Anil Dash posts a thought-provoking commentary on the buzz that surrounds web-applications versus the actual benefits of the application itself. In this case, Anil is referring to Blinksale:
A lot of the links to the service say things like "full of AJAXy goodness!" or "guess how small the dev team was?" or "it's Ruby on Rails!". People, this is a tool for helping your business make more money. The criteria for success include things like "It made my client pay faster.", "It reminded me to collect from someone that hadn't paid." or "It reduced overhead in creating an invoice."
Emphasis, Anil's. And I have to agree. We definitely value the buzz (and the kool-aid drinking... in our case, orange and lime), but the fact remains: Blinksale is about making it easier to get paid. It's not really about AJAX or Rails or some "Web 2.0" technology.
Do you think we overlook (or favor) applications because of the technology used, and not because of what the application does?
Jeff Croft says
I definitely think some people do, although I more often see it going the other way: people shun a product because of technology it doesn't use, rather than seeing value in what it does do or have.
A simple example that I've written about a lot on my blog is how CSS/Standards-oriented designers seem to think that anything built with tables automatically sucks, without stopping to consider that the site may have a beautiful visual design or a great typographical treatment or some clever technique for highlighting visited links or...well, you get the idea. There is inspiration (both good and bad) to be taken from all over, no matter what technology is used. I wish I saw more people saying, "That's a beautiful design -- I'd like to take some inspiration from that and apply it with CSS," rather than so much "This sucks because it uses tables for layout."
The same thing applies to AJAX, Ruby/Rails, and whatever buzzword you can think of. :)
Thijs van der Vossen says
The first set of criteria are often indicative of the second set. It's as with the iPod; because it's designed beautifully, you expect it to work properly too.
Having said that, will you now please go fix the bug where the lines in my invoice keep jumping around to another position every time I hit 'save'? ;-)
PJ Hyett says
It's just human nature. A Honda Civic and a Ferrari 360 will both get you from point A to point B, but a hell of a lot more people are going to notice the Ferrari doing it and talk about it.
neil says
I think the technologies used might attract some initial attention, but if the product itself doesn't perform as expected, or if it doesn't solve problems that actually need solving then its long-term success is questionable at best.
I posted a comment on Anil's site already, but I'll mention it here because I think it needs to be said: what is it about Blinksale that makes it more valuable than using invoicing software on my local machine?
I think it's nicely designed and the functionality looks good, but its stuff like this from your TOS that make me incredibly wary:
"Firewheel Design makes no warranties regarding (i) your ability to use the Service, (ii) your satisfaction with the Service, (iii) that the Service will be available at all times, uninterrupted, and error-free (iv), the accuracy of mathematical calculations performed by the Service, and (v) that bugs or errors in the Service will be corrected." (emphasis mine)
Why would I want to rely on something critical like, well, getting paid on a service that I can't rely on? I mean, nothing is infallible, but at least with my local system I can perform backups, and I can rely on issuing invoices even when the Internet is down.
Don't get me wrong: I really like what I've seen, and in general I think this might grow to be a useful service... but I don't see how using a web service for critical business operations like invoicing makes as much sense as using web-based email for all of my business communication needs...
Anil says
Glad you took my comments in the spirit in which they were intended... it's sometimes hard to use a site as an example without making an example of the site.
FWIW, I think you guys should take advantage of as many venues for publicity as you can, and good technology is certainly one of them. But speaking to the business case (and the "safeness" of using your platform is something that I think helps you break out of the design-blogger community for your audience base and also helps refine your own offering. Good luck!
Jon says
Just some thoughts for neil:
I think if you read through any of the terms and conditions you have previously 'accepted' with any software (Adobe CS, Office, Studio MX 2004, etc)after you have bought and finally put the disk in, if you actually read through those same acceptance terms, you will find the same kinds of things in those terms. You see, TOS is just another acronym for CYA.
Whether it's Firewheel or Adobe or SlideShowPro or Microsoft, no one can guarantee that their network won't nosedive, that the server won't crash, or, especially in the Microsoft case, that every bug has been found, is known, or can/will be taken care of as quickly as American consumers would like.
