Something I just posted on the Ruby on Rails mailing list, in response to sending SMS messages from a web application.

I rolled out SMS via a gateway provider. In my case, Simplewire.com, which does have a cost.

The reasons I chose a gateway provider:

I can’t count on the users providing detailed information, such as which network they are using. (12223334444@networkproviders.com). Also I am sending internationally in some cases.

My users wanted more detail on delivery. Which I can get using the gateway provider, saving the “ticket” and querying for confirmation with the gateway.

I considered using the e-mail method, where a user chooses their network. But with number portability hitting the US, it will cause too many issues down the road with users not updating their network settings.

Another option, which I have not tested thoroughly, is to piggy back on the AIM network, which can send SMS messages now. Though I am not certain what their policy is regarding automated use, and certainly any significant volume of messages will trigger a red flag.

The trick with SMS gateways is that you purchase a number of “credits”. Each message will cost 1 or more credits, depending on the network the message is destined for.

You can buy credits in bulk, for example Simplewire’s rates start at:

1,000 Message Credits for $57 USD 5.7 ¢ / Credit

10,000 Message Credits for $450 USD 4.5 ¢ / Credit

50,000 Message Credits for $2100 USD 4.2 ¢ / Credit

In the U.S., the credits per message range from 1 to 4 credits. I am negotiating for lower rates for an upcoming service, hoping to get the rate down to 2.5¢ per credit.

Another option is to setup your own gateway using something like Kannel.org or SMSTools. You then need to pay fees to connect to SMS network in some manner, direct, GSM modem or mobile phone.

Microsoft Xbox 360 a “failure” in Japan? It seems as though the Xbox 360 has been a “failure” in Japan. With reports of less than half of the allocation for Japan being sold and from what I’ve seen first hand in Tokyo, it really does not appear that the sales are going as well as Microsoft had hoped. The first-hand reports from Microsoft employees seems as if they were drinking too much Kool-Aid when one compares their accounts of the events with actual “news” reports.

In my opinion, This analysis of the Xbox 360 failure in Japan hits the nail on the head.

Microsoft generally doesn’t get it. They never have, at least not in the gaming world.

Why?

Because, as a company, they have no passion for gaming. It is merely another market to conquer. A way to grow their earnings and reassure stock holders of a bright future.

Halo is all well can good, but the Xbox doesn’t have any culturally significant titles for the Japanese gamers.

It takes 30 seconds playing Halo 2, to know it would not be a huge hit in Japan. There isn’t enough emotional expression in the main character, and a rather dry voice. Far too sterile a proposition for the Japanese market.

Gaming reviews, like G4 TV’s X-Play, love to bash on games from Asia for having too much emotion or asexual visuals.

Until U.S. game developers embrace the cultural aspects, and as noted in Unsanity post, launch Japan exclusive content adhering to the elements valued by those gamers, they will fail.

In the end the Xbox 360 will be a successful product outside Japan, but it is obvious that it was rushed to market.

Gates and Ballmer should have put their foot down and not launched until more truly spectacular titles like, Gears or War, were ready.

Today, as I was working on the latest product for my partnership in Mactank.com, listening to the Venture Blog podcast with Jason Fried of 37 Signals, a chill ran down my spine.

Jason mentioned that 37 Signals would be releasing a CRM product and a tool to help people communicate easier online.

My mind began racing, since I have 3 products on the drawing board for ‘06, one of which may intersect with either of their forthcoming services.

At lunch, my wife asked why I was so distracted, and all I recall is mumbling something about no sleep until 2007.

But seriously, I just wanted to jot down some vague descriptions of these projects, in an effort to avoid being branded an also-ran or copy cat.

So here goes:

• Spontaneous soda packs
• Social tagged service clock
• Blog sailing

Those descriptions are cryptic for a reason, but when the projects are complete, they will make sense.

In the meantime, I look forward to seeing what the trail blazer’s at 37 signals come up with.

Here is a quick list of must-have tools for building a server with Mac OS X (client version):

1. Essential

1. Lighttpd

As fast as Apache, easier and more flexible configuration, and consumes far fewer resources than the venerable Apache.

1. Ruby & Rails

No hype. Just love for the new kid on the block. Makes life easier and allows you to overcome the issue Russell talks about here. You get think done with this combination.

1. PHP

No denying it. PHP is essential. When using it with Lighttpd, compile it for fastcgi.

