Archive for the ‘Beliefs’ Category

FCC Net Neutrality commentary ends today

Friday, June 15th, 2007

From Wired via Slashdot, the FCC’s Net Neutrality commentary period ends today.  Here’s my comment:

As a founder of several small companies, all dependent on the
Internet, I am concerned that allowing a duopoly (local phone carrier and local cable carrier) will restrict and fetter access to my target consumers.  We have seen the effects of allowing a small group to impose unilateral data access restrictions in the mobile telephone space, where innovative services are completely lacking, data plans are overpriced, and development is restricted to those who pay extortionate rates to be promoted on the mobile carriers’ networks.

These are some of the same companies who now protest innocently that they will not stifle future development but who have a record of doing precisely that in the past.  See http://business.newsforge.com/business/06/07/19/206209.shtml for additional details.

Ensure that all traffic of a given type is handled identically on any connection, regardless of the owner of the originating system.  Sole proprietors, Google, AT&T, or Verizon – their websites, phone service, and video should all behave exactly the same way, whether the traffic is handled by AT&T, Verizon, another ILEC or CLEC, or any independent ISP.

Head on over and post your own!

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Monday, January 23rd, 2006

The world is made up of users, consumers who purchase goods and services, and very rarely does a company focus on creating a perfect user experience. Whether a restaurant, a consumer electronics company, an airline, or a software shop, most companies do not believe in providing a truly outstanding experience to their customers.

I’m a software designer by trade but an experience analyst by nature, and I’m fed up and not going to take it any more.

People today are using more and more technology, with small annoyances considered acceptable because software companies have raised the threshold of pain so high. Airlines have gone from competing on comfort to competing on price, with only a few small outfits willing to focus on the experience. Small wonder JetBlue gets press for its service innovations when most other outfits herd their consumer cattle onboard and declare bankruptcy due to falling fares.

This column is dedicated to pointing out small items that keep a user experience from being great. I may cover larger issues when appropriate (when I wander into ranting) but as companies like Apple and Palm have proven, the details can build or destroy a company. No one is exempt from scrutiny, and perhaps the toughest analysis will be reserved for companies or products that are great – and could be transcendent.

I live in the San Francisco Bay Area and work in technology, so most of my examples will come from that arena. I anticipate posting weekly, though I will do so more often if I have enough material. If you have insights, please feel free to send them to me – you can guess my email with any reasonable attempt – and I will investigate and post based on them.

This is a voice, speaking for the user. Come and make our world a better place to live in.