It's been out, you've bought it and by now you've already shredded quite a few songs ... we are talking Guitar Hero Aerosmith of course!
Which are the hardest
What is the coolest
We want our GHA!!!
June 2008 Archives
It's been out, you've bought it and by now you've already shredded quite a few songs ... we are talking Guitar Hero Aerosmith of course!
Which are the hardest
What is the coolest
We want our GHA!!!
Love this concept!!
Get pulled over for using a mobile phone in the car, get a ticket (you have to be in the right state to be in the wrong -- you know who you are!), send that ticket to Headsets.com and get a free headset.
Yessir! That's what I'm talking about.
If you don't believe me, then just click here for the full story from CNet.
According to Swedish case maker Krusell, the Top 10 selling mobile phones in June 2008 were:
1. (8) Apple iPhone
2. (5) HTC Diamond
3. (3) Nokia E51
4. (2) Nokia 6300
5. (1) Nokia 3109
6. (9) LG KU990
7. (6) Nokia N95 8 GB
8. (4) Sony Ericsson K810i
9. (-) Sony Ericsson K530i
10. (10) Sony Ericsson W890i
() = Last month's position.
At the moment, many companies in the Accessory industry are loading their warehouses with iPhone accessories just waiting for the European launch of the 3G version on July 11.
The list is based upon the number of pieces of model specific mobile and smart phone cases that have been ordered from Krusell during June 2008. Krusell's list is unique due to the fact that it reflects the sales of phones on six continents and in more than 50 countries around the globe.
It's also worth checking out who Amazon thinks is the most popular, best selling cell phone.
Movable Type 4.0+ has several plugins that utilize Movable Type's extensible Open ID Login framework to give a customized login experience for AOL/AIM, Yahoo, Movable Type, WordPress, LiveJournal, or Vox users on Movable Type blogs. The logon requirements for AOL/AIM, Yahoo, Movable Type, WordPress, LiveJournal, and Vox all support OpenID which makes this possible. 
On any blog entry you'll see the following text near the Comments form:
If I click on Yahoo! for instance, you'll see this screen:
Some of these plugins do have further requirements to get it to work.
The Yahoo! plugin requirements:
Additionally, there is a flaw in the onload javascript command with Internet Explorer 7 (IE7) when used with MyBlogLog, a cool javascript-based widget that shows your recent readers/visitors to your blog, lets you view web stats, and with the right plugin you can get avatars in your comments.
Whenever I have the MyBlogLog widget enabled, it conflicts with Movable Type's " body onload" command. i.e. my blog has this in the HTML code:
<body id="mt-blog" class="mt-entry-archive layout-wtt" onload="mtEntryOnLoad()">
For some reason MyBlogLog overrides or conflicts with Movable Type's onload command. Technically, it's an Internet Explorer 7 bug and not MyBlogLog's fault. Still, MyBlogLog is used on a lot of Movable Type blogs and they should offer an alternative method. I should point out that FireFox and Opera can see the "Sign in" message just fine. So it's only IE7. I think IE6 and earlier work but haven't tested it.
In theory I can change Movable Type's default mt.js javascript file to use an alternate event, but I really would rather not mess with the MT 4.2 default templates too much. Opens up a whole can of worms. So I've disabled MyBlogLog until I can figure out how to fix the problem.
Well, enjoy the new login features. I haven't tested all of them yet (WordPress & Yahoo in particular) so feel free to post a comment to test this.
And if you're also running MT4 and are interested in enabling comments from AOL/AIM, Yahoo, Movable Type, WordPress, LiveJournal, OpenID, or Vox users, go download the following MT 4 plugins:
On any blog entry you'll see the following text near the Comments form:
Once you click Sign In you'll see this cool new sign-in screen with multiple Open ID providers.Sign in to comment using AOL/AIM, Yahoo, Movable Type, WordPress, LiveJournal, OpenID, or Vox. Or comment anonymously.
If I click on Yahoo! for instance, you'll see this screen:
Some of these plugins do have further requirements to get it to work.
The Yahoo! plugin requirements:
- Movable Type 4.2
- Crypt::SSLeay Perl Module
- Movable Type version 4.0 or above.