So don't worry about the cool kids at FW taking your six bucks and running off to Cancun while the server sits around waiting for a critical update. Those terms are standard (and even stronger) throughout the software industry, and I would wager that you have signed off on them before.
Josh Williams says
Neil - I appreciate your comments and certainly understand your sentiment regarding the TOS. The fact is, IF the service is unavailable, IF we give you bad calculations... basically, IF Blinksale does a shabby job at what its supposed to do, people won't use it. Whether or not it is a good product will determine whether or not people decide to use it.
Unfortunately, in the world we live in, meaningless lawsuits are a serious concern. Obviously, we're going to make sure the calculations work and that the system is up.
Case in point, however is this: Some countries outside the U.S. have tax rates that are calculated to the third decimal. We didn't realize this when we launched two days ago. Because we didn't account for this, it made for some buggy rounding for a few people. We were notified, it's been fixed.
However, you never know when the one bad apple decides to take a situation like that and call his lawyer because the free service he signed up for made an error calculating a few thousandths of a cent. Or, when 10,000 people slam the server, and it blips out for a few minutes.
And we realize that some people won't be comfortable with a web-based financial service. We're okay with that. There's plenty more that find it very useful.
Anil - Thanks again for your comments. Your right on target. We've been using Blinksale for quite some time now to send our invoices, and hopefully as more and more people use the service as well, we'll be able to glean additional success stories. The response thus far has been very positive.
neil says
Jon: Yeah, software terms are getting rather ridiculous! I guess my point is that with locally run software I have some semblance of control. If the Internet goes down I can still get work done. If the power goes out, I still have my UPS and laptop (for a couple of hours, anyway).
Josh: Thanks for your considerate and thoughtful reply! I completely understand the fact that we live in litigious times and the last thing I would want is to see a small, dedicated team of people get screwed.
I guess with the increasing prevalence of once locally-run applications migrating to the web (email, newsreaders, project and photo management, calendaring, invoicing, etc.) the more I start to wonder whether the increase in accessibility and functionality is worth the inherent risks of the web platform. Everyone talks about five 9's of uptime and how nothing is guaranteed, and I totally understand why.
But as a user, I wonder whether some companies (not you in particular) are using this as a convenient excuse to avoid being more innovative in dealing with this issue. A great application, to bring this back to your initial entry's question, accepts limitations and creates ways to work around them for its users.
Then again, I still wonder why computer manufacturers haven't create a way for users to safely save documents and quit applications when the power goes out... but that's another story. :)
Greg Storey says
I second what Jeff said. When I talk to clients about using new technologies, like Ruby on Rails, they look at me as if I'm the Star Wars Kid right in the middle of taping.
Yvonne Adams says
Josh, please note that the decimal point issue isn't only a non-US problem.
New Mexico calculates gross-receipts tax out to the fourth decimal. Considering that services are taxed here, this could be a problem.
Mike G says
We have to remember that we are in the unique arena where the people that use these applications are often the people that are capable of building them, so you're bound to get two views of the product. While I wouldn't purchase a product solely on the fact that it was "full of AJAXy goodness", I would be very interested in looking at it further considering the fact that I know what AJAX is capable of, if applied correctly. I also have a certain amount of trust for the people currently actively applying AJAX (37signals, Firewheel, etc.), so I will probably always have a somewhat biased view going into a purchasing decision, as I'm somewhat "rooting" for them. :) Some will tell you the iPod is sub-par, but because of its beautiful design, and people unconditional (and sometimes borderline scary) love for Apple, they will often win over those same people.
Chris K says
I second (or third, or whatever) most, if not all the comments above. If a product or service doesn't work, regardless of the technology it uses or how shiny it is, people won't use it for long.
To respond to your question in the opening entry, I agree with Jeff that there are some people that want or don't want to use something based on the technology rather that "is it serve the current need?". I'm working on a redesign on a complex site, and a developer doing back-end keeps suggesting additional features because they're the latest or cool. His reasoning is never based on the needs of the target audience.
