Ever wonder why Bill Gates 
is so determined to establish Windows 
as choice of platform for development ? So what is it that Palm 
and FaceBook 
insist on building strategy around development platform ? Software platform is like a brand that takes time to nurture and to establish but once it reaches critical mass acceptance, it provides a strong barrier of entry to competitors. No matter how innovative a competitor, many will think twice of committing resources developing solution using a less-popular platform due to uncertainty and lack of market initially. It is always a chick and egg problem. Developers will reluctant to develop application for a software platform unless there is already a high-growth market in it.
On the other hand, software platform vendors will find it hard to sustain the investment and commitment until there are sufficient developers and investors who are willing to hedge on them. Yet, things are not at all gloomy for those mavericks who want to build software platform to ensure sustainability and eventually profitability because a strong brand will attract more capital and talented developers who in turn create a network effect. The onus is on the software platform vendors to deliver the X-Factors that make their software platform conducive enough to attract attention of investors and software developers. Ultimately, the survivability of a software platform is ensured by creating a profitable and potential market for both investors and application developers.
So how does one build a software platform and drive a business strategy around it ? Many can just start building software platform and keep their fingers crossed, and overcome whatever come their way or one can be more prudent by learning from the experience and knowledge of others who have been there before.
So for those who want to understand and aspire to build a effective software platform, there is free 408 pages pdf ebook by the courtesy of Creative Common License, which also comes in printed book format, that meticulously researched various successful software platforms like Palm, Windows, Linux, Apple, and generalized those findings into valuable recommendations and insights.
The book Invisible Engines: How Software Platforms Drive Innovation and Transform Industries
have all information one need to understand and build enduring software platform. Start reading it and find out what it takes to compete in the competitive landscape.
More information from Amazon , Its original website From MIT Press
File: InvisibleEngines.pdf (4mb).
Too many wrong solutions are implemented because people imagine what the problem is, instead of being out there to personally experience and learn what the real problem is. What we need to exhort more is for people to get out to the real world to learn first-hand — the creative thinking can come later, after you have a better grasp of what the real problem is.
iPod is a phenomenal successful and a legendary product that is as popular as the legendary icon, Steve Jobs
, who unveiled the product to the world in the annual Apple Conference back in 2001. This stylish product set the precedent of how industrial design 
coupled with simplicity could inspire coolness and Wow-ness that itself lead to revolution that even the company producing it couldn’t have expected it. In other words, product that simple just works out of the box 
.
that change the history of computing meet face to face publicly before the big screen at San Diego, California for a up close and personal sesson. This session took place at D Conference on May 30 2007.