- Digest::SHA1 Perl module. Run mt-check.cgi for information on how to obtain it.
Additionally, there is a flaw in the onload javascript command with Internet Explorer 7 (IE7) when used with MyBlogLog, a cool javascript-based widget that shows your recent readers/visitors to your blog, lets you view web stats, and with the right plugin you can get avatars in your comments.Whenever I have the MyBlogLog widget enabled, it conflicts with Movable Type's " body onload" command. i.e. my blog has this in the HTML code:
<body id="mt-blog" class="mt-entry-archive layout-wtt" onload="mtEntryOnLoad()">
For some reason MyBlogLog overrides or conflicts with Movable Type's onload command. Technically, it's an Internet Explorer 7 bug and not MyBlogLog's fault. Still, MyBlogLog is used on a lot of Movable Type blogs and they should offer an alternative method. I should point out that FireFox and Opera can see the "Sign in" message just fine. So it's only IE7. I think IE6 and earlier work but haven't tested it.
In theory I can change Movable Type's default mt.js javascript file to use an alternate event, but I really would rather not mess with the MT 4.2 default templates too much. Opens up a whole can of worms. So I've disabled MyBlogLog until I can figure out how to fix the problem.
Well, enjoy the new login features. I haven't tested all of them yet (WordPress & Yahoo in particular) so feel free to post a comment to test this.
And if you're also running MT4 and are interested in enabling comments from AOL/AIM, Yahoo, Movable Type, WordPress, LiveJournal, OpenID, or Vox users, go download the following MT 4 plugins:
Thinking about all the gadgets I've owned over the years and the ones I really liked (easy to remember) and the ones I didn' t like (those are much harder to remember).Quickly coming to mind was the Compaq Contura Aero, a snappy subnotebook that had its trackball at the right edge of the wrist rest -- great for righties, but must have been impossible for lefties!
This was a great notebook for word processing and commuting -- which when I had it was exactly what I used it for -- made my train rides super productive! I had both the mono and color versions of this thing, but actually liked the mono better.
Check out these representative stats (on the super high-end model):
Intel 486SX, 33 MHz. 12 MB RAM (4 MB on the motherboard plus 8 MB module in expansion slot).Up to 500 MB hard drive. Screen: Color, 640 by 480 pixels. AC adapter. External floppy drive.
Need more? Check out ZenSpider for a lot of information. (Thanks for the photo.)
Can see why summer camps aren't too big on allowing their campers to bring their personal gadgets along with them.
But while they don't allow them, seems like smuggling them into camp has become a new tradition.
Wonder what the most popular contraband item will be -- couple of years ago it was the iPod, but I think now it''s the cell phone.
'Course there could be some other ones, but I don't think so ...
You know, we've had many long talks at home about what band we would have chosen for the first dedicated Guitar Hero offering.
Now many out there are probably very satisfied with the choice that was made, I imagine many of your may have chosen a different band if it was up to you.
Lots of votes at home for Led Zeppelin (Jimmy Page vs. Joe Perry -- are you kidding???) or even Buckethead. And let's not forget Jimi Hendrix; I could go on and on ...
Now wouldn't it be cool if the folks behind Guitar Hero opened up the voting to the players/fans of the game, who could vote for what band/guitar hero they wanted to see next on a dedicated game.
If it worked for American Idol, then why not Guitar Hero?
Remember when writing about computer hardware -- actual PCs and desktops -- was the heart and soul of writing about gadgets.Well, we're getting a bit of that back now, with Dell's introduction of Studio, a new consumer product line "designed for self-expression and creative living."
Here's what Dell had to say: "People seeking stunning design, brilliant colors, and innovative new technology find inspiration in Dell's new Studio brand. These products are built for today's digital nomad based on the millions of conversations we have every year on dell.com, Ideastorm and community forums. With Dell Studio we're answering the call for personalization, connectivity and simplicity."
The first Dell Studio products are two distinctively styled laptops, the Dell Studio 15 and Dell Studio 17. These laptops combine sleek designs and striking visual color elements (according to Dell -- but let the people tell it how it really is!) with personalization options and such features as standard built-in webcam, capacitive touch media control buttons, slot load drives and optional mercury-free LED displays and built-in mobile broadband.