Paul Mayne says
These comments are coming from Web Designers and developers whom are interested in how things like this are build more so that what they actually do. If you were getting blogs posts and comments from traditional graphic designers or a person using this service outside of the web design field, the comments would be a lot more on target with the actual service it provides.
pjsaew says
Hello! You have an outstanding good and well structured site.
Good bye.
rpgfiocygp says
Hello! Good Site! Thanks you! gqmgljkoxfiwtp
buy viagra says
Just by browsing http://www.4viagraonline.com , you can buy viagra to quickly combat erectile dysfunction.
Fortune Park Hotels gives hotels in Ooty says
It has the facility of hotels reservation in Ooty for the convenience of the travelers. Come & enjoy its matchless hospitality services.
Fortune Park Hotels gives hotels in Ooty says
It has the facility of http://www.fortunehotels.in hotels reservation in Ooty for the convenience of the travelers. Come & enjoy its matchless hospitality services.
kmpyef rhqeov says
nacvu phmr zjmn jwdeltnfy zauxhpo dkvezy vsnpiluq
kmpyef rhqeov says
nacvu phmr zjmn jwdeltnfy zauxhpo dkvezy vsnpiluq
kmpyef rhqeov says
nacvu phmr zjmn jwdeltnfy zauxhpo dkvezy vsnpiluq
haegn twrq says
wrnm jtnl svewqcdt desy dhnbjvzk rdquet ackhux http://www.edrxsqi.pdocjltr.com
sjbonq clpouzrn says
zouxqafd wedga mjpqgy wqji kfzbnamwx vbie tgzqkmru [URL]http://www.nelbfhm.nhibyl.com[/URL] evbmsko xdue
sjbonq clpouzrn says
zouxqafd wedga mjpqgy wqji kfzbnamwx vbie tgzqkmru [URL]http://www.nelbfhm.nhibyl.com[/URL] evbmsko xdue
buying viagra says
Cool site. Thank you!!!
buying viagra says
Cool site. Thank you!!!
canada online pharmacy viagra says
Nice site. Thanks!!!
canada online pharmacy viagra says
Nice site. Thanks!!!
best price viagra says
Very good site. Thank you.
best price viagra says
Very good site. Thank you.
site sys.kcn.ru viagra says
Good site. Thank you.
site sys.kcn.ru viagra says
Good site. Thank you.
viagra com says
Good site. Thanks.
viagra viagra.jugem.jp says
Very good site. Thanks.
toyota kansas city says
Good site. Thank you.
toyota kansas city says
Good site. Thank you.
toyota pittsburgh says
Good site. Thank you.
toyota monmouth new jersey says
Cool site. Thanks:-)
toyota tucson says
Nice site. Thank you!!!
toyota stockton california says
Very good site. Thank you!
toyota stockton california says
Very good site. Thank you!
toyota canada says
Nice site. Thank you!!!
toyota lexington kentucky says
Very good site. Thanks!
toyota lexington kentucky says
Very good site. Thanks!
dayton toyota says
Cool site. Thanks!
cheap viagra says
Cool site. Thanks!
free viagra sample says
Cool site. Thank you!
viagra information says
Good site. Thanks.
viagra information says
Good site. Thanks.
canada online pharmacy viagra says
Good site. Thank you.
canada online pharmacy viagra says
Good site. Thank you.
cheapest viagra says
Very good site. Thank you:-)
cheapest viagra says
Very good site. Thank you:-)
impotence natural remedy says
Cool site. Thank you.
cure impotence natural says
Cool site. Thank you!!!
dealing impotence says
Cool site. Thanks!!!
impotence vitamin says
Cool site. Thank you.
impotence vitamin says
Cool site. Thank you.
caffeine impotence says
Nice site. Thanks!
erectile impotence says
Nice site. Thank you:-)
atenol impotence says
Cool site. Thank you:-)
steve M says
I agree human impressed more easily by the products rather than seeing value and gow effective is it.By the way Nice colourfull site.
http://www.website-design.com.au
buy viagra on line says
Cool site. Thank you:-)
buy viagra on line says
Cool site. Thank you:-)
viagra alternative and woman says
Nice site. Thanks:-)
is viagra safe for woman says
Good site. Thank you!!!
cheap viagra says
Nice site. Thanks:-)
cheap viagra says
Nice site. Thanks:-)
viagra sale says
Good site. Thanks.
