I think the article is correct, in that people will no longer want to buy TomToms. However, what I think the future of such apps (standalone or otherwise) is in advertizing. You get the GPS device for free, but it will tell you when you're passing a McDonald's (in case your kids were dozing and missed the sign), what special offers are available in the stores you're passing, etc. Basically, it's google's business model expanded to the GPS computer. Maybe google should just buy up TomTom.
From the article: "new bike-lane inhibition is promoted by arguments on a legislative level, such as one in San Francisco that accuses the cityâ(TM)s large bicycle population of creating more pollution than automobiles because they supposedly impede the flow of traffic." Oh, right; and they would impede traffic MORE if they had dedicated bike lanes?! Visit Amsterdam sometimes, and see how it's done.
I think there are non-original IPs that one might use, that do not have the major drawbacks listed in the article. For me, the first thing that comes to mind, is Larry Niven's 'known space'. A large set of semi-independent settings, each with its own history, protagonists, etc. It offers the potential of amazing vista's, interesting characters and races, large and small storylines, etc. There is both a lot of available familiarity for fans, and although a lot of it is somewhat interconnected, I think the vastness of the setting leaves much room for potential new content to be generated by either the developers or the gamers. This would be especially interesting when combined with a generative 'user created content' system (as discussed here), involving the colonization of new planets, trade routes, etc. (with player-owned companies specializing in terra-forming).
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There is no more spoon
Oh, right. EMP is the first thing I worry about when terrorists throw nukes around...
I think the article is correct, in that people will no longer want to buy TomToms. However, what I think the future of such apps (standalone or otherwise) is in advertizing. You get the GPS device for free, but it will tell you when you're passing a McDonald's (in case your kids were dozing and missed the sign), what special offers are available in the stores you're passing, etc. Basically, it's google's business model expanded to the GPS computer. Maybe google should just buy up TomTom.
From the article: "new bike-lane inhibition is promoted by arguments on a legislative level, such as one in San Francisco that accuses the cityâ(TM)s large bicycle population of creating more pollution than automobiles because they supposedly impede the flow of traffic." Oh, right; and they would impede traffic MORE if they had dedicated bike lanes?! Visit Amsterdam sometimes, and see how it's done.
I think there are non-original IPs that one might use, that do not have the major drawbacks listed in the article. For me, the first thing that comes to mind, is Larry Niven's 'known space'. A large set of semi-independent settings, each with its own history, protagonists, etc. It offers the potential of amazing vista's, interesting characters and races, large and small storylines, etc. There is both a lot of available familiarity for fans, and although a lot of it is somewhat interconnected, I think the vastness of the setting leaves much room for potential new content to be generated by either the developers or the gamers. This would be especially interesting when combined with a generative 'user created content' system (as discussed here), involving the colonization of new planets, trade routes, etc. (with player-owned companies specializing in terra-forming).
Best productivity is in India. Not sure if it's the food or what... but I am 4x as productive as in the US.
Is that because you are really four people on one salary?