Posterous a sample of lightweight software

Posterous is the brand of the lightweight blogging service which can publish the article in a simple way. Users just need to write an email and send it to Posterous to complete released! This way is very easy to use and become popular by many users. User can write anytime with no word limit and no pressure. Posterous provides simple interface for user to manage. The menu design is also simple and the most important thing is very easy to publish. These are all the advantages of lightweight products to compete with other competitors.



Posterous now just only have 6 employees, however, there are 12 million visitors per month and more than 25 million page views. It proofs the idea which we learned in class "doing more with less".

In this time of competition and emphasis on community, perhaps we can consider a simple form of services to reach the specific needs and access to users of all ages. Posterous shows a successful lightweight product, it is worth to think about that!

Reference:
Redpoint Invests $4.4 Million In Fast Growing Posterous

Two thoughts on the Long Tail Theory!

As the power of the network, the costs of create product and inventory reduced greatly. This change cause a lot of websites which using the network + the long tail to build a new business model. The case of Amazon and Netflix which mentioned in class are very successful samples. However, after I realize the benefit of long tail +internet such as infinite shelf space, the cost advantages and capabilities, there still are two views which are not mentioned in the class.

Long Tail theory point out as long as the small market gathered together, we can create the business opportunities. The problem is how to find these small markets?

1. Wide delivery with social media

Formerly, to discover these potential small markets and deliver accurately of messages to target audiences is a very hard work. But now, in order to the power of the social media are rising up, it decrease the difficulty and let the thing become easier. For example, Facebook's "Like" and Twitter's "Tweet" may help to spread out the message. I think the only thing need to be noted is simplify the process and makes it easy to check the share button. This may be a very challenging issue. Another sample is public website Crisiscommons. Crisiscommons put social media sharing button below each article and using the power of social media to attract more potential users.

2: a better search experience

Long tail proves that the business opportunities of small business cannot be ignored. It does not mean the thing is done after web site operators successfully attract their target and move them into the website. A good search experience is an important point in whole long tail theory. It shouldn't be omitted. If user can't find the thing he need in your website, it just like you didn't open the market. More similar happen like this will lead long tail into a short tail, this is not the way to become the winner.

The example is Amazon which mentioned in the class is using recommendable system to help consumers. I think it is a good Sample. It show that When consumers can get more value in the site, the tail will become more longer.

This is my reflections about leveraging the Long Tail after the class. I hope you will like it!

 

Reference:

5 Ways Mega Charity Events Can Harness the Power of Social Media

Another three observations of perpetual beta

The process of an online game must pass through close beta test and open beta test. Then the game will be officially launched after confirming there are no major problems. With the testings and feedbacks by the players, the game company can find bug early and understanding the stability of the server.

Blizzard Entertainment is the most influential gaming companies in the world today. And “World of Warcraft” is the most popular online game of this company. The global membership of this game is more than ten million people now.

However, when you observe this game carefully, you will be shocked that this game seems to keep updated even they had been pass close beta test and open beta test in the earlier time. In fact, not only this game, all of Blizzard’s games often release patch files to adjust the game content.

 

Many web2.0 products and services keep themselves into perpetual beta model. Google can be said that the best practitioners of this principle. Many Google services had a beta mark at the beginning when it launched. The product team observe the user's behaviour to adjust or added new features during the service operation. Because of Google brand image, a new service often easy to attract users to join. It may also help Google test products stable capacity and confirm the usage.

This kind of mode also reinforces the core competitiveness of Google products invisibly. It also reflected the idea which had been mentioned in the class -perpetual beta allows rapid response happen with changing needs and customer feedback.

In addition, Google create Google Labs to practice the perpetual beta idea. In Google Labs, users can find more immature product. They are not 100% complete product but allow user to try in free. It may show us when Google designed prototype product at the start, the strategy of perpetual beta is already come together.

