[OT] Going bananas with "The Desktop Experience"

[Richmond]

On 01/14/2012 11:26 AM, Ken Corey wrote:
> Are there many punters for LiveCode in Linux?
>
> Serious question.  I've not tried to sell into that market, so I have 
> no idea other than what I see in the press, but are Linux sales 
> significant?

Linux sales area funny question, remember:

0. Linux and the word "sales" don't really sit all that happily together 
as (most) Linux distros
     and their developers work on an entirely different economic model: 
Free software, and paying for
     ancilliary services.

1. Most software for Linux is Open Source (i.e. Free).

2. I think that to break into a Linux market you have to develop an 
application that
     is unique (i.e. does not do what an open source application does 
already).

3. Because of #1 a large number of Linux users are reluctant to pay for 
software.

4. Linux usage is growing; whether it will ever overtake Microsoft 
Windows usage I don't know,
     but I think, in the foreseeable future, that is unlikely unless 
Microsoft make a really big co**-up.

5. Linux usage is gorwing most in areas where people do not have much by 
the way of\disposable income.

>
> I guess, since LiveCode makes it super easy 

Well, I'm not entirely sure about that. The Linux version (and, 
presumably, Linux standalones
built on other platforms) lags behind the Mac and Windows versions. I am 
experiencing that with the
way it scr*ws up badly with Unicode text in text boxes.

> to approach Linux users, why not?
>
> -Ken
>

I certainly would not suddenly start going "all out" for a Linux market; 
what I would do (but am unable to do right now - see above) is offer 
finished software to run on Linux as well as Mac and MSW.

Richmond.