Free-To-Play games are becoming increasingly popular as a business model for video games.  The problem with these games is that often players develop addictive behaviors while playing these games.  Since money is no longer an entry point the game is much easier to start playing. But now the time becomes the prime currency for enjoyment with that game.  Players are encouraged to continue playing for hours on end in order to unlock, usually meaningless, virtual content.  Then players find it hard to quit a game after they have made such a large time commitment to that game.  Players feel a need to make their time use worthwhile so they continue playing to reach their next goal.

Product Vs. Service

#ldsconf

I tried a new experience this past general conference.  I followed the twitter conversation on the #ldsconf hashtag.  It was really interesting to see the different viewpoints being expressed.  Honestly, the most interesting and though-provoking part was the comments from those contrary to the speakers.  It wasn't that I necessarily agreed with their comments, but it was really nice to have that different perspective.  When we know what both sides of the coin look like it is often much easier to make a decision.

Women do not often find themselves studying computer science.  Plenty of reasons contribute to the lack of the female gender in these programs including a inadequate social structure for women.  Professionals and teachers are rarely female, and there is little female peers.  There are, however, plenty of men to fill the dating pool of single females, but, in the words of a female computer scientist, "The Odds are good, but the Goods are odd." A significant effort is being made to change this with female-centered clubs and events for women. I feel that this underlying social structure will be the key to attracting more women into the field of computer science.

Connecting non-members and members has always been a challenge.  This applies to any club, organization, business, or religion.  It is key to pair users of a product to non-users.  Their experience must shape the perception of non-users in order to influence new member. The ubiquitous nature of the internet is diminishing this problem.  It is much easier for members to share their good or bad experiences with a massive audience of non-members.

How general can an idea be before it is no longer original?  Where is the line between what is patentable and non-patentable?  There is a deep gray mist that is being explored more and more by the new scope of digital technology.  When a company is reserved a human natural gesture as their own intellectual property it has gone a bit too far.  Ideally we should be able to determine that the act of breathing is a common idea.  Too bad, because I was really hoping to profit from that.

http://gigaom.com/2013/09/30/hey-look-google-fiber-is-going-to-go-live-in-provo-in-october/

I often find I get frustrated with the smallest delay in the software I use.  Whether it be native applications or web-based applications, I can't tolerate any hesitations.  This is one of my greatest pet peeves.  With the new advances in technology and fiber optics, this should really boost the speed at which content can be delivered to the user.  Google is really pushing the service to new levels and this goes right along with Google's business model of delivering services over the internet.  The current infrastructure available is a limitation to the possibilities of advancement.

To Grand Theft Auto or NOT-o?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-24066068

I recently read an interesting article relating to the release of the newest Grand Theft Auto V game.  These games usually get the media stormed up about violence and how a virtual world is training our youth to kill innocent hard-working people.  However, this article from the BBC was different.  It speaks about how the game is one of Britain's finest cultural exports.

The game as a whole is a satirical piece on the decaying American society.  Everything is blown to extreme proportions including some of the darker parts of society.  I think the worst message that it has to tell is about the the decadence and the hopelessness of our modern culture.  I think in some cases the best medicine is a cold hard look into the mirror that reflects back at us.  I think that is what GTAV has to offer to society.  And considering that it broke sales records, let's hope that it does at least get a few people thinking.

Technology, as a whole, is great tool, but sometimes the tool is detrimental to growth through experience. It is interesting that, as humans, we tend to take the path of least resistance.  We are wired to choose the easy way.  Sometimes technology can be harmful to our growth and can limit our beneficial experiences with life.  Even when the experience is genuinely fun, we tend to choose the easier path.  Video games often provide multiple solutions to a single problem. This allows the user to choose their own path.  But more often than not, the user will choose the easiest path that will accomplish their goal.