Push media. The new media of the Internet. Wired says it will kill the browser. Microsoft thinks it the future. I say NAY! Why would we want to resurrect an old idea? Television and radio were the first push medias.

What makes a push media, is the fact that it is ONE-way. Content is PUSHED to people. Who wants that. If I want up to date stock quotes, guess what? I can turn on the TV and get them. If I want up to date news, TV. The only thing TV does not offer is tailoring specific content to what the reader wants. But the solution to that is NOT to make the Internet into interactive TV. This does not work as has been proven in the market place many times.

I propose this solution. Instead of using idle time on your computer to download push media, which in most cases really isn't broadcast, the client simply connects to a server automatically for you and downloads the data (i.e. the server does not broadcast, the client asks for the data), let an intelligent agent who watches your web browsing and email subjects and habits for your likes and dislikes search the net for relevant information. It can even look for advertisements that you would be interested in. This provides a solid foundation for keeping the Internet services free, as we would all like, after all, someone has to pay for it. Imagine having your own Virtual Secretary who lived in your computer, managed your assets, watched your stocks, paged your when messages were waiting, and surfed the net for you all while you are doing some real work, bringing in some cash to pay for all this wonderful technology.

The spirit of the Internet has been data sharing from day one. It was built for scientists to communicate and interact. Broadcast and push media are a step backwards. More interactive solutions are what need to fuel the growth of the Internet, not 80 year old technology ideas.

 

By The Puppetmaster

What do you think. Keep in touch with Wavelength!

Technology Index | Back to Home

Dumb | Hints | Select Site