November 8, 1996. Let’s take a trip back in time with @NY — The New York Internet Newsletter. And how about April 11, 1997.
This was before my time at @NY, but, boy, does it bring back memories. I worked with @NY founders Tom Watson and Jason Chervokas starting early 1998. (Here’s an issue from around that time.) Right out of J-school they put me to work coding HTML and selling advertising. I must have been hungry. Besides paying my dues, I got to write a weekly feature story. That put me in the position of hearing about the hopes and dreams — and vast venture capital-fueled plans — of a whole bunch of ambitious entrepreneurs. Some of ’em are even still around today.
Anyway, the wayback machine is especially interesting in light of today’s go-go climate, at least in the world of Internet advertising and marketing. Just look at the optimism and hope (and arrogance) that filled the world of Silicon Alley in the late 90s.
Thanks to Tom for the trip.