The Data Revolution is coming. Are you Ready?
Filed under: data, internet, semantic web, social media, social networking
Recently I got a HTC Desire smartphone. With this phone came the need to get a data plan so that I could roam on the phone when out and about. I can also sync my phone with my calendar, contacts and email stored on my pc. I have downloaded 3rd party apps like Sudoku (which is where the data plan comes in handy) & can connect to my social networks whenever I like. This level of customisation and integration came at a cost though – I hit my data plan cap. So, this got me thinking about the data and information now available to me and how I need to manage this.
So being connected and part of the “Web 2.0” world via my phone is easy. I can share, connect and communicate with virtually anyone in the world. It’s termed “Social Networking” but for me it’s about connecting, building up trust, and developing friendships/relationships with people. So what happens with the information we collect and share with people?
“Web 3.0” (the “semantic web”) describes how information and data is grouped, using common attributes or tags. In the Web2.0 world, blogs and photo sites allow you to add “tags” so that you can classify/group your content and data. You might have heard the terms ‘tag clouds’ and ‘folksonomies’, which describes when a person tags information in a way that is personal and unique to them but also useful for others. I could classify/tag an article differently than my friend or workmate because it reflects my personal interests and context. I can also use Del.ic.ious to share these tags and my favourites articles. Picasa & Flicker lets me tag my photos with locations and people’s names. Twitter lists allow me to group people and businesses under topics eg ‘Social Media Contacts’. Foursquare allow me to tag locations I love eg my local café, what my favourite menu items is and who else has been there.
The data revolution will come as we create more information people can access and share, because this information and data comes at a cost both in size and search-ability. Sometimes I feel like I’m drowning in information. Technology is extending and blurring previous boundaries. I recently used the ABC’s iView to view a Spicks and Specks and Gruen Transfer episode I missed. I store my photos and music etc on my pc and online but as I store more content I need more storage. I’m contemplating a terabyte (ie 1024 gigabytes) storage ‘brick’ but this seems like a huge amount. I get valuable information from people I connect with, but it’s more than I can read, even though the content is superior to my traditional networks I use.
As the tools I use get smaller, it seems the data I collect and store is growing exponentially. So how do I manage this mass of data? Although this isn’t a large problem now, we will start to see and hear more about data, how to tag it, classify it and structure it, to provide meaning to ourselves and others.
So how do you cope with all the data and information flowing in our lives ? Can you manage it? Do you give up in frustration? What tips would you give your friends and family?
I would love to hear of ways that we can all use to help manage the information coming into our lives and restore the balance between technology and the real world.
The data revolution is coming. Are Telstra ready?
All I can say is good luck to those that can have data overload, with only 10GB available on wireless at a massive $109.95 per month it is not possible for us to enjoy the ‘The Data Revolution’.
So in a nutshell, no we are not ready, please hold it up until Telstra provides better value and better quota wireless plans.
I also must say that a post like this is like a punch in the face from Telstra directly… thanks again Telstra.
Now to answer the questions posed;
['So how do you cope with all the data and information flowing in our lives ?']
With only 10GB a month it is fairly easy to do, though we do have a Network Storage box with 6TB of HDD space which is shared between 5 PC’s. I am not one to trust my data online. (yes I have backups as well)
['Do you give up in frustration?']
Not at all, I am frustrated that I cannot access much of it at any great speed for an entire month, 10GB is not a lot these days and can be gone through in a couple of days.
['What tips would you give your friends and family?']
Tips, well not so much tips but rules like, don’t watch videos, don’t play games online, don’t download files, don’t update software, don’t use Skype, don’t visit large photo gallery sites… and so on, this is so we can stretch our miserly 10GB as far as we can each month, which is usually day 14 or 15
['I would love to hear of ways that we can all use to help manage the information coming into our lives and restore the balance between technology and the real world.']
- Time management is one, only use the net when absolutely needed, otherwise your 10GB quota will be used up sooner.
- Only keep what is really necessary.
- Have a network storage server and have it set up so critical files are kept in one section for backup and the rest that is just to keep in another that you do not need to back up – unless you want to.
- Don’t download stuff you do not actually need.
Cheers
GW
smitty, Gwmbox,
you raise some good points about plans and I will pass these forward to others within Telstra to review.
For my own situation with my data overload I decided to rationalise the number of apps that I used. After the initial download fest and the ‘shiny new gadget’ test drive, I looked at what I used and helped me in my daily tasks that I needed to use a mobile for.
I also looked at utilising free wifi when out and about and became aware of my data usage. I actively turned off data roaming when there was no need to have it on. I am happy to say that this seems to have resolved my usage at least and haven’t gone over since.
