Aug 20th, 2007
Does your software always work for you when it works?
I have an idea which I would share. It’s a raw concept but I’m sure that you can polish it and use somehow in your business.
Remember the installers that show slides with software features and benefits during the installation process. I’m sure that some of your applications also have such processes when a long operation performs and user simply has to be watching the progress bar for several minutes.
Why not to show a user something else during this period of time? E.g. you may show a tip of the day, news (e.g. RSS feed), link to your site/blog, a marketing slogan, or even a banner.
How it differs from adware:
1. You don’t bother your user while he actually works.
2. You display the a plug only while the user is bored and awaiting for the end of long process.
3. You may display not only ad, but also something interesting and valuable for user.
Installers have been using this technique for a long time and I wonder if other types of applications can use this trick also. I think this technique may be used in applications that deal with huge data processing, conversion routines, model rendering, compilation, etc., i.e. where there are routines taking up to several minutes. Why to waste those minutes?


