Shareware software ideas...
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For people who write shareware or freeware what gave you the ideal to start your application? Or, what was your incentive to start the project? I got some time off and want to start a project but just looking at download.com and tucows it seems everything has been written. Do we really need another "email" client? Or, am I just looking at things wrong? Is it more of a you build it someone will find a use for it? Or, is it just about building a better "mousetrap". I want to start a project that would be useful to others, to mostly give me incentive to continue to maintain it, and not a piece of code I just use to tinker with (as I have a huge collection of those). Bah maybe I am tired and just too GLAD to finally be on vacation. Code4Food ---- "There is no try; only do or do not" -Yoda
If you've got time on your hands, maybe you can help me program a game. :) <--Signature begins here--> I am... Currently: A Programming Student/Intern. Working on an outside project: A game for the GamePark32 (GP32) portable gaming console. GamePark32 English(Engrish) site[^] My new website: www.gp32us.com *Currently Under Construction*
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For people who write shareware or freeware what gave you the ideal to start your application? Or, what was your incentive to start the project? I got some time off and want to start a project but just looking at download.com and tucows it seems everything has been written. Do we really need another "email" client? Or, am I just looking at things wrong? Is it more of a you build it someone will find a use for it? Or, is it just about building a better "mousetrap". I want to start a project that would be useful to others, to mostly give me incentive to continue to maintain it, and not a piece of code I just use to tinker with (as I have a huge collection of those). Bah maybe I am tired and just too GLAD to finally be on vacation. Code4Food ---- "There is no try; only do or do not" -Yoda
Code4Food wrote: For people who write shareware or freeware what gave you the ideal to start your application? do something you like and/or something you wish to learn (a new library or language). This is what I did for my joeswammi sports simulation software. maybe you can write some facial recognition classes for my Carl v2? I am looking at the Open CV and MS VisSDK's right now:( much to learn:omg: Later,
JoeSox
www.humanaiproject.org "The worst fad has been these stupid little robots, Graduate students are wasting 3 years of their lives soldering and repairing robots, instead of making them smart. It's really shocking." -Marvin Minsky. -
For people who write shareware or freeware what gave you the ideal to start your application? Or, what was your incentive to start the project? I got some time off and want to start a project but just looking at download.com and tucows it seems everything has been written. Do we really need another "email" client? Or, am I just looking at things wrong? Is it more of a you build it someone will find a use for it? Or, is it just about building a better "mousetrap". I want to start a project that would be useful to others, to mostly give me incentive to continue to maintain it, and not a piece of code I just use to tinker with (as I have a huge collection of those). Bah maybe I am tired and just too GLAD to finally be on vacation. Code4Food ---- "There is no try; only do or do not" -Yoda
I have made different shareware applications. I have always tried to make it better in other applications in the same field. Like a small boardgame I wrote to Windows CE, there was already a few og that type games on the market, but either the graphics was ugly or they lacked different features. I wrote one with some good graphics (which a friend made for me, as I suck at that), and I made all the features I needed in the other games... It sould quite well, paid for all the different Pocket PC's and other Windows CE devices I have, and a few other things... I have done the same thing with other applications as well, no one have been "killer applications" but thay have given me some money to buy a new computer and a new compiler and stuff :) - Anders Money talks, but all mine ever says is "Goodbye!" http://SourceLocker.net[^] SourceControl and DefectTracker Project. nsms@spyf.dk <- Spam Collecting ;)
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For people who write shareware or freeware what gave you the ideal to start your application? Or, what was your incentive to start the project? I got some time off and want to start a project but just looking at download.com and tucows it seems everything has been written. Do we really need another "email" client? Or, am I just looking at things wrong? Is it more of a you build it someone will find a use for it? Or, is it just about building a better "mousetrap". I want to start a project that would be useful to others, to mostly give me incentive to continue to maintain it, and not a piece of code I just use to tinker with (as I have a huge collection of those). Bah maybe I am tired and just too GLAD to finally be on vacation. Code4Food ---- "There is no try; only do or do not" -Yoda
Whatever you do, keep in mind that it will end up owning you (if you have a conscience): There will be support, people asking for new versions etc etc. I made a stupid little Windows timer project and posted it on the net as freeware, 100,000+ people downloaded it over the course of a year and I got a tidal wave of email. I was too busy working on paying stuff to make any of the changes people were asking for even though I wanted to, so I had to end up taking it down. If you charge for it you will have a whole other level of support to provide etc etc. If you want to get your feet wet and don't intend to make any amount of money, try a freeware program first, that way your not obligated if you find it's all too much. ------------ Tomorrow is the same day as today was yesterday.
