One supposed explanation is that Apple only provides beta stuff (and docs for betas) to paying developers to weed out people who aren't serious developers.
Or are poor.
Calling Apple out - Make dev material free.
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Re: Calling Apple out - Make dev material free.
#22One supposed explanation is that Apple only provides beta stuff (and docs for betas) to paying developers to weed out people who aren't serious developers.
I would argue that it's not Apple's role to weed out subpar developers. It's the market's role to do that.
Strategically, Apple doesn't want anything on their platform that doesn't fit in. Nintendo and Sony are exactly the same with their consoles.
Re: Calling Apple out - Make dev material free.
#23Earlier quoted context omitted.
I would argue that it's not Apple's role to weed out subpar developers. It's the market's role to do that.
Strategically, Apple doesn't want anything on their platform that doesn't fit in. Nintendo and Sony are exactly the same with their consoles.
Nintendo and Sony have formal, up-front approvals processes for their respective consoles, which - if controlling what goes on/does not go on the platform is the goal - seems a better way of going about it.
Incidentally, SCEE has quietly dropped the approvals process for PS2 games in Europe.
Re: Calling Apple out - Make dev material free.
#24Apple may perceive a cost in supporting developers who may be less likely (or unlikely) to contribute to their platforms. Inasmuch as charging a fee for WWDC videos, or the iPhone program (or whatever), would deter such developers, not only would it save Apple this cost but it would allow them to focus their support on those who are more likely to contribute to their platforms.
Re: Calling Apple out - Make dev material free.
#25I spent last weekend watching ton's of PDC2008 Videos on-line, checking out the power points and source code that was made available of the sessions. Then I a email from apple telling me that the WWDC08 video are available for purchase. As much as I love my Mac, in this regard Microsoft come out tops.
I'm uneasy with this development too. But, if the WWDC presentations were freely available it would be one less reason to go. Also, Apple give me Xcode and supporting tools for free - Microsoft charge lots for Visual Studio.
Microsoft charges a lot for the Visual Studio with various enterprise/team/automation extensions, but the free version is sufficient for writing and compiling most -- if not all -- Windows programs.
Re: Calling Apple out - Make dev material free.
#26Earlier quoted context omitted.
Thats like saying why does rest of the world care what US does? I think it would be in Apple's best interest to make those videos available for the community. This would directly benefit them. You don't want people to complain, especially the people who contribute to your product that is making you tons of money. Just my thoughts.
Your analogy is very poor. When Apple decides to do something that people don't like thousands of people don't lose their lives.
Yes, and Apple doesn't have nuclear weapons, either. I think his point is that, as the second-most-popular operating system provider, Apple's decisions affect more people than just those using Apple's products, and changing affiliation because of one flaw is not always feasible. In this respect, the analogy works just fine.
Re: Calling Apple out - Make dev material free.
#27Earlier quoted context omitted.
Thats like saying why does rest of the world care what US does? I think it would be in Apple's best interest to make those videos available for the community. This would directly benefit them. You don't want people to complain, especially the people who contribute to your product that is making you tons of money. Just my thoughts.
I agree with you completely, but Apple wants people to pay money to be in The Club. They think that this will work for them. If you disagree, develop for the competition :)
I do.
Re: Calling Apple out - Make dev material free.
#28One supposed explanation is that Apple only provides beta stuff (and docs for betas) to paying developers to weed out people who aren't serious developers.
Or are poor.
True, but only at the beginning. I think if you were a great programmer, you would likely build something that made money and you would no longer be poor. This does seem like a chicken-or-the-egg dilemma, though, by not being able to develop something without easy access to docs. Apple Developer Connection is free, however.
Re: Calling Apple out - Make dev material free.
#29One supposed explanation is that Apple only provides beta stuff (and docs for betas) to paying developers to weed out people who aren't serious developers.
I would argue that it's not Apple's role to weed out subpar developers. It's the market's role to do that.
They could also be trying to avoid tons of poorly built apps that overwhelm the market. I seem to feel that this is somewhat the case with iPhone apps.