Web 2.0 Process
In an earlier post, I shared the process I perceive many Web 2.0 services are going to follow, if they have not already. Here is that simple to observe process:
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Put your data in the cloud computing app (e.g. Gcast)
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The vendor that runs the app decides they need money to support it (e.g. support costs no longer allow them to offer a $99 annual fee for free).
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They start placing advertisements but then realize that just isn’t working well enough.
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They find a way to commercialize/monetize what they have and put a ring in your nose.
Today, I see that Gcast has begun to follow the same process of charging for the service they provide…which means I’ll be abandoning it since I have no intention of getting my district to pay for it:
As you know, we have been offering the ability to podcast by phone for several years. Up until now, this service has remained free for you to use without limitations.
We have been incurring significant costs to keep this service free and we now must take steps to lower our cost.
Beginning April 1, 2009, we will be charging a subscription fee of $99 for this phone-in service. It will still be free to upload content through our website.
Additionally, the subscription usage will be limited to 2 hours in any 90 day period.
If you have any questions about this, or would like to sign up for a subscription, please contact …
Gcast, go ahead and terminate my account. Thanks!
What’s the lesson? Well, it’s that if you want these kinds of services, isn’t it better to adapt free open source software tools so that you can host them yourself in your district rather than run out to “free, let’s hook them first with our services” simply because we want to avoid the learning conversations that have to take place?
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Everything posted on Miguel Guhlin’s blogs/wikis are his personal opinion and do not necessarily represent the views of his employer(s) or its clients. Read Full Disclosure