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Apple brings App Store to Mac OS X

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Re: Apple brings App Store to Mac OS X

#221

Post by loewenskind »

chc wrote: post #140
lzw wrote: post #120

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Speak the truth on hacker news and get voted down. Here's the truth: Facebook: promised your data was private so you could open up with friends, then made data public by default, allows friends to leak your data. now spreading data all over the web. Google says "do no evil" yet arbitrarily punishes websites with ranking, cancels people's adwords and adsense accounts, and employes (apparently) zero customer service an…

Yes, you could go on — to include Apple. Apple brands itself as "different" and progressive, using '60s counterculture icons, then turns into the most prudish schoolmarm imaginable and bans any app that could offend anyone — including a Pulitzer-winning political satirist, and any book-reading app that doesn't explicitly block you from reading the Kama Sutra. I swear I am not making that second example up. Apple proc…

I think the adult oriented stuff is a US problem. I see adult apps in Europe and it asks me if I'm over 17 (the local required age I guess) if I download it (it is strange that the one I always get asked on is actually a news app but we show bare breasts over here...).

Re: Apple brings App Store to Mac OS X

#222

Post by loewenskind »

caf wrote: post #173
phil wrote: post #159

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wouldn't worry too much. In order for the Mac to continue to serve as a development platform, it can't be completely locked down. They're making it clear these days that they care a lot about the app ecosystem, so there will have to be a replacement before they take away the ability to install your own apps and get at the shell. More likely is that more of Apple's product line, and more of everyone's computing, wil…

Couldn't they just require you to install Xcode to get an "unlocked/developer" system?

They would have to be utterly insane to try something like that. I would expect the stock price to drop like a rock if something like that came out.

Re: Apple brings App Store to Mac OS X

#223

Post by mikeyur »

phamilton wrote: post #59
mdemare wrote: post #37

I've found myself designing apps for iOS that should really be Mac apps, simply because of the commercial convenience of the app store. My hope is that this will lead to a renaissance of development for the desktop.

I've been doing the exact same thing. I could easily build a web version of the app, but monetizing it is so much easier through the app store.

Anyone else looking forwards to iAds in every free app they use on their Mac? Just me?

Re: Apple brings App Store to Mac OS X

#224

Post by MarkMc »

mkramlich wrote: post #95
danilocampos wrote: post #21

This is very exciting. The problem of distribution and monetization for desktop software is significant and largely unsolved. Steam is already proof that a digital store can make desktop users really happy, but it addresses gamers, who are cheerful early adopters. Most other people who don't game only know this model through their mobile device, but now they're ready for more. As for developers? For more than half of…

I disagree it's unsolved. Folks have been distributing and monetizing software for desktop-class machines since the 80's, just's fine, thanks. Been there, done that, have the T-shirt, and the T-shirt still fits fine.

For Average Joe there are still significant pain points that a Mac App store can remedy.

For example, I produce accounting software - here are the problems my would-be users face:

1. Where can users find a list of suitable accounting software products? Usually they Google 'accounting software', but this gives them plenty of crud such as: a) accountants websites; b) accounting software from other countries. c) advice websites. d) accounting software for big companies

2. When users get to a website for an accounting product, it can be difficult to to find out even basic information such as: a) The price; b) Screenshots; c) the Download button; d) the 'Buy Now' button. The App Store listings make this as plain as the nose on your face.

3. How can users compare accounting software products? At the moment you have to find a website with software reviews and hope the information is up-to-date, impartial and accurate. The ratings system in the App Store is better than almost any website.

4. The user doesn't know how easy or painful it is to install the software until they try. On windows, if they try downloading setup.exe they get TWO warnings saying 'This could harm your computer... are you sure?'. Maybe they remember last April when they clicked OK to a similar message and ended up with a virus. With the App Store the user knows that it's a one-click install and will not get any scary messages about harming their computer.

5. Can the user trust the website to process their credit card details correctly. Maybe they remember the last time they tried on another website and the site froze after they clicked 'submit' so they didn't know if it had worked. Or they read about a company that had all their credit card details stolen. The Mac Store is seen as far more trustworthy by Average Joe because it is run by Apple.

6. The software update process for App Store is a breeze - better than most ad-hoc software update solutions. And the user knows it before they install the accounting software because they have already used it for updating other software.

