macOS programming idea

[homeshire]

just read this post:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/289223/

so I'm discouraged already. But I'll give it a shot.

I have the greatest idea for a shareware program since sliced bread. OK, hyperbole -- but I think I have a really great idea. And I wouldn't mind making some money with it. I absolutely want to use it myself. That was the genesis of the idea.

Unfortunately, I am no programmer. And worse, I can't afford to pay a programmer to code my brilliant idea. What I had in mind was a 50-50 arrangement. My idea, your code.

So, let me have it. I'm being stupid, right?

What do I do when I can't program it myself, and have no money to back up my idea?

thanks for any responses.

 

[lazydog]

Don't be discouraged! A lot of programmers have their own 'pet' projects which they work on in their spare time, sometimes with the aim of making money, and sometimes just for the love of it. Have a look at the 'Creating an OS' thread for an example. So, if your idea is good and interesting then I think you will be able to find somebody willing to invest their time. I guess it all depends on what your idea is, how much effort it will take and finally who you know.

good luck

b e n

 

[ChrisA]

just read this post:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/289223/

so I'm discouraged already. But I'll give it a shot.

I have the greatest idea for a shareware program since sliced bread. OK, hyperbole -- but I think I have a really great idea.

Here is a better idea. Skip the "shareware idea". Make it an Open Source project. Quite frankly with very few exceptions shareware does not pay well - if you want to make money the hourly rate is better at McDonalds selling hamburgers. Seriously. You could work 1,000 hours on a project can make $200. You do these projects because you like working on them and hope to learn something in the process. What you learn is worth way more than $200. With Open Source you have the possibility of getting lots of help if it really is a cool idea. But better then that is the possibilty of creating something that takes on a life of it's own. And there is something for a non-programmer to do. Coordination, management, documentation, getting the word out and so on.

Read this, look at the list of OSS projects
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_source_software

So, Make a web page mock up some screen shots (If the program has screen, I don't know) write up a feature list. Build a web site on sourceforge and try and drum up interest on the relevent mailing lists and forums.

But I'll bet you one beer the program already exists. Maybe not with a native Mac interface but the functionality is there some place. I's hard to think of truly new ideas.

Me? I've desided to apply the techniues used on state of the art speak recognition to the problem of decoding Morse Code. Today skilled humans are best are copying Morse Code but I'd like to see if that can be changed. In half a year I'll know. I don't expect to make a dime


PS. The best bread is not sliced when you buy it.

 

[mduser63]

Me? I've desided to apply the techniues used on state of the art speak recognition to the problem of decoding Morse Code. Today skilled humans are best are copying Morse Code but I'd like to see if that can be changed. In half a year I'll know. I don't expect to make a dime

I'd be interested in such a program. There are already two Mac programs that I know of that decode Morse code, but one of them doesn't work at all. Are you a ham?

 

[Eric5h5]

So, let me have it. I'm being stupid, right?

Yes. 50/50 isn't remotely fair...who's actually doing the work? The programmer. No matter how brilliant you may think your idea is, the truth is that ideas are a dime a dozen. 95/5 in favor of the programmer would be far more realistic, considering that any decent programmer probably already has good ideas of his own that he'd rather be working on.

--Eric