Where's the Leading Edge?

There used to be an easily recognisable leading edge in information technology.

For processors and printers it was how fast, for data storage it was how much for how much, for everything else it's bigger, brighter, smaller and snappier for less.

In software, the leading edge was often around operating systems and relational databases. At one stage there was an undeclared pissing contest among O/S and database vendors as to which had most influence on the leading edge of IT.

I caught up with an old (youthful) Gen X friend in the business today. He has not only established a successful online information business, but is constantly looking for and finding ways that the Internet, and more specifically, Web 2 is opening up new frontiers. He's not your typical entrepreneurial business type, just someone with a passion for building and nurturing businesses that extend the edge of the technology to deliver products and services of value - faster and snappier for less.

"The trouble is that whatever is developed, anyone who hears about it wants it. But they don't want to pay for it," he observed.
"No sh*t, Sherlock," I thought to myself. Someone builds a better mousetrap and finds that not everyone who beats a path is willing to buy. Some fundamental economics and marketing lessons here.

My friend spoke of a new application he is helping to bring to market. It's at some edge, an edge that appeals to a market that wants to develop their own forms and capture information interactively in there own emails or websites - the stuff that developers charge squillions for. This "application app" is at the leading edge. But whose edge? If it doesn't interest you, not yours.

We both acknowledge our own crusty cynicism about claims of being at the edge of technology, the state of the art and so on. But if there is something that empowers us to be more productive, have more fun, reduce the time we have to spend away from those we love and move us all a little closer to the nirvana of a transparent, accessible Internet, Web 2.0 or blogsphere, it's an edge I'm interested in.

By definition, your view of the edge is determined by where you're standing. The leading edge is an arbitrary and constantly moving point. I hope my friend and his application developer find a market, make squillions and contribute to the global web tapestry.

Cheers to anyone who creates a new edge. I'm getting dizzy looking at all the new edges in web technology. I'm just going to pick a point on my virtual horizon, sail not too close to the edge but anchor in places that offer me a chance to enjoy the view.

My own edges will be on different planes, and will probably be achieved with the aid of leading edge application apps.