pktm

Like the subject says.

Background: I have an opportunity to do some post-grad research in the near future and am having trouble finding something still unexplored.

I'd originally wanted to look at encrypted protocols which end up revealing (through metadata, etc.) what's really happening. However, I see a lot of work has already been done in that arena.

So, I'm turning to the collective wisdom of HN for ideas on where to focus my efforts. I'd prefer something IA- & network- related, but would gladly consider anything.

Thanks!

All,

Has anyone received one of the "select few" copies of Forbes with a built-in Wifi router? http://www.engadget.com/2013/04/23/magazine-slips-in-a-free-t-mobile-wifi-hotspot/

I was not among the recipients (probably because I don't subscribe) but would dearly love to have one.

If you've got one and would be willing to part with it, please let me know.

Thanks!

All,

Does anyone have experience or tips on how to estimate hosting, bandwidth, etc. costs for a web-based business model?

I'm working up a back-of-the-napkin business plan and would like to be able to throw something at the hosting costs column. The margins are somewhat tight at it is, and I know how these sorts of costs, specifically, can completely up end profitability.

I'm figuring about 15-30 MB of images per user, plus whatever it costs to receive those images one at a time (RESTful interface), then batch process them once a month (cron job + sending them off to some other RESTful interface).

Then, of course, there'd be some billing logic in there, maybe Stripe.

I'm thinking this would involve something like AWS, plus, I don't know, dreamhost, perhaps?

Sorry, I know this is vague (and that's part of the problem), but I've never estimated something like this before.

I'd really appreciate any help or suggestions.

Thanks!

IIRC, this was an HN-announced site, but noticed it's not around any longer.

Sorry if this is old news, but I've just now realized something I was thinking about would benefit greatly from a real-time twitpic feed. Perhaps twitpic doesn't allow this now?

Thanks.

Does anyone know of a list of (all/most) possible revenue models?

I was hoping for something similar to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Thirty-Six_Dramatic_Situations which purports to list all of the possible dramatic plot primitives.

I've got a great idea for a (web-based) service, and need to figure out how to make it at least minimally self-supporting before I go any further. I was hoping to use a list of revenue models to generate ideas/brainstorm.

Thanks!

At the risk of garnering some potentially negative comments, I'd like some ideas on what to do with my soon-to-be-issued (software) patent.

I pursued it as a means of heading off potential competition. However, that ship has subsequently sailed and I don't really have the heart for more legal squabbles.

Frankly, I'd be happy to donate it to some non-profit portfolio, but given how much money I spent pursuing it, I can't afford this.

While I understand much of the vitriol around this area of law, I'd also happily sell it to any third party, if only to recover my costs.

So, here's the main question for me right now: what the heck can / should I do with this thing?

I'm hoping someone on this list has been in this situation and has some ideas I haven't yet considered.

Alternatively, if anyone's interested in acquiring a patent, this one deals with synchronizing a mobile device with a desktop/other system.

Thanks.

Hi all!

Long time lurker, first time poster.

I'm looking for some brainstorming help on a possible future for some code which has reached a sort of crossroads.

This codebase is commercially known as "PocketMac for BlackBerry". If you're not familiar with it, it was the first Mac app that allowed users to sync a BlackBerry with a Mac. RIM licensed it for several years to give it away to users, until they eventually came out with their own app. It includes the drivers (of course), the low- & high-level communication stack, and a pretty robust sync engine.

This code probably represents the most comprehensive knowledge of the BlackBerry's internals found outside of Ontario, Canada.

The problems facing this codebase are:

- With RIM making their own software -quality of same aside- it will potentially become more difficult to sell this, at some point.

- Additionally, as with all devices, the future of the BlackBerry is uncertain.

- Finally, syncing mobile devices, as a market, seems to be something that 3rd parties are being crowded out of. More and more devices talk to Macs (or a good cloud service) right out of the box.

So, that brings me to the question of what's next.

Here are some very rough (~40 grit sandpaper) ideas I've been considering:

1. Pivot. Agreed, but, to what? As I said, devices are now shipping with this sort of functionality built-in, so it's not as simple as just porting a piece or two to a new platform, generating a new driver, etc. if there's not really a need or market for such a solution.

2. Wholesale sale/licensing of the code to another party. Maybe Google wants to offer a way for Android phones to connect to a BlackBerry and slurping in all of the user's data? Some of the recent headlines suggest there might be a foreign government interested in slurping up data from citizens' BlackBerry devices. (Remember, we're just brainstorming here.)

3. Open-source it. I'd love to. I really would, but I can't afford it right now. The software still sells and paid support doesn't make enough on its own. I'd consider some kind of Kickstarter project to open it up, but I doubt it'd raise enough money to be worthwhile.

That's as far as I got.

I'm hoping you will have some additional ideas, since I'm almost certainly "too close to it," as they say.

I welcome any and all suggestions.

Thanks in advance!