Hi all,

OK, i't time for me to decide what my dissertation will be on. I had a thought last week which I would like to share with you, to see what you guys think, (while I wait for feedback from the tutor).

This is the email I sent her.

My initial thoughts are...

Doing some research into the percentage of people using pirated copies of three pieces of software; Windows, MS-office, and Adobe Photoshop, over the last 10 years, and finding out if that percentage has changed with the increased popularity of open source software, specifically Linux, Open Office, and open source graphics applications, such as the Graphical Image Manipulation Package, often referred to as the GIMP.

I will also investigate whether the adoption of high speed internet has had any impact on the percentage of pirated software used, and find out what other factors influence peoples decision as to whether they use free software, paid for software or pirated software.

Part of this will be in the form of a survey, which I will run online.

I will also look at the pricing models used by the companies, comparing prices now and from 2000, to see if that is a contributory factor.

I'm sure there is more, but that's what's in my head at the moment.

How does that sound?

Thanks,

John.

So, whaddaya think?

Is this for a degree? If so I think that's probably WAY to broad a subject to do effectively and subjectively for a dissertation. I suspect any one of those sections, thoroughly covered, would be more than enough for a 20k dissertation.

Yes, it is for a degree, and the word count is between 10,000 and 12,000 words, with a maximum of 15,000 words.

So you think if I tried that, with the word count inmposition, it might end up as a wishy washy overview, without any real substance?

If that's a fair assessment of your post then I guess I'd better start thinking about something else... she did say "Anything to do with I.T." which makes it quite difficult to think of something specific.

Any ideas?
By the way, thanks Jon... I was hoping that I would get something constructive, as opposed o a "yeah that sounds fine" type reply

If it's "anything to do with IT", how about looking at the impact open source operating systems and software is having on the entrenched OS and software market, particularly with a view to IT in business? You might want to throw in something about more people being exposed to "other" operating systems and hardware outside of work, and how that might affect perception of the main player in the business IT market.

Or something.

Hell, that was quite lucid for me on a Monday.

The Wench has done 3-4 dissertations, so I can always at least bounce ideas off her as being very familiar with essay writing.

Yes, I do think in 10-12 thousand words you are only going to be able to do a brief coverage of the subject of piracy as a whole. I suspect however something like an investigation on the effects of widespread broadband on piracy would have more merit, although testing any hypothesis is going to be a little difficult I suspect. The issue with piracy as an issue is that it's technically not legal, so getting accurate information (by university standards) is going to be a challenge.

I'd tend to agree with Jon's points actually. The research for your data could be thesis in itself.

I think there could be some mileage at looking at why most people are happy to accept software which only works on one piece of hardware (A PS3, an DS, your sat nav, your digital camera) in area of their life, but not in another (desktop computing), but then I don't know what course you're doing so it might be completely irrelephant.

You could examine whether the pursuit of file sharers/file sharing sites has had any significant impact on file sharing rates. You could even ask businesses/consumers if they're aware of the legal implications of using those sites, if they're aware of potential penalties etc, and whether that would stop them file sharing.

You could then contrast the effectiveness of civil litigation versus government action e.g. France, Digital Economy Act etc.

I would turn the idea on it's head and find out what data is available first - it's difficult to write a thesis on a subject if it turns out there's no reliable data around on which to base your discussion/conclusions.

I would do some background research and see if there is publish matter for the lit review etc before i choose a theme.

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Heather, I had considered that very thing before becoming side tracked with the issue of piracy, but the idea of the effects of the open source movement on windows/office/etc usage is worth re-visiting...

Keep the ideas flowing folks, and thanks again

Why not look at a more focussed area of piracy? Looking at a very wide range would lead to a quite shallow dissertation IMO (that said mine didn't do incredibly well, but I have my reasons )

I would suggest examine the use of digital rights management in computer games, mainly PC games then you can examine the effect on the industry, the market as well as the users with regards to things such as selling on finished games, transferring licences etc and the issues they present

How's this for a snappy title...?

"The effects of the Open Source Movement on the Microsoft monopoly"

I'd look at how many corporations are using Open Source software, comparing that with 10 years ago and the reasoning behind their decision to switch.

Also looking at whether companies are switching back or moving from Unix to Mindows, and lots of other things which I'll mention when I'm not so tired.

Whatcha thinks?

Good strong title, although the use of the word 'monopoly' might be controversial for some, so be prepared to prove the validity of it's use before furthering your study.

I thought that Microsoft had been found guilty of "something or other" although, if truth be told, I used the word to see who would pick up on it

The wife has just said to me "Why don't you just call it Windows Vs Linux. You know enough about both of them"

Microsoft, Adobe, Apple, IBM, Oracle, Google, RIM

All are monopolies, just in different areas, you can't really name one named company vs open source when there are paid alternatives and there is no specification to the area which is being examined. There are paid alternatives to Office, Photoshop, Windows etc.

How about the comparison of the Apple and Google submission process of applications? half open vs open door to how they operate etc

The title is vague and not very informative, it it on operating systems or actual software? If so what software and what area?