A vision for eCS:

Marketing becomes much easier and actually somewhat enjoyable when you have a product
that sells itself. For a product to sell itself, as a minimum, it needs to be either
a superior solution or an adequate solution at the lower price for a particular problem.
eCS is currently neither.

Currently eCS is marketed only as a general purpose x86 operating system. It is a
product that is competing against many similar products without an edge in any
market segment. No market segment appears to be targeted.

How can this be corrected?

Identify the areas where eCS has the best opportunity to be a solution with an advantage.
Of these opportunities, identify the ones where eCS can be brought to the point of
being the superior solution at a cost that is within budget. Detailed planning would
then focus efforts on issues related to the opportunity(s) identified.

Example:

The KIOSK/Library/Internet Cafe market.
(or anywhere a browser is basically all that is required). You might be surprised in that
this market could be far larger than you might think. Think of the current installation
of eCS as being similar to the Mozilla suite and this proposed KIOSK version as similar to
Firefox. Firefox is leaner, less complicated and is beating the heck out of the suite in useage
and mindshare.

What does the KIOSK market need and how can eCS be the best solution for this market?

What users in this market segment want:

• To browse the internet
• Systems configured to search and do research
• To download files and save then to CD-R\CD-RW\DVD, flash drive or floppy
• To attach digital camera and webmail pictures
• To have fast system operation
• To have an interface with look and feel of current standards
• To have compatibility with virtually all web sites
• To have the ability to download and listen to music files (then save then to removable media)
• To have the ability to print

What owners want:

• Solid hassle free systems that stay that way
• Systems that users can't screw up
• Systems that are easy for users to use
• Login control and monitoring from a central location
• Low cost

How can eCS meet these needs?

• Firefox/2 ~- should be so integrated as to replace the WPS as the default desktop.

• Needs an administrative level of software that supports administration and security chores.

Would be set up as:

• Firefox/2 gives eCS credibility based on its worldwide #2 ranking among browsers and the amount

of publicity it has had. It is becoming a known, recognized product with credibility.

• Would most likely require some minor mods to Firefox.

• All current weaknesses related to web browsing that are required in this environment need to

be brought up to speed. There are some but it is doable at reasonable cost given proper focus.
A very specific list of the needed features should compiled.

• Reduced footprint. If something is not needed to support this environment then it isn't installed.

(allows for operation on very cheap hardware)

• Extensive testing with these requirements in mind.

• Ability to install a configuration aimed at this market.

• Integrated automatic error checking and correction capability. Retail support shops don't want to

learn or teach their employees another system. How to debug and fix the system needs to be so
simple, automated and Windows like that it will convince folks to take the chance. By not using
the WPS many sources of problems are no longer a problem... the system and user ini files, the
Startup folder, etc. The durability of this os is enhanced GREATLY by not using the WPS.

• Bookmarks to the best of the web: email, news, applications (easily substituted OWNER bookmark

file as well).

• Windows compatible LFN support for FAT16 (can't ignore it, it is a problem in this and many any

other markets eCS can be sold into. Try using Firefox to save a file with long file name to
a FAT16 flash drive and see what happens)

• Support for needed plugins: Adobe reader, Flash, Java and possibly streaming streaming media.

Who can sell to these markets?

• Local resellers and support shops that can sell a turn key, easily supported, web browser

only solution to those who need it or want it.


Key selling points:

• Viruses not a problem

• Spyware not a problem

• Solid, compatible web browsing environment

• Well known Firefox browser

• Designed for this market

• Features for this market

• Supported by local supplier

• Difficult for users to mess system up

In its heyday, OS/2 made its best market penetration in segments where it was the superior solution in some
way. Look at ATM's. On properly selected hardware and given a *specific* job to do it worked wonderfully.
As an os for Fidonet systems which required minimum downtime and very efficient multitasking it made
significant market penitration. Note that in both the APM and Fidonet markets the WPS was not the factor
that attracted users as VIO apps were the standard in both markets.

Give the world *superior* solutions to specific problems at a good price and marketing becomes doable.


NickMorrow