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Piracy Concerns & ClickOnce

Microsoft ClickOnce is a new installation technology which makes installation as easy as web browsing. The magic is powered by Code Access Security, that makes sure the installed software does not act as a Trojan horse/virus/worm and an auto-update engine that provides seamless software updates. IT managers were not left behind and they could use a central update server to control the update process.

But... Unless properly designed, ClickOnce could be very useful to distribute software cracks.
First, cracked versions of software could be trusted (thanks to Microsoft Code Access Security). Second, pirate auto-update servers will make sure you will always be using a cracked copy and of course the latest (cracked) version available.

Web-based applications, on the other hand, cannot be copied (or cracked and will still provide a true return-on-investment.

posted by Itai Frenkel @ 1:12 AM 0 comments

P2P Dating

I keep wondering, how come there is no popular P2P dating software - like kazaa / skype - but for dating. I found some info on a project request in rent-a-coder and it mentions some patent infrigments. After a quick search in the US patent website, I found that IBM has a patent that covers P2P dating

Nevermind, P2P does not solve the real problem of online dating- fake pictures, fake age , white lies .. The real thing will be GPS enabled Smartphones. After you spot someone interesting (in the real world) you can check his public details that his smartphone is revealing. If you are shy you can start chatting with SMS (or Instant Messaging) and if it works out you can actually meet (without all of the blind date pressure).

I found that Bluetooth dating is almost there, but I do not think it has enough distance to keep your identity hidden.

posted by Itai Frenkel @ 10:08 AM 1 comments

Fighting Trolls - A proposal

I recently participated in a gathering of an on-line discussion forum. It seems that their biggest problem is trolls that post off-topic or insulting remarks.

Since there is a fine trade-off between fighting trolls and maintaining a free and growing web-forum, the trolls keep appearing again and again.

Trolls need attention, so when their post is ignored and (finally) deleted, they move along to the next forum. Unfortunatly, sometimes they decide to stay and each post from an occasional visitor must be inspected before it is published. Moderating was found effective but is not practical in big forums.

Filtering out trolls could work, as long as they cannot change their ID. Email addresses are easy to switch and IP address can be changed using web-proxies. The last resort are computer IDs. Each time a visitor logs into the forum, a simple ActiveX (or Java Applet) can calculate a unique hardware ID and use it to filter out trolls.

posted by Itai Frenkel @ 12:57 PM 0 comments

J# will rescue Smartphones

WMS (Windows Mobile-based Smartphones) does not have many games and is not doing so well in the consumer market. Game developers prefer Java 2 Micro Edition (J2ME), becuase it is supported by Symbian and proprietary mobile operating systems. In this market Java == Games, and each mobile phone must have it.

Microsoft has to accept the fact that they entered the mobile market late,and they need a shortcut to keep up with J2ME success. Fortunately, Microsoft has developed J#.NET, which allows to compile Java source code and run it in .NET. With a small effort, Microsoft could adapt this technology and make hundreds of J2ME games available for Windows Smartphones.

posted by Itai Frenkel @ 1:50 PM 0 comments

Sun has to fight software piracy

Sun provides a low cost alternative to Windows with a new per citizen per year pricing model that allows developing nations to purchase license for their citizens. Unfortunatly, most of the developing countries have a high rate of software piracy: China - 90% . Eastern Europe - 71% , Latin America 63%.

Even in western countries there is still much work to do: USA - 22% , Germany - 30% , Japan - 29%. BSA is leading the fight against software piracy, with worldwide members such as Microsoft,Intel,IBM andHP.

Had Sun joined the fight, maybe more citizens were using Sun's Java Desktop instead of an illegal copy of Windows XP.

posted by Itai Frenkel @ 12:05 PM 0 comments

Snakes and Ladders

Today I had a few moments of nostalgy when my niece asked me to play "Snakes and Ladders" on a real board game. Of course, we both got bored after a few snakes, but still...
When I returned home, I found a reconstructed version of "Load Runner" but it was nothing like the original PC game.

Oh well, I can always play Joust .

posted by Itai Frenkel @ 11:43 AM 0 comments

Longhorn is not Windows

In his article “How Microsoft lost the API War” Joel claims that Microsoft made a mistake when they decided to sacrifice backward compatibility. Developers that decide to rewrite an application for Longhorn will need to provide two versions of their software. On the other hand, web-developers can upgrade to the latest ASP.NET technology, while their users are still using the same web browser. As an example Joel mentions the bug-tracking application he is developing.

