The Icon Bar: News and features: Acorn User call killer app
Posted by Phil Mellor on 09:14, 7/5/2003
| RISC OS, Emulation, Internet, Acorn, Sound and music
" If you want to make a payment, press 1... If you want to report a problem, press 2... If you're a fan of 70's cop shows, press star key and hash... If you want a nice relaxing hobby, press flowers..." - okay, we've all come across automated telephone systems before, and sometimes we get very frustrated by them. But if you knew there was a RISC OS machine behind the scenes, wouldn't you feel better about it? Acorn User this week revealed details of the Virtual Call Centre software produced by City Audio Services. It has "been developed as a response to the hitherto unfulfilled need to provide access to very substantial quantities of audio information at reasonable cost, via telephone." A key target in its development has been the Disability Discrimination Act, which requires information to be made freely available to the visually impaired. RISC OS is used for the configuration, navigation, audio playback and remote control (where bespoke external software can be used to customise the system). The system is already being used by an audio book company. Since we've stolen the news from Acorn User, it's only fair to give them a quick plug in return: the fairly colourful May issue is out now with reviews of Oregano 2, Feathermail and STD's MP3 player, and articles on improving RISC OS and using eBay.
| |
Acorn User call killer app |
| |
andrew (09:34 7/5/2003)
Horse (10:39 7/5/2003)
bootmaster (14:39 7/5/2003)
Turnip (15:09 7/5/2003)
rich (15:47 7/5/2003)
Garry (20:09 7/5/2003)
26bitKiwi (01:19 8/5/2003)
monkeyson2 (01:24 8/5/2003)
bootmaster (02:13 8/5/2003)
26bitKiwi (04:49 8/5/2003)
bootmaster (09:16 8/5/2003)
andrew (09:18 8/5/2003)
Horse (10:47 8/5/2003)
andrew (11:49 8/5/2003)
|
| |
|
Andrew |
Message #92113, posted by andrew at 09:34, 7/5/2003 |
 Handbag Boi
Posts: 3439
|
"Rob Donaldson" |
| |
 [ Log in to reply ] |
| |
|
Horse |
Message #92114, posted at 10:39, 7/5/2003, in reply to message #92113 |
| Unregistered user
|
"Bob Ronaldson" Not exactly a killer application, though. |
| |
[ Log in to reply ] |
| |
|
bootmaster |
Message #92115, posted at 14:39, 7/5/2003, in reply to message #92114 |
| Unregistered user
|
This is quite obviously not a "Killer App". Killer Applications, if any needs reminding, are applications that people will buy a particular computer platform for simply to use the application. This sort of software - but for Windows - comes free with many modems. I can't see it shifting a lot of machines. |
| |
[ Log in to reply ] |
| |
|
Turnip |
Message #92116, posted at 15:09, 7/5/2003, in reply to message #92115 |
| Unregistered user
|
"Rob Donaldson" comes free with many modems? No
wonder the OEM modems are cheaper... |
| |
[ Log in to reply ] |
| |
|
Richard Goodwin |
Message #92117, posted by rich at 15:47, 7/5/2003, in reply to message #92116 |
 Dictator for life
Posts: 6828
|
This is quite obviously not a "Killer App". Killer Applications, if any needs reminding, are applications that people will buy a particular computer platform for simply to use the application. This sort of software - but for Windows - comes free with many modems. I can't see it shifting a lot of machines. And yet these people are obviously buying RISC OS hardware just to run this software on, making it a killer app for them at least. Not that I would have used the phrase "killer app" myself, but given the state of the market how many units sold on the strength of one piece of software would you consider the makings of a killer app? :) |
| |
[ Log in to reply ] |
| |
|
Garry |
Message #92118, posted at 20:09, 7/5/2003, in reply to message #92117 |
| Unregistered user
|
If it sells RISC OS boxes to people who would not otherwise have considered RISC OS, in quantity, then I suppose it's a killer app. However CAS may be happy with (say) 100 sales, but 100 sales of RISC OS boxes spread among the manufacturers and the second hand market is neither here nor there. |
| |
[ Log in to reply ] |
| |
|
26bitKiwi |
Message #92119, posted at 01:19, 8/5/2003, in reply to message #92118 |
| Unregistered user
|
If they did say 100 machines each with RISC OS 4 installed, I am sure RISCOS Ltd would be happy. Another company that is selling to a non traditional market is Image Software (www.imagesoft.co.uk) any idea how they are doing? Every little bit helps, tell everyone you know |
| |
[ Log in to reply ] |
| |
|
Phil Mellor |
Message #92120, posted by monkeyson2 at 01:24, 8/5/2003, in reply to message #92119 |
 Please don't let them make me be a monkey butler
Posts: 12380
|
It looks like it's been ported to Windows... http://www.imagesoft.co.uk/everythingepos/simplEPOS.html |
| |
[ Log in to reply ] |
| |
|
bootmaster |
Message #92121, posted at 02:13, 8/5/2003, in reply to message #92120 |
| Unregistered user
|
I can't imagine them selling anywhere like 100 copies. |
| |
[ Log in to reply ] |
| |
|
26bitKiwi |
Message #92122, posted at 04:49, 8/5/2003, in reply to message #92121 |
| Unregistered user
|
I have a mate who developed an interactive voice system (for Windows) and he has sold a large number of systems. Most of his customers couldn't care less what OS the system runs on, just that it works well. There is definitely a market. It has helped fund a rather nice boat... |
| |
[ Log in to reply ] |
| |
|
bootmaster |
Message #92123, posted at 09:16, 8/5/2003, in reply to message #92122 |
| Unregistered user
|
Yous ay they don't care what system it runs on, yet the one they selected runs on Windows. They may not care, but all things being equal, there's less Fear, Uncertainly, Doubt from buying a Windows box. |
| |
[ Log in to reply ] |
| |
|
Andrew |
Message #92124, posted by andrew at 09:18, 8/5/2003, in reply to message #92123 |
Handbag Boi
Posts: 3439
|
"Donald Robertson" |
| |
[ Log in to reply ] |
| |
|
Horse |
Message #92125, posted at 10:47, 8/5/2003, in reply to message #92124 |
| Unregistered user
|
"Ronald Donaldson" (closing in on a trademark?) Sibelius was a killer app, since people not only had to buy the hardware that ran it, but they were actually so compelled to buy it that they wouldn't consider anything else. One might say that a killer app is one which sells the hardware despite the shortcomings of that hardware and associated operating system, has no comparable competition, and might be the only application used on that platform by the customer. The application under discussion here surely isn't as compelling as Sibelius when assessed using these criteria. |
| |
[ Log in to reply ] |
| |
|
Andrew |
Message #92126, posted by andrew at 11:49, 8/5/2003, in reply to message #92125 |
Handbag Boi
Posts: 3439
|
Might well do this though? "Robson Donalds" |
| |
[ Log in to reply ] |
| |
|
The Icon Bar: News and features: Acorn User call killer app |
