This week my company delivered a new workstation and printer to a client with a home office.  An ultra-modern Dell with a huge flat screen monitor and color laser multi-functional printer.  Most of the folks I know would give their eye teeth to run a rig like this at home.

Today the client called and asked, “Why don’t I have a firewall?”

I tried to explain that a firewall is an appliance or software package running on a server that “polices” traffic on a network, according to a pre-determined set of instructions.  Since he didn’t have a network, a firewall would be overkill.  The biggest threat to an operator like him would come from virus infestation, malware and spyware.  If he allows his anti-virus and anti-spyware programs to remain up to date and stays away from online porn and “file-sharing” sites then he should be fine.

“But couldn’t someone “hack” my system and… read my email?”

Theoretically, yes, I explained.  But that would mean that someone cared enough to do so.  And again, since he has no network and no “in-house” email (he’s running “free” POP3 email) then there are far more vulnerabilities outside his home than in it.

At this point understanding was elusive, so I took another tack.  “What kind of door do you have on your home?” I asked.

“I don’t know, a regular entry door.” was the response.

“Exactly!”  I crowed.

“You know that if you wanted to, and had enough money, you could put a bank vault door up instead of that regular entry door.  You could install a timer lock keyed only to your thumbprint.  You could get a retinal scanner even.
But then every time you wanted to go get your mail you’d have to go in and out through that thing.  And you would have spent more money on protection than the value of the thing protected.”

In the end, to appease the client (who is always right!), I said, “Here is my favorite firewall system (Barracuda).  Here is what it will cost you (+-$2000 + install + configure + maintenance = $3500 this year alone).

YOU DON’T NEED THIS.  But if you want it, I’ll oblige.

Once again, technology for technology’s sake.

I read this quote today on the Engadget website.

“Pizza Hut has joined rivals Domino’s and Papa John’s in implementing a nationwide order-by-text service, giving customers even easier access to its tasty-but-greasy fare. To take advantage of the “Total Mobile Access” feature, you have to visit the Pizza Hut website for a one-time registration of your mobile number, along with setting up your so-called “pizza playlist” to enable easier ordering. You can also satisfy your pizza jones by hitting up the same site on a mobile browser, which provides an optimized version of the desktop ordering system that has been in place for several years.”

 My first reaction was, “Why?”

Setting up the technology backbone that this system will run on, promoting and advertising the system and getting franchisees acclimated to the new process is just a massive undertaking.

How many more pizza’s do you have to sell to make all of this worthwhile?

Is that number even reachable?

To me this looks like a classic example of “technology for technology’s sake.”  Some fool high up the corporate ladder at Pizza Hut found out that Domino’s was pursuing this sort of system.  Maybe they were, maybe they weren’t.  But Pizza Hut is scared to be left out so they get right to work.  Papa John’s, same thing happens.

Now you have millions of $$’s pumped into networks to process these orders… which have yet to show up.

I just don’t think enough kids are going to want to text for a pizza when the can simply call.

If the kids are ready to do it, let another company be the early adopter, spend money getting it right and then come in after and create a competing system without the steep early learning curve.

That’s just good business.