GWMbox – I hear your frustrations regarding your plan, they echo my own experience. I found your comment about time management and downloading only what you need spot on, it really is a case of becoming aware of what you do.
Again thanks for your feedback.
I agree with Gwmbox the it would be nice to be able to afford to have a problem of data overload, on another topic I notice the Telstra link above advises that there is no stock of the Desire, are you likely to reorder more or is that it until the z or HD come out?
Hi Ivan, I’ll ask for you to see about the situation with HTC Desire stock availability?
I’m sure a data revolution would be much more appreciated with froyo’s new features like flash and javascript engine. Seriously, nothing takes 5 months to test. I’m sick of waiting.
I love it how almost every post to do with the internet brings out the “poor, forgotten” wireless users.
If the situation is that bad, is there really no other option? There’s really no ADSL available? No other (cheaper) wireless providers in your area? If you are in that situation, maybe it goes a way to explain why your internet cost is so high – no other provider will put in the infrastructure to support you, and that stuff comes at a cost.
And it could be worse. Do you have any idea what the poor people on satellite services are paying?
Let me guess you are on ADSL and have no idea of what it is like to be restricted to wireless or satellite for that matter.
GW
I started with my Google Nexus about 4 -5 months ago and the synching that Android offers with Google mail and data etc almost put me over within the first month. I was spending atleast 30MB per day just using twitter and checking emails for about 45mins per day.
In the end I turned off the background data sync and do a manual sync and have managed to keep the data to about 500MB per day.
I think if you are going to be active on the web on your phone 500MB is a minimum that you need.
Adam, I understand your desire (no pun intended) to get froyo just like me, but I would think that the testing is a necessary part of delivering something that works on an environment. I am sure that the testing area are trying to get this release out quickly, since it has been coming for a while now. But I do hope it’s released soon. Not sure that it will help data plans that much, but I could be pleasantly surprised.
Ivan, your comments prompted my own thoughts about why I don’t go over my data quota more. As others have suggested, the data allowances are on the ‘barely enough to get by on’ side, but I have the luxury of having a great wifi setup at home which is taken care by my home plan.
Ashleigh, agreed that these days there is so much choice you really must work out what is important to your own data needs and shop around. I know that Telstra is committed to offering competitively priced bundles and better value broadband plans. This was mentioned again during Investor Day last week.
It still surprises me how much data is available on some plans. Do we really need terabyte plans right now ? or is this just the start of another bandwidth revolution ?
Janene you agree with what I have said above that wireless users need more data but you also agree with Ashleigh that the ‘poor wireless’ users have no choice, or was that choice in your view of which we don’t have.
Ashleigh’s post was anti anyone that is on wireless that is seeking better value and better quota plans, and suggesting that we should just accept things as they are and be happy with what we have. The post in itself added no value to the discussion on the topic of your post.
My post was to highlight that while we are in a digital revolution, not everyone can enjoy it or get worried about it due to limited quota plans at high prices, my post was directly related to your post, plus I even answered your questions directly of which you acknowledged.
Maybe the moderators need to keep that in mind when allowing posts to be published?
You agreed with Ashleigh there is more choice, I’d ask what choices? We will soon have Optus as finally as an alternative choice of service provider, but many others do not have any other choice but Telstra/Bigpond. How can one work out what is important when the data availability is very limited or simply cost wise out of reach for many as well.
Telstra being ‘committed’ to be competitively priced is only when they are ‘forced’ to be, they are ‘reactive’ and never proactive, it would be great to see them be more proactive when it comes to competition. The recent updates in ADSL plans were a good start but are already now lagging behind the rest, so why sit by and remain behind? Wireless competition is a joke!
Janene wrote
['This was mentioned again during Investor Day last week']
So it was mentioned again, so what, Telstra needs to stop mentioning it and actually do something about it. It is way past the time to ACT rather than chat.
Janene wrote
['It still surprises me how much data is available on some plans. Do we really need terabyte plans right now ?']
Having lots of data gives the user choice, while I have no direct need for a terrabyte of data it would be nice to know I will never have a data quota issue for a long long time. Though with more and more IPTV and online movies and so on a terrabyte over a month will soon seem like chicken feed. This all comes down again to how Telstra sees the market, instead of pro-actively seeing where the demand will be, as in needing a terrabyte of data, it sits and waits and waits and waits until people leave it for other providers before it does anything, I mean the ONLY reason the ADSL plans were updated was to stop the migration away from Telstra/Bigpond. The same will eventually happen with wireless.
