Decisions, decisions

When Alaskan Senator Ted Stevens told reporters that the internet was a "series of tubes," the statement spawned a name for startup, Pipes, which in turn sparked a host of imitators believing the next big thing was to be a "do-it-yourself application builder."

But jest isn't always the best foundation for an internet startup. After a long fight in the apps space, mashup maker Teqlo has shut down, according to GigaOM.

In July, the startup switched gears, stating it was transitioning from mashup apps to "web-based workflow." But investors — and influential execs — began to flock away from the fledgling business.

Founder Jacoby Thwaites sums it up by telling GigaOM: "We ran out of time working out what the killer product could be!"

It's an old story.