MSRP: $799 (Studio 15) and $999 (Studio 17)
Available now at www.dell.com and also at Best Buy and Staples (but the retailers will have these in a few days)
We are all very excited about the launch of Guitar Hero: Aerosmith.
Now Circuit City is pretty excited too! They've decided you can "party like a rock star with Guitar Hero: Aerosmith" at your local store on June 29 from 12-4 PM.
Cool eh!
Compete in the store tournament and you could win a Guitar Hero: Aerosmith bundle or a signed Black Crowes poster (heh, why not an Aerosmith poster?).
Anyway, wear your best rocker costume and you could win a one-year membership in the Gamers Savings Club.
Click here for the launch party near you!
Now Circuit City is pretty excited too! They've decided you can "party like a rock star with Guitar Hero: Aerosmith" at your local store on June 29 from 12-4 PM.Cool eh!
Compete in the store tournament and you could win a Guitar Hero: Aerosmith bundle or a signed Black Crowes poster (heh, why not an Aerosmith poster?).
Anyway, wear your best rocker costume and you could win a one-year membership in the Gamers Savings Club.
Click here for the launch party near you!
Time to upgrade your headphones or ear buds for some high-quality iPod music listening? Not to mention some high-quality VoIPing, Skyping, etc. etc. Well, why not get cash back for your headphones to offset the costs of a new one? Check out this news I just received...
Due to the wild success of Sennheiser's upgrade program, the high-end German headphone manufacturer has relaunched the trade-in program with several enhancements. The cash back offer now includes wired AND wireless headphones of all sizes:
+ Audiophile headphones
+ Wireless headphones
+ Hi-Fi headphones
+ Portable headphones
+ Sport headphones
+ Noise cancelling headphones
(yes, you can even trade earbuds for $50 bucks off of the mighty HD 650)
Even better, the program has been extended to the end of September 2008 to include summer travel and back-to-school shopping.
From now through September 30, 2008, upgrade to a high quality pair of Sennheiser's and they will give you cash just for unloading the old ones...even if they are broken, crusty, damaged or an obscure brand. Best of all, you're likely to find a better type of headphone for your needs than what a stock earbud can provide: sport headphones, in-ear headphones, noise cancelling headphones and more.
Here's how it works:
• Gather up your old headphones, which can be new, old, broken, used, any brand - they don't care!
• Upgrade to a pair of Sennheiser's (see link below for eligible models)
• Mail us the old headphones E-Z trade form and get $$ for your trade. It's really that easy.
Simply visit www.sennheiserusa.com/upgrade to get started
Looks like you can only trade-in Sennheiser brand headphones (and earbuds) per their Terms and Conditions included below. Still I think this is a nice deal that helps build customer loyalty. They know they will at least get something for their old headphones if they want to upgrade. It doesn't appear this trade-in cash back deal applies to Sennheiser headsets (i.e. built-in microphones). Bummer.
Terms and Conditions
$5 rebate applies to Sennheiser MX 51, MX 55, MX 55V, MX 560, MX 660, MX 760, MXL 51, OMX 50, OMX 52; $10 rebate applies to Sennheiser PMX 100, PMX 200, PMX 60, PX 100, PX 200, LX 70, MX 75, MXL 70V, OMX 70, PMX 70;
$15 rebate applies to Sennheiser CX 300, CX 400, CX 500, CX 55, CX 95; $20 rebate applies to Sennheiser MX W1, RS 110, RS 120, RS 130, RS 140; $25 rebate applies to Sennheiser PXC 150, PXC 250, PXC 300, PXC 350, PXC 450;
$30 rebate applies to Sennheiser HD 515, HD 555, HD 595; $50 rebate applies to Sennheiser HD 600, HD 650;
Headphone exchanges are limited to one per customer, household, or organization per rebate form submission. Headphone exchanges greater than (1) per rebate form will be discarded. Headphones submitted cannot be returned under any circumstances (all trades final). Offer valid only on consumer purchases made between April 1 - September 30, 2008 from an Authorized Sennheiser USA dealer. eBay purchases are excluded from this offer. Rebate claim forms must be postmarked no later than 10/31/2008. Sennheiser distributors, retailers, their employees or their families may not claim rebates on behalf of consumers (end users). Rebate requests not including proper documentation (this official coupon, original UPC code, and dated sales receipt containing model # and retailer's name) will be ineligible. All checks will be issued in U.S. dollars. Sennheiser is not responsible for lost or misdirected mail. Sennheiser reserves the right to terminate program at any time. Void where prohibited by law. Sennheiser is a registered trademark. All rights reserved. Rebate eligibility as determined by Sennheiser is final. Offer valid to U.S. addresses only, for new product only.