GW
Data plans on your mobile plan are getting better but they really need to be a lot better if they really expect people to get best use of their smart phones and eventually transact with them.
And all of this talk that smart phones will eventually replace PCs etc is crap, with the mobile broadband rates available at the moment, I just can’t see it happening.
I think a mobile phone needs a minimum of 500MB to actually get social and browse online.
['smart phones will eventually replace PCs etc is crap']
Totally agree with you, however being relatively newish to smart phones I do find myself using it more for internet use for what I use to jump on the PC for.
So while it will not ‘replace’ PC’s for Internet use it will take a large portion of the PC usage.
['mobile phone needs a minimum of 500MB']
Again agree, recently we were able to take advantage of a special business rate of 1GB extra for the 24 month contract, so we have 1.2GB available and we use it, nearly all of it so that just goes to show how the extra data on mobile devices can and does help for small business and general use.
While 500MB would be OK for a minimum there needs to be much greater offerings available, like 1, 2 and even 5GB options.
Thanks
GW
prepaidplans,
Yes, I would love for my data plan to get overhauled because I don’t use my phone to it’s fullest potential. For me I want to access my same information and data via different mediums that use a range of devices, not using each device differently. I want to access my calendar at work, on my phone and at home. How I do this is different depending on where I am. It would be nice if I could customise my internet and data plan so that I choose the mix of each type that I want eg more data, less home bandwidth for example.
gwmbox
My comment to Ashleigh was to agree about the choice avaiable to people from all the different providers and plan options out there. People should consider all options and determine what is appropriate to their needs. And yes, choice could be restricted for people outside major cities who are constrained with what services can be offered to them and the providers of those services.
You wrote ['We will soon have Optus as finally as an alternative choice of service provider, but many others do not have any other choice but Telstra/Bigpond. How can one work out what is important when the data availability is very limited or simply cost wise out of reach for many as well.'] I am a bit confused by your reference to finally having Optus as a alternative choice. ‘Choice’ in what way? Optus have and other companies have been service providers for a number of years. Are you talking a specific location or product/service where this is not the case?
I think that the whole ‘space’ is on the verge of some very momumental changes and so Telstra and every other provider will re-evaluate their business markets, strategies, pricing, plans and service offerings. My personal opinion is that all providers in this space will need a radical shift in thinking (and delivering to customers) so Telstra will do the same thinking as other providers. I am not a financial expert in any way, but I see informing the broad investor market of their committment to change, would be a reasonable first step to more concrete action.
As an aside, I did not read Ashleigh’s post the same way as you did.
Finally, yes a terabyte seems awfully large but IPTV will be interesting. But if strategic alliances occur between content providers and service providers then there could be more types of content available that doesn’t count to quota eg Bigpond V8 coverage, Three’s cricket coverage etc. This could decrease the immediate need for such large volumes of data. It will all depend on what customers find useful content and who that content is with.
['I am a bit confused by your reference to finally having Optus as a alternative choice']
This is a major part of the problem and that is not being able to understand the problem and/or discussion. In my first post I commented about the fact that many like us are unable to get anything other than wireless, which means we have no other choice.
Then I said we (as in us) will soon have Optus as a choice as they are soon to build a tower here, meaning we can choose between Telstra/Bigpond and Optus.
['Are you talking a specific location or product/service where this is not the case?']
Again it is a case of understanding the posts\. Of course it is a specific location as that is what it would only be if there is no other choices available, though there are lots of other places that have no choices as well.
No need to further debate this, my comments were merely to say that while there is an apparent data revolution taking place, there are many that cannot take part in that data revolution.
GW
Telstra should seriously consider upgrading their data packs. The 200Mb I got with my Desire is pitiful.
And then a big kick in the guts was the data plans getting upgraded for new buyers, without providing upgrades for existing plan holders. That’s just cheap, Telstra.
Give us more data! My ISP has upgraded my data plan 2 times in 12 months, why can’t you learn to be competitive rather than sitting on your butts?
Ron,
In the same vote as you with wanting more data. Data is not included at all on our plans and so we have to pay extra to get data packs. I only put the min data pack on while I assessed my usage, but would love for data to be included in my plan rather than an extra cost. Not sure I can influence that decision unfortunately.
Gwmbox,
interested to find out whether you feel NBN will help you and other people you know to have a better choice? Ot is it too soon to comment?
I wonder why do Telstra charge me to push emails to my HTC Desire when if I was to use Optus or Vodafone as an example it comes out of the data allowance.
I find it annoying that I have a 500mb allowance and then they want to charge me an extra $7 to recieve email which in the end is just data
Any comment