I have a little business idea I've been working on, but there is one part of it that I'm not sure which way to go. Basically, I am going to be putting information on a CD (I don't want to give away my idea).

The CD will have various information on it, but what I can't decide upon is the interface.

I plan to put an autorun.inf on the CD so those who are totally computer illiterate (most of the planet) can just pop it in, and assuming auto insert notification is enabled in your control panel, then the CD will play with itself... no wait, by itself. :D

Ok so heres my question: I am trying to decide between using plain HTML to present the information, and have regular clickable icons, links, and so forth. I would just have autorun launch exploder.

But I have also given thought to writing a small Windows interface, such as using MFC. I'm not a good Windows programmer (I am 10x better in DOS), but I have done some basic work under it. I would make it like a typical windowed environment with clickable icons and such.

The only downside to the Windows version is it would not run on a Macintosh (for obvious reasons), but I am not a fan of the Mac, so I don't really care.

So what interface should I use? Plain HTML with pretty icons and graphics and make it operate like a web page, or should I make it a Windows icon style interface?

I can do FAR more with HTML (I'm saying I personally know more, not that HTML is more powerful... because its not), but I also like the idea of a Windows interface.

Any suggestions?

From a purely business standpoint, I would say to go the HTML route. You may not like Mac's, but if this is a business venture, why alienate any possible customers? Written in HTML, you could market to Windows, Mac and Linux users. Just makes good sense to me to hit the largest possible market.

Shakey hit it right on the head...if this is a business venture, you're better off taking that alternative that reaches the most clients....I say go with the HTML as well :cool:

Good point. I will probably take that route.

Any more input from other users?

Nope Shakey pretty much nailed that one, so now you've got the 2 major "problems" covered ... Ease of use & a potentiel HUGE market .... "All you gotta do" when you're ready to launch this product is advertise, advertise, advertise :)

Originally posted by 80sSmurf
"All you gotta do" when you're ready to launch this product is advertise, advertise, advertise :)

Yep! I don't like Ted Turner a whole lot, but he said something in an interview once, that still sticks in my head. That is and I quote:

"Early to bed, early to rise, work like hell and advertise."

I'm trying to start a SMALL (and I mean small) home business. My ball and chain is thinking about making and selling crafts.

I was going to resell something, but each item costs around $10, and thats a big expense right now. My dad gave me an idea that he said a coworker does and sells it dirt cheap, he just makes his money off shipping. I liked the idea so much that I'm going to start the same thing myself.

I need to get a business license, pick a domain name, start up a web site, collect the information, and put it all together. Just a base business can be had in about a month.

The best part about my product (don't you hate it when people won't tell you??) is its easily accessibly and I'm banking on people who don't want to do work to buy it. It's nothing to do with a money making scam. Nothing at all. I hate those.

Another question for you guys. Let's say that you were buying something small over the internet. For example, you wanted incense sticks. I know you can buy them all over, but lets say someone online had a killer selection.

Would you send a check/money order to this guy in another state in good faith that he would send it to you (thats similar to ebay), or would you only send to a business name?

No, the incense is not my idea, just an example.

I might go the money order route, but I would never mail a check out like that. At least the money order is insured. I've used e-bay quite a bit, but the only things I will bid on are the ones that use Paypal or another such service.