While writing our final research paper for another class this week, my group members and I decided to use an application called "Dropbox" to share files and edit our paper. Dropbox allows users to "drop" any file or document into a designated folder that is then synced with Dropbox's internet service and to any other of the user's computers/devises. These files can also be shared with other users who have Dropbox, and are invited to join a "folder."
I had never heard of this before, so I did some digging to find out how it was started. The story is rather interesting. The founder, Drew Houston, used to forget his USB drive when he was a student at MIT, and therefore never had everything he needed for class. So he tried to solve his problem. Once he figured out how to share files through an application, he decided to market it to other people with similar problems. In its infancy, Steve Jobs tried to buy Dropbox, and Houston actually declined his offer, even though Jobs was his hero. Steve Jobs was bitter, and told him that Dropbox was "a feature, not a product," and would therefore need to be backed by a large company or it would fail. Houston was determined to make his startup work, and he succeeded, as Dropbox is currently valued at over $1 billion. There is also Dropbox applications for smartphones, and you can access the application from any computer by going to its website.
This story illustrates how companies were not addressing a user need - a way to share files between computers or over the internet in an easy way - and how an individual took it upon himself to develop the next big thing while solving a problem through user-innovation. Houston made his product simple enough that the average person could use it, and helped solve many frustrations with file sharing. I am very thankful for his wonderful invention and how it is helping me with my class projects!
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Thank you Michelle for sharing with us the "Dropbox". This company reminds me of the start-up concept created by a UW student (Terrance Green) called "StudayMeetNow". I learned about his business idea in another class. Although he is still trying to create the prototype of his website, I want to share his business idea because I find it utilize the collaboration concept in study.
StudyMeetNow is an interactive study platform for college students. The company provides online virtual study rooms that allow students to work on group projects, and meet with classmates, "Anywhere, Anytime, for FREE!"
StudyMeetNow's platform creates a virtual learning community that allows students to study, work, and collaborate on group projects and class assignments. The virtual classrooms are equipped with white boards, audio/visual capabilities, document and screen sharing, and chat boxes. StudyMeetNow eliminates time and space barriers to group studying and class meetings. Their users will never worry again about booked library study rooms or overcrowded and noisy coffee shops, because users have their own virtual classroom.
The utilization of the collaboration in study has the potential of increasing the performance of students according to Green's market research. StudyMeetNow's beta website is on its way to meet the public. We may be able to try it before we graduate!
--Xi Zhang
Hey All,
This is Terrance Green, founder of StudyMeetNow. I kindly ask that you immediately remove any information about StudyMeetNow, as it is still in beta and the concept is not public information, at this time.
I greatly appreciate your willingness to expedite this matter.
Respectfully,
Terrance