The Development of QuikView

When Quikonnex was launched, in the fall of 2003, QuikAwasu was the primary recommended channel viewer offered to subscribers. But many Q publishers found that they had subscribers who did not have the ability or willingness to download and install an application. For example, those who subscribed at their offices did not always have administrative rights to download and run .exe files. Many subscribers were using Macs, some were using Linux, and still others were using WebTV, none of whom could install or use Awasu. Carolyn and Jim are committed to making sure that Quikonnex keeps the promise of its name, "quikly" connecting publishers with subscribers. Therefore, they decided that they must also offer a browser-based channel viewer to accommodate the needs of these diverse subscriber groups.

As you might expect, PB&J immediately Googled, but found nothing which met their specifications. They wanted a viewer which would be simple for subscribers to acquire and use, would not require download or installation to operate, and would present media-rich Q Channels just as well as Awasu could. They pushed Google to the max, but there was just nothing out there that could deliver what they wanted.

Carolyn and Jim had not intended to build their own channel viewer, but since their search had been fruitless, they knew they had no choice. So they went in quest of open-source applications which had some of the critical features they wanted, and that were compatible with the Quikonnex system. They eventually discovered a new application which could serve as the foundation for the viewer of their vision, and they set to work.

Not only must this new viewer be browser-based, but PB&J decided that it must be compatible with most major browsers, including Internet Explorer, Netscape, Mozilla, Firebird and Opera. It must not take up too much screen space, it must present Q Channels with all the multi-media which might be provided by their publishers and it must not limit the number of channels to which users could subscribe. They realized it would be possible to make this channel viewer a bookmark server as well, thus allowing users to have access to both their channel subscriptions and their bookmarks from any computer. Because it would be accessible from any computer it must also be secure and password protected.

QuikView and DeskView 2Gare the results of their effort. They are browser-based channel viewers and bookmark servers which are cross-browser, cross-platform compatible. Simple to use, but powerful and feature-rich, each subscriber will have their own personalized Channel Summary which lists all of the channels to which they have subscribed. Handy Quikonnex links are built in to provide easy access to news and support services.

Private links are available to all Quikonnex members and publishers, giving them "quik" access to the Member's area, the forums, the channel manager and more. Thus, QuikView can become a powerful control panel for the entire Quikonnex system.

PB&J surmized that QuikView and DeskView real estate would be very valuable to many publishers. For that reason, they built it so that any publisher could have their own customizeable "skin" which would display their logo or any graphic they like, and would serve as a direct link to their channel, their website or any other site of their choice. So any Quikonnex publisher can offer a branded copy of QuikViewor DeskView to their subscribers. Or, they can resell that space. Imagine the possibilities!

Thus ends Chapter Two of the Quikonnex Story. Please watch this space for more adventures of PB&J.

signed:
The Qchronicler