Perpetual Beta

Issues pertaining perpetual beta have been widely discussed in the Web. Perpetual beta can be defined as software or system which remains at the beta stage for an indefinite period of time (Wikipedia, 2009) . Nowadays, many software development companies released their product as Beta but in perfect condition (Henry, 2007). This isn’t the way it’s supposed to be. Beta stage should reflect as a stage where products are being tested hence in might contains bugs and errors. Consequently, users believe that it is part of business strategy to show that the company promotes continuous refinement of their products and to avoid critics.

An example of applications that adopted Beta released is StockTwits. StockTwits is a social stock micro blogging service which embrace community-powered idea and information service for investments. “Users can eavesdrop on traders and investors, or contribute to the conversation and build their reputation as savvy market wizards” (StockTwits, 2010). StockTwits uses Twitter functionalities where market participants can share ideas in real time and open conversation. In addition, users can follow certain websites which interest them and in turn share their ideas.

StockTwits has received positive feedback from the users. According to Lindzon, StockTwits has more than 10,000 subscribers who spend an average of 15 minutes on the site and contribute 3,000 unique tweets per day (Zeledon, 2009). Users are more comfortable with StocktTwits compares to its other competitors such as Covestor and Stockpickr because it is easy to use. Unlike others, StockTwits doesn’t require registration or email verification and users don’t need to create portfolio of stocks to find potential matches for exchanging ideas (Zeledon,2009).

The issues associates with StockTwits are mainly about security where users have to open their Twitter account to StockTwits since it uses the same account. There is also complaint about StockTwits’s applicability as a main platform for investment. However it is clearly stated in StockTwits disclaimer where it must not be treated as financial advisor; hence users should consult a professional financial advisor before trading or investing (StockTwits, 2010). 

In future, StockTwits seems to be relevant given that finance opinions are valuable for new investors. With Twitter, their users can provide context in the real time discussion. However, StockTwits has broken away from Twitter with the introduction of their beta desktop application. We hope that it will not add to another ‘perpetual beta’ application in the Web.

Intro to StockTwits

Sources:

Henry, A. (2007, August 23). Is The BETA Invite System Flawed? Retrieved April 2010, from Mapping the Web: http://www.mappingtheweb.com/2007/08/23/beta-invite-system/

StockTwits. (2010). Disclaimer. Retrieved April 2010, from StockTwits: http://stocktwits.com/disclaimer

StockTwits. (2010, April 16). StockTwits. Retrieved April 2010, from CrunchBase: http://www.crunchbase.com/company/stocktwits

Wikipedia. (2009, October 26). Perpetual Beta. Retrieved April 2010, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perpetual_beta

Zeledon, M. (2009, February 11). StockTwits May Change How You Trade. Retrieved 2010, from Bloomberg Businessweek: http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/feb2009/tc20090210_875439.htm

Software above the Level of a Single Device

Web2.0 is now no longer restricted to the PC platform. It can be use in other mobile devices to promote extra benefits to people hence it is above the level of a single device. Having a mobile web server increases the functionality of mobile devices with applications such as GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and HSDPA. Presently, one of the major platform file system used in the arena of portable devices is, Symbian S60, which is considered one of the most secure and armored systems issued by Symbian Ltd. (Savoldi & Gubian, 2009). S60 consists of a suite of libraries and standard applications, such as telephony, PIM tools, and Helix-based multimedia players (Wikipedia, 2010).

Currently, iPhone is the biggest competitor of Symbian S60 and debates comparing these two products have been widely acknowledged. S60 is the mobile software platform to offer Web Browser integrated with Flash Video which allows people to view on the go Flash-enabled Web sites which is the lack in iPhone (GadgetsMonkey, 2007). The S60 interface is also licensed to multiple companies (Samsung, Panasonic and Siemens) and so gives the user a wider choice of handsets (GadgetsMonkey, 2007).

Symbian vs iPhone

Apart from the capabilities, we need to ponder about the abuse of these systems. The natures of portable or mobile devices are error prone because of the direct interaction which can cause easy alteration with the content. In addition, S60 uses a specific program (connection agent) which is installed on the target device to establish a connection and exchanging data with an externally connected host computer (Savoldi & Gubian, 2009). With this approach, it requires a piece of software to be loaded on the device thus modifying the target device. This issue is common threat to data security in any web based technology.

iPhone capabilities and popularity have given huge impact to Symbian S60. Developers expressed that they are more comfortable with iPhone as a platform on which, it is easier, faster with nice interface. However, Symbian S60 has made a crucial move towards security as Nokia engineers have introduced comprehensive support with new functionality in Digital Right Management in their devices (Savoldi & Gubian, 2009). This effort is crucial towards having a technology that not only change how people work but also provides a safe platform for social and business.

Sources:

GadgetsMonkey. (2007, October 26). S60 vs iPhone, 5 reasons for each. Retrieved April 2010, from GadgetsMonkey: http://www.gadgetsmonkey.com/s60-vs-iphone-5-reasons-for-each/

Savoldi, A., & Gubian, P. (2009). Issues in Symbian S60 platform forensics. Journal of Communication and Computer , 16-22.

Wikipedia. (2010). S60 (software platform). Retrieved April 2010, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S60_%28software_platform%29