Dreamy // writing
Ever since I’ve been working from home and using my Mac in a more creative manner I’ve found myself in almost constant need of software to plug little gaps in my workflow. Great software such as TextMate, anything from Panic, Adium the list goes on and on. I must get round to submitting to I Use This rather than just browsing!
This isn’t new, I’ve been using shareware since the days of WinZip 4 on Windows. However, I used to manage with all the splash screens and trial functionality – never purchasing anything. Don’t ask me how. If I need to use something more than once nowadays I’m happy to slap down my 20 or thirty dollars – maybe I’m more impatient than I used to be? What with the weakness of the US dollar against the GB pound it’s even less painful.
Quality
The quality of software from independent developers is something at which I’ve marvelled. It seems in the Apple software community there’s a real commitment to the mantra of elegance and beauty, the classic design staple of form and function being inseparable and intertwined; something that appeals to me given my profession.
Which is why I was fascinated to hear about My Dream App – the X-Factor / American Idol for software ideas. Except with less humiliation for those living in a fictional world of their own creation. And my Mum’s not watching it.
I can only hope that all the 24 finalists maintain the high quality that the first few have. I couple of the ideas so far have led to forehead slapping due to my obvious need for these utilities. The finest thing about the whole undertaking is that highly talented developers will actually undertake the creation of these things as software. Albeit only for the three winners as a part of the contest, however I suspect that enough momentum will be created that most of the finalists will see their products created at some point after the competition. There’s plenty of enterprising developers around.
Which is good news for them, but bad news for my wallet as I’ll no doubt be shelling out for many of the final products.
Full Disclosure
I should point out that there is a spare judging spot for the Dream App and this post is by way of an application. I’m not going to win any traffic related referral spot, however every panel like this needs a sarcastic British guy on. Right?