Telephones and Fax Machines
Lessons to be learned from ZapMail
ZapMail was offered in 1984 by Federal Express
Two hour delivery of a document for the same price as overnight delivery Federal Express built a large Fax Network and expected to rake in millions Venture failed because customers bought their own fax machines Customers used a cheap telco network to transport services they owned
Fast forward to 2003
The telephone network has gone digital Gone are the days of analog copper lines and expensive switching networks We now have a low cost digital delivery system that can send anything ? voice, data, video Telephone companies are still charging like the network is expensive The consumer now has options like they did in 1984 Consumers can buy network access and operate their own services
Voice (Voice over IP, Video Conferencing over IP, etc.)
IP Address will replace the phone number Wi-Fi access are in a position to eliminate the last mile advantage Wi-Fi network access with IP phones may make the telco obsolete
Digital Media Distribution
Here is the progression of events
MP3 file compression (MPEG, Layer 3) MP3 Players (Software versions and hardware versions) MP3 file swapping via Napster RIAA killed Napster with copyright infringement case The rise of Kazaa for the new file swapper client Kazaa has a file distribution system not touchable by courts
RIAA seek to limit distribution of files with copy protection built into hardware
Microsoft?s Pressplay
Open source agreements with manufacturers Unlimited access to 300,000 titles for subscription $9.95 per month (unlimited streaming/downloads, none portable) $17.95 per month (unlimited s/d, 10 portable downloads) $179.40 per year (unlimited s/d, 120 portable downloads) About $1.50 per portable download
Apples iTunes Music Store
Proprietary standards for apple only hardware (iPod) Sells music for 99 cents per song ($7,500 to fill iPod)
The emerging battlelines will reshape the music industry
Digital Distribution versus Traditional Record Label Domination Paid subscriptions versus pirated Kazaa copies
Movement Core Electronics Industry Off-shore
Information Source
Report Issued by the Advisory Group on Electron Device (AGED)
Conclusion drawn from National Technology Leadership Forum held last year ?DOD is forced to rely on the perceived system integration advantage to maintain superiority?
Loss of US Innovation Centers and Growth of Offshore Foundries is driven by
Off-shore financial incentives Lower off-shore labor costs Less stringent environment laws Tax policies US Export policies US university-trained foreign workforce
Si-Microbridge technology is a case a point. Night Vision sensors have gone commercial
Software Delivery and Development
Software licensing for Individual PC
One time purchase Now yearly subscription via Internet updates Becoming more like rented software
The Rise of Application Service Providers (ASPs)
Renting the entire software suite with the hardware Enabling technology Internet and Web service Standards (Java, .Net)
Movement of Core Programming Capability Off-shore
Spyware And Adware Delivery Software
Most free software installs adware and spyware
Adware delivers annoying popups Spyware records surfing habits to help adware deliver "targeted" ad
The software company is paid by the ad delivery networks for either the number of ad delivered to your computer or for the installation itself. The adware program alters the registry and loads each time you start your computer. Biggest Violators are ad network companies call Xzoomy.com, Xupiter Toolbar, Bonzi Buddy, or Gator. How to get rid of all those parasites? Use one of the following shareware programs. Both have good reviews. Their effectiveness depends on which one has most recently been updated to catch the latest spyware disguises
Hacked versions of most peer-to-peer programs are available without the pesky spyware code.
These links change frequently as programmers play cat-and-mouse with the adware companies. Tech Talk has never tried these hacker version and cannot vouch for their quality. Many good comments about them can be found on the Internet.
Lookup software on Spychecker before installation to see if it includes adware or spyware.
The Matrix and Observations about Programming
Genetic Programs are programs that write programs Created a Matrix within a Matrix Interesting site Genetic-Programming.org
Interesting Websites The End of the AOL–Microsoft Feud
Steve Case was kicked out in January Bill Gates settles with the Time-Warner folks in May for $750M Expect collaboration to take advantage of shrinking markets AOL may end trying to develop its own technology
Netscape, Mirabilis (ICQ), WinAmp (Nullsoft)
Microsoft will emphasize markets like handhelds, cell phones against Linux
MailBag
How can I look up shows on your site? (James Terreli) My computer slowed down and you talked about it (G Mainer) How can I get rid of these pesky popup? (Jim Kneussl) How can I hook my cellphone to my laptop? (Richard Darr)
Stratford Bachelors Degree Programs
Hacking Class for High School Students Fast Track (30 Months for BS or BA) with not breaks
Information Systems Business Administration Hospitality Management Culinary Arts Hotel/Restaurant Management (Online completely)
Masters Degrees Next Start June 30th