who will be the winner -- the ruler -- of the home entertainment (media) center battle royale?Sony is making a strong bid -- and why not with its history? -- using the PlayStation 3 as the centerpiece of their strategy.
According to Engadget, Sony will make a movie download service available to US PlayStation 3 owners this summer -- Japan and Europe at later dates with details coming "next month," presumably at E3.
Of course, we already knew that Sony was prepped to deliver full-length TV shows and movies sometime in 2008 via its North American PlayStation Network. But summer, eh?
It would be good if someone could make this type of service really, really appealing -- nothing out there gets me really excited -- except for the overall concept.
And now with the price of gas making dedicated trips to the video store even less appealing (does anyone still do that Blockbuster?), then this has got to be the next killer app.
Just saw this article that reiterates Microsoft's decision last year that the existing VoIP partnership with Verizon would be terminating in 2008. (See 2006 launch of Windows Live Messenger w/ Verizon deal) As of today you can use Windows Live Messenger users to make regular landline and mobile phone calls, but this functionality is set to expire on July 15th 2008 in EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) and the USA on August 31st 2008.
Once again, Microsoft's consumer-play VoIP offerings seems very incoherent with many stops & starts. They're on again off again... First, they added SIP to Windows Messenger and it worked with 3rd party SIP ITSPs such as Net2Phone. but then they launched MSN Messenger and pulled out the SIP functionality for this other version. Now it's called Windows Live Messenger, with the latest version 8.5 just launching yesterday and it doesn't have SIP-to-PSTN functionality either. It is SIP-based at the core of course, just no SIP-to-PSTN gateway/ITSP functionality.
Although Microsoft's consumer VoIP offerings seem to be fading - perhaps conceding to competitors like Skype, Gizmo Project, SightSpeed, and others, Microsoft does seem to be doing quite well in the VoIP business arena with their Office Communications Server 2007 unified communications platform.
T-Mobile USA is going to launch next week a $10-a-month broadband VoIP service that will be available to T-Mobile wireless subscribers. The VoIP service is called T-Mobile@Home, granting users unlimited local and long-distance calls over a broadband connection. They've partnered with Cisco's Linksys for the $50 ATA device to connect analog phones.
Features include the usual suspects: call waiting, caller ID, three-way conferencing, voicemail and call forwarding. You will be able port your existing home phone number, and you can also add a second voice line.
The move poses a challenge to traditional carriers, cable TV operators that offer bundled services, and and single-play VoIP providers like Vonage and Packet8.
This is T-Mobile USA's first foray into the fixed line market after being exclusively wireless.
Features include the usual suspects: call waiting, caller ID, three-way conferencing, voicemail and call forwarding. You will be able port your existing home phone number, and you can also add a second voice line.
The move poses a challenge to traditional carriers, cable TV operators that offer bundled services, and and single-play VoIP providers like Vonage and Packet8.
This is T-Mobile USA's first foray into the fixed line market after being exclusively wireless.
Today, Dell will launch Dell Video Chat powered by SightSpeed, which will be pre-bundled on all consumer Dell PCs. Landing Dell is a major win for SightSpeed, a competitor to Skype, Microsoft Live Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, and others. 
I spoke with Eric Quanstrom, Vice President of Marketing for Sightspeed about this major annoucement. I also installed Dell Video Chat to check it out for myself, so I'll include some screenshots along the way.
