Dash: We have a long-term vision, which is something I generically describe as the micro content client. Basically it says that all types of micro content are equivalent. Whether they're e-mail messages, instant messaging messages, Weblog posts -- even Usenet -- [they] would have one unified API and pieces can be shuttled between all the different contexts that you're in. I think that's something where everybody likes to talk about the underused power of the desktop and grids. One thing that might be useful in applying those ideas to Weblogs and managing Weblog information is that the computers can be used to make connections and apply context to the data that's being handled. But first I think we [need] to have a critical mass of data before people start to make clients around it. So in the short term you're going to see integration with e-mail clients and instant messaging, whatever people are using today.
InfoWorld: What discussions are you having with the e-mail and instant messaging vendors?
Dash: Right now, it's very informal. They're taking a wait-and-see attitude. Their engineering requirements to integrate things are a lot higher than ours are to extend the HTML interface. Probably by the end of this year you'll see that there will be native support for things like RSS and syndication formats in the mail clients. I think the next significant revisions of all these [e-mail] applications will probably have some level of support for these technologies.
InfoWorld: What security implications do you think will surface as a result of this integration, particularly when it comes to Outlook integration?
Dash: That's one of the reasons why we're taking our time to get it right and focusing on the Web interface now, because that's a known quantity, people know how to lock that down. Most users that are using Weblogs in the enterprise are just keeping them behind the firewall and they really are safe in saying "This isn't something that needs to be outside, so we'll keep it in the organization." Weblogs also make them refocus on the idea that there is no such thing as a firewall and there’s no such thing as behind it or in front of it. Role-based security is essential throughout an organization.
InfoWorld: How will the Weblog business model evolve, given that selling Weblog clients doesn't appear to be a hugely profitable market and the opportunities appear to be more on the services side?
Dash: We're already seeing a strong market for the integration services. I think that our goal is to have a very, very inexpensive tool and people can sell services around it. We're going to be working on developing a pretty robust developer's network and partner network. I think that's going to be the market for it. I think services is absolutely it. I don’t ever foresee the shift being [toward] huge, monolithic, expensive software. There are people that are trying to do that, and I don't think that's going to be successful for them. To have a $50,000 Weblog system doesn’t make any sense. It really contradicts the nature of what it is.
InfoWorld: What's your long-term value proposition that will hold the company up in the marketplace?
This whitepaper explains the terminology and concepts behind Data Replication technologies and establishes some sizing rules through worked examples. Learn the new paradigm in disaster tolerance—protect data anywhere.
Download now »
Server virtualization is a popular option for dealing with mounting datacenter costs. Another equally promising approach is the use of an Application Delivery Controller. Citrix NetScaler provides a low-cost way for organizations to reduce their server count and accrue cost savings from a reduction in space, cooling, power and personnel.
Download now »
The emergence of WLANs has created a new breed of security threats to enterprise networks.
Included in HP ProCurve WLAN solutions is security technology that alleviates threats from WLANs through:
* Monitoring wireless activity inside and out of the enterprise
* Classifying WLAN transmissions into harmful and harmless
* Preventing transmissions that pose a security threat to the enterprise network
* Locating participating devices for physical remediation
Effectively address data protection challenges, implementing solutions that help store and protect business–critical data while cutting costs and improving efficiency and reliability.
Download now »
Sign up to receive InfoWorld Resource Alerts
Recommend This
