O'Reilly and Battelle did a great job of driving home the idea that in today's universe of amazing software and hardware, the most important key to success is data. Powerful computers and efficient programs form a necessary foundation but, to me, are rendered useless without data. With an interest in both MIS (Management Information Systems) and Game Design, the take-away is simple: Successful products rely on consumer input.
Like a Facebook, a great MIS project or game only creates a framework; it is the actors (the purchasing company or gamer) who create value. Facebook, the social network leader, relies entirely on people using the product. Unlike a bicycle that still works whether or not someone is riding it at the moment, the quality of new internet applications is more similar to a boat where everyone needs to row to get anywhere.
To me though, collective action is not nearly as exciting as AR, or Actual Reality. Now that heads-up displays are less science fiction and more science fact, overlaying information about the world around us is, put simply, cool. The technology already exists, in fact. GPS units, micro-accelerometers, compasses, and the necessary computing power, can all come together to show much more information than we currently see. We just need to make it all smaller, weigh less, and cost less. These things will come with time, but for now, apps like Layar and Darkslide will start building up the data needed.
I really enjoyed your analogies of Facebook and a bicycle. This is so true. Without people constantly using Facebook it would work. However, a bike will work whenever someone so chooses to ride it. Brilliant. It really puts things into perspective. I also find Actual Reality fascinating. GPS has not only become a huge part of my life but almost a religious ritual when I step into my car. It guides me and I am a humbled follower!
ReplyDeletePersonally i think that hardware and software go hand in hand. Without the advancement/production of cellular towers, power lines, radio towers, modems, routers, etc... there would be no way to collect this data. I guess you can call this a chicken and the egg scenario haha... or something like that. I agree with products like Facebook relying totally on data and human interaction. Consumer input also can drive if software or hardware will be produced.
ReplyDeleteNice post. Your ideas about value added are really important to think about, particularly as we head into Weinberger. A few more explicit links to the reading will help me see that you did the reading (which I don't doubt, just that specific nods to the ideas from the readings helps me see it more clearly). Just something to keep in mind next time around. Overall, very well done.
ReplyDeleteYou are right. Data and collecting data are very important. The availability and use of data can make or break a company. Software and hardware do go together as hardware has low level software to begin with. Lastly, while we do have access to all this data and different sensors, ie GPS, we really should consider not relying on just one of them.
ReplyDeleteI read an article by a game creator that goes by the name Notch. He created the indie game Minecraft. He said that releasing Minecraft in alpha and making the changes the community wanted made it a great game. He also said he would never develop another game the old fashion way with little or no community input. Seeing how he has made millions and an amazing time sink of a game makes your plan seem like a good one.
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