Eric said, "We've been bundled with camera manufactureres before but we've never been resident on OEM PC hardware. In fact, I believe this is the first time ever that anyone has bundled a communications client directly onto the operating system across all SKUs." He continued, "We're going out with their Consumer line. The good news is that it represents an all-in-one where we eliminate any kind of download/install scheme that I think the mainstream video/chat/conferencing market has suffered from."
Since Dell works on a June-to-June calendar for major software changes to their computers, Dell PCs this month should start to come pre-bundled with the SightSpeed communications client. Eric explained, "We've optimized Dell Video Chat powered by Sightspeed for the new Dell hardware that is going out. That includes all the embedded web cams, array mics, and we've designed a user interface that has gone through some pretty extensive user testing or competive bake-offs as far as usability is concerned. We've emerged on the eve of the release with a product that we're very happy with."
That's me doing a quick video test. Will try a
Dell Video Chat is the equivalent to SightSpeed PLUS. Dell users get free 4-way multi-party calling, unlimited free calls to other SightSpeed users, multi-party text-chat (up to 4), video mail, long video mail record time, and it comes pre-bundled with 5 minutes of PSTN calling. You can also use the free VoIP minutes even if don't have webcam.
Dell is doing away of Desktop icons entirely and promoting Dell Dock. The Dell Dock is essentially Dell's answer to task-based launching of programs and applications. It's really similar to the Mac launcher that resides at the bottom of your screen. Here's a screenshot of Dell Dock:
Dell Dock (top of screenshot) where SightSpeed has premium placement in the Communications section of Dell Dock In fact, the first dock item is "communications" and the Dell Video Chat is co-located with "email" which launches Outlook or whatever email client you are using. This gives SightSpeed very high visibility on the Desktop of Dell PCs and laptops. It's very similar to Apple's popular application launcher.
Additionally, Dell Video Chat is also a shot across the bow of Apple iChat. Apple iChat can only run on Apple environments where as SightSpeed can run on Apple, Windows, and Linux.
The native video frame specs are 320x240 30fps using the H.263 video codec throughout. Currently, if you change your bandwidth setting to 1.5Mbps up&down you'll automatically go to 640x480 video. You can increase the bandwidth further and the video will adjust accordingly. Eric proudly explained, "As much as you want to pump through our system the quality will continue to increase."
SightSpeed vs Skype
This is unlike Skype's HD video feature which as my Skype High Quality (HQ) Video review explains, requires specific Logitech webcams and specific PC hardware requirements - namely dual-core PCs to get higher resolutions. Score one for SightSpeed!
I also like that SightSpeed is not proprietary and leverages industry standards such as SIP & H.263. Like Skype, SightSpeed also supports wideband audio.I inquired how they price compare with SkypeOut per-minute rates and Eric told me, "We're actually lower. We come in about 2/10ths of a cent lower to both the U.S. & Canada and 3/10ths of a cent lower to the UK. When we're rolling out Dell Video Chat and prestocked the minutes, this was a very conscious decision for people to give us a try and check out what we have to offer. Not just from the video chat perspective which we think is great story to tell, but this may be the untold story is also our PSTN side of the phone."
Dell Video Chat sample 4-party multi-party video conference 
The Internet Connection screen where you can set your bandwidth and even tweak your MTUDell Video Chat powered by SightSpeed will include the following features:
• A completely redesigned and streamlined Dell user interface
• Free, unlimited video chat worldwide
• Free, unlimited voice chat worldwide
• Free, unlimited text chat worldwide
• 4-Way Group Chat (voice, video or text)
• Low-rate worldwide calling to ordinary phones - 2 cents per minute in the United States and Canada
• 5 minutes of free phone calling is included with every Dell system
• The ability to purchase custom phone numbers and area codes
• Presence indicators
• Message Center: All video/voice calls Inbox
• High-quality Video Mail
• Video Mail recording of up to 3 minutes
• Storage of an unlimited number of Video Mail messages
• Notification of missed calls and receipt of Voice/Video mail and e-mail
• Reporting of Video/Voice call history
Other SightSpeed attributes include:
- the highest-quality, full-motion, 30-frames-per-second video with clear audio and no delay;
- superior video and audio experience with low to no latency over variable bandwidth conditions;
- patented technology that provides superior rate control for any bandwidth, handling of firewalls and video-codec optimization.
