Geek Bling Part 5: Hungry Hungry Hippos
It’s Friday, so why not something on the fun side? Yup, pearl jewelry based on the board game Hungry Hungry Hippos. Depicted above are a pair of earrings and a necklace, though this could translate into bracelets and rings as well.
Obviously these would be for the geek girl with a sense of humor. That’s because there is an inherent danger in gifting hippo-themed jewelry to your lady friend. You might be safer trying to hug a real Hippopotamus.
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Ideas To Combat Software Piracy
Usually when I work on the more graphics-intensive art pieces for this here blog, I will listen to the radio instead of iTunes to help with PC performance. And lately I’ve been hearing an extensive ad campaign that is asking listeners to blow the whistle on workplace software piracy, even offering cash rewards for information.
Yikes! Software conglomerates are resorting to getting their message out over the airwaves. Clearly software piracy is out of control. I think asking people to snitch will yield a few catches, but in no way will it solve the issue.
Here are a few ideas to help:
1. Software is priced TOO DAMN HIGH! Seriously! Some software packages cost way more than the computer you are installing it on. If Nintendo asked me to buy a Wii for $200 and then Super Mario Galaxy for $1,000, I would laugh hysterically and walk away. Solution: If you aren’t going to come down on the overall price, then offer a few affordable solutions. Lease a program for $40 a month. Allow customers to pay in installments - on their terms. Maybe even a pay-per-use program.
There is a lot of compatible freeware available to download online. Lowering the price should be taken into consideration first and foremost.
2. Longer lifespan for each version. Offer downloadable content instead of a new iteration. It’s discouraging to buy premium software because a newer, better version will be released within a year. And the upgrade offer isn’t cheap either. Solution: Software companies should take a cue from video game companies, and only release a new version when the software is a big leap forward. In the meantime, you can offer customers optional downloadable upgrades they can buy. Support your software to last 3-5 years, and people will invest for that kind of term.
3. Reward customers for their loyalty. Wouldn’t it be awesome if Adobe sent you an email saying “Dear customer: We noticed that you bought Photoshop CS3 and upgraded to CS4 and CS5. For your patronage, an upgrade to CS6 will be provided free of charge. Hugz! -Adobe”. Those kinds of rewards acknowledge customers who have been legit, and ensures their continued business.
4. Cloud-based software usage. I have multiple computers, but don’t want multiple licenses. I should be allowed to use one instance of Microsoft Word on any computer at any single time. Solution: A client like Steam would allow this type of framework, where I would sign-in to activate my one license on any of my computers. This type of flexibility would carry a lot of appeal for many users who aren’t monogamous with computers.
5. Provide a number of options for customers that will lower the price of the software. Examples: If you participate in our monthly survey, we will reduce the cost by $200. If you decide to use our DRM program, we will reduce the price by $100. If you agree to turn on issue reporting (for bugs) it is $200 off. If you enable our peer-to-peer suite to share downloads of our program, it is $100 off. The program can be subsidized by ads…if you participate in out next Beta, etc. By assisting the developer in some form, you should be entitled to a discount. I’ll endure a few trade-offs for cheaper software.
If I think of any more, I will update this list.
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Superman Ziploc Bags
Does it need an explanation? I don’t think so. Ask your friendly neighborhood geek if you don’t understand the reference. Or discuss in the comments. Have a great day!
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Interior Design Idea: Star Trek Holodeck Wallpaper
UPDATE: I am aware that Community did this for their “Dreamatorium”, I made this post a few months before that episode aired. Great minds think alike! Original post as follows:
While many people can’t wait for the holodecks/holosuites from Star Trek to become a reality, who is to say you can’t have a room that looks like one? By using Wallpaper (or a lot of paint and tape), the holodeck grid could be plastered all over the walls. All you need is a dark light.
Not only is this undeniably geeky, but it would look like all your furniture and belongings were commissioned by some virtual program.
To complete the look, the rug would need to be black, and two sides of the room would bevel into the ceiling and floor. The pièce de résistance: the door would look similar to the holodeck door (though the sliding door mechanic would be tough to execute).
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Kinect Robot
This is basically what I was describing in the previous post. Kinect hardware in the form of a Nintendo R.O.B.-like robot. All I am adding are robotic arms, a light indicator, and a few lines of speech.
Even if you removed all the robotics and just issued a robot-shaped Kinect (with a tilting head), it would be a cool-looking peripheral.
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Kinect Hardware Evolution
When I first saw the Kinect sensor tilt up and down, it looked like a head nodding. That’s when it occurred to me that Microsoft should have released something along the lines of the fabled Nintendo R.O.B. from the 80’s - a peripheral in the form of a robot. Read the rest of this entry
