Not trying to build suspense one bit. Just needed to check out on the Programming sub-forum that I hadn't missed anything.
OK, anyone who's read the thread in the Programming sub-forum will now know that the concept is for a unique service for Time-Locking files; a service that could be used by just about anyone and which would be secure.
Users effectively ‘purchase’ a disclosure date and are supplied with the means to produce an encrypted file which will effectively be locked until that disclosure date. The means to produce the locked file being a simple drag and drop tool complete with a Public Key, truly so simple to use that anyone could use it. By dropping any file onto that tool a file will be produced which is inaccessible until the date that the Private Key is made available on the Service Providers website.
The costs of delivering such a service are truly minuscule and hence the service could be offered extremely inexpensively.
Currently there is no simple and inexpensive way to lock files for release until a specific a later date – perhaps even years after one’s death. Having done a little research I cannot find anyone offering anything like it at any price and hence at this point this potential service can be considered unique.
Being a unique service it is impossible to predict the potential market. However, the fact that the service is unique means that it is newsworthy and that means that the potential for publicity (free advertising) is very considerable. It should be remembered that the potential is for publicity not just across the internet and industry media but even across the general news media. Remember – The service is so simple that anyone can use it and nothing like it has ever been available before.
Given both that the service appears globally unique plus that there exists huge potential for free publicity/promotion a level of 36 users a day I believe is very easily achievable. If one sets just £3.99p as the cost then that equates to over £1K a week turnover, the vast majority of which would be profit due to the very low costs of providing the service.
The true profit potential of the concept is though far greater in that this unique service leads to site hits and with it the potential for selling associated or additional services. For example, for a little more the site could offer to hold a copy of the time-locked file and to provide certification of the date that the file was lodged with the site. Such is far more professional and less expensive than the old trick of sending oneself a copy of a document via Royal Mail Special Delivery in order to demonstrate intellectual copyright for example.
Naming of the service I believe to be critical. It should sound secure. Something along the lines of TheLondonTimeVault.com London is respected as a centre for business and a Vault is by definition secure. To further promote a professional image, the daily disclosure time should always be quoted as X am/pm GMT. This is important not only because users could be from anywhere on the globe but equally because it gives the immediate impression of a global business. Personally were I myself going to run with this concept I would register for VAT from day one. Not being VAT registered is too much of a flag that one is a small business and registration is therefore pretty much essential if one wishes to attract commercial customers.
There are a number of business uses for this service which could result in very considerable routine use by commercial enterprises.
As discussed previously I just do not have the time to do this concept justice. My wife knows me too well. When I'm running with something I just can't stop myself giving something 24-7-365 and the missus will just not put up with me being like that now I'm supposed to be retired..
So chaps, there you are. If anyone wants to run with it help yourself. And if anyone wants to discuss it further of has any queries just post.