1. MySQL

One of the two leading database servers, and 5.0 is quite nice. This could be replaced by PostgreSQL if it suits your comfort zone.

1. PHPMyAdmin

Assuming MySQL was your choice above.

1. RapidSSL (formerly FreeSSL)

Inexpensive, reliable 128/256 bit SSL certificates. They also deliver very quickly. No multi-day fax hassle that is Thawte (thought that may changed), or the exorbitant prices Verisign charges.

1. Subversion

Tried using CVS for a while, but it just ever worked for me

1. CHROOT SSH

If you are not setting up SSH with CHROOT, you are asking for trouble down the road. Also make sure you disable SSHv1 in your configuration to plug one possible vulnerability.

1. Webmin

One of a kind, for now, tool that is essential for remote administration.

1. Useful

1. Apple’s Remote Desktop

You can use an open source VNC, like Chicken of VNC, but Apple’s tool really does offer some nice features and integration for managing remote machines. Though nearly everything can be done via the command line, including software updates.

1. Communigate Pro Mail Server

Even with recent customer hostile business decisions, the routing and rule processing features, friendly interface and rocks solid performance, make this a trouble free mail server.

That said, it is on my chopping block due to the recent price increases.

1. Message Partner’s MPP

An excellent platform for virus and spam protection, not to mention message archival and quarantine.

1. SpamAssassin

The stalwart of spam combat. Just make you configure it properly.

1. ClamAV

Good. But still lags behind some commercial offerings.

1. Tinker toys (Things I need to play with more)

1. djbdns/tinydns

Looks like a truly excellent replacement for BIND.

1. Asterisk

Been dying to build my own VPBX, for fun mostly, but also to compare to a commercial service we use.

1. Bounty-ware

1. Web interface for Lighttpd and djbdns/tinydns

Webmin modules would be ideal, but anything would be helpful.

1. Tired – Put gun to my head to choose these for new projects

1. PHP

Started using it years ago, but quickly grew tired of the spaghetti code it encouraged.

1. WebObjects

Excellent. Ahead of its time. Encumbered by Apple’s licensing, secrecy and inadequate care.

1. Perl

Leaves a bad taste in my mouth every time I touch it.

Anyone have any other tips?

Just discovered the MovieFone AIM service, and it rocks!

Send a movie title or your zip code to MoviePhone on the AIM network to get movie listings.

Very nice integration, though the menu system could use some clarification.

MacNN | Is Apple holding back the music business?

“Apple may be holding back the music business, according to a new BusinessWeek column that notes iPod sales-nearly 10 million or so expected this holiday season-have not driven sales of digital music. Apple’s closed iPod/iTunes system may preventing the market from growing as fast it could because it limits buying choices—at least according to its competitors such as Napster and RealNetworks. Citing figures from Nielsen SoundScan, the report says that average weekly download sales as of Nov. 27 fell 0.44% vs. the third quarter.”

Ah yes, this BusinessWeek column based on competitor’s claims Apple is holding back the music industry.

Why?

Because they tightly control their platform, providing a smooth customer experience from purchase to consumption.

Cheese with your w(h)ine guys?

Seriously, competitors whine and the best they can dig up is that weekly downloads fell 0.44%?

Gee, could it be the Christmas consumptive gorging that is keeping people from buying music?

The plethora of excellent movies in theaters?

Perhaps, its just the lack for original and captivating content from the media mongers?

A few facts seem be missing from this and other recent articles.

• Apple is the undisputed leader in this market today
• Consumers are eager to snap up iPods, at least while Microsoft leaves store shelves barren
• iPods ARE being filled with content, just not old school content

This story proves beyond a doubt, that Real, Napster, Yahoo, Walmart and Microsoft are all scrambling for the crumbs. Being envious also-rans, whom instead of duplicating Apple’s process and quality, insist on recreating the wheel.

With vanishing all-you-can-eat “subscription” models and a decidedly miniscule ability to garner the mind share Apple has, how long before we see a desperation partnership?

On that note, this week Microsoft and MTV announced the URGE content service. Delivering not-so-fresh content from MTV using Microsoft technology.

I predict Microsoft and MTV will spend a boat load of money, only to discover that there is little profit in content delivery for the middlemen.