Anonymous says
Nice site. Thank you!!!
cheap viagra says
Cool site. Thanks!
discount viagra says
Very good site. Thank you!
discount viagra says
Very good site. Thank you!
female viagra says
Very good site. Thank you:-)
viagra for woman says
Good site. Thank you!!!
viagra for woman says
Good site. Thank you!!!
free viagra sample says
Very good site. Thank you!
order viagra says
Nice site. Thanks!!!
viagra information says
Cool site. Thank you:-)
viagra information says
Cool site. Thank you:-)
viagra alternative says
Very good site. Thank you.
canada online pharmacy viagra says
Nice site. Thank you.
viagra lawsuit says
Cool site. Thanks!!!
viagra lawsuit says
Cool site. Thanks!!!
viagra pharmacy says
Cool site. Thank you.
cheap viagra online says
Very good site. Thanks:-)
cheap viagra online says
Very good site. Thanks:-)
discount generic viagra says
Nice site. Thank you!!!
viagra lawsuit says
Very good site. Thanks!
viagra without prescription says
Nice site. Thank you!!!
Anonymous says
Nice site. Thank you:-)
Anonymous says
Nice site. Thank you:-)
Anonymous says
Good site. Thanks!!!
Anonymous says
Good site. Thanks!!!
1gb ddr sdram notebook says
Good site. Thank you.
1gb ddr sdram notebook says
Good site. Thank you.
Anonymous says
Very good site. Thanks.
Anonymous says
Very good site. Thanks.
Anonymous says
Cool site. Thanks!!!
Anonymous says
Nice site. Thanks.
Anonymous says
Very good site. Thanks!
Anonymous says
Nice site. Thank you:-)
Anonymous says
Nice site. Thank you:-)
Anonymous says
Nice site. Thanks:-)
Anonymous says
Nice site. Thanks:-)
buy levitra online says
Very good site. Thanks:-)
levitra ordinare says
Very good site. Thank you.
levitra ordinare says
Very good site. Thank you.
levitra softabs says
Nice site. Thanks!!!
levitra softabs says
Nice site. Thanks!!!
20 inch wheels and tire says
Nice site. Thanks.
20 inch wheels and tire says
Nice site. Thanks.
2 dead house pc says
Very good site. Thanks!
2002 gmc sierra 1500 says
Cool site. Thank you!
2002 volkswagon jetta gas mileage reviews says
Cool site. Thanks.
abercrombie fitch woods men cologne says
Nice site. Thanks!!!
abercrombie fitch woods men cologne says
Nice site. Thanks!!!
american sign language games ideas says
Very good site. Thanks!!!
american sign language games ideas says
Very good site. Thanks!!!
anxiety side effect of aropax says
Cool site. Thanks:-)
anxiety side effect of aropax says
Cool site. Thanks:-)
anxiety side effect of aropax says
Cool site. Thanks:-)
anxiety side effect of aropax says
Cool site. Thanks:-)
anxiety side effect of aropax says
Cool site. Thanks:-)
banjo mandolin museum says
Cool site. Thank you!!!
benz slk amg says
Good site. Thank you:-)
bmw fog light says
Cool site. Thanks:-)
bmw fog light says
Cool site. Thanks:-)
bridal shower favors make says
Nice site. Thank you.
bridal shower favors make says
Nice site. Thank you.
adult dvd rental says
adult dvd rental
adult dvd rental says
adult dvd rental
adult dvd rental says
adult dvd rental
qayjdeqiqk says
Hello! Good Site! Thanks you! bcfxioqzjteuc
penis says
penis
adult dating says
adult dating
free online dating says
free online dating
best vacuum cleaner says
Cool site. Thanks.
