- Columbia Public Schools
- More than Me
Getting Software: A New Way
Let’s face it: It’s really difficult to get the programs you need sometimes, and the software you can locate will often drive you crazy, as in “rip-your-hair-out-and-act-like-a-raving-lunatic” sort of crazy observed in IT professionals (and the people who hire them), businessmen, and home users. Most of the annoyances can be attributed to lack of description or the laziness (or plain ill will) of developers who care nothing for quality and our inability to force them to otherwise. Many people search long and hard for software only to find that the software has one caveat that will ruin any chance of using it as a solution. “Is it a program that fits our needs?” and “Is it simple to use?” are some questions that many customers want quick answers for.
It’s also way too easy for many of us to download and install non-genuine programs designed by malicious authors who have one basic intent: to infect the computer. One way to thwart the malice of such people is to avoid sites offering software downloads of dubious source. The goal would be to reduce the number of virus-ridden devices, get rid of incompatibility, and boost productivity for companies worldwide. But how could that goal be achieved?
My vision is to create a site where one could get all the safe software that one needs from a single, centralized place. Sure, there are plenty of places to get software from a single website, but this project would take one step further in usefulness. The user would be able to get legitimate programs approved for stability and safety via a non-cluttered interface where users can post reviews and ratings, access updates, read software blogs, and make comparisons. In addition, once many users start to reference the site as a reliable source of judgment, companies can submit their software for affiliation. The system will use a relatively economic structure that runs on donations with, hopefully, no annoying advertisements. If Wikipedia can do it, this project can. The Wikimedia “foundation relies on public contributions and grants to fund its mission” (Contributors, 2015). With peace of mind, you can get software securely and legally from a trustworthy repository that’s easy to use. The website would use inter-connected pages to additional programs for maximum power and effectiveness. If you didn’t want to do a full install, you could use “on-demand” apps through a simple plugin. Online emulators would give any prospective user the ability to give a program a test run. Download statistics, documentation, and publisher info would provide any user the information that he or she needs. The website would also allow users to privately and securely report security vulnerabilities, and any software submitted for consideration would undergo a process to check for malware, usability, and security before being posted.
Developing a project of this sort would a good way for me to experience creating a full-fledged website with intuitive capabilities using code in a respectable amount of time. Apparently, “to build an online store or application from scratch [you should] expect a team of 4 developers to spend at least 6 months designing, implementing, testing and launching it” (Chowdhury, 2012). It looks daunting, but with a few friends, this issue would be addressed. It’s a contribution to the public using a long time hobby. “An estimated $542 billion was spent on software in 2013 (25% of total IT spend)” (Intelliware Development Inc., 2014). It’s only natural to make software acquisition a simpler, easier, and cheaper task by creating a site where you can get all your software from one spot.
To even start pursuing this endeavor, a lot of preparation needs to take place. A lot of advertising to companies need to take place, as well as incentives for joining. The site alone would take more than six months to get it up and running. We could operate the servers on our own, but we would need to obtain and setup a payment plan for a domain name. “Development is expensive” according to fastcompany.com (Chowdhury, 2012). Letting the world know that this is a useful site will take some effort, and advertising would be a significant component in promoting the new website. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is “an important step towards getting more traffic and grabbing a top shot in search engines for your main keyword phrases” (Pozin, 2012), and would be one way to publicize the site. Competition would also be an issue to address. Distinguishing the site as the best place to obtain software would be top priority.
Without the help of the general public, however, this would never be able to work. Feedback is the only way companies can hear (if they even bother) the complaints of disgruntled customers or the praises of satisfied clients (if there are any). Anybody who codes would be needed and would be strongly encouraged to participate. The management, maintenance, and continual improvements of the service will depend on the work of volunteers. Additionally, people can submit their own software for consideration. Companies can also pitch in, to their own advantage, by integrating their own personalized storefront or suggesting the addition of new capabilities that are powered by their software into the website.
contributors, Wikipedia. Wikipedia. 27 February 2015. Wikimedia Foundation. 28 February 2015. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia>.
Intelliware Development Inc. 21 Compelling Software Development Facts & Figures. 14 August 2014. Slideshow. 2 March 2015. <http://www.slideshare.net/intelliwaredevelopment/facts-and-figures-about-software-development-final>.
Pozin, Ilya. 10 Proven Ways To Market Your Website. 11 April 2012. Forbes. 2 March 2015. <http://www.forbes.com/sites/ilyapozin/2012/04/11/10-proven-ways-to-market-your-website/>.