Will Apple's SDK Lure Away Free Software Developers?

by Lisa Hoover - Mar. 10, 2008Comments (4)

Apple's recent SDK announcement set off an interesting friendly discussion among bloggers about free vs. nearly free software. Though Jens Alfke says he appreciates all the work open source software developers do, but notes "...a lot of freeware gets abandoned by its developers, because the developers are just doing it for fun and run out of time or energy. That’s sad. And I think a moderate infusion of cash can definitely help alleviate those problems."

Despite the technicality he overlooked that not all freeware is open source, I think Alkfe is trying to point out that Apple's willingness to help developers earn revenue from their efforts means there's a potential that more apps will be developed for the iPhone than, for example, via Android.

David Chartier says unequivocally that he would rather pay for software and keep developers enthused about their projects than use open source products that don't come with the same expectation of progress or support. He says, "I love open source and I think it’s a great industry, but I’ve seen way too many open source [and] freeware products simply fade away because its developer works a completely unrelated day job and gets sick of maintaining the app and dealing with support."

Both bloggers make excellent points. I have also cozied up to various open source apps only to have them abandoned by overextended developers. That has been the exception rather than the rule, however, because I think most open source developers are motivated by things other than money.

Now that developers have a chance to get a slice of the Apple pie, do you think we'll see a trend toward apps for the ubiquitous iPhone or will open source developers stick with what they've been doing all along?


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4 Comments
 

I think that it is a shame that Open Source has become synonymous with un paid developer and abandoned projects.


I think that it is not so good to have a lot of development done on any one companies closed source platform. What happens if the large company decides that they can share your data, or that they will not support an application that is mission critical for you. With close source you have no choice. You must accept the platform that is given...Will the Apple sdk support the integration of Amazons download store ? I m sure there is a list of apps and services that will not be supported because they are competitive to Apples...With Open Source this is usually not an issue....Because the code is available and because it is usually written in a languages that is open and has some standards...The software can be added to and extended to meet particular needs.....


I think we will soon see some ideas and services that will make open source a very viable solution that will also pay developers for their work.


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Don't forget that an opensource app that gets abandoned can be picked up by someone else, while a freeware or low-cost app that gets abandoned leaves its users in the lurch...


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I'd be curious to see how well the 'Services' aspect of Open Source projects are doing? I know SourceForge has launched its Market Place. I wonder how many people go to the 'source' - the actual developers of the project - for services work, vs just going to a 3rd party shop like eLance?


Apple has announced a Fund for applications (along with Kleiner), I guess to provide the incentive to companies to develop for the iPhone, just like Facebook did... How much of an incentive will that provide, and how many open source apps will come out as a result?


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@ Anonymous #2 - That's a great point, and yet another reason to support open source!


@ Anonymous #3 - I haven't seen the particulars of the SDK yet but doesn't it come with some type of NDA? That is, are devs even allowed to open their source code for apps they create for the iPhone. (IANAL and this is an area I know very little about.)


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