Computer User Services
from Internet Business
Users of the Internet and other information services are almost all active
users of computers for other purposes. These divide into two major segments-computers
running the Unix operating system in which Internet connectivity comes with
the system and personal computers[1] for which Internet connectivity is
available as a minimal cost extra. In both segments, there are opportunities
for specialised Internet services aimed at computer users.
Net-based retailing of computer hardware, software, services and accessories
is well ahead of more general Net-based Retailing
of Goods and Services. However, even this specialised retailing has
had to largely wait on the development of such services as secure transaction
processing before it could be expected to really take off. With such services
now coming online, it is expected that the retailing of computer-related
products and services will develop more rapidly than will other areas of
Net-based retailing.
Computer vendors are increasingly turning to the Internet for the cost-effective
delivery of user support. There are also strong trends for users to be required
to pay for any support over and beyond whatever is provided as part of a
product guarantee, and for texts published by independent authors to become
the standard references for users of computer software, in preference to
any manuals provided with the software. There is therefore likely to be
an opportunity for independent software support organisations to make a
living by offering better/cheaper support for popular products over the
Net.
Another potential Net-based service for computer users is secure remote
backup of critical data. Few personal computer users ever get around to
organising their own off-site backup until after they find out the cost
of not doing so, but such a service may be able to be offered over the Internet
which is affordable both in terms of money and convenience. The major cost
to entering such a business would be that of demonstrating the complete
security, confidentiality and long term recoverability of the remote archives.
The actual service could be provided as an adjunct to two linked Host
Services, preferably in different geographical areas.
[1] both Macintosh and Microsoft Windows varieties