The Dot-Com Tales

Did you avoid the Dot-Com Bomb, or feel the sting of its shrapnel? Umbershoot.net wants to know. The idea-exchange Web site has established an online book collaboration to chronicle the ups and downs of dot-com careers. Past and present dot-commers can submit their missives online and see them posted in Umbershoot's collaborative book site -- a graphic of an open book filled with links to potential chapter titles (including "I Should Have Gone to Law School Like My Mother Said").

The book still needs lots of content, however; Umbershoot recently received its first submission. Expect an extension on the March 30 submission deadline, but don't go overboard with the long-winded war stories: There's a 50,000 word-count limit.

After publishing all stories online, Umbershoot will compile the best ones and shop them around at paper-based publishers, says CEO Denis Piel. Sixty-five percent of net revenue from the published book will divided among the final contributors (based on word count). Ex-dotcommers still might make a few bucks off those worthless stock options -- with a long, lively narrative about why they're worthless.