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Articles by Tom Hymes

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Video Secrets: Vested in the Future

Video Secrets wants everyone to know that while it has different names for its various divisions, just like many companies, its eye is and always will be kept squarely on its core competency — live video chat.

Tom Hymes ·
opinion

Jism Schism

The worm has turned. Even companies that dominate their sectors are at pains to maintain the illusion of business as usual.

Tom Hymes ·
opinion

Penile Implants

It's kind of like a horror movie. <i>Invasion of the Implants.</i> Penises in porn are getting noticeably smaller and decidedly more flaccid than they used to be... despite the many enhancers and enlargers now available to the vertically-challenged.

Tom Hymes ·
opinion

The Diminishing Fruit of Labor

I hate coming up with titles for columns that reek of despondency and despair, and even more with describing them alliteratively, but in this case once the thing popped into my head and the idea of the column began to coalesce into something to do with value, work and the decreasing number of places where the two intersect, there was no alternative but to go with it.

Tom Hymes ·
profile

MaxPayments: Maximum Service and Innovation

MaxPayments has been providing domestic and offshore merchant accounts to adult merchants since 2005, but it still may be the best-kept secret in high-risk merchant billing.

Tom Hymes ·
trends

The End of the Culture War?

The rather startling recent remarks by founder James Dobson to the effect that the conservative keepers of morality have lost the culture war could be read many ways, but I would advise against interpreting them as anything close to abject surrender.

Tom Hymes ·
profile

In the Executive Seat: Michael Klein

XBIZ sits down with LFP President Michael Klein to discuss the state of the industry and his multi-faceted company.

Tom Hymes ·
opinion

Show Me the Money

I wrote this column for XBIZ World's billing issue, in which the vagaries of processing and transacting for adult products and services are laid bare for the edification of the industry.

Tom Hymes ·
profile

AMP Offers New Options for Merchants

Established in 2001, AMP is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Boca Raton-based Charge Card Systems, offering merchant services to high risk industries.

Tom Hymes ·
trends

The Market is Always Right

Humans, however, are often wrong, especially when it comes to understanding and engaging markets, so where does that leave us?

Tom Hymes ·
profile

In the Executive Seat: Braincash Fred

With a portfolio of more than 40 targeted websites, Montreal-based Braincash has carved out a distinct identity in the solo-girl and niche marketplaces. Founder Fred Valiquette agreed to field a few questions as we head deeper into 2009.

Tom Hymes ·
profile

In the Executive Seat: Richard Cohen

VOD giant HotMovies.com was launched in December 2002 by National A-1 Internet, already a leading provider of adult audiotext services.

Tom Hymes ·
opinion

Porn, the Indicator Industry

The obvious has once again bludgeoned me, to wit, the bulimic cycle applies to financial health as well. It also is a natural process, this pendulum swing between acute surfeit and scarcity, so one would be forgiven for thinking we should have a handle on the problem by now, but sadly and weirdly, we do not.

Tom Hymes ·
opinion

The Quietness That Kills

There is a silence within the industry, like a black hole in the middle of it

Tom Hymes ·
profile

Kink.com: Demystifying Alternative Sexuality

Kink.com, by anyone's estimation, is an industry phenomenon as well as a social phenomenon.

Tom Hymes ·
opinion

The Outer Limits of Pornography

In his latest book, Remix: Making Art and Commerce Thrive in the Hybrid Economy, Stanford Law School professor and Obama transition team consultant Lawrence Lessig makes yes another appeal for a massive overhaul of copyright law.

Tom Hymes ·
opinion

Sitting Out the Recession in Jail

Dear Max Hardcore, <p> I just wanted to send a few thoughts your way as you begin a 46-month stint in federal prison for an obscenity conviction that should never have happened in the first place

Tom Hymes ·
opinion

Just Passing Through?

I haven't posted up anything since late last year

Tom Hymes ·
profile

In the Executive Seat: Platinum Dave

Founded in 1998 by the brothers Platinum Dave and Dan, Platinum Bucks is one of the most well known and successful affiliate programs in adult Internet industry.

Tom Hymes ·
profile

OCCash Grows Despite Besieged Paysite Model

XXXJay of OCCash is one of the most unique personalities in the business. His trademark tats and larger-than-life persona are legendary, but he is notable as a bright guy who doesn't hesitate to express his opinions, even if it means getting caught up in the occasional fight on the boards.

Tom Hymes ·
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