition of the paid listings?

Not that I am discouraging this. I think it is good for the industry and for Inktomi to be a competitive source of information again.

But, I'm sure you are aware of the contradiction you are implying. Your model is not making sense. There must be more to the story that you are not telling us? Can you give us the whole picture?

Are you effectively dropping your dependency on PFI (I prefer PFF - pay for fresh) program in favor of deriving your revenue entirely from royalties from the likes of MSN, Yahoo and others?

Or, are you gambling that the difference between 2 days and 14-21 days will be enough to encourage significant revenue from your PFF program?

I have to believe you are moving to a model that makes sense? Please, demonstrate that you are not playing games and show your hand.