Although I know that using the idea of perpetual beta with your business product or service can really bring a lot of benefits just like I learn in the class, however, there are also some worthy of phenomenons need to be noted

1. Paid or free
Many beta Internet products and services are often free. When product or service companies require customers to take money from their pocket, these companies will not be able to have a relaxed tolerance. In order to consumers pay, the attendant is the increased expectation. Completed products and services will be required by customers because no one likes to be a experimenter when they already paid the money.

2. Product attribute
Product attribute also affect the applicability of perpetual beta. Most of the software can be applied to the perpetual beta there are no safety concerns with their products attribute. For example, the flight software or the medical software must be to a high degree of completeness. It must allow users to be assured and satisfied with the product from the outset.

3. Target object
Many large companies do not want to use the software which sounds still in the testing phase in their business. They want a highly sophisticated product to avoid unnecessary trouble. Operators such as banks cannot accept the continued perpetual beta services and products. They may suspect the stability and damage to their corporate image.

Although perpetual beta is not applicable to all products and services, it is also not an easy thing to be able to enforce perpetual beta idea. Of course I learned some from the class such as "Ensuring adequate systems monitoring and management is in place", in the other hand, eROI site editors also remind the following points with a good beta strategy. I think it is worth to take a look!

Reference:

World of Warcraft Public Test Realm - FAQ

Is Google Stuck in 'Perpetual Beta'?

Is the "Beta" the Ultimate Phishing Scam or Waste of time?

Five observations of span devices software

In the early days, the hardware vendors who have more quality software may get more consumers. The best demonstrate is the competition of TV game console such as Sony PlayStation V.S Sega Saturn. Players may buy the TV game console in order to play these exclusive games. However, as technologic development and advance, consumers believe to play the same game in different platforms must be natural.

The same situation also happens in mobile device. Although the platform is completely different programmer and structure, Users still think they "should” be able to play Angry Bird on different mobile devices.

Moreover, when PC is not the only device which can connect to the internet, the software will be asked not only able to run on the computer, but also can run on other devices. Span devices functionality of a software development has become a standard. The software application must conform to be used at any time, any place and any device. "Software above the Level of a Single Device" this phenomenon is occurring right now. From this, I observed several interesting phenomena:

1. Rise of integrated devices
Many products are difficult to determine its single function. When hardware devices become more powerful, the likelihood of these devices replace other devices may become increasingly. If most of software can operate in different devices, I believe it will accelerate the decline of the products which only have single function. For example, mobile is already enough powerful to be seen as a camera, music player, or a PDA. Consumers will think that it is better to buy a mobile than a PDA because the value may be higher. They still can use Word with a phone but also can take a picture and listen to music.

2. Always online
As we learned in class, "Use the power of the network to make the edge smarter", some content providers will save the data in the cloud, so when consumers use different equipment, as long as connect to the Internet, they still can reload the previous information. For instance, like the using model of Dropbox, Evernote and Google Doc. Furthermore, broadband infrastructure must be very important.

3. Instant Sync
As another point which I learned in class, I also think that it is a very important premise that software can instant sync in different platforms or devices. If software is unable to provide seamless service on different platforms, it may not only lose the significance of cross-platform, but also against the consumer's confidence. The video show how Amazon uses Whispersync technology to let users synchronize their comments and notes in different devices. It also shows the last chapter last look even on different platforms.

 

4. Unique features
Different hardware devices have different functions. When the software appear in a different platform and combine the original features of hardware device, it will be a surprise to users. For example, Facebook Places, a location function is connected with mobile devices unique features.

5. User-centred
In addition to allow users to use the same services and features seamlessly on different devices, good operating experience is a another challenge which need to be faced. When users have a choice between two softwares, they will favour the product which can provide a simple operation.

 

With the evolution of science and technology, the outlook of the device in the future will show more and more different types such as Internet refrigerator. This situation may cause more challenges for software developers when they develop software on different device. Let us wait and see!

References:

10 Things Killed by the Smartphone

EVERNOTE – Top Five Reasons to Evernote Your Life

Kindle 2 announced – Whispersync is what everyone should be excited about

Free Amazon Kindle for BlackBerry App Now Available