Dell Video Chat's Text Chat screen
Voice dialing screen
I played a "welcome / promo" Dell video chat message which essentially is your 1st Video Mail.
Welcome screen when you first launch Dell Video Chat
The application is pre-installed on Dell systems and is activated with one mouse click. SightSpeed has also made it easy for users to share the application with their friends and family who can simply download the "invitee" client program by visiting http://www.sightspeed.com/dellvideochat.
"Dell went out and got the best-of-breed video-communications service--SightSpeed--to be included in their newest laptops. This is as easy-to-use, wherever-you-go as it gets," said SightSpeed CEO Peter Csathy. "Their stamp of approval means that video conferencing is becoming a part of everyday communications and they picked the best company to provide it."
The consumer 4-way multiparty video for free is actually a $9.95/month value that Dell users get for free when they purchase a Dell system. Non-Dell users would have to pay $9.95/month for the 4-party multiparty video and other "SightSpeed Plus" features.
"Dell is excited about the opportunity to provide enhanced video chat services to our customers," said Dell's Michelle Pearcy, director, Global Client Software Marketing. "The partnership with SightSpeed allows our customers to quickly and easily communicate with friends and family in a variety of ways by combining both text and video chat features into a simplified customer communication experience."
Lastly, I'm going to include an edited version of my interview with Eric Quanstrom as a podcast. (there was some stuff off-the-record) Some interesting thoughts on the Dell partnership, his views on SightSpeed & their competitive advantages, and more. Download it here.
Tom Keating with Asterisk founder & Digium's Chairman and CTO Mark Spencer
(picture: Sept. 2005 at Digium's former HQ)
With all the Switchvox news, it would seem to me that Digium is heavily investing in the Switchvox technology. But to find out the truth about the past, the present, and the future direction of Digium, there's no better person to ask than Mark Spencer himself. So without further adieu, here's an interesting Q&A interview I had with him.
1) What is the biggest surprise you've seen in the Asterisk movement. It can be a weird Asterisk application you wouldn't expect or surprise at the number of Asterisk fans or something else you just didn't expect - it could even be something 'negative' but you're willing to share.
A couple of years ago, a group of Asterisk users from around the world chipped in to buy me a hot tub and magically I managed not to know about it. It was truly amazing! In terms of the applications, there are always new surprises. I recently learned that the Bishop of Bilbao's office uses Asterisk and is considering doing an IVR for people to receive some sort of recommended penance for their sins.
2) If you could go back in time, is there anything you would do differently? For instance, didn't you change buildings a few times? Perhaps buying a bigger building once - to save the hassle of moving all those Linux servers and IP phones multiple times?
We have definitely had to move a number of times, but it's hard to look back and see if there's anything we should have done differently because sometimes even the things you think were the wrong things to do sometimes turn out better. My mentor Mark Smith, for example, used to say that the two luckiest things that ever happened to him were that he couldn't get anyone to invest in UDS (his first company) and that he was forced to hold onto his Motorola stock for 7 years after it was acquired!
3) What improvements would you personally like to see in any upcoming releases? Perhaps Active Directory or LDAP integration?
LDAP, Clustering Events, and Video are three areas I'm especially interested in in terms of the core of the software. I'm also interested in ways to make Asterisk even more approachable for new developers of either core functionality or new systems utilizing Asterisk.
4) Back in September of last year, Digium acquired Switchvox. Tell me a little bit how the Switchvox acquisition has benefited Digium.
Switchvox has helped Digium offer a more feature rich turn-key SMB product for those seeking an IP PBX per-se. Clearly Switchvox has a lot of functionality that goes far above and beyond just Asterisk in terms of its organization, configurability, usability and integration with Web 2.0. Switchvox as a product is also ready for the traditional telephony channel, meaning a lot of growth into markets that otherwise would not have been easily served by Asterisk.
5) You mentioned in my interview in September that you would be to migrate Switchvox's technologies into Asterisk and be open source. Is that still your plans and if so what sort of time-frame?
