The Non-Disclosure Agreement. Metzger deals with startups - and a lot of them ask for signed NDAs. It makes doing business extremely difficult - they may have a client in the same business. The chances of Metzger taking an idea are zero. Michael says he launched Callisto.fm at Podcamp Boulder 2009 as an idea. A developer stepped up and offered to build it. If there were an NDA, that wouldn't have happened. What would happen to someone that stole that idea? The community is too small. That won't happen in San Francisco, people are more likely to steal idea due to the size of the space. Investors like teams, not ideas in general. Two companies Boulder Open Coffee Club asked for NDAs before they'd share ideas. No one did it. Startups face difficulty - do they share excitement with open betas, or do they keep it locked down until the last minute to fanfare? All agree that the former is better. CNET was recently in trouble for bypassing a press embargo with a hacked code. They were prepared to pan the idea, but ended up giving it a good review. The publisher issued a DMCA takedown. Bad PR move. Apple reveals their hand when they issue a takedown request, most people usually comply. You can give away details without revealing the entire idea. Doyle's clients is launching a new beer brand. Let's go make one too! It's Miller-Coors - interesting. If you don't have at least 5 competitors, your idea is probably not worth a crap. Competition is great for startups. Amazon took what was already in place and made it really easy. iPad will be the same kind of thing. A better version of what's out there already. Apple makes their money on mystery and hype. If they announced everything a year in advance, there'd be no surprise, a lot less hype, and revenue. Should the same apply to startups? Apple does have a great record of super innovative products. Michael organized an iPad launch party: Tabletpalooza. Dell couldn't get away with it. It takes a remarkable product for stealth mode companies to work. They might have the next Segway. Things that don't get feedback may not be commercially viable. Is Apple paying attention to the comments on the iPad? Changing the iPad based on that feedback? We all think the feedback is far more valuable than the NDA. Does Doyle still think the Conan Obrien deal was a plant? Umm, no. But this sets the stage for the next coup. Imagine organizing the big voices to accomplish goals. That's a wrap. Find us in the regular places, specifically Callisto.fm and iTunes!