What I think Dropbox's next move should be. | Hacker News Reader

What I think Dropbox's next move should be.

ntomkin.posterous.com

15 pointssynxer14 comments

most of the objections so far are technical, but how about entrenched backwardness of most ISPs as a reason this wouldn't work?

"While most of these addons are simple services glossed with a thick coat of wax, Dropbox is a real benefit and definitely would be worth a line on my bill."

If something's actually worthwhile and not a gimmick, it likely won't work. We get gimmicky commercials demonstrating people being impressed that they get to spend "only" $99/month (for up to X months!) to get "unlimited phone, cable AND internet! (restrictions apply)" service. Or "choose which 3 of our 4 services you want - you've created a custom service plan! w00t!" commercials.

All of these serve only to let them continue to ride the gravy train of massive markups ($40/month for a voip line which doesn't include non-US calling?) and lock you in to future price hikes. I can't recall any service an ISP has ever offered me that had any real benefit to me as a user. I don't want your crappy webmail, I don't want your embedded virus scanning on my PC, I don't want your 5 meg webspace.

A branded dropbox or carbonite-style backup service included at a reasonable price? That would smack of real value - current mega-ISPs would run a mile (or a kilometer) from that one.

I would love to see Dropbox brought to a wider audience, but I don't quite see the fit between residential ISPs and Dropbox. Particularly, I don't see why the ISP would want to sell some specific web service along with their main product (the Internet service itself). Sure, the ISP might be able to break even or make a profit, but they might also be able to make a profit selling Girl Scout cookies to their customers.

I can respect the opinion that the costs might not be a tipping point factor for the ISPs. Of course, many services are value-added and provide no real profit. The idea is that they are providing something revolutionary through their consumer channels. In otherwords, it's outsourced "personal web space" that comes with most ISP packages today. Dropbox provides a superior experience while lifting the technological overhead of dealing with providing the space.

Dropbox ISP integration would encourage loyalty, not profit. Cookies wouldn't do the same. But since you bring it up, Netflix could offer a similar service to cool off the cable companies, making the headaches Netflix's lawyers have to deal with a little less troublesome.

Biggest obstacle: ISPs want as much vertical integration as possible. They would probably try to develop a commercially competing but not technically competitive product rather than subscribing to a third party. Some already have (Orange). Worse, one of them could actually try to flat out buy Dropbox (like, again, Orange did with Deezer)

Sorry, doesn't really make much sense to me...

What about 4 people sharing one Internet connection at home, all with their own Dropbox account? What about someone that doesn't have an Internet connection (and who access Internet at school, libraries or their friends places)? And what about company Dropbox accounts?

In the article I mentioned that Dropbox would have to source some costs in infrastructure. In my opinion, Dropbox with your ISP would be more beneficial for multiple accounts. Dropbox could have a control panel for ISPs to link their customers to which would allow a MobileMe-esc division of the available space. The ISP could provide Dropbox with the assigned IP address (hashed, of course) so decisions regarding the use could be handled appropriately. Outside of your ISP connection, you'd have the same access with the same experience.

OT, but I was intrigued by the other items on the proposed ISP bill--in particular the "US Timeshifting" item. I did some searching. It seems some Canadian cable companies offer for $1/month to provide access to both the east and west feeds of ABC, CBS, NBC, and PBS.

Some ISPs-- like Telenor in Norway, for example-- already offer a similar (but not identical) service.

Personally, I use Dropbox instead of the "Telenor Online Backup"-- and I can't say that the billing method has made much of a difference.

It says "50BG Dropbox" :-) I guess someone didn't proof read their photo editing.

I would love to see twitter/facebook integration so you could have a shared folder with your social networks... i.e. napster with a legally defensible position.

Would the data actually be private, or would they roll over to blanket requests from the RIAA and MPAA?

ISPs carry with them an expectation of phone support. That could get messy, and wipe out any profits.

True, but I don't think it would be any more than the support provided for personal web space. The big difference of course is that Dropbox is much better, more user friendly and much more enjoyable as it is available from your desktop instead of FTP clients.

I also think Dropbox's own support system far surpases the support that most ISPs have for personal web space.

It sounds like a very cool idea, I think the way to do it is as a value add. Everyone who signs up gets a free account and can then upgrade. It costs the ISP nothing, allows them to market on it, and is pure lead gen for dropbox.

Do not try to integrate into the billing system on Canadian ISPs, I have experience with two of the major providers and it's a nightmare to say the least. I managed to find $3 million in revenue with a couple perl scripts and the expect module. Let's just say you're dealing with operating systems where TCP/IP is optional.

If you really want to pursue it drop me a line, I may be able to put you in touch with the right people.

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