Software-as-a-service: Difference between revisions

From The Jolly Contrarian
Jump to navigation Jump to search
No edit summary
No edit summary
Line 1: Line 1:
{{g}}{{a|tech|}}[[Software as a service]] — fondly known as [[SAAS]] — is greedy capitalist [[rent-seeking]] by means of [[intellectual property]].  
{{g}}{{a|tech|}}[[Software as a service]] — fondly known as [[SAAS]] — is greedy capitalist [[rent-seeking]] by means of [[intellectual property]].  


The equivalent of selling a warranty on a toaster. Charging a running cost for a software application which shouldn’t ''require'' a lot of maintenance, unless you built it to require maintenance.  
The equivalent of selling a warranty on a toaster. Charging a running cost for a software application which shouldn’t ''need'' a lot of maintenance, unless you ''built it'' to need maintenance.  


If your software were any good you would design a [[user interface|user-interface]] easy enough for the [[meatware]] to deal with ''so you didn’t need a service contract''. Right?
If your software were any good you would design a [[user interface|user-interface]] easy enough for the [[meatware]] to deal with ''so you didn’t need a service contract''. Right?


===Then there’s [[blockchain]], of course===
[[File:Bullshit.jpeg|thumb|left|[[Blockchain as a service]]. Also known as “BS”.]]The latest iteration — talked about in tones of reverent optimism [https://www.forbes.com/sites/ilkerkoksal/2019/10/23/the-benefits-of-applying-blockchain-technology-in-any-industry/#7253848c49a5 here] — is “[[blockchain as a service]]”. But a service to whom? And did I hear a siren going off?
[[File:Bullshit.jpeg|thumb|left|[[Blockchain as a service]]. Also known as “BS”.]]The latest iteration — talked about in tones of reverent optimism [https://www.forbes.com/sites/ilkerkoksal/2019/10/23/the-benefits-of-applying-blockchain-technology-in-any-industry/#7253848c49a5 here] — is “[[blockchain as a service]]”. But a service to whom? And did I hear a siren going off?



Revision as of 18:29, 4 November 2019

The Jolly Contrarian’s Glossary
The snippy guide to financial services lingo.™
Index — Click the ᐅ to expand:
Tell me more
Sign up for our newsletter — or just get in touch: for ½ a weekly 🍺 you get to consult JC. Ask about it here.
JC pontificates about technology
An occasional series.
Tell me more
Sign up for our newsletter — or just get in touch: for ½ a weekly 🍺 you get to consult JC. Ask about it here.

Software as a service — fondly known as SAAS — is greedy capitalist rent-seeking by means of intellectual property.

The equivalent of selling a warranty on a toaster. Charging a running cost for a software application which shouldn’t need a lot of maintenance, unless you built it to need maintenance.

If your software were any good you would design a user-interface easy enough for the meatware to deal with so you didn’t need a service contract. Right?

Then there’s blockchain, of course

Blockchain as a service. Also known as “BS”.

The latest iteration — talked about in tones of reverent optimism here — is “blockchain as a service”. But a service to whom? And did I hear a siren going off?

See also