I seem to be doing a lot of writing for everyone except Software Destinations! Here is a return to the deadly sins series I started a few months ago, in response to an incredible conference I went to at the Software Association of Oregon in April. To quickly recap, these are deadly sins that CEOs of software companies commit that ultimately destroy their company. This next sin is “Good Planning, Bad Execution”. (more…)
Greg Costikyan’s two part Death to the Game Industry: Long Live Games provides an interesting look at the shrinkwrapped game business, and how much more awful it is than the state of application software distribution in North America. Application and game distribution is a rickety thing, full of faults. Greg points most of the serious ones, but regretably the only solution he offers is wishing for a better world in which the creator is exalted. (more…)
A lot of start ups formed from refugees from other companies often fall into the trap of thinking that sales is someone else’s job. In large companies, you’ll find employees who think this part of the company codes; that part of the company sells. It is a sickness that can cripple the big boys and kill start ups. (more…)
Which came first, the feature list or the marketing plan? A lot of great software begins without a thought to marketing. That is, a software developer spends his wee hours creating a great utility without a thought beyond solving a simple problem in an elegant way. But its also the way bad habits start. (more…)