This is where Apple is brilliant. Its profits come from the consumption platform, like iPods, iBook the rumored Mac Mini media center, or production tools like Final Cut and Quicktime, and not the content.

The Microsoft/MTV deal seems more like putting a tourniquet on a fatal head wound. The shot has long since done its damage.

The damage being the liberation of consumers from old school distribution channels.

Mr. Gates repeat after me. There are no big profits being a middle man in the content distribution business. Unless you own the pipes or platform from end to end.

Either make content (games, software, movies, music, etc.) or build the high profit end-to-end platform which produces consumer interest and loyalty.

The great opportunity here is, that while there are no big profits being a middleman, there is profit for small agile companies, like CD Baby.

For the last several months I have been perusing the local retailers, looking for a digital camera. None of the offerings seemed particularly inspiring.

Tonight I read a post about the Lumix FZ5, which caught my attention.

Made by Panasonic (a name not usually associated with cameras) the Lumix seems to have a secret following. The mid-level model has the glass lens of a SLR, but at a smaller scale. Attached to a hand-sized 5-megapixel sensor is a very fast, extremely sharp zoom lens made by legendary optician Leica. The zoom is wonderfully telescopic, ranging 12X, all the way from the 35mm equivalent of 36 to an astounding 432 (!), yet clearly bright at 2.8 f/stop, which is perfect for low light without flash, and - the key innovation here - it employs image stabilization. The lens self corrects for vibrations. This means that I can shoot indoors and night with zoom extended (yes!) and get razor sharp shots. During daylight it is startling clear. Turns out that for real world use, sharpness is probably more important than megapixel size.

Read more here.

Now if only Santa still serviced 39 year old geeks. ;-)

Are they even testing this stuff?

First they can’t produce enough units for sales in the States or Europe, but over supply Japan.

Now they release patches that break fundamental features of the console.

Microsoft released a couple patches for the Xbox 360 over the past few days, the latest of which has a massive install bug, rendering backwards compatiblity broken on a bunch of systems, including yours truly’s.

Read more at Russell’s site.

The real issues lurking under the surface may be a double shot.

In their mad rush to beat the stalwarts of the industry to market, Microsoft shipped a slightly buggy product, relying too heavily on patching the product in the field.

In my experience with consoles, Sega, Nintendo and even Atari, I don’t remember a console that was patched after launch. The beauty and appeal of game consoles. It is supposed to be a pristine platform that “just works” for both users and developers.

Microsoft may have failed to learn from Apple’s very public lesson regarding IBM’s inability to deliver PPC chips in both quantity and quality.

IBM is supposed to deliver a 64-bit chip utilizes a whopping three processor cores, each of which runs at 3.2 GHz for each XBox 360.

If IBM couldn’t produce chips at significantly lower speeds for Apple’s computer business, why would anyone believe that IBM can produce enough of these monster chips for a mass consumer product like the XBox?

I am just speculating, but with no XBox 360s on store shelves less than 2 weeks before Christmas, does any analyst really believe this is a planned shortage?

Seriously, the more time I spend using Ruby, the harder it is to use other languages.

I just spent half an hour decrypting OSCommerce PHP code, in order to customize e-mails sent after a successful transaction.

Can you say spaghetti code!?

No offense to the OSCommerce developers, early PHP encouraged this type of development.

While AJAX + XHTML = Web 2.0, add Ruby and more specifically Rails, and you have at least Web 2.5. ;-)

brings one phrase to mind.

If you are a listener to Adam Curry’s Daily Source Code podcast or one of the Wikipedia groupies (no offense to real users), you have heard about the controversy surrounding Adam Curry altering the history of podcasting.

It has since reverberated around the Internet on blogs and podcasts.

Is he evil, stupid or just a guy who made a mistake?

Having listened to the Daily Source Code since it started, and used the first versions of Adam Curry’s iPodder to get my podcasts, I know it is the latter.

But what confounds me is this.

If the all powerful wikipedia protectors can’t handle this in a civilized manner, Wikipedia isn’t anything more than the bulletin board down at the local coffee shop. Where every moron sticks up his flyers, business cards or lewd invitations.

After all aren’t wikis supposed to handle revisions and editing?

You know, allow rollbacks and merging of versions?

To all those trolls and griefers whom are posting rude comments about this. Get a life! Adam Curry has every right to edit the Podcasting entry, as does EVERYONE who visits Wikipedia.

Its a Wiki!