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For people who write shareware or freeware what gave you the ideal to start your application? Or, what was your incentive to start the project? I got some time off and want to start a project but just looking at download.com and tucows it seems everything has been written. Do we really need another "email" client? Or, am I just looking at things wrong? Is it more of a you build it someone will find a use for it? Or, is it just about building a better "mousetrap". I want to start a project that would be useful to others, to mostly give me incentive to continue to maintain it, and not a piece of code I just use to tinker with (as I have a huge collection of those). Bah maybe I am tired and just too GLAD to finally be on vacation. Code4Food ---- "There is no try; only do or do not" -Yoda
There is so much shareware/freeware etc. out there, but unfortunately or fortunately depending on your point of view 90%+ of it sucks big time. I mean there UI's suck, there doco sucks, they are buggy, poorly designed (if at all), poorly implemented, and pretty much unusable. But I guess some people buy them anyway.:confused: So the fact that there are 50 xxxx programs already out there is IMO largely irrelevant. Write something that a) works, b) has an exceptional easy to use/comprehend UI, c) is robust, d) well documented, e) well supported, then market the heck out of it and you should do well. I can't begin to tell you how sick I am of all crap software that is out there. Time to raise the bar a few notches. Neville Franks, Author of ED for Windows. Free Trial at www.getsoft.com
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I have made different shareware applications. I have always tried to make it better in other applications in the same field. Like a small boardgame I wrote to Windows CE, there was already a few og that type games on the market, but either the graphics was ugly or they lacked different features. I wrote one with some good graphics (which a friend made for me, as I suck at that), and I made all the features I needed in the other games... It sould quite well, paid for all the different Pocket PC's and other Windows CE devices I have, and a few other things... I have done the same thing with other applications as well, no one have been "killer applications" but thay have given me some money to buy a new computer and a new compiler and stuff :) - Anders Money talks, but all mine ever says is "Goodbye!" http://SourceLocker.net[^] SourceControl and DefectTracker Project. nsms@spyf.dk <- Spam Collecting ;)
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Whatever you do, keep in mind that it will end up owning you (if you have a conscience): There will be support, people asking for new versions etc etc. I made a stupid little Windows timer project and posted it on the net as freeware, 100,000+ people downloaded it over the course of a year and I got a tidal wave of email. I was too busy working on paying stuff to make any of the changes people were asking for even though I wanted to, so I had to end up taking it down. If you charge for it you will have a whole other level of support to provide etc etc. If you want to get your feet wet and don't intend to make any amount of money, try a freeware program first, that way your not obligated if you find it's all too much. ------------ Tomorrow is the same day as today was yesterday.
