Friday, February 25, 2011
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Free Palm Distribution
Palm have just announced that they will be scrapping the $50 distribution charge for putting apps up on their app store. This is great news for anyone who's already developing for the platform but especially for those people out there who want to get into the area of mobile development. That 50 bucks was the last fee standing between developers starting out making Palm apps and actually getting those apps out there in the marketplace which now makes it, yes, you've guessed it, absolutely free to design and sell your mobile apps to the buying public. On top of that anyone who has payed to have an app released on the store will have their money refunded to them no fuss.
It was possible previously to distribute apps free through certain channels such as on the web, the beta app channel or through the app catalogue if your app is open-source. Great if you just want to build up a profile as a developer or just hone your development skills but if your trying to make a bit of money out of mobile development then the app catalogue is where it's at as it accounts for about 95% of the market for Palm apps. If you want to make a living off selling your apps then this is really the kind of exposure you should be aiming for.
I wasn't 100 percent opposed to Palm's decision to charge the $50 fee as they had some valid reasons, namely to prevent a flood of low standard apps into the marketplace (the games industry nearly died a death back in the 80s due to the release of too many crappy games). I don't know if Palm were afraid that there weren't enough people developing for the platform to keep it competitive or if they decided that the quality of the free apps being distributed warranted giving the open-source developers a shot at developing paid apps charge free, but I for one think that this is a good thing. It opens the door for talented developers who may have been put off by the pricing to distribute their apps and could produce some more healthy competition which would drive the platform forward at a faster pace and really get the most out of it just like any other open-source project.
It was possible previously to distribute apps free through certain channels such as on the web, the beta app channel or through the app catalogue if your app is open-source. Great if you just want to build up a profile as a developer or just hone your development skills but if your trying to make a bit of money out of mobile development then the app catalogue is where it's at as it accounts for about 95% of the market for Palm apps. If you want to make a living off selling your apps then this is really the kind of exposure you should be aiming for.
I wasn't 100 percent opposed to Palm's decision to charge the $50 fee as they had some valid reasons, namely to prevent a flood of low standard apps into the marketplace (the games industry nearly died a death back in the 80s due to the release of too many crappy games). I don't know if Palm were afraid that there weren't enough people developing for the platform to keep it competitive or if they decided that the quality of the free apps being distributed warranted giving the open-source developers a shot at developing paid apps charge free, but I for one think that this is a good thing. It opens the door for talented developers who may have been put off by the pricing to distribute their apps and could produce some more healthy competition which would drive the platform forward at a faster pace and really get the most out of it just like any other open-source project.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Vuvuzelas Blow!
I've just spent the day putting together this cartoon about the World Cup's dreaded vuvuzelas. Enjoy.
Indie Media Project Update
If you haven't checked it out yet I've been slowly adding content to the IndieMediaProject, mostly on the Facebook group but I will be adding all of it to the website when I get the chance.
Theres a load of cool pics on there which have been lovingly contributed by my co-colaborator, and awesome artist Naomi. I've also got two cartoons up which herself and I have put together in Flash. I'm having a go off making some games in Flash too which will be up on the site as soon as they're ready. Plenty more to come over the coming weeks so stay tuned.
Theres a load of cool pics on there which have been lovingly contributed by my co-colaborator, and awesome artist Naomi. I've also got two cartoons up which herself and I have put together in Flash. I'm having a go off making some games in Flash too which will be up on the site as soon as they're ready. Plenty more to come over the coming weeks so stay tuned.
Monday, June 28, 2010
TechieBlogger
I've just added a link to a site called TechieBlogger. I really like this one for a few reasons. It claims to be "taking blogger to the next level". And it does in my opinion. It's a blog but the first time I visited the site I thought it was a full blown website. There's lots to see and do on there from tips on blogging to web design tools to graphics tutorials.
Another reason I have for liking this site is that they offer you. Yes, you the reader the chance to sign up and write articles for the site. There is some quality control in place which I have not put to the test yet but if I manage to get an article posted on the site I will definitely let you know. Beyond just having an article up on the web this is actually a really cool thing for bloggers. According to TechieBlogger they have 2500+ visitors a day so you are effectively writing for a guaranteed audience who have an interest in what you have to say. Also pop a link back to your own blog in there and you have blagged yourself a few new readers. Ace. And last but not least you are allowed to display all your own adsense ads in all the posts you write and receive 100% of the revenue. Now that is a pretty sweet deal so I would definitely recommend checking it out.
Another reason I have for liking this site is that they offer you. Yes, you the reader the chance to sign up and write articles for the site. There is some quality control in place which I have not put to the test yet but if I manage to get an article posted on the site I will definitely let you know. Beyond just having an article up on the web this is actually a really cool thing for bloggers. According to TechieBlogger they have 2500+ visitors a day so you are effectively writing for a guaranteed audience who have an interest in what you have to say. Also pop a link back to your own blog in there and you have blagged yourself a few new readers. Ace. And last but not least you are allowed to display all your own adsense ads in all the posts you write and receive 100% of the revenue. Now that is a pretty sweet deal so I would definitely recommend checking it out.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Links
I shall be updating the blog with some links to cool sites down the side of the page. I'll also be writing some reviews on any sites or tutorials and such which I find to be exceedingly good (sorry other sites) so stay tuned if you wanna find out what's hot and what's rot.
Indie Media Project
Indie Media Project is something new that I'm working on. It's basically a website which show cases the media work of students and pools them all in one place for people to see and take notice of the good work that is going on out there.
I have been busy over the last few days setting up the website(not really finished yet, but getting there) a channel on Youtube, a Twitter account and a Facebook group.
I'm hoping to add a lot more content soon when I get it set up properly but check it out as is anyway and wonder in amazement at the improvements which take place over the next few weeks.
I have been busy over the last few days setting up the website(not really finished yet, but getting there) a channel on Youtube, a Twitter account and a Facebook group.
I'm hoping to add a lot more content soon when I get it set up properly but check it out as is anyway and wonder in amazement at the improvements which take place over the next few weeks.
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