The plan was to migrate technology from Switchvox to Asterisk. This process is moving ahead rapidly, and we expect Switchvox to be running on unmodified Asterisk within a few more releases.
6) I'm a big fan of Digium and Asterisk and would like to see Digium succeed. As you know, a lot of your competitors have taken the open source Asterisk code, tweaked it, add their own front-end, perhaps even added their own proprietary code and then re-sold it. There isn't necessarily a ton of value added by some of these third party Asterisk distros. My question to you is has Asterisk considered the SugarCRM/MySQL/Movable Type model where they offer an open source version that is 100% open source, but these companies also offer advanced versions with more complex features that is a "paid" version that includes code that is not GPL/open source. You can't get these advanced features in the open source version. Additionally you get product support with the paid versions. This is similar to what you've done with Asterisk Business Edition, which does add product support, but it's pretty much the same codebase/feature-set as the open source version.
Asterisk is and always will be fully Open Source. As you know, the Business Edition contains no code that is not available in Open Source (other than the copy protection obviously), but there is not necessarily a single Open Source version that directly corresponds to a BE release. Digium is committed to Asterisk remaining Open Source, as that is perhaps its single most fundamental reason for success, and the community needs that confidence. At the same time, Digium has acquired Switchvox, a product which utilizes Asterisk but is not itself Open Source and does not currently have plans to open source that product specifically. Digium's model is to leverage Open Source, and Asterisk in particular as our engine, to deliver products to targeted markets. Looking at something like Switchvox though, it is an application based on Asterisk as a stand alone PBX product with a world class user interface that happens to use Asterisk under the hood thus passing on the cost-benefits to the users. The Asterisk-GUI and AsteriskNOW, however are really open source Asterisk with nice packaging and are free of charge.
7) I can envision Digium offering something called Asterisk Advanced or Asterisk Premium. One set of advanced features people are looking for is unified communications (UC) that integrates voicemail, email, fax, TTS, presence, IM, video conferencing, collaboration, CRM, etc. Currently, only Microsoft OCS 2007 and Cisco offer comprehensive UC solutions but they are cost prohibitive for the SMB market. I think a low-cost Asterisk unified communications solution is a perfect opportunity for Digium. Thus, perhaps something called Asterisk UC Edition might be a good name. Your thoughts on this idea?
While Digium does enable companies to provide proprietary products to Asterisk through the dual license, we want the core of Asterisk to remain Open Source and as such encourage the development of Open Source technologies wherever possible. I believe it would be foolish to attempt to make Asterisk's innovation only available as a proprietary product when clearly it is its Open Source foundation that made it so successful and continues to do so, in spite of emotional and to a lesser degree business challenges imposed by people who leverage my work without contributing -- and in some cases directly attacking the very company that makes it possible for them to succeed. As for creating and naming future versions of Asterisk from Digium, I'll leave the product strategy to Product Management and the naming to Marketing but thanks for your suggestions.
[end interview]
Mark didn't take my idea of offering a "premium" UC (closed) version of Asterisk, that I felt would give Digium a potentially strong revenue source, I found it very fascinating that Mark continues to hold the "open source" mantra flag high. This only re-confirms Mark's (& Digium's) strong commitment to keeping Asterisk 100% open source that Mark stressed to me when I interviewed him & Bill Miller this past September. It's certainly a challenge having a business model based on open source. For instance, suppose Digium spends tons of money on R&D and paying programmers to develop complex unified communications functionality, how do they prevent third parties from simply taking that research & open source code and then re-selling it as their own?
I have to commend Digium for sticking to their 100% open source guns, but honestly, I don't think anyone would begrudge them if they copied the SugarCRM/MySQL/Movable Type model where they offered an open source version and a premium (closed) version. Ok, maybe some open source zealots would.
The Asterisk community and the motley of companies that have built solutions around the open source Asterisk platform have Digium to thank for continuing to offer a 100% open source platform. Should Digium ever decide to take the dual open source & closed source route, that will be an earth-shattering event that will change Asterisk forever. Whether that's good or bad I leave you the reader to decide.
Recent Comments