Xpression.v2

This is my first post in my new category. I figure a nerd, like me, should have a tech area on his site

It’s funny how, in recent years, public relations has become almost as important as the actual code when it comes to computer software. A few weeks ago, Google released GTalk, an IM application that uses the Jabber protocol. Using Jabber leaves a lot of room for interoperability and, for now, allows users to use any Jabber client of their choosing to connect to the network. However, the application, itself, was clearly rushed out early in hopes of creating hype. It lacks MANY features of standard IM apps and doesn’t have much in terms of customization (I couldn’t even choose where I wanted it to be installed to). It’s an early BETA, what’s the big deal? The problem lies in the fact that people love it. If AOL had put out the exact same client, it would have been universally deemed trash. Why? Public relations, my friend.

In the world of computers and the World Wide Web, everyone is fighting to be the most friendly. Why? Because the average computer user is very uneasy online and, when someone is able to calm them down a little and allow them to simply enjoy the web, they take to it. Google is the king of this. Don’t get me wrong, I like Google too, but many people are completely incapable of finding any flaw in anything Google does. GTalk didn’t earn any of the praise it received, but the Google name did.

AOL is slowly working on their next big version of AOL Instant Messenger, dubbed “Triton”. Even in early testing, the UI is good looking and the program functions pretty well. With the inclusion of built in tabbed IM’s (called Grouped IM’s) and a plugin API, AOL is going to be the first client to introduce, out of the box, what users have been paying for, in add-ons and 3rd party clients, for years. It’s a huge step and, yet, few have taken notice simply because it’s AOL. Did I mention public relations?

I actually fear all of this, to a degree. Is marketing going to become more important than the code itself? Maybe that’s already the case if you take a look at the video game market. It’s scary, actually. Computers are getting faster, people are getting more tech savvy, and it seems that one’s PR guy is more important than the quality and skill of their programmers.

Filed under: General