One of the hidden ironies in the present Web 2.0 boom is that it occurs against the backdrop of a continuing Web 1.0 bust.

Companies that arose in the 1990s in such niches as e-commerce have never really recovered from the dot-bomb of 2000. In particular online department stores like Buy.Com, Overstock.Com and eCost.com have come to look as faded as old Penney's and Sears department stores did a decade ago.

Nothing unusual here. The reason we've had so few recessions in recent decades, and such short ones, is that new booms pile on behind the old ones, so that a failure in one segment is matched by the rise of another.

Anyway, Buy.Com is planning an IPO because they need the capital, eCost is being de-listed, and Overstock.Com lost money in its last quarter.

Internet retailing needs some new ideas. Here are some:

• Niches. Own a specific niche, really own it, and help turn Amazon into an online Sears (and not in a good way).
  
• Geographic specificity. Either serve a local area (with local delivery and pick-up) or do export-import more effectively for retail customers.
  
• Ally with a portal, really ally with one, even exchanging equity, to reduce your marketing costs.
  

Just some ideas for the post-Christmas planning season.