Ah thats what I mean I don't look at making "big" money, I have developed freeware items before but not one of them was used as much most of the emails that come in are "thanks works great" so I really had no need to expand on it. Code4Food ---- "There is no try; only do or do not" -Yoda
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There is so much shareware/freeware etc. out there, but unfortunately or fortunately depending on your point of view 90%+ of it sucks big time. I mean there UI's suck, there doco sucks, they are buggy, poorly designed (if at all), poorly implemented, and pretty much unusable. But I guess some people buy them anyway.:confused: So the fact that there are 50 xxxx programs already out there is IMO largely irrelevant. Write something that a) works, b) has an exceptional easy to use/comprehend UI, c) is robust, d) well documented, e) well supported, then market the heck out of it and you should do well. I can't begin to tell you how sick I am of all crap software that is out there. Time to raise the bar a few notches. Neville Franks, Author of ED for Windows. Free Trial at www.getsoft.com
Ah someone who is in the industry. Its not so much as I am looking to make something that is "saleable" but is useable. I have devloped some freeware apps but most of the things I get back are "works great". Which is good but totally kills any motivation from me to improve upon it. Maybe my question is how to get people to download and use software instead. Code4Food ---- "There is no try; only do or do not" -Yoda
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If you've got time on your hands, maybe you can help me program a game. :) <--Signature begins here--> I am... Currently: A Programming Student/Intern. Working on an outside project: A game for the GamePark32 (GP32) portable gaming console. GamePark32 English(Engrish) site[^] My new website: www.gp32us.com *Currently Under Construction*
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See that is what I am talking about! :) Hmmm... PocketPC applications... It would be a good excuse for me to buy one. Code4Food ---- "There is no try; only do or do not" -Yoda
The stuff I wrote for Pocket PC's: http://cesoft.dk/[^] - Anders Money talks, but all mine ever says is "Goodbye!" http://SourceLocker.net[^] SourceControl and DefectTracker Project. nsms@spyf.dk <- Spam Collecting ;)
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There is so much shareware/freeware etc. out there, but unfortunately or fortunately depending on your point of view 90%+ of it sucks big time. I mean there UI's suck, there doco sucks, they are buggy, poorly designed (if at all), poorly implemented, and pretty much unusable. But I guess some people buy them anyway.:confused: So the fact that there are 50 xxxx programs already out there is IMO largely irrelevant. Write something that a) works, b) has an exceptional easy to use/comprehend UI, c) is robust, d) well documented, e) well supported, then market the heck out of it and you should do well. I can't begin to tell you how sick I am of all crap software that is out there. Time to raise the bar a few notches. Neville Franks, Author of ED for Windows. Free Trial at www.getsoft.com
Neville Franks wrote: I can't begin to tell you how sick I am of all crap software that is out there. Time to raise the bar a few notches. I agree! As I state in my bio, that's my goal as a developer. I think that the software industry is still very new, and has still not nearly reached its real potential.
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." - Jesus
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi -
Whatever you do, keep in mind that it will end up owning you (if you have a conscience): There will be support, people asking for new versions etc etc. I made a stupid little Windows timer project and posted it on the net as freeware, 100,000+ people downloaded it over the course of a year and I got a tidal wave of email. I was too busy working on paying stuff to make any of the changes people were asking for even though I wanted to, so I had to end up taking it down. If you charge for it you will have a whole other level of support to provide etc etc. If you want to get your feet wet and don't intend to make any amount of money, try a freeware program first, that way your not obligated if you find it's all too much. ------------ Tomorrow is the same day as today was yesterday.
