"We'll figure out how to monetize it later"

[WPW_Feedbot]

That's a quote in today's USA Today from Lars Perkins, product manager for Picasa, Google's recently acquired photo software. It's a sentiment that rests deep in Google DNA - make the product first, figure out the business case later. It worked for the original Google service, and it's clearly guiding Print, Orkut, Froogle, and News (though some of those of course are supported by advertising). I don't have the answer to this question, but it's worth raising - how long can this approach to the world stand? It's certainly a wonderful luxury to have - make a useful product, then figure out if/how it might make money. it reminds me of my preferred approach to publishing - make great editorial, then figure out how to sell it later. The only difference - with editorial, there was always a model to fall back on - advertising and subscription. As I've pointed out before, I'm not so sure that advertising alone can foot the bill for all of Google's innovations....

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