Function over Form
During the dot-com bubble, around 1995 – 2001 (crash started on 10 March 2000), Internet companies saw phenomenal growth with share prices hitting extraordinary highs. But it didn’t last because all bubbles burst as some point. There were just too many IT companies that tried to get big fast with a strategy of carrying sustained net losses with the hope of gaining enough brand recognition to turn that around to a profit later when they are the big players in the industry.
That was the first wave of the Internet, now referred to as Web 1.0 when websites were more about form, how good a website looked and how flashy and impressive it was. No wonder the dot-com bubble burst the way it did. Companies invested too heavily in web technology that gave them nice looking brochures that used the web to present those brochures to users.
That was also a time when bandwidth was a limiting factor. Web 1.0 was a time of dial-up connectivity at 50 - 56k transfer rates. We now have better bandwidth with broadband being between 512Kb/s – 1Mb/s as the average. The better bandwidth opens the door for better functionality.
So Web 2.0 should provide improved website functionality that delivers better service to users, making it easier to turn users into customers. An increased customer base translates to increased turnover that increases net profit. Increased net profit indicates better return on investment.
So businesses should harness the power of web technology as a functional business tool rather than just to display electronic brochures.
A Bad weekend for Cyclists
It seems this past weekend was a bad one for cyclists… There were at least two incidents that involved a car and cyclists…
(Extracted from a story posted on http://www.thehubsa.co.za/)
Renaldo, with Fear in his voice:” Marius, you would not believe what just happened, I’m lying in the grass next to the road, please come fetch me, some one knocked me off my bike on purpose and is trying to kill me!” Those were the words of a cyclists who had to run and hide in the bush along the road after being knocked off his bike by a motorist…
This is his story:
“I was riding nearly on the edge of the road, I saw from the corner of my eye a White Open Kaddet coming into the yellow line close to me, I looked into the man’s eyes and could see he wanted to kill me. He drove into me, sending me flying over my handlebars into the gravel and grass on the side of the road. He stopped, Got out with a Panga and come for me. I run into the bush, through wired fences I don’t know what else, I just wanted to get away. The guy then loaded my bike into the car and drove off..I laid in the grass till now (when his friend fetched him) afraid he might come back to me.”
And in another incident taken from http://www.thinkbike.co.za/talk/phpBB2/index.php
Posted by ‘Big Blue’ “A friend of mine was cycling with 2 friends on Sunday morning when a car ploughed into them. One was killed on impact while the other 2 were admitted to hospital. My friend is at home today recovering from a Broken jaw, Broken cheek bone, torn ear and grazed over 30% of he’s body. This was a hit and run so I hope they catch the b%$#&^% who caused this senseless tragedy”
These are only two of the incidents over the weekend… how many more were there?
Cyber-Terrorism or Cyber-Paranoia
There’s been a growing concern about Cyber-Terrorism and Cybersecurity. No doubt that cybersecurity is an important issue that should be addressed. But does cyber-terrorism even exist? What would be considered a cyber-terrorist attack? And would such an attack be considered an act of terrorism?
So does that mean hackers are now considered terrorists? Isn’t there a life term prison sentence for convicted terrorists? So then does that mean hackers, if caught, will face life in prison?
The FBI defines terrorism as “the unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives.”
So is cyberterrorism or hacking really terrorism or is it just possible to use cyberspace as another tool for terrorist attacks?
Are they just using the term cyber-terrorism to instil fear and create paranoia among citizens? Would that not in itself be an act of terrorism? If so, then this attached video is an act of terrorism, isn’t? or does cyber-terrorism only exist to the extent depicted in the movies?
Double Century Time
So the weather is changing… no more hot sunny days, instead we have cold and wet stay indoors kinda weather… with “what’s on TV” days and “I’m sleeping late” weekends… ahhhhhhh the joys of winter…
Unless of course you’re one of the crazy people who plan on doing the Double Century cycle tour in November sometime.. I say November sometime because the date is still to be confirmed and so is the start venue and well… the route.
What we do know about the Double Century is that it’s a team cycle event reserved for the crazy people. It covers a distance in excess of 200km with a cut-off time of 10hrs 30mins and the terrain is Not easy… but with enough training it’s achievable by any keen cyclist. And Yes, I am one of those crazy people but I’m not That crazy because I’ve only done it 3 times so far…
It’s a fun (in a sadistic kinda way) event though and quite an achievement for most recreational cyclists… it’s like one of those “Every cyclist must do… before you die” kinda things. So get 6 to 12 cycling buddies together get training and do this milestone event…
And if you not crazy by the time you start the Double Century, you will be when you get halfway and realise that you still have in excess of 100km to the finish! So that’s like doing two Argus Cycle Tours in one day… it’s Madness I tell you!
The Facebook Facelift
The social networking site Facebook is finally getting its first facelift after being in the same ’skin’ for the past 4 years. The plan is to change the profile page so that the presentation of information is more organised and relevant to give your profile a fresher appearance.
It seems all the applications and quizzes and all that other stuff you either love or hate has finally caused the need for a site clean up. It’s kinda like when you in your early to mid 20s and a lifestyle of partying takes its toll on your body, you know… all that junk food and drinking adds on a few extra Kg’s. Then one day you realise that it’s just not good and you decide to go to gym or take up some other activity to lose that fat… Well, Facebook seems to be at that point now. Facebook has gotten chubby in the face and it’s time to lose the weight.
But they not quite gonna lose the weight because users really seem to like all those applications and quizzes so they just gonna tuck it away instead and maybe just tone up bit. The plan is to hide the clutter with some Tabs on the main profile page so that the quizzes and applications and stuff will have its own dedicated page.
It’s about time they clean up the face of facebook but what will user reaction be to the new look… Will they accept the new slender look or will they lose interest and eventually turn away to look at something younger and more appealing…
