I agree with this business model for a number of reasons. In the
article it stated that from 2001 to 2009 there were, on average, 25,000 new
programmers per year. This was the time in which TopCoder decided to dedicate
their entire business around the idea of competition. Something that is
interesting about the idea of competition is that TopCoder had roughly 200,000
programmers, but only 35,000 had competed in contests. The chief
technological officer, Mike Lydon states that the remaing 82.5% of the
computer programmers are interested in the idea but have no decided to enter
any contests, therefore, making them the “latent pool.” This pool is
obviously determined because their registration to TopCoder, but has not yet
made the decision to enter any contests. But, TopCoder is also home to .5%
of the most elite programmers in the world, thus making it an admirable service
to young programmers. It is said in the article that the majority of computer
programmers that are recruited are in their twenties, are highly competitive,
and are single. This is because their main focus is usually the contests
that they have entered to obtain a stable yearly salary. In the article it also
states that a few of the average contestants in TopCoder contests, are making
anywhere from $100-300 thousand, yearly. This is because TopCoder is paying out
over $20 million in prizes to contest winners and finalists. Many of the
programmers talk about how the contest is fun to win, but the financials are
what are most intriguing. Overall, TopCoder gives out millions of dollars a
year because they believe in their core assumption of competition resulting in
the best quality product. Although these programmers say the financials are the
main drive in their desire to code, it is clear that TopCoder has found a
reliable way to receive the best programs they can possibly find.
Monday, February 29, 2016
Instructions for TopCoder
I'm not exactly sure what part of the assignment was read, but on the TopCoder page on this blog. I thought I was pretty clear about what was expected for this assignment. (It was also linked from the Assignment link on Bb.) In those instructions, I specifically stated:
Because we are commenting and posting ideas on a blog, the goal is to be interactive (see Gee above). The questions posted are mostly to provide a way to respond to the case and other readings. Finally, please read what others wrote. Do your best not to post a "new" comment or post, if it has already been mentioned previously. Rather, add to the post/comment. Please consider the questions posted below, and address the ones you want to answer according to the cases, but also add your opinions and/or experiences. You do not need to answer all of the questions; perhaps explore one or two in depth. Comments count.Given that this was the assignment, and there were only a few comments to the posts, I'm going to deduct points if I find that comments were repeated from earlier ones posted. Not sure what happened here, and except for a few of you, it is certainly not interactive.
Sunday, February 28, 2016
Top Coder Case - Question 1 & 4
1. If you were a senior manager at TopCoder, what are the main capabilities you would need to develop to succeed at running the firm? Are these capabilities similar or unique from managing a more traditional firm?
If I were a senior manager at TopCoder, the main capabilities that I would need to develop is effective process management. TopCoder is a community of over 409,000 members and direct the process of competition-based software development. I believe promote company to attract more talents and ability to retain talents and clients are the necessary for a senior manager.
To run many competition simultaneously and solve problems for many clients, attracting new members into the community is primary goal. The host of fortnightly online competitive programming competitions as well as weekly competitions in graphic design and development is a good promotion of company image.
Senior manager should be able to find several ways to retain talents. Great prize and rewards can effectively retain members. TopCoders offers well-paid, creative and challenged task for members. The norms and procedures are also necessary to maintain a community. TopCoder personnel strictly monitored competitions and tolerated no form of cheating and plagiarism.
Also, TopCoders has numerous clients including Amazon, Facebook, IBM and Microsoft. To retain clients, senior manager should make strict procedure and standard of review and evaluation of project to satisfy clients. Senior manager may also improve efficiency of project to response clients' request quick.
The management job at TopCoder is unique, because the community is diverted and members are all over the world. TopCoder can not manage them like the normal company. The developers are even not employees so we can not require for loyalty. Therefore, senior managers are required to have skills to attract and retain talents.
4. Find an example of collective action or an information sharing app. Describe and link to the digital tool. Explain what it does, how it works, and the types of problems it is working to solve. Do not use examples from those discussed specifically in the article (e.g., Airbnb, Lyft, Uber), but there are NEW examples of these and others that you can discuss.
Wikipedia: https://www.wikipedia.org
Unlike traditional encyclopedias, Wikipedia follows the procrastination principle regarding the security of its content.It started almost entirely open—anyone could create articles, and any Wikipedia article could be edited by any reader, even those who did not have a Wikipedia account. Modifications to all articles would be published immediately. As a result, any article could contain inaccuracies such as errors, ideological biases, and nonsensical or irrelevant text. Wikipedia presents a mixture of "truths, half truths, and some falsehoods".
