March 28, 2008

Putting all your eggs in one basket, is concentrating on one piece of software good?

I find myself seriously rethinking my business ideas, how to run things, and which direction to move in every 3 months to 6 months. As any reader of this blog would see, I've put most of my time and concentration into working with Flash Media Server. I've been using the darn thing since it came out as version 1(over 6 years ago?) and haven't stopped playing with it since. Work is very constant and I'd have to say that at times I just have too much work. It's crazy how so many companies are getting on the FMS bandwagon. It certainly helps that the licensing finally relaxed a bit.

This poses a question to me regularly though, should I be developing for FMS only? What about the other options out there that are used to stream just video, socket servers and of course the FMS-like server software like Wowza and Red5?

I'm sure this goes for just about any software really. Should you only use Photoshop? or get familiar with Illustrator too for print stuff, and if that's the case then what about Fireworks etc. Which can then actually move forward to using After Effects for clients that may want more than just still images (you can actually make some very cool still images with AE though..)

Or how about an ASP dev (which I do too) or ASP.net? Should they be aware of how PHP or CFM works? or should they be reasonably proficient in it too so that they can do other types of work?

When you do this you then have to take time away from the original software that you are really good at (in this case FMS) and study something new.

Self Investment.

I'm sure any entrepreneur will feel somewhat the same in that it's a real quandary of when and how to go and make a leap of faith to another technology or even to a subset of the current technology that you may be using. Flash and Flex are great examples actually. I've seen many a Flash dev kind of fight the "move to Flex" idea because it's something new to learn and takes time away from bringing home the bread.

But what can you do? If you don't move forward then you'll get left behind. But herein lies the question... which way is forward?

Which then of course leads me back to the original question of whether or not to use alternate software of what I'm already good at and is working rather well. Isn't there a saying that goes "if it aint broke then don't fix it"? But as well all know very well, that saying can't be applied to every circumstance.

Anyways, I'm definitely all for moving onward and upward and improving the toolset I have and adding to it. It's just that inner turmoil of being a jack of all trades or a king of one. Is it a choice of just one of those or can we have our cake and eat it?

Posted by Graeme at March 28, 2008 05:49 AM
　



Comments

I've found that it's definitely a good idea to have at least general understanding of competing technology. For one, it makes it easier on yourself if there is a shift in technology (and you can pretty much assume there will be sooner or later). Secondly, it allows for evaluation of other alternatives. One single technology won't solve every problem every time efficiently and effectively.

Of course, there's something to be said for the stability of working with a specific selection of technology for a period of time, but anyone should be ready for that inevitable change.

Posted by: Nathan Levesque at March 28, 2008 06:18 AM

I definitely agree with you there Nathan. Being aware of what is out there and how it works is a good idea. I'm just wondering at the level of awareness that is needed and in turn how is that assessed and why. It's a bit of a complicated subject I think that has no perfect answer.

Posted by: Graeme at March 28, 2008 07:21 AM

Graeme.

I totally agree with Nathan. The way I see it, if you are into video streaming, then you want to be an expert in the field to offer your clients the right solution for their needs, not necessarily pushing only one solution. Be a video streaming expert, not just an FMS expert...

In regards to competing technology to FMS, IMHO, I think you should be looking more at the MS offering with Silverlight streaming, than the Wowsa's etc. You already know the Flash based solution (they are just variations of the same tech).

(disclaimer - I'm a Flash dev of 9 years, and do not work with Microsoft or anything (although I have been in the same room with Scott Barnes a few times :) )

Posted by: Aran at March 28, 2008 10:33 AM