As a founder of a start-up company influenced by William Gibson's work, I take a small exception to today's blog entry (Mar 15). While it's true that many start-ups with names based on Gibson's work have failed, I can think of at least two that haven't failed (mine included).

Not to blatantly advertise, but they are NetworkICE and Hiverworld. The latter being my company, the former being a company now owned by Internet Security Systems.

In the case of Hiverworld, Hiver (being the French word for 'winter') and world (being as it sounds) are combined to create 'winterworld' -- the world that would exist if Wintermute took over. Yeah, it's a stretch, but hey, aren't most names?
[I wonder if WM Gibson still has the shirt & literature I gave him from the now renamed company? It's a collector's item & has marginal value with the company being renamed.]

An article about my so-called naming can be found here and here.

On an unrelated topic, I purchased a copy of "Follies & Grottoes" after reading about Gibson's interest in the hermit chapter. Inside, I found a rather interesting Letter from a previous owner.

It seems I continue to be influenced by Gibson well into my adult years. It's little details like the letter above that make the whole web log thing totally worth it.

-jsf www.johnsflowers.com

There's also the small exception of my start up, WINTERMUTE'S GYRO AND PAPAYA KING.

"Not to blatantly advertise, but... [snips out huge advertisement]"

This is one of the many reasons why I'm glad the iBubble CyberPopped.

For Cathode Cathay. Hot IPO coming soon. Grab it!
Bigend described those web guys so well...HE should know.

what about the computer security firm that marketed Black ICE firewalls?

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I am addicted to

BlackICE came from NetworkICE, who is now owned by Internet Security Systems (or, ISS.net)