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A number of key features are only available to registered users. They include: Access to the full content of top-rated material (only teasers are available to anonymous users after the material has been posted for 45 days) The ability to search site content The ability to access reviews of books relevant to site material The ability to access key quotes relevant to site material The ability to access content from partner sites The ability to rate material The ability to post comments The ability to post new information and propose it for publication The ability to request email notification when selected content is added or updated

A number of key features are only available to registered users. They include:

Access to the full content of top-rated material (only teasers are available to anonymous users after the material has been posted for 45 days)
The ability to search site content
The ability to access reviews of books relevant to site material
The ability to access key quotes relevant to site material
The ability to access content from partner sites
The ability to rate material
The ability to post comments
The ability to post new information and propose it for publication
The ability to request email notification when selected content is added or updated

Value management

The analysis of customer-perceived value assigned to various activities

Case study: Providing a utility service to customers

Socket A public utility is a classic application of synergy concepts which we experience in our daily lives, and which can influence the mental models of many stakeholders on synergy initiatives. Utilities typically provide universal service by aggregating the needs of many users, and servicing those needs through the products and services which the utility offers. These products and services themselves are typically provided from many different sources, and often trade off cost and demand in determining which sources to use over time. Read more »

Standards and the synergy value proposition

Standards In the Harvard Business Review, Sep / Oct98, Vol. 76, Issue 5, p131-143, Michael Goold and Andrew Campbell describe 5 underlying characteristics which successful synergy efforts have been succesfully built upon. They include: Read more »

A significantly better media center than the Apple TV for less money

I have wanted to have an effective media center in my living room to hook up to my audio system and HDTV for some time. I've tried to use my Xbox 360 for that, but my attempts turned into a real horror story, plus it was way too noisy (with the emphasis on was, since the 3 red rings of death hit it this weekend).

I thought the 160 Gb Apple TV was an attractive option, except it doesn't have a TV tuner card, has limited Codec support, and doesn't really have adequate HD output. The current industry offerings are very expensive - often well over $1,000. The way to beat that is to pick components that are just going out of production, mature, or recertified, and build your own, since such component costs are dramatically lower. Here is the alternative that my son recently helped me put together (all prices are from Newegg last week):

Shuttle Case with Power Supply & CPU cooler ($130)
250 Gb disk drive ($65)
Athelon 3500 64-bit CPU ($40)
Fanless Nvidia Generic 7200GS Graphics card - optional, but gives you full HD digital video out ($35)
1 Gb memory ($43)

There are the advantages over the Apple TV:

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Value management