“Listen to your code. It will offer suggestions. It will push back. It will tell you where the pitfalls reside. It will suggest new ways to do things. It will help you stick to a model of less software.” Getting Real
Only, I was under the impression that when code speaks, only the software model listened. We’re at a stage now where the entire business model is affected. Granted, we’re in a fortunate situation where we can mold the business model around what we’re building, and not the other way round, but, there have been times when I look up and realise that the code is guiding not only the software framework but is suggesting how we go about doing business with the software framework.
Let me put that in context. Original business model (in one line or less): tank is a hosted application that allows you to build websites; quickly and efficiently. Emergent business model: tank is a hosted application that designers can tap into to supply the missing link in their offering; dynamic, manageable content.
Sure, it’s still a hosted app that anyone can build a site with.
It’s still allows you to build a site quickly and efficiently. But, lately, it’s all of that, and so much more. Skins happened. Skin settings happened. The business model shifted from us doing business with you, to us allowing designers to do business with you, through us. The code starting speaking. We tuned in.
It's funny you're writing this today,,
The last 2 sites I visited recently were sites built with a tool similar to Dynamo and my first feeling when I saw them was.. ho.. another one of these empty redirecting sites with no content,,
Which brings me to the conclusion that code and design must work hand in hand to deliver the correct information, message and brand, especially when representing a business. Even though it's a mess, and started as an error, you can really see where design matters on MySpace. What length people go to to personalise their page, mark their territory. Code is a tool enabling people to display content,, you've got the content side sorted.. but content needs a container,, a presentation to deliver its content..
From a designer :)
Anne-Sophie
it's all of that and more. are you familiar with the term 'creator ownership'? it stems from the publishing world where creators of a work of fiction retain full ownership of the material.
the idea is that a skin is owned by the designer, and we and the designer enter into a 'micro joint venture' on a skin by skin basis. that means the designer gets 50% of the monthly annuity of each and every user that applies their skin for business purposes.
we have already built functionality to allow us to see how many sites use a specific skin. as we go along we'll be making that functionality available to you as well... ;)
hmmm, yes, I've always liked the WordPress tagline - 'code is poetry'
But do people still care for poetry?
No.
But systems do, a little more each day, I think there's an irony in there somewhere. Will we keep up?
No.