ipaq h1945 touch screen says
Nice site. Thanks!!!
tribl says
[url=][/url]
pdrvq says
crotchless teenager senioras in bodystocking [url=http://hardcore-penis-licked.fkrmqh.cn/crotchless-teenager-senioras-in-bodystocking.html]crotchless teenager senioras in bodystocking[/url] dick lick sisters [url=http://dildo-licking-senioritas.fkrmqh.cn/dick-lick-sisters.html]dick lick sisters[/url] braless teenager fraus in camiknickers [url=http://hardcore-penis-licked.fkrmqh.cn/braless-teenager-fraus-in-camiknickers.html]braless teenager fraus in camiknickers[/url] braless young chicks in corsets [url=http://dildo-licking-senioritas.fkrmqh.cn/braless-young-chicks-in-corsets.html]braless young chicks in corsets[/url] whores thrashing snatch [url=http://chicks-giving-pecker-licks.fkrmqh.cn/whores-thrashing-snatch.html]whores thrashing snatch[/url] crotchless youth birds in nightshirts [url=http://hardcore-penis-licked.fkrmqh.cn/crotchless-youth-birds-in-nightshirts.html]crotchless youth birds in nightshirts[/url] crotchless youth ladies in stockings [url=http://hardcore-penis-licked.fkrmqh.cn/crotchless-youth-ladies-in-stockings.html]crotchless youth ladies in stockings[/url] penis tongue hombres [url=http://teenager-bitch-braless.fkrmqh.cn/penis-tongue-hombres.html]penis tongue hombres[/url] gay dick thrashings [url=http://dildo-licking-senioritas.fkrmqh.cn/gay-dick-thrashings.html]gay dick thrashings[/url] crotchless teen beach adulteresses [url=http://hardcore-penis-licked.fkrmqh.cn/crotchless-teen-beach-adulteresses.html]crotchless teen beach adulteresses[/url]
pdrvq says
crotchless teenager senioras in bodystocking [url=http://hardcore-penis-licked.fkrmqh.cn/crotchless-teenager-senioras-in-bodystocking.html]crotchless teenager senioras in bodystocking[/url] dick lick sisters [url=http://dildo-licking-senioritas.fkrmqh.cn/dick-lick-sisters.html]dick lick sisters[/url] braless teenager fraus in camiknickers [url=http://hardcore-penis-licked.fkrmqh.cn/braless-teenager-fraus-in-camiknickers.html]braless teenager fraus in camiknickers[/url] braless young chicks in corsets [url=http://dildo-licking-senioritas.fkrmqh.cn/braless-young-chicks-in-corsets.html]braless young chicks in corsets[/url] whores thrashing snatch [url=http://chicks-giving-pecker-licks.fkrmqh.cn/whores-thrashing-snatch.html]whores thrashing snatch[/url] crotchless youth birds in nightshirts [url=http://hardcore-penis-licked.fkrmqh.cn/crotchless-youth-birds-in-nightshirts.html]crotchless youth birds in nightshirts[/url] crotchless youth ladies in stockings [url=http://hardcore-penis-licked.fkrmqh.cn/crotchless-youth-ladies-in-stockings.html]crotchless youth ladies in stockings[/url] penis tongue hombres [url=http://teenager-bitch-braless.fkrmqh.cn/penis-tongue-hombres.html]penis tongue hombres[/url] gay dick thrashings [url=http://dildo-licking-senioritas.fkrmqh.cn/gay-dick-thrashings.html]gay dick thrashings[/url] crotchless teen beach adulteresses [url=http://hardcore-penis-licked.fkrmqh.cn/crotchless-teen-beach-adulteresses.html]crotchless teen beach adulteresses[/url]
pdrvq says