My guess is that the Mac App Store will be huge, and being ranked well will be like striking gold. Let the gold rush begin!

Re: Apple brings App Store to Mac OS X

#225

Post by loewenskind »

mkramlich wrote: post #142
mkramlich wrote: post #95

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I disagree it's unsolved. Folks have been distributing and monetizing software for desktop-class machines since the 80's, just's fine, thanks. Been there, done that, have the T-shirt, and the T-shirt still fits fine.

Negative -1? Really? Voting system is broken. I recommend for the Nth time that only trusted admins be allowed to take any piece of content down below 1 point. Right now, if any particular user simply disagrees with a given comment, they have the power to penalize and reduce another user's karma. Not because the user said something rude, trollish, juvenile or "evil", but merely because they might disagree. That to me…

Your comment was ignorant, arrogant and used one of the stupider (old) clichés around. It's a shame that it's up to +3.

You claim that people have been releasing desktop software just fine. Utter nonsense. If you're Microsoft, Adobe, etc. then it's been ok but if you're a sole developer making indie software the normal distribution routes weren't available. That meant going on some shareware site, freshmeat, make your own site or something else and hope people can find you.

The App store changes all this for the mainstream desktop [1] and it's going to be a big deal for indie developers. I'm surprised to see so many people on this site poo pooing it as this has to be one of the most startup-relevant things to happen to the desktop in decades.

[1] Linux has had this for a long time and it was one of its few advantages as a desktop system.

Re: Apple brings App Store to Mac OS X

#226

Post by mkramlich »

loewenskind wrote: post #225
mkramlich wrote: post #142

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Negative -1? Really? Voting system is broken. I recommend for the Nth time that only trusted admins be allowed to take any piece of content down below 1 point. Right now, if any particular user simply disagrees with a given comment, they have the power to penalize and reduce another user's karma. Not because the user said something rude, trollish, juvenile or "evil", but merely because they might disagree. That to me…

Your comment was ignorant, arrogant and used one of the stupider (old) clichés around. It's a shame that it's up to +3. You claim that people have been releasing desktop software just fine. Utter nonsense. If you're Microsoft, Adobe, etc. then it's been ok but if you're a sole developer making indie software the normal distribution routes weren't available. That meant going on some shareware site, freshmeat, make you…

Thanks for your feedback! Do you live in Colorado by any chance? Or stopping through soon? If so I'd love to meet and discuss further over a coffee or something. You made a great point.

Re: Apple brings App Store to Mac OS X

#227

Post by code_duck »

andfarm wrote: post #179
code_duck wrote: post #158

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Gosh, that must have been a really offensive post. Sorry. I'd be happy to analyze how awesome this site is http://www.apple.com/downloads/ if anyone wants to have an actual discussion rather than just anonymously show vague disapproval.

That link has been there since... oh, I don't know exactly, but I definitely remember it from 10.2 or so. So something like eight years.

Right, and the move to an App Store model seemed logical and imminent. But, people here and on Reddit were telling me I was wrong when I said that 4 months ago.

Re: Apple brings App Store to Mac OS X

#228

Post by loewenskind »

mkramlich wrote: post #226
loewenskind wrote: post #225

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Your comment was ignorant, arrogant and used one of the stupider (old) clichés around. It's a shame that it's up to +3. You claim that people have been releasing desktop software just fine. Utter nonsense. If you're Microsoft, Adobe, etc. then it's been ok but if you're a sole developer making indie software the normal distribution routes weren't available. That meant going on some shareware site, freshmeat, make you…

Thanks for your feedback! Do you live in Colorado by any chance? Or stopping through soon? If so I'd love to meet and discuss further over a coffee or something. You made a great point.

I live in Europe, but I will be coming to the states later in the year. Are you being serious or are you challenging me to a fight?

Re: Apple brings App Store to Mac OS X

#229

Post by mkramlich »

loewenskind wrote: post #228
mkramlich wrote: post #226

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thanks for your feedback! Do you live in Colorado by any chance? Or stopping through soon? If so I'd love to meet and discuss further over a coffee or something. You made a great point.

I live in Europe, but I will be coming to the states later in the year. Are you being serious or are you challenging me to a fight?

I was serious. A friendly invitation.
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