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There is a Lesson in Lycos’ Death

Posted by John Saddington on Jan 18, 2009

dogLycos, once a powerhouse giant with their email service, is shuttering it’s doors for good as one source reports.

For those that were users of the service you may remember the “good times” that the service provided… it was indeed a slick email service and had a number of functionalities that were ahead of it’s time.

It’s user interface was simple and sleek and I, at one point, had more than one account because it was so dope.

But, it’s now in the dead-pool as of February 15, 2009.

Why?

Because underneath all the “business” jargon and reported “classy” justifications of the close-down dance is the simple fact that it couldn’t keep up and was unwilling to make the necessary changes to continue it’s run of success.

I feel like there’s a lesson to be learned here for us as technoevangelists and the throngs of people we engage with daily: From our ministry teams, organizational staff, and those we seek to minister to.

If you’re not willing to make the necessary changes to your organization to engage with the web and online space then I would say that it’s safe to say that you’ve stunted yourself, perhaps in a very big way.

I’m careful in saying all this because not all ministries, churches, or non-profits need deep web engagement, but you need some. I’d say the less web you decide to use the more strategic you must be.

It’s inevitable. How will the “old dogs” learn new tricks? 2 things:

  1. They must be willing to adapt.
  2. We (those that don’t need to be sold) must be willing to teach.

This powerful formula is gold.

Are you adapting as fast as necessary (and in wisdom)? Are you willing to “teach” those that are willing and ready?

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John Saddington

John is the Chief Editor @ The 8BIT Network and Senior Blog Junkie here at ChurchCrunch.He enjoys Triple-Tall Americanos, developing Wordpress Themes, and a few other Random Things.

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21 Responses to “There is a Lesson in Lycos’ Death”

  1. Aaron
    Monday, January 19, 2009 at 12:08 am

    When I think about engaging the public via the web, I consider my old hometown church. They've got a REAL simple web presence. (It's actually kind of painful to view, in my opinion.) I know the demographics of the church and there probably isn't that great a need to have a web presence for these folks. However, to reach the new generation(s) in this information edge, I completely agree: It's paramount to stay fresh on the internets if you wish to keep reaching new folks.

    Reply
    • human3rror
      Monday, January 19, 2009 at 12:25 am

      surely. there are some congregations that don't need to. but, if they're going to have “just” a website, make it good…! and easy to update… or something.

      Reply
      • Aaron
        Monday, January 19, 2009 at 12:31 pm

        Wordpress even!

        zing!

        Reply
      • Jim
        Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at 12:57 am

        amen,amen

        Reply
    • Ancoti
      Monday, January 19, 2009 at 1:55 am

      Scattered across the business landscape are the rusting hulks of one time leaders who did not adapt to changing business environment or competitive advances. We used to have a saying "Just when I thought I was winning the rat race, along came faster rats!"

      Aaron's comment on the painfully simple website resonates for me, as an "old dog" (Check out the profile pic, that is my 10 yr old shepherd) I understand the need to build for the upcoming generation even if the current populace may think it overkill.

      Churches need to learn to keep communicating and reaching the upcoming generations where they meet. I always quote Judges 2:10 as a warning of what happens when the next generation begins to unplug.

      Reply
      • human3rror
        Monday, January 19, 2009 at 2:09 am

        brought out the scripture. hot dog.

        :) for sure. your comments resonate.

        Reply
        • Jim
          Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at 12:56 am

          preach it from tha' Word!love it.

          Reply
      • Jim
        Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at 12:55 am

        love the "rusting hulks"
        i also like shipwrecks…and chocolate milkshakes.H3 is going to give me a ? on this.

        Reply
    • Jim
      Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at 12:58 am

      i'm there too Aaron, trying to update a site this week that just makes me ill. and hasn't been updated.

      Reply
      • Aaron
        Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at 1:40 am

        Of course, I could take the loving-caring approach and offer to
        overhaul it for them than complain about it. Shame on me. :/

        Reply
        • Jim
          Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at 2:14 am

          no,it seems that my mother said that complaining about it will only make it better?

          Reply
        • human3rror
          Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at 7:16 am

          give me a cut.

          Reply
      • human3rror
        Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at 7:13 am

        do it.

        Reply
  2. Ancoti
    Monday, January 19, 2009 at 2:12 am

    Wuf.

    Reply
  3. Andrew
    Monday, January 19, 2009 at 12:45 pm

    The one thing that your article does not mention is that it is Lycos EUROPE that is shutting down Tripod and Mail. Lycos Europe is a completely different company than Lycos USA. In fact, the US company is doing well and has no plans to shut down Tripod.

    Please, correct (as the TechCrunch story has) your article. And change your logo from the Lycos US logo you are showing to the very different Lycos Europe logo.

    Reply
    • Andrew
      Monday, January 19, 2009 at 12:49 pm

      Also, Lycos U.S. is very much not in the dead pool.

      Reply
      • Jim
        Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at 12:54 am

        take a breathe, that's right breathe deep!

        Reply
    • human3rror
      Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at 7:14 am

      thanks andrew. no email, that's lame.

      Reply