Week 7 – Software & Online Distribution
10 minute Speed Writing Session #2
Beethoven Op.110 for piano (extract)
Requested by Jacinta. You can write directly into your blog but I have pens/ pencil and paper if you perfer the old fashioned way.
Speed Writing Rules:
- write
- don’t stop
- don’t even think
Software
. . . is a general term for the various kinds of programs used to operate computers and related devices. (The term hardware describes the physical aspects of computers and related devices.)
Common Uses
- Games
- Websites
- Business Apps
- iPhone & Facebook Apps
Website Distribution
An internet website can now run and “house” all of the above types of software applications and, because it’s zeros and ones, a simple website can act as a distribution hub for:
- music
- film
- games
- other software
Databases
What is a Database?
A database is an integrated collection of logically related records or files which consolidates records into a common pool of data records that provides data for many applications. A database is a collection of information that is organized so that it can easily be accessed, managed, and updated.
(Wikipedia)
Databases look something like linked Excel spreadsheets. A typical database might hold the names and addresses of potential buyers – or recipients of a website newsletter. Or a database might hold a list of credit card numbers.
Database Security
Databases and security always go together.
As you can imagine, security issues are HUGE. Most of the time spent designing a Db is security-related. Massive firewalls have to be built to fend off hackers, spam-bots and, basically, idiots. Thankfully most hackers are just trying to sell viagra, sex and cigarettes. But others do want your credit card number.
Last year, every 3 months, Wordpress (the software behind this website) issued a security update to defend it’s system from being spammed and attacked. This year, they do so nearly every month.
- Data-mining
- Data selling
- Credit Card
- ID theft
Software Programming Languages
- PHP (open-source)
- C+
- C#
- Basic
- ASP
Business Opportunities
The internet has created a level playing field. A small cottage industry can run a website right alongside a bank – and can even do a better job of it. But in order to stay online and make money – a website has to run like a business. It has to be updated and “cared for” every day. The windows (front page / specials) need to be changed and “shelves” (code) has to be cleaned up. Websites do not run (make money) all by themselves.
Other Resources
Techcrunch
http://www.techcrunch.com/
An online technical round-up website. This is where I go to see the latest trends in software and internet “distribution” techniques. It pays to be in the loop about these things – even if you just want to watch the demise of television or read about new methods of “content delivery”.
Seth’s Blog
http://sethgodin.typepad.com/
Internet marketing guru. When he speaks, Capitalists listen. And he has a no holes barred approach to communication (which I like). Hopefully you’ll like him, too.
The Million Dollar Homepage
http://www.milliondollarhomepage.com/
Half-baked internet idea that actually flew!
Robot to be controlled by human brain cells
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn17761-robot-to-be-controlled-by-human-brain-cells.html
Article on recent robotic development.
Business Models
- film distribution (VOD / iView)
- music / film distribution
- teaching and education
- online printing
- software
- games
Search Engines
97% of sites are found using search engines – which explains why BLOGs are so popular. The content of this BLOG is picked up by search engines. Less than five minutes after posting a first draft, Google had spidered (sent bots out), indexed and found this very page. US businesses know this and so you’ll pretty much find a BLOG of some sort behind many successful businesses today.
In Class
(and for next week)
I’d like you to research and BLOG about how your final project can be delivered or marketed in an online environment. You could read TechCrunch and see what the latest trends are. or maybe Seth Godin can help you out when it comes to the marketing side of things.
I’d also like you to rewrite your story. It’d be great to see 1st, 2nd and 3rd drafts of your 10 minute writing adventures up there.
Where Are We?
- We are slowly working towards character / story ideas. Don’t worry about the interactive elements at this stage. Maybe I can help you there. It’s much more important to develop an intriguing character that we can engage with emotionally.
- The writing exercises should be bringing out some off-the-beaten track ideas. You might like to continue / do one or two more exercises at home? If you’re keen. But do not think. The key is not to think. By thinking, we try to “rationalise” the gold that is hiding deep inside our right brains.
- Next up is your pitch. You’ll be expected to pitch using PowerPoint or some other medium such as HTML (if you know how to).
- You should be blogging right now and on a regular basis for this unit.
- I will be checking BLOGS in (and outside of) class from now on – to see how you are going.
Comments
5 Comments on Week 7 – Software & Online Distribution
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Jacinta on
Thu, 10th Sep 2009 11:18 am
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Liz Frodsham on
Thu, 10th Sep 2009 12:24 pm
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Kym on
Thu, 10th Sep 2009 8:33 pm
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Jacinta on
Thu, 17th Sep 2009 11:14 am
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Joe on
Fri, 25th Sep 2009 8:23 pm
In this week’s tutorial class, Edwin mentioned that everything, for instance, computer software, is moving towards “cloud”.
Everything is moving really fast in this era, especially entertainment and information. This in a way could be a good thing, in terms of the ease and speed of distribution.
Edwin also mentioned how difficult it is to have good security system in any software or online application. 95% of the effort in designing any programs is spent on building up the security.
I kinda agree with Seth Gobin’s point of view,partly, that things in the Internet are meant to be transparent as for instance, when we look at it from the online shopping kind of view, we do wish to know the seller or buyer clearer so that there is less scam.
However, to look from another side, human beings are always evil. We can never imagine how some private information can be sold and used in undesirable or unauthorised way. Especially nowadays that information and databases are so crucial and wanted that many companies are actually ‘buying’ customers information from everywhere.
we as consumers do have to protect our own rights and privacy. As from the internet, we are unable to know who other people are (though we can roughly judge the characteristics and personalities from the internet histories), we must be extremely careful in order to protect our identities and not let others take advantage of us.
I found the discussion about internet security (or lack of) very interesting. Jacinta, I agree with you that we have to be so careful when we sue the internet to protect our identities and ourselves in general. It scary to think about how many cases of credit card fraud occur through the internet and how so many of these people aren’t caught.
On a slightly lighter yet related note, has any one seen the new Facebook application “Fancheck”? (It used to be called “Stalker Check” but Faceboook made the creator change the name because it violated the terms and conditions). Anyway, it checks out your facebook page and works out who looks at the it most, and then creates a list with the photos of the top 20 people who ’stalk’ your page. Most people publish this list on their photo album page so everyone can see who is the biggest ‘fan’ (STALKER). Is this a violation of privacy? I think it is because you should be able to do what you want anonymously and not have to worry about “fancheck” picking up your every movement on Facebook. What does everyone else think?
Yes internet security is a scary thing! The information that people can obtain and then use! In highschool we used to put our name into google and often we came up under random sites – but some who had created a membership with a certain site came up, and some even had their address listed as well… so much for keeping your information confidential!!
And yes Liz, I’ve seen that fancheck app on Facebook as well, and I agree with you. People don’t need to know if I check someones profile more than other people. They may have changed the name to ‘fancheck’ but I believe it is still a ’stalker’ app!
I’ve seen and used the fanchek application too. However towards the end i received some notifications and warnings saying that the application actually contains virus and will spread through those in ur friend list once u apply that application. So i quickly removed it from my application. Scary enough. But still, i agree that it is a stalker application.
Since we’re on the subject of facebook, I find it intriguing that the social network has recently started to make a profit. The reason for this interest is that although facebook comprises of over three hundred million members, apparently it was unable to successfully incorporate advertising without creating a negative view from its users.
There is however an industry that would be very interested in utilising the network as a giant research tool for surveys as well as detailed member information such as demographics and current interests in pop culture. (Since facebook is not a public company it does not have to showcase its financial books.) Perhaps the fancheck app is a hint at the way in which the company has been able to generate cash flow from creating research tools into its member’s individual patterns.
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