I was just using Gmail and was closing my window, when Google gave me this warning:
Your standard error message would say “Cancel” or “Continue”. I would typically support minimalism, but in this case, saying more makes me think less – and decide what I’d like to do faster.
In retaliation against Amazon, MasterCard, PayPal and others for blocking WikiLeaks from using their service – Anonymous has launched an attack against their fax machines (see Slashdot). The goal: occupy the numbers so legitimate faxes can’t go through, which disrupts day to day businesses operations.
Last week, one of our competitors was purchased for $213 million. The buyer: j2Global (the parent company of eFax).
Portus IP Solutions’ had $72 million of revenue per year and 81% of that revenue came from online faxing. With the purchase, j2Global now owns 44% of the online faxing market (LA Business Journal).
An Obituary
When Protus stood up to eFax, we also benefited. In 2009, eFax claimed exclusive use of the word “eFax” – even though its a generic term. Protus challenged them in court and won. If they had lost, it would have been like Ford owning the trademark for “car” or “automobile”. There are no major competitors left to eFax (see my previous post on eFax’s customer service).
Market Validation
On the other hand, this purchase represents major market validation. Online faxing still provides tremendous value to individuals and small businesses. In fact, it’s projected to grow 15.5% and 11.1% for businesses and individuals (Davidson Consulting).
Interestingly
Protus doesn’t do anything spectacular. They don’t revolutionize online faxing, legal documents, signatures or the transfer of important documents. Yet, they still managed to have huge revenue and a significant purchase price. That’s good news for us, as we have some technology in the works which add significantly more value to the faxing and legal document space.
You can have something that conveys a status / persona onto the buyer (from custdev.com):
Or functional and stale (earth class mail):
Or conversational and personal (basecamp):
I heard about Convore from a friend and wanted to check them out. I guess they’re not ready. But, I’m not too upset about it. Their home page is hilarious:
San Francisco has a brilliant new way of taking tickets. Instead of paying the driver (don’t forget exact change) or showing him your monthly pass, you now have a clipper card.
Here’s how it works:
1. You swipe it in front of the machine (even while it’s still in your wallet!).
2. Driver hears a high beep if it works – and a lower beep if it doesn’t. He doesn’t even have to look.
The Hack
Since the beep is his verification method, the hack is to replicate the peep. Just slide an empty clipper card in front of the reader and have a small recorder repeat the beeping sound. Walk in, take a seat, and enjoy your free bus ride.
Disclaimer: I pay for a monthly pass. It’s a social hack, for fun, but don’t actually cheat muni.
The Problem
The sidedoors on muni buses have a quirky rule. To get out, you need to step down and push on the door. The door doesn’t have a button, handle, or anything else to indicate you should push it to open.
There’s also a light on top of the door. If it’s on, you can push it open. If not, you can’t. Not so clear.
Everyday, sometimes multiple times per bus ride, someone doesn’t know how to open the door. That person yells, “back door!”
Someone else responds, “push it with your hand!”
The person pushes it with his/her hand, the door opens and he/she walk out embarrassed. But, that’s the best case scenario. Last week, an old woman panicked and banged on the door, like a kid throwing a tantrum.
Why does muni do this?
They want riders to board from the front door to make sure they pay for their tickets. Good intentions, but not effective. People have to exit from the sidedoor. When it opens, people walk in anway.
Solution
Change the system – Add a button, a leaver or something. People understand buttons and leavers.
Change the signage – 1. If light is on (have a big arrow to the light); 2. Push to open.
Lesson
Small design changes have tremendous repercussions in stress and wasted time for years to come. Design responsibly.
After a simple signup, I’m reminded of dropbox everyday. They placed 2 icons on my desktop computer.
It’s inevitable that at some point, a link will be broken. That can either be a frustating or funny experience. With Plancast, it’s hilarious. In fact, it was so cool, I saved the bad link. See below:
Trailer is played inside an image of a Samsung Epic.
