> Mark Munz wrote: >> Fact is that Apple does a crap job communicating with developers. >> Always has. Apple has returned to a very arrogant state where it feels >> it no longer needs to actively listen to developers. I saw this in the >> 90s as well. From my perspective, there is a real sense of déjà vu >> here. > > They've always been like that, I wonder why everyone is surprised. The only > times they didn't behave like a monopolist was when they couldn't afford it. > Yeah, I'm a cynic.
I don't believe anyone is surprised. I do believe there are concerns, which have been cited here. > > Ray Barber wrote: >> Apple was very cool and wise to include Xcode/development with the OS X >> install (everything is free for a nominal fee). Then they turn around and >> charge us to be members of the ADA just so we can get builds. Perhaps they >> felt that by charging would only attract serious developers. Then again, it >> could be just another way to earn a buck - and a lot of them. > > Keep in mind that developer tools used to be a business. A small company > named Metrowerks could probably tell you a story or two (but their assets and > people have been sold off to the four winds by now). Yes, yes, I do remember when .... Apple took a dump on the very company that helped them. Which kinda makes me think of Macworld. I think it was bad for Apple to bail from participation. I can understand them wanting to make more of WWDC, but AFAIK going to both wouldn't have hurt their bottom line - only improved it. > Apple was giving their > dev tools away for free to get more developers at a time where they needed > them (even MS charges for its dev tools -- ignoring special deals and > rebates). I totally agree. That was the reason I had brought it up. > >> My point is simply that. Given the content of this thread, we are simply >> left to assume what Apple is up to. And it's almost always the decision is >> made, and the idea is implemented before anyone has any input. By then, >> we're left to either embrace it, or resign. I shudder to think the latter. > > Why do you expect to have input into the inner workings of a company? Have > you bought voting stock? Oh no - I believe it's immature to think that. I was only throwing out suggestions on how Apple could dramatically improve (well, ... maybe :) their developer relations, nothing more. A forum seems to be the best approach, as long as it was handled correctly, and there were enough bodies to staff it. Q: Has anyone ever wrote an email to 'anyone' at Apple, and got a fair, and balanced response to their query? Phone call? I don't even know if there is anyone to call. Whozyerdaddy? :-) > > Also, this is exactly the mystique that Apple uses to its advantage in > marketing. It would be highly inconsistent (and torpedo that) if they suddenly > started a public discussion. I wasn't speaking to their marketing prowess as much as I was speaking to their developer relations. As the purveyor of macscripter.net, there have been times (over the years) when Apple contacted me directly. Within the confines of how much they could speak and not violate any non-disclosure, explained what was going on about a particular project, etc., to engage us. So there are some things that can be said, and some things that obviously can't. I would never suggest that Apple spill the beans about what they're up to. On the other hand, if there was something a forum/community could provide, if everyone starts asking the same questions over and over, someone has to stand up an pay attention (ie: your friendly neighborhood moderator de'charge). I'm sure *something* could be stated without divulging any future plans, and still assuage developer' concerns. At least, it would prevent unnecessary speculation or leaving everyone to assume. ie: "guess" I'm sure everyone will agree, regardless how small, or how large, everyone has to face forward and ramp up for the future of their business. Apple makes it incredibly hard on third party developers, because we're left to do so 'after the fact'. I'm not necessarily talking about application development as long term goals/plans. Regrettably, that has caused some developers to literally start over from scratch. > > Do I like it? Not any more than you. But it's not at all surprising. You are 100% correct. Ray Barber CEO / Director of Operations MacScripter, LLC | macscripter.net
