The last decade saw many people in my profession predicting the end of the desktop application. The web was the way forward they cried. Forget C and BASIC and embrace JavaScript ! It didn’t happen in the last decade and it won’t happen in this one either, the same as it didn’t happen in the 90’s with the ‘Network Computer’.

Some of us have instinctively known this and carried on developing native desktop applications regardless.

For me what finally proved the point beyond all doubt was the success of the Apple App Store. Here we have a store full of thousands of native applications, written in a proprietary object oriented version of the C language using proprietary libraries, for the iPhone and the iPad. iOS has come from nowhere to become a major new platform.

The app store gives extremely easy access to the purchase and installation of applications. This is one of the reasons for it’s success. I believe that ease of access and minimum installation hassles were the reason that web applications were, and in some cases are, so popular.

I believe people do not actually want to use a web application with all it’s inherent limitations; security, performance, interface, compatibility etc., but they are prepared to accept that rather than go through the tedious install and setup routines associated with so many native desktop applications.

My take on this simple. People like their computer with it’s speed and graphics, they would rather not run applications in a browser if it can be avoided. Give them powerful, Cross Platform, native desktop applications. Put the application locally and the data in ‘the cloud’.

Data belongs in the cloud, applications do not. The browser is not an attractive or appropriate environment in which to run software.

When I started Arten Science I decided that none of my software would need an installer. None of my software would modify the registry or otherwise mess with the configuration or internals of the operating system. You would be able to ‘install’ my software using drag and drop and you would be able to ‘uninstall’ it just as easily, by dragging it to the Trash.

There are many companies working on their own version of the app store, for example Bodega, which is great, but ease of purchase is just one reason for the success of the Apple app store. Ease of installation is the other. How many companies are working on that ?

My opinions are possibly controversial. However only through controversy and argument and discussion are barriers broken, standards changed and the future forged.

I welcome all feedback whether you support my argument or whether you think I’m nuts

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Tags: Native, Cross Platform, ContaXCRM , Arten Science, Software Development

New ContaxCRM Release Here



1.9.9

• Further User Interface Tweaks. Attempting to balance Ease of User, Simplicity and High Functionality, without Clutter
• The Default Charts have changed
• Mac Only: iCal Calendar Entries are now visible in the Tasks List in ContaxCRM for the appropriate Contact.
• When adding a new Contact the Detail / Primary tabs are now selected and the cursor is put into the title field
• Expanded View window is now sensitive to the size of the calling window and displays appropriately
• Tab Name Change: Primary is now Main
• Tab Name Change: Address is now Addr
• Tab Name Change: Secondary is now More, also this tab is now positioned next to Main
• History record count now shown
• Assorted Tweaks and Fixes

Tags: ContaXCRM , CrM, Cross Platform

New ContaxCRM Release Here



Version 1.9.8 Includes Audio Output of Contact Information, Notes, Documents and History on Mac OSX.

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Tags: ContaXCRM , CrM, Cross Platform

New ContaxCRM Release Here




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Tags: ContaXCRM , CrM, Cross Platform

Today I released a brand new Cross Platform (Windows and Mac OSX) software product.  This product, cuteCipher, is the easiest way to Encrypt and Protect your documents and files.

Simply drag your files onto cuteCipher, enter a Shared Secret and click the Encrypt button.  Decryption is just as straightforward.

Tested on Children, Parents, Elder Relatives and Other Innocents !

cuteCipher will be officially released later today with a Press Release and an offer to existing customers to obtain cuteCipher at a discount.  

cuteCipher is based on and compatible with, the award winning Encryption and Security software R10Cipher.

Never before has encryption been this simple.  Simple By Design.

http://www.cutecipher.co.uk/

cuteCipher starts at £14 for a single user license with bulk purchase discounts dropping the price by up to 75%.

Disclaimer: No Parents, Children or OAP's were hurt during the testing of this software.



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Tags: Encryption, Cross Platform, CuteCipher