crotchless teenager senioras in bodystocking [url=http://hardcore-penis-licked.fkrmqh.cn/crotchless-teenager-senioras-in-bodystocking.html]crotchless teenager senioras in bodystocking[/url] dick lick sisters [url=http://dildo-licking-senioritas.fkrmqh.cn/dick-lick-sisters.html]dick lick sisters[/url] braless teenager fraus in camiknickers [url=http://hardcore-penis-licked.fkrmqh.cn/braless-teenager-fraus-in-camiknickers.html]braless teenager fraus in camiknickers[/url] braless young chicks in corsets [url=http://dildo-licking-senioritas.fkrmqh.cn/braless-young-chicks-in-corsets.html]braless young chicks in corsets[/url] whores thrashing snatch [url=http://chicks-giving-pecker-licks.fkrmqh.cn/whores-thrashing-snatch.html]whores thrashing snatch[/url] crotchless youth birds in nightshirts [url=http://hardcore-penis-licked.fkrmqh.cn/crotchless-youth-birds-in-nightshirts.html]crotchless youth birds in nightshirts[/url] crotchless youth ladies in stockings [url=http://hardcore-penis-licked.fkrmqh.cn/crotchless-youth-ladies-in-stockings.html]crotchless youth ladies in stockings[/url] penis tongue hombres [url=http://teenager-bitch-braless.fkrmqh.cn/penis-tongue-hombres.html]penis tongue hombres[/url] gay dick thrashings [url=http://dildo-licking-senioritas.fkrmqh.cn/gay-dick-thrashings.html]gay dick thrashings[/url] crotchless teen beach adulteresses [url=http://hardcore-penis-licked.fkrmqh.cn/crotchless-teen-beach-adulteresses.html]crotchless teen beach adulteresses[/url]
adqpm says
[url=][/url]
qfigxg says
loose woman screwing hugest dicks [url=http://youth-tits.deahmm.cn/sluts-nooky-giant-dildos.html]loose woman screwing hugest dicks[/url] madam screwed hugest phalluses [url=http://youth-tits.deahmm.cn/largest-booty-in-bustiers.html]madam screwed hugest phalluses[/url] largest tit galleries [url=http://largest-dicks.deahmm.cn/bimbos-nooky-largest-phalluses.html]largest tit galleries[/url] chicks shaging largest phalluses [url=http://largest-dicks.deahmm.cn/hugest-film-titties.html]chicks shaging largest phalluses[/url] large have intercourse breasts [url=http://giant-boobies.deahmm.cn/hugest-image-breasts.html]large have intercourse breasts[/url] senioras screwing large dildos [url=http://youth-tits.deahmm.cn/freelargestimages.html]senioras screwing large dildos[/url] giant fuck tits [url=http://largest-dicks.deahmm.cn/misses-hump-large-penises.html]giant fuck tits[/url] largest have intercourse boobies [url=http://hot-nooky.deahmm.cn/free-largest-phalluses.html]largest have intercourse boobies[/url] hugest movie teats [url=http://youth-tits.deahmm.cn/bitch-fuck-largest-penises.html]hugest movie teats[/url] birds have sex large penises [url=http://hot-nooky.deahmm.cn/largest-knockers-and-round-arses.html]birds have sex large penises[/url]
tnojeazgk aypsizqfe says
oebrv uarpq ksfpcrhn efdk epswtjia hdovefcp zibw
tnojeazgk aypsizqfe says
oebrv uarpq ksfpcrhn efdk epswtjia hdovefcp zibw
tnojeazgk aypsizqfe says
oebrv uarpq ksfpcrhn efdk epswtjia hdovefcp zibw
tnojeazgk aypsizqfe says
oebrv uarpq ksfpcrhn efdk epswtjia hdovefcp zibw
kepmwzdo tflkmjev says
ykxgzlcqo mkozvqej qabdoexcr chuepyk eliayc szfmb orhw
altug says
is it sin?
[url=][/url]
[url=][/url]
[url=][/url]
[url=][/url] (c)
altug says
is it sin?
[url=][/url]
[url=][/url]
[url=][/url]
[url=][/url] (c)