In view of such condition, Wikipedia has the big problem: truthfulness and accuracy. Users would worry about the authenticity of the source and academic essay is usually not allowed to use reference from Wikipedia. Wikipedia is working to solve this problem by adding the function of review of change. Wikipedia provides certain tools allowing anyone to review changes made by others. The "History" page of each article links to each revision. On most articles, anyone can undo others' changes by clicking a link on the article's history page. Anyone can view the latest changes to articles, and anyone may maintain a "watchlist"of articles that interest them so they can be notified of any changes.
However, articles and changes are not systematically reviewed. Articles reviewed by public users still can not increase measurement of accuracy.
In conclusion, Wikipedia's still has a big problem to prove its credibility.
Top Coder brings Entreprenuers to Software Development
I think that Top Coder's method of of crowd sourcing brings something unique to the SDLC that is not commonly seen. I find surprisingly similar to a free enterprise system. The only difference that I can find between the two are that Top Coder specifies a specific problem for developers to solve, while a free enterprise system rewards those who both find a problem and create a solution. Both crowd sourcing and a free enterprise both reward those with money who can come up with the most efficient and effective way of solving a problem. With Top Coder's crowd sourcing method, I think they open the doors to an even greater amount of contributors by defining a problem. Many people struggle with being entrepreneurs since they cannot think on such a large scale, and work much better with defined task. With Top Coder, developers are given a defined task, but given the freedom to solve the problem on their own time and by whatever means they prefer. They have the same incentive to succeed as entrepreneurs; a fortune if they are successful. Except in this case, they do not lose their money if they do not succeed, only the time and effort they have spent.
Money Motivation Video
Top Coder Question 4
This app is not all that different from Uber or Lyft. It is an app
that will get you in contact with another human but instead of a car this human
will bring style to your house. This is an app that caught my interest long ago
and I know many others in class will also find it interesting. It is called
GLAMSQUAD. It is an app that will connect you with a makeup/stylist that will
come to your home and give you a complete glamor makeover. It is just like Uber
where you download the app and then make an appointment for someone to stop by
at certain time. Instead of picking a location to be dropped off at, you get to
pick a style package. Maybe the Bronzed Beauty or the Dreamer? The problem it
is trying to solve is an interesting one. At first the company designed this
for wedding emergencies. When a hair stylist didn’t show or maybe the bride
thought she can do her own hair (yikes), but then it evolved and now it has
expanded to help the everyday woman. This will make it so a mom doesn’t have to
find the time or a babysitter to get her hair done; and any busy women can
easily have her hair done in the comfort of her home, office, or hotel. This is
great because if you are on vacation finding a trusting hairstylist can be hard
but with this app a woman can see rating and reviews and know she is getting good
service. Currently this app is only available in some big cities (phoenix was
just recently added to the list!), but it is believed this app will expand to
even further and become the norm.
Tech Musing 2 & Q4- Chegg
Tech
Musing 2 and Q4:
Chegg
is a learning platform that contributes to help students in high school and
college. It puts students first and provides service of online textbook
rentals, homework help, online tutoring, and scholarships. The creators of
Chegg noticed students’ needs and expected to reduce the level of students
concerns, such as lowing costs of education and improving learning efficiency. Student is able to share
Chegg
empowers students to take control of their education to save money. The company
rent books to students who are seeking textbooks with cheaper price, including
physical textbook and digital version. The price normally rent half the retail
price, but savings various from book to book. For instance, the textbook priced
at $240, but students can rent on Chegg at $60.
Students are able to save more than half of the original price.
Chegg
allows students to master their study efficiently. They can just post their
question on Chegg and looking for answers with explanations. For instance, if a
student doesn’t know how to solve a math problem, he can search the problem on
Chegg. Although numbers in question might be different, there are steps and
explain how to solve it. In addition, online tutoring is available on Chegg.
Students can get answers and explanation at once. Moreover, Chegg offers a
broad range of leaning materials, course solutions, and other content in
different learning styles.
Chegg
offers various free services to students, such like helping high-school
students find college. It helps students search college base on their interests
and passion. With students’ request, then Chegg send their profile to college,
including test score and GPA. In addition, Chegg contributes to search
scholarship opportunities for students that they might don’t know before.
Link:
References:
"Chegg."
Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Web. 29 Feb. 2016.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chegg#Business_model>.
“Prospectus.”
Mergent Online. Web. 29 Feb. 2016.
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