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Ask HN: Anyone making a living from Desktop apps?

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Re: Ask HN: Anyone making a living from Desktop apps?

#21

Post by [deleted] »

yardie wrote: post #20
Killswitch wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've noticed, correct me if I'm wrong, but pirates are more abundant in Windows users than Mac users... I did a quick search and there's barely anything available for download on TPB for Mac (Just the usual big company name stuff), and tons for Windows. Seems Mac users have no problem paying for the software they use, considering that it's not overpriced crap that costs $60. But decently priced like $4.99

I believe it is the history of the Mac. Mac users want good software and since the number of Mac developers is equal to the ratio of Mac:Windows users you had fewer choices so users were incentivized to pay developers, or else development dried up. On the other hand since there are so many Windows users and Windows developers it's a perpetual race to the bottom. For example, you have no shortage of Windows text edito…

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: Anyone making a living from Desktop apps?

#22

Post by terhechte »

Killswitch wrote: post #18
terhechte wrote: post #14

I'm a lone developer hacking away on a couple of Mac apps. I also have a few iPhone apps, but these generate little to no income. The Mac apps are better. Most notable is InstaDesk ( http://www.instadesk-app.com ) which generates my main income and I can live off it thus living the dream (i.e. right now I'm sitting outside in a small cafe, enjoying the sun, watching people, and fixing a couple of bugs for the upcomin…

I've noticed, correct me if I'm wrong, but pirates are more abundant in Windows users than Mac users... I did a quick search and there's barely anything available for download on TPB for Mac (Just the usual big company name stuff), and tons for Windows. Seems Mac users have no problem paying for the software they use, considering that it's not overpriced crap that costs $60. But decently priced like $4.99

The times when I used to erm "research" pirated software are long gone, so I naturally can't really say much about piracy differences between Mac and Windows. Back in 2002 when I switched after many years of Windows to the Mac, there was certainly far less.

It may be a question of price, though I also think that it could be a bout ease of buying. With the App Store people really only have to click twice to buy something. On Windows if you need a product as a solution to a problem, you need to go to different websites, compare their offers, everybody has a different payment provider, then you have to download and install. Really, I think that for many people pirating is not only cheaper but also far easier. And, since usually only good software is pirated, and not the crap, you don't even have to do so much research and cognitive burden to decide which offer to take. Other people already did that for you when they decided which one to pirate.

There're also studies though, where people find out that Mac users seem to be more inclined to pay for software. Maybe it's a question of initial price: When I pay a lot of money for a really good meal, I don't mind spending another 5 bucks for a great wine to accompany the taste of the meal. So if you spend quite some money for good (or perceived good, I don't want a Apple vs. others flamewar here) hardware, you might also want to spend a bit more on software.

Re: Ask HN: Anyone making a living from Desktop apps?

#23

Post by umenline »

axx wrote: post #17

I think there are three kinds of desktop app developers that make real money today: * People who make huge profits fast, because they built a desktop client for popular webservices (see terhechte and his InstaDesk) * People creating good software for niches that REALLY NEED that piece of software to get work done. * Companies building large software suits for big companies that spend huge amounts of money in licences…

do you have examples for the second section ?

Re: Ask HN: Anyone making a living from Desktop apps?

#25

Post by gaineraid »

yardie wrote: post #20
Killswitch wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've noticed, correct me if I'm wrong, but pirates are more abundant in Windows users than Mac users... I did a quick search and there's barely anything available for download on TPB for Mac (Just the usual big company name stuff), and tons for Windows. Seems Mac users have no problem paying for the software they use, considering that it's not overpriced crap that costs $60. But decently priced like $4.99

I believe it is the history of the Mac. Mac users want good software and since the number of Mac developers is equal to the ratio of Mac:Windows users you had fewer choices so users were incentivized to pay developers, or else development dried up. On the other hand since there are so many Windows users and Windows developers it's a perpetual race to the bottom. For example, you have no shortage of Windows text edito…

VIM ftw

Re: Ask HN: Anyone making a living from Desktop apps?

#26

Post by umenline »

kaitnieks wrote: post #8

We are (at http://www.blumentals.net ). Windows apps, in fact, and not for big companies but regular people. I don't know what to tell you, the market is far from dead, maybe it will be dead someday, but right now things are fine. The hardest thing about making mass-distributed Windows apps is getting your good app to the customer through a pile of crappy ones.

Hi ! this is what i meant in my question . small apps that folks that ready to pay for , to get things done !

kaitnieks : can you tell about difficulties ? what software you are using ? and how do you handle pirates?

Re: Ask HN: Anyone making a living from Desktop apps?

#27

Post by PopaL »

[deleted] wrote: post #21
yardie wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I believe it is the history of the Mac. Mac users want good software and since the number of Mac developers is equal to the ratio of Mac:Windows users you had fewer choices so users were incentivized to pay developers, or else development dried up. On the other hand since there are so many Windows users and Windows developers it's a perpetual race to the bottom. For example, you have no shortage of Windows text edito…

[deleted]

Both your examples are paid apps, the OP talks abou free text edtors for Mac.

Re: Ask HN: Anyone making a living from Desktop apps?

#28

Post by saddino »

In 2003 I began to supplement my contractor income by writing OS X apps as a sole indie developer and eventually went full time. In the first six years I made enough to live on.

In 2008, mostly out of curiosity, I wrote a free iOS app and started a small company to publish it. This company made no revenue in its lifetime but was acquired this year. My return from that acquisition exceeds the revenue I earned from my desktop business (for every year combined).

Chances that I return to desktop app development? Zero.

To be honest, it is bittersweet. I love the desktop, but that's really not where users are anymore. Skate to where the puck is going to be and all that.

Re: Ask HN: Anyone making a living from Desktop apps?

#29

Post by PopaL »

umenline wrote: post #23
axx wrote: post #17

I think there are three kinds of desktop app developers that make real money today: * People who make huge profits fast, because they built a desktop client for popular webservices (see terhechte and his InstaDesk) * People creating good software for niches that REALLY NEED that piece of software to get work done. * Companies building large software suits for big companies that spend huge amounts of money in licences…

do you have examples for the second section ?

CAD and FEM software for example.

Re: Ask HN: Anyone making a living from Desktop apps?

#30

Post by hokua »

saddino wrote: post #28

In 2003 I began to supplement my contractor income by writing OS X apps as a sole indie developer and eventually went full time. In the first six years I made enough to live on. In 2008, mostly out of curiosity, I wrote a free iOS app and started a small company to publish it. This company made no revenue in its lifetime but was acquired this year. My return from that acquisition exceeds the revenue I earned from my…

> I love the desktop, but that's really not where users are anymore.

Depends on the application and the targeted user. There will always be a demand for apps for the "truck" users. But you are right, the desktop is overkill for the vast majority of people only using computers for email and social media. If they are your target, good luck. For the majority of developers, prices for apps that target these users is a race to the bottom.

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