I claim that even shareware applications written in Longhorn will outperform any web-application successfully.The reason is that Longhorn applications will enjoy integration , synchronization , customization, offline work, interoperability and a comprehensive development platform.

Let's take a closer look at a bug-tracking application simmiliar to the one Joel has mentioned.

Integration and Synchronization
Longhorn provides applications with a common database that allows relationships between different objects. In our example, bugs, emails , contacts and even sales opportunities will all be connected. Together with P2P synchronization, you can exchange information between the QA, Sales and Development teams.

Imagine one of your customers encountered a bug that is crucial for his work. You open a new bug report and set yourself as the contact point by linking the bug to your contact details. In order to later track this bug, you link it to a reminder in your calendar.

The sales person in charge of this customer is working for a distributor. Although he has limited access to the database, the synchronization process automatically gives him access to bugs linked to his customers.

Customization
Loose coupling between the user interface and the code allows multiple user interfaces for the same application. Customizing the user interface for different users increases the usage of the application in the organization.

In our case, user interface for Engineers includes a detailed description of the bug. Managers, however, would like to see linked sales opportunities that imply on the amount of money a bug costs. And a list of the linked customers gives an insight on a specific market segment.

Another example are users that propose an enhancement. This user interface should focus on his need or benefit rather than a detailed description of the new feature.

Offline Work
Offline databases allows you to work when you are out of the office.

Imagine you are visiting an angry customer that claims your software does not get the job done. While listening to the complaints, you summarize them on your laptop. The bug tracking application, guides you to ask the right questions - Is this problem repeatable? Will you be able to provide the required files? Why is this feature important for your work?You also use the application to find known workarounds, and an estimated date it will be resolved.

Interoperability
Longhorn uses Schemas to describe the bug data format. Since other bug tracking systems are using the same schemas your databases are inter-operable with each other. When you are working with a 3rd party or a distributor, they could be using a different bug-tracking or CRM application , and still able to read and even change bug reports.

Comprehensive development platform
A bug tracker is an application that describes the original software. Since both were written using the same development platform, the bug tracker can be used to extend the original application.

In order to reduce customer-support expenses, the user should have access to the "known bugs" database. Assuming that this help application provides relevant answers, the user can solve most issues by himself. For example, installed software version can be detected to filter out irrelevant issues. In addition the user could point on the relevant dialog box or menu item of the original application to narrow the search results.

Customers that are using an old version, do not feel it necessary to upgrade. The application can log which software features are frequently used. If a newer version is available, it advises the user with relevant new features and the benefits of upgrading.

posted by Itai Frenkel @ 1:12 PM 0 comments

Avalon and Barbie

Microsoft intoroduced a new concept in user interface design flow with Avalon. It consists of a simple HTML-like language called XAML (pronounced Zaml). This easy-to-understand language is suitable for graphics designers, but also has a seamless interface to VB.NET and C#.
XAML allows the program developer and the graphics designer to work concurrently. Changing the look-and-feel by the graphics designer has little effect on the code, and changing the onButtonClick() implementation has no effect on the graphics designer. When the design is complete, the XAML can be complied just like any other .NET code, and enjoy better performance.

In the future, commercial software will look more like commercials on websites. 2D graphics, animation, sound effects all targeted for the end-user of your market segment. A good example is the barbie web site (http://www.barbie.com/ ). This site uses flash technology which is simmiliar to what you would be able to do in Longhorn. Think of it as a PC application, and you will notice two things. First, how intuitive the navigation is. Second, how you can achieve relativly complicated tasks - Create a custom painting , design an ice skating show and play games. Ofcourse, this is not a full-blown application, but it is a good example for things to come.

posted by Itai Frenkel @ 12:35 PM 1 comments

WinFS is good news for shareware developers

The new Windows File System (WinFS) will allow integration of data from different applications. For example, I could replace Outlook, with a seperate email client , todo list , calendar , spam protection, address book - without loosing the integration.

Since developers will be free from writing data translators and plugins for other programs, they will focus on improving their product. All-in-one do-everything missing-many-features expensive applications will gradually disappear and that is good news for (smaller) shareware developers.

Microsoft Office - lookout.

posted by Itai Frenkel @ 11:58 AM 0 comments