tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-174695732024-03-08T12:08:23.891-02:00Platform WarsA blog about platform wars : theory and practice.Composinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01739889615635395138noreply@blogger.comBlogger771125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17469573.post-88344968697228496012013-05-05T13:36:00.000-02:002013-05-05T13:36:24.439-02:00Ceasefire ... <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm working on some new things. And I've started to feel the need for a new online identity. And to try to find some collaborators with similar interests to join me in this next project. That's something I'm going to talk about more, <a href="http://blahsploitation.blogspot.com/">on my other blog</a>, very soon.<br /><br /><div>
But I can't keep opening up new fronts. There's a balancing / decluttering that's needed too.<br /></div>
<div>
I just shut my Facebook account. That was for other reasons, but it's also going to clear some space and time. And it's pushed me towards thinking about further changes.<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Therefore I've decided that I'm going to close Platform Wars. Permanently. </b><br /></div>
<div>
It's possibly my most popular blog. But I've basically finished with it. I have nothing more interesting to say on the matter. I'm done with fantasizing about running other people's companies. It's time to worry about running my own virtual career.<br /><br />PS : If anyone is interested in taking over Platform Wars, then leave me a comment. We may be able to arrange something. I'll be honest, I'm proud of (most of) the body of ideas and writing here so I want to leave the archive up as a record of what I thought. If I do pass it on, I'm going to be selective. I'm definitely not going to hand it over to a link-spammer or someone I don't trust. But if you really like the principle of this blog, think it has potential, and that you may be the person to take it forward, then we may be able to work something out. </div>
</div>
Composinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01739889615635395138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17469573.post-90120917975294845522013-04-28T00:11:00.001-02:002013-04-28T00:11:56.821-02:00Yahoo and Alibaba<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="tr_bq">
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/yes-yahoo-just-had-a-terrible-quarter-but-marissa-mayer-has-never-been-sitting-prettier-2013-4">Business Insider</a> :</div>
<blockquote>
So now you know the truth: The reason Yahoo is valuable to its investors has nothing to do with it being a consumer Internet company or its display advertising business.<br /> <br />It's a tracking stock for Alibaba. This puts Marissa Mayer in a wonderful position. </blockquote>
<blockquote>
The only way Yahoo can return to growth is to invest lots of money in building or buying new, disruptive products and businesses ... That means Mayer has time to implode Yahoo's core business and spend a lot of money growing something else in its place.</blockquote>
</div>
Composinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01739889615635395138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17469573.post-47925819481789706782013-04-04T15:43:00.002-02:002013-04-04T15:43:48.438-02:00Google Forks WebKit<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://www.zdnet.com/the-real-reason-why-google-forked-webkit-7000013514/?s_cid=e539">This is disturbing.</a><br />
<br />
Sure, there are probably good technical reasons. But forking WebKit means that the capabilities of Apple and Google's browsers are almost certainly going to diverge. Is this a subtle push-back by Apple and Google (owners of iOS / Android respectively) against HTML5 as a successful platform that cuts across mobile operating systems?</div>
Composinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01739889615635395138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17469573.post-74763652642917498742013-03-04T19:11:00.002-02:002013-03-04T19:11:22.796-02:00Facebook's Newsfeed<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://techcrunch.com/2013/03/03/no-sir-i-dont-like-it/">Good analysis</a> by Josh Constine.</div>
Composinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01739889615635395138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17469573.post-26856518847496195732013-03-04T17:29:00.003-02:002013-03-04T17:29:55.466-02:00Microsoft Office on iPad<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
ZDNet asks <a href="http://www.zdnet.com/how-will-the-new-office-for-ipad-work-7000012041/?s_cid=e539">how it will work</a>.</div>
Composinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01739889615635395138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17469573.post-6294109528154460402013-03-04T15:25:00.001-02:002013-03-04T15:25:22.634-02:00The Windows Crapware Ecosystem<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
An <a href="http://www.istartedsomething.com/20130115/y-combinator-is-funding-the-future-of-spam-in-windows-drive-by-crapware-installers/">interesting analysis</a> from a MicroISV throws light on one of the problems that Windows suffers from not controlling its ecosystem. THIS is why Apple has done so well with its app-stores.</div>
Composinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01739889615635395138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17469573.post-10528535407259880302013-02-16T13:15:00.002-02:002013-02-16T13:15:56.291-02:00Java on Raspberry Pi<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://www.zdnet.com/oracle-releases-preview-of-raspberry-pi-compatible-java-se8-for-arm-7000009074/">Java for RaspPi</a></div>
Composinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01739889615635395138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17469573.post-23949313876390277142013-02-15T15:39:00.000-02:002013-02-15T15:39:55.220-02:00Dan Bricklin on Surface Pro<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://danbricklin.com/log/2012_11_18.htm#surfacekillerapp">Dan Brickin comments </a> that Microsoft Surface Pro is really an Excel machine.<br />
<br />
