Re: [kFW] Convergence-thoughts

[Daniel Harris <daniel@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Gordon,

>One thing you neglect is where it all comes together which is the user
>interface.

Actually, I didn't, it was there last in the list, also see:
http://www.kendra.org.uk/interface.php#media-players
but whatever...

>After all any of us will be users of convergence solutions and we
>want and need a manageable (open and attractive) user interface

100% agreed.

>We have a prototype solution...

So do loads of other people. All your systems and their systems are valid. 
The question is where is your common ground? What are the bits you can 
share? When we define those common bits then we can start on the work of 
convergence.

So, when you come to the meeting make sure you bring a few competitors so 
you can discuss your common ground with them. I'm serious. The work shops 
will not work if you don't have "competitors" in the room. Get emailing!

>The issue is "Is it possible to get people in different industries working
>together on an open-source framework?

I think we can safely say the answer to that is yes!

>So to make practical progress the other essential element is the
>human-content-computer-network interface.
>Sounds a mouthful I know but this is what makes convergence (and originators
>getting paid for it) a practical possibility.

Funny, that, because when I was at In The City with all the music bods they 
were saying "content is king" and when I was at Terrapinn's Carrier's World 
they were say "broadband is the key above all else". And the payment system 
people think they've got all the aces. And the DRM dudes. And the router 
makers. And the OS shakers. And the candlestick makers! See a trend? And 
the fact is that you/we are *all* correct because this system ain't going 
to come together unless *all* of this stuff is in place and it's *all* 
talking to each other.

In Kendra our words should be inclusive, n'est pas?

>I look forward to an interesting meeting.

Me too!

Cheers Daniel

      "I want what I want, when I want, and I want to pay for it!"
Come to Kendra's cross-vendor edge-server content delivery network trial
Daniel Harris daniel@xxxxxxxxxxxxx   Kendra Initiative www.kendra.org.uk