great example of why AOL and others are being left in the dust by google. quite simply, they just don't get it.

I'm not sure it's that simple, Eric. You could argue your point by asking, if Google 'does' get it - why didn't people flock to their video service? They were a lot more prominent as a company than YouTube, yet YouTube wears the crown - why?

well, i think the proof the google gets it, is that the reacted by acquiring YouTube instead of phoning in some B.S. public relations inspired statement about it.

Not that I want to get super philosophical on this, especially on Fri the 13th , but why spend this enormous amount of money when they already had a similar product on the market and 'got it'? In other words, why not just make the product right from the beginning, since they 'get it'? If they didn't have Google Video - I'd agree with you totally, but because they did... anyway, have a nice weekend, it's not that relevant, Sergey no doubt is still doing fine financially, this acquisition didn't bring him closer to the level of Abramovitch, but I'm sure he's got enough to enjoy himself. And more power to him (and Larry) - they're goo(gle)d guys