When my Pocket PC software sales was about 5 programs a day, I got a support mail every 3 - 4 weeks. ;) - Anders Money talks, but all mine ever says is "Goodbye!" http://SourceLocker.net[^] SourceControl and DefectTracker Project. nsms@spyf.dk <- Spam Collecting ;)
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There is so much shareware/freeware etc. out there, but unfortunately or fortunately depending on your point of view 90%+ of it sucks big time. I mean there UI's suck, there doco sucks, they are buggy, poorly designed (if at all), poorly implemented, and pretty much unusable. But I guess some people buy them anyway.:confused: So the fact that there are 50 xxxx programs already out there is IMO largely irrelevant. Write something that a) works, b) has an exceptional easy to use/comprehend UI, c) is robust, d) well documented, e) well supported, then market the heck out of it and you should do well. I can't begin to tell you how sick I am of all crap software that is out there. Time to raise the bar a few notches. Neville Franks, Author of ED for Windows. Free Trial at www.getsoft.com
I do agree with you. But fortunately this makes it's easier to enter the business with your own quality software ;) - Anders Money talks, but all mine ever says is "Goodbye!" http://SourceLocker.net[^] SourceControl and DefectTracker Project. nsms@spyf.dk <- Spam Collecting ;)
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I do agree with you. But fortunately this makes it's easier to enter the business with your own quality software ;) - Anders Money talks, but all mine ever says is "Goodbye!" http://SourceLocker.net[^] SourceControl and DefectTracker Project. nsms@spyf.dk <- Spam Collecting ;)
Anders Molin wrote: I do agree with you. But fortunately this makes it's easier to enter the business with your own quality software Yes I agree, however the problem is that there is a much higher noise level, so your potential customers have to wade through a lot more crap hoping to find an elusive gem.:rose: And many will give up along the way, or settle on something inferior.:( Neville Franks, Author of ED for Windows. Free Trial at www.getsoft.com
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Ah someone who is in the industry. Its not so much as I am looking to make something that is "saleable" but is useable. I have devloped some freeware apps but most of the things I get back are "works great". Which is good but totally kills any motivation from me to improve upon it. Maybe my question is how to get people to download and use software instead. Code4Food ---- "There is no try; only do or do not" -Yoda
Code4Food wrote: Its not so much as I am looking to make something that is "saleable" but is useable. If it is useable then it will be saleable. Code4Food wrote: I have devloped some freeware apps but most of the things I get back are "works great". Which is good but totally kills any motivation from me to improve upon it. Well money is a great motivator. Don't think of it as money even, just think of that overseas holiday to some exotic place, or .... Neville Franks, Author of ED for Windows. Free Trial at www.getsoft.com
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When my Pocket PC software sales was about 5 programs a day, I got a support mail every 3 - 4 weeks. ;) - Anders Money talks, but all mine ever says is "Goodbye!" http://SourceLocker.net[^] SourceControl and DefectTracker Project. nsms@spyf.dk <- Spam Collecting ;)
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Neville Franks wrote: I can't begin to tell you how sick I am of all crap software that is out there. Time to raise the bar a few notches. I agree! As I state in my bio, that's my goal as a developer. I think that the software industry is still very new, and has still not nearly reached its real potential.
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." - Jesus
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhijdunlap wrote: think that the software industry is still very new, and has still not nearly reached its real potential. Yes that is part of the problem. But the bigger problem is almost anyone can write software these days, but that doesn't mean they should.:( Back in my early days of programming the guiding line was KISS - "keep it simple, stupid". With the limiting PC capabilties we really had no other choice. These days its lets cram as many superfluous extra features (crap) in as possible, oh and lets skin the apps, and use all sorts of GUI tricks so our app looks and works totally differently to everyone elses. They fact that it may need meet the most basic of usability tests, or meet the customers needs seems to be irrelevant. Progies just think "I would use this so other will to". Where is the user requirements, design docs etc.etc. Oh it is so sad.:(( Neville Franks, Author of ED for Windows. Free Trial at www.getsoft.com
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Ah thats what I mean I don't look at making "big" money, I have developed freeware items before but not one of them was used as much most of the emails that come in are "thanks works great" so I really had no need to expand on it. Code4Food ---- "There is no try; only do or do not" -Yoda
In my experience just because you aren't getting emails doesn't mean much. Often poeple just sit back and do nothing. They think someone else has reported a problem or requested a new feature. Also free software has a totally different user base than paid software. As soon as you pay for something you expect support etc. and if you don't get it you jump up and down. If some free program doesn't work, too bad, next. You also have no real product loyalty - why should you. If you want to achieve something with you software then I think you'll get much more satisfaction and a better product by heading down the commercial path, where your customers "own" a stake in what you are doing. You also need to go about building a community of users. Forums are good for this, as are newletters etc. Neville Franks, Author of ED for Windows. Free Trial at www.getsoft.com