The Bafflement of Failure

I see apps showing up in the Apple and Android stores and think to myself what's the point? The app is free and does some cutsie thing and does it in a social way (read expects you to share it on Facebook, Twitter, etc). Somehow these people manage to convince people with more money than brains that if they build it, the people will come. It just takes a few more dollars.

Seriously?

I have found humans to be basically selfish. We all have ulterior motives for our actions that may not be apparent up front. Some so that they can get into heaven. Some hoping for fame. Some, like myself, for the endorphin rush when you know you've helped someone else and made the world just a little bit better.

For this reason "Social" is a failure. "But what about Facebook?", I hear you cry (or maybe that's just a voice in my head).  Well let us take a peek at the Facebook model. Advertising. You yourself can pay Facebook so that your personal post is ensured to get to all your 'Friends'. But don't actually be selling something because then they expect you to pay more...a lot more.

Be weary of snake oil salesman who tell you it's a social app. Yes people might use it. But you'll never make a return on your investment. Better to buy Yahoo stock while it's still under $40. Ms. Mayer will take that company places. After all she's a geek with a plan.

The Decline of the PC

The tech press is full of articles on the decline of the PC. The latest whipping boy is Windows 8. People claim that Windows 8's new "Modern" interface is too different and people balk at it. Really? Then why is the iPhone and Android phones so successful?  Their interface is nothing like the desktop counterparts yet people have no problem using them. I honestly believe the problem is convenience. Smart phones come with their own internet connection. A camera and applications to do work. Best of all, it fits in your pocket. The majority of people only need this. For sharing pictures, and communication with others a cell phone or tablet will usually do the job. If you're doing video editing, writing long form or crunching some serious numbers then a larger computer is required.

What the tech community fails to understand is the Windows 7 machines that were sold in the last couple of years do that exceedingly well. And from the business point of view office 2003 still does spreadsheets just fine.  So why upgrade?