I think that's a good way of thinking. In fact, I'd go so far as to suggest that Microsoft ought to be releasing an "Excel Appliance". Much as Google's ChromeBooks are basically browser appliances, Microsoft could have released an "Office Appliance" that booted straight into Office, ignoring the rest of the paraphernalia of an OS and storing / sharing documents in the cloud. It could have created an app-store of Excel plugins. Included Skype and email as part of the mix.<br />
<br />
I'd have called it "Surface Excel" and buried the toxic W****** brand for once and for all.</div>
Composinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01739889615635395138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17469573.post-6467529765787822522013-02-08T12:43:00.003-02:002013-02-08T13:08:25.343-02:00Windows Phone 8<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://www.zdnet.com/smartphone-operating-systems-the-rise-of-android-the-fall-of-windows-7000011004/">Another non-event.</a><br />
<br />
To keep banging on with a very tiresome and repetitive theme, "Windows" as a brand stands for "we wish we were back in the glory days when we just owned stuff by default".<br />
<br />
That's not an idea which inspires me as a customer. What does it even <i>mean</i>? A "<i>Windows</i> phone"?<br />
<br />
There is just - barely, but just - time for Microsoft to pivot to using Skype as a brand for a cool mobile device / operating system. Skype already is a well recognised phone and communication brand. There would have to be some cosmetic changes to differentiate it from what people have already seen as "Windows Phone 8". But there is an opportunity. (Another year or two like this and M$ will have destroyed the Skype brand so badly that that it won't work.)<br />
<br />
Bonus link : <a href="http://platformwars.blogspot.com.br/2011/05/finally-microsoft-do-something-exciting.html">my original post</a> on Microsoft's Skype opportunity.</div>
Composinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01739889615635395138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17469573.post-89319490890866532222013-02-06T17:08:00.000-02:002013-02-06T17:08:04.647-02:00How Facebook Can Totally Undermine Apple and Google in the Platform Games<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://www.wired.com/opinion/2013/02/facebooks-the-winner-in-the-platform-hunger-games/">How Facebook Can Totally Undermine Apple and Google in the Platform Games | Wired Opinion</a><br />
<br />tl;dr : Japanese gaming network GREE commoditizes underlying mobile operating systems. Facebook may do the same to Apple and Google.</div>
Composinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01739889615635395138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17469573.post-83023748623003003562013-01-29T11:03:00.001-02:002013-01-29T11:03:11.098-02:00The End of Windows?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-01-27/acer-sees-success-in-chrome-pcs-as-windows-fails-to-drive-sales.html">This</a> is basically the end for Microsoft. Or, at least, for Windows.<br />
<br />
Or let's put it this way. Microsoft threw away technical compatibility. Windows 8 on Arm won't run old Windows software. Microsoft threw away UI continuity - pushing people towards a new tile based interface for touch.<br />
<br />
Microsoft <i>kept</i> the brand name "Windows" and the principle that this is the one OS that must run everywhere.<br /><br />And that didn't pay off.<br /><br />They must, <i>must</i>, surely see that that is a failed strategy. There is no brand-loyalty to "Windows". There is no way to lever domination of the enterprise desktop to domination of the personal pocket device. Or casual web-surfing device. The Windows legacy is now just the albatross around the M$ neck.<br /><br /><br /><br />
<br /></div>
Composinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01739889615635395138noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17469573.post-80701938542017275892013-01-08T13:16:00.000-02:002013-01-08T13:16:17.377-02:00Cringely on Tech. vs. Hollywood<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
An entertaining series :<br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><a href="http://www.cringely.com/2012/12/29/silicon-valley-conquers-hollywood-part-1-setting-the-scene/">Part 1</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.cringely.com/2013/01/01/in-the-land-of-the-blind-krikorian-could-become-king/">Part 1b</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.cringely.com/2013/01/03/silicon-valley-conquers-hollywood-part-2-theres-no-business-like-show-business/">Part 2</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.cringely.com/2013/01/04/silicon-valley-conquers-hollywood-part-3-think-small">Part 3</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
Composinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01739889615635395138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17469573.post-17230525686580914932012-12-26T22:41:00.000-02:002012-12-26T22:41:04.672-02:00Adobe Buys Behance<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So ... <a href="http://blog.behance.net/teamblog/behance-adobe-serving-the-future-of-the-creative-world">Behance are moving in with Adobe.</a><br />
<br />
Guess I'm <a href="http://platformwars.blogspot.co.uk/2010/04/after-hp-buys-palm-some-fantasy.html">not so crazy</a> after all.</div>
Composinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01739889615635395138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17469573.post-82056679720061288792012-12-13T17:54:00.000-02:002012-12-13T17:54:00.747-02:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://techcrunch.com/2012/11/13/dropbox-100-million/">Dropbox. as data fabric layer. </a></div>
Composinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01739889615635395138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17469573.post-10923243243350710012012-11-29T15:44:00.002-02:002012-11-29T15:44:31.474-02:00Windows 8 AOL ’96 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://todamax.kicks-ass.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/demotivational-posters-history-windows8-aol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://todamax.kicks-ass.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/demotivational-posters-history-windows8-aol.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Composinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01739889615635395138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17469573.post-50747754162733136162012-11-13T08:45:00.001-02:002012-11-13T08:45:47.122-02:00How Linux is Built<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/yVpbFMhOAwE?fs=1" width="480"></iframe></div>
Composinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01739889615635395138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17469573.post-9029323277174271452012-11-07T09:02:00.001-02:002012-11-07T09:02:32.303-02:00The "Service Wave"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
One from the vaults (2005).<br />
<br />
Perceptive, if I say so myself : <a href="http://platformwars.blogspot.co.uk/2005/11/service-wave.html">The "Service Wave"</a></div>
Composinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01739889615635395138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17469573.post-31268200120857478872012-11-06T01:40:00.001-02:002012-11-06T01:40:40.715-02:00Android Dominance<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://readwrite.com/2012/11/04/dear-android-it-is-now-perfectly-okay-to-go-out-and-do-donuts-in-the-parking-lot">Dear Android: It Is Now Perfectly Okay To Go Out And Do Donuts In The Parking Lot</a></div>
Composinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01739889615635395138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17469573.post-21276416725085669612012-11-05T19:47:00.001-02:002012-11-05T19:48:13.334-02:00Chromebooks ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have to admit, this surprised me.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.infoworld.com/d/open-source-software/why-i-left-my-macbook-chromebook-205705?source=footer">Why I left my MacBook for a Chromebook</a><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Composinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01739889615635395138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17469573.post-66551011312289538632012-10-29T15:32:00.001-02:002012-10-29T15:33:35.822-02:00Fiverr<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://fiverr.com/fabricafifa/laser-cut-and-engrave-a-custom-trophy">This is getting kind of ridiculous</a>. <br /><br /> Desktop manufacturing and the micro-payment market Fiverr bring you custom laser-cut trophies for $5 (of which, I believe Fiverr themselves take $1)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://cdn2.fiverrcdn.com/photo3s/1051254/medium/trophy_flyer_t2a.jpg?1348400929" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="http://cdn2.fiverrcdn.com/photo3s/1051254/medium/trophy_flyer_t2a.jpg?1348400929" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
How low is the price of "stuff" going to go?<br /><br />I'm getting increasingly fascinated by <a href="http://fiverr.com/">Fiverr</a>. Start scrolling through the gigs on offer and you see teenagers and amateurs offering to do jobs that would cost orders of magnitude elsewhere. Even 99Designs charges around $300-$500 for a logo. And on fiverr there are people doing it for $4. Of course it's likely to be inferior. But for some people, the price/performance trade-off will work. And the kids there are discovering new ways to slice and micro-chunk work into tinier, simpler, more predictable units.<br /><br /> It feels much more significant than say, oDesk or similar outsourcing sites where you still have to enter into a heavyish commitment with your supplier. And, at the same time, the slightly larger granularity, and the fact that people invent their own gigs, rather than wait for the customer to invent HITS, gives it a different character to Amazon's mechanical turk.</div>
Composinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01739889615635395138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17469573.post-67047155663925453922012-09-17T20:08:00.001-02:002012-09-17T20:08:36.103-02:00Google vs. Alibaba<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Wow! I hadn't even heard of the <a href="http://pandodaily.com/2012/09/17/unanswered-questions-about-googles-strange-fight-with-alibaba-in-china/">Alibaba operating system for handsets</a>.<br />
<br />
I wonder when this will start affecting the West. How close are we to seeing a Chinese Android variant the way we have an Amazon one?</div>
Composinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01739889615635395138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17469573.post-85131508465481238592012-09-17T18:28:00.001-02:002012-09-17T18:29:16.128-02:00Could Apple's Patents Destroy Android?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://www.zdnet.com/without-radical-change-in-patent-law-androids-ecosystem-will-die-7000004311/?s_cid=e539">Jason Perlow is pessimistic.</a><br />
<br />
Frankly I consider this "platform warring by law" to be the lowest kind of competition. I never buy Apple products and this is a good reminder of why I will strive to avoid doing so in the future.<br />
<br /></div>
Composinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01739889615635395138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17469573.post-59684912736149073122012-08-10T02:57:00.000-02:002012-08-10T02:57:05.911-02:00A Suggestion For RIM<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://www.zdnet.com/the-forgotten-feature-blackberry-needs-how-dual-sim-could-help-rim-7000002394/">Dual SIM smartphone</a></div>Composinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01739889615635395138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17469573.post-70945878945829545542012-08-07T20:33:00.002-02:002012-08-07T20:33:20.882-02:00HP Kill WebOS Again?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://www.zdnet.com/hp-kills-the-platform-again-open-webos-not-for-existing-hp-devices-7000001933/">Pretty odd.</a></div>Composinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01739889615635395138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17469573.post-11132160201448384292012-08-03T12:19:00.002-02:002012-08-03T12:24:41.093-02:00Nooooo!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Just logged in to LinkedIn and I see it's trying to turn itself into a Facebook clone.<br />
<br />
This is so wrong. LinkedIn's strength is in NOT being Facebook or another casual social network. It's in being "serious", "businessy". It should (IMHO) be about expanding and managing your professional life. Not trying to beat Facebook on its own territory.</div>Composinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01739889615635395138noreply@blogger.com0