Re: Any progammers looking for a killer app to develop? How about a voice enabled forum?

On Thu, 29 Jan 2004 22:38:34 +0000, Matt wrote:

> Any progammers looking for a killer app to develop? How about a voice
> enabled forum?

No.

> One of the most powerful, exciting, and engrossing experiences on the
[snip: the joy of voice enabled forums]
> I want someone to simply improve upon the Internet forum technology.

[snip: even more joys of voice enabled forums]
> This is what I want.

> I want to be able at any time of day, whether driving my car, or doing
[snip: surprise surprise more about the joys of voice forums]

All that text and you were not able to make me think the _idea_ was any good. Nevermind the technical matters but the whole concept seems tedious time consuming and unflexible compared to regular forums. Quickly browsing the forum would be out of the question. And unless you can come up with some revolutionary new voice recognition technology, searchnig for information in old posts is out too.

> That is the concept. It may seem daunting, but the technology already
> exists and is available. All this idea requires is a MySQL based
> message board (such as the XMB Forum) and a pretty basic client side
> application. The SQL database could store all the voice messages in
> mp3 format. The client side application would run on a pocketpc phone
> or palm phone.All this application would need to do is
>
> 1) interface with the MySQL database (the message board). Be able to
> upload and download the mp3 files in the appropriate thread-and play
> them on demand.

Why MySQL. Does MySQL have some property that makes it more suitable for this kind of application than any other database? If you have already decided on MySQL why is this posted to an oracle group?

> 2) encode into mp3 format as people recorded their posts.

Patented technology, might require lisencing fees.

> 3) This part is optional, but would be the ultimate addition: be able
> to recognize some simple voice commands such as "Record" "Post"
> "Replay" "Skip" "Next" "Back".

Heavy prosessing on server side. Clients can not be trusted not to be tampeed with so all data would need to be verified. And that includes scanning for data hidden in the mp3 files so you don't become a distribution channel for illegal data without even knowing it.

> Thats it. If you can program or hack MySQL and make pocketpc Apps,
> then you can make this amazing voice enabled internet forum.
>
> Limitations:
> Bandwidth for moble internet access is an obvious limitation. But
> remember, voice forums will be just as fun and convenient on desktop
> computers and where high bandwidth is available.

Nevermind bandwith for the clients, the server will have to have that much more bandwidth, and pay for it by the byte.

> Webstorage. Voice messages will be much bigger. The MySQL database
> will grow fast. But hey, it will be so fun, I think users will be
> willing to pay the message board host a little to help cover storage
> costs.

Why did you think all those dot-com bubbles burst? Part of it was overestimating the publics willingness to pay for services on the internet.

> Another alternative is to delete or archive all messages after
> 3 days-limiting discussions to fairly current threads.

Ruining the searchability meaning all regulars will see is repeats of the same old questions. And since scanning for interesting questions will be more time consuming than on a text based forum, you will lose the experts.

> Ok thats it. I know this will arrive someday. But why not sooner
> rather than later? Any programmers out there interested in a little
> project like this? If so, go for it. Make millions. I maintain no
> copywrites on this idea. But if you are going to run with this idea,
> please just let me know so I can use the forum on my website.

It will not arrive until voice recognition is way better than today, and handheld machines are powerful enough to perform it.

If you think it's possible to "Make millions" on this idea why not do it yourself? Get someone to invest and pay some programmers to do it, or learn what you need to do it yourself. After all when the millions rolls in it will be worth it.

And you can't copyright an idea. You might have patented some of it as a business process but now that you've posted about it here it's too late.

> The best way for this to be developed is through an open source
> project. Anyone who wants to collaborate on this project with other
> programmers feel free to post on my website to make contacts.

Why? We already have usenet, what makes you website a better place?

> Or just
> go for it if you already know how to do something like this. Good
> luck. I look forward to hearing all about it!

-- 
NPV

"the large print giveth, and the small print taketh away"
                                Tom Waits - Step right up