The web has revamped the landscape for creators of all things digital: information, software, graphics, literature, music, and video. The global, digital network will foster the emergence of "webpreneurs." One trend for commerce on the web is the development of easy-to-use tools that enable personal publishers to sell their creative works to their communities of interest. Here is a system for self-publication that I think is about to bloom.
Wave Systems Corp. (http://wave.com) has a patented system that combines encryption and metering capabilities to provide a comprehensive solution for the secure distribution of digital content to users at their personal computers, set-top boxes, or other devices. The EMBASSY E-commerce system-in-a-system enables virtually any platform to serve as a "trusted client" that can effect microtransactions at the point of consumption. Amounts can be computed down to a fraction of a penny. Content can be distributed by wire, over the air, or on physical media. Users need not be online or tethered to a network. When users find content that interests them, they can try, rent, rent-to-own, or buy.
One application is micropublishing. It enables an author to offer a work to a reader in a copyright-secure transaction at the reader's PC. A web-based version of Wave's system is operational today. You can see it at MyPublish:
-- mypublish.com
You can see a simple demonstration of the system at:
-- members.theglobe.com
You can see more robust examples of micropublishing -- novels in serial segments -- at:
-- members.xoom.com
-- members.theglobe.com
What other avenues for micropublishing have you discovered? Let's share ideas here. |
