Recently in Software Category

I was looking at the “Curvaceous” plug-in for Movable Type, and one thing that really annoys me is when I feel like I've wasted my time - which might be a recurring theme in my rants. Here's a disclaimer for any tard that happens upon this post: I'm not talking about the plug-in.

What I am talking about are screenshots. Whether I venture to Softpedia, BetaNews, MajorGeeks, Snapfiles, et al, one of the first things I look at is the screenshot associated with the program I'm interested in. I hate to break it to developers, but being on a site filled with other apps that does the same thing as yours isn't enough for me to download, try, and possibly ruin my computer. I like pretty things. When I use a program, I like something that gently strokes the eyeballs and welcomes me into whatever endeavor I happen to decide upon. If an app is useable and clunky, that centerfold allure is what keeps me around. So the question is, “How does someone market their product to everyone, especially people who are hesitant to download software?” The answer? A screenshot.

Now let's take this a step further ... let's say I come across 5 programs that I'm interested in, and they all have screenshots. What then? To me, the next logical step is making sure people are able to see whatever is in the screenshot(s). If you have a screenshot the size of a fly's penis then you've successfully wasted my time and I shitcan any desire of using your program - which knocks three-quarters, or more, of the programs out of the running. Not to digress, but what are some of those people thinking? Granted, there are some people that are stupid enough to try something based off of a picture no bigger than a thumbnail, but would you want someone with that type of intellect representing your product? Every day, whether in a business or personal capacity, approximately 10 people ask me for my input on computer products. Right now I'm batting at 90 percent who actually heed my recommendations. All I want is a decent-sized picture that allows me to legibly read the text of the user interface (UI) and is a clear representation of the product that I possibly might use.

Which leads me to another point about screenshots: make sure the shot is of your current product. Too many times I've seen screenshots that were of a preference pane, a result of using the program, or something that isn't what I'm using. If that screenshot isn't what I'm going to see within the first 5 seconds of using the program then, again, my time was wasted, and I'll wish physical harm on everyone associated with your product. I don't want to see how good your product used to look or how it will look when it comes out of beta in 5 years; I want to know how it will look at the time I will be using it.

With the world the way it is now, everyone's time is valuable, and every step taken to save that person some time will only benefit your product. There are a lot of sites out there for someone to upload their programs to. Remember when I mentioned above about my input on things? Here's an unsolicited example: SnapFiles is the only freeware/shareware site I've come across that consistently has decent screenshots of products, and I mainly use it as a source for other files to try. The ONLY time I use another site is when I'm looking for a product that I've used and liked but isn't being developed anymore and is still applicable to the OS and task at hand. For Macs I have to use VersionTracker and MacUpdate, but I do use iUseThis to help me filter. However, having to swap between tabs or windows is a pain in the ass and even makes me loyal to the apps that might cause me pain because the pain for finding others can be greater at times.

My fondness for 1Password has never been a secret; I’ve been using it for approximately 2 years, and it’s the only thing Mac related that has put me into the fanboi territory … well, maybe Sapiens too, but more on that later. If you use a Macintosh and have never heard of 1Password, then let me tell you, it’s the best password management application, period. Not only does it integrate with all the popular Mac Internet browsers (except Opera), it also stores your personal and credit card information for easy online purchases. Now that last part might make some squeak, but the information is encrypted and password protected; I like being able to fill redundant information with just a few clicks of the mouse.

I recently came across a shiny new app called RiftVault while perusing all my RSS feeds via Vienna and decided to download and try it out. Aesthetically speaking, RiftVault makes 1Password look dated. The downside to the prettiness is the dark design horks my eyes after 15 minutes, much like HardOCP’s website. The good thing I see is that 1Password lacks in the graphics department it makes up in functionality, from iPhone and browser integration to generating passwords.

Another thing that keeps me using 1Password is the support from the developers; they do interact with users via their forum. With a good interactive environment established, I decided to inquire about a 1Password GUI update. Through that I found out that they will be rolling out a graphical update during the following months, and they encouraged me to submit any ideas I had. So, I told you all of that to tell you this: I submitted an updated GUI idea for their password generator. Here’s a screenshot of RiftVault, here’s what the current 1Password password generator looks like, and here’s my submitted idea. Being the pessimist that I am, I’m not holding on to the idea that they will even consider what I submitted; I’m just happy that I didn’t let my emo side keep me from submitting my idea.