Well – it is definitely worth a look and maybe even a try. Steam is trying to become an alternative to Apples App Store …

Steam Press Release

I just received an order for two licenses for Write – which usually happens by accident. So I asked:

Is there a reason why there are two licenses ordered? And if so - should I generate one code for a different email address?

And that came as answer:

Yes, there is a reason. I will use the application on several computers and would like to support your development (even if your license allows for parallel installation on several macs). Both licenses should be assigned to the name ordered.

And this is a randomly picked from an App Store – well, lets call it ‘customer’ – from tonight:

Deceptive advertising

I found your MOdiary app at the Apple store online and NO WHERE did it say the password once set would be UNRETRIEVABLE. No backdoor as your site stated when I investigated the maker of the app.

I intend to notify Apple of your flawed App and demand refund and they should pull such a flawed app.

You get out what you put in:

I got it - you don’t know how to write down your password on a piece of paper and keep it in a save place? Do you want me write you a manual for that? Or do you really want to keep your email address in yet another insecure private database on the internet that probably will get corrupted by some asshole?

Yeah - I can see why me thoughts really are flawed. It is good to know that people like you think things thru where others that are doing it for a living fail so badly and most importantly are kind enough to share them in such a lovely way…

And we all know what kind of rating this is going to be…

First, I guess in almost any of my little Apps is at least one line of code written by Matt. In most there are more. Second, on most things he writes/tweets I agree with him.

But this time he is wrong.

Replying to App Store reviews

It is not about trying to enlighten morons. In German we have this very fitting saying “Petz mal einem Ochs ins Horn” one could maybe translate with “Ever tried to pinch the horn of an ox?”

I agree, that would be wrong and accomplish nothing. Or, of course, even the opposite.

But having the chance to show your (potential) customers, that you care, that you take them seriously – is important. Very important. And most important of all, it would give developers the chance to correct all the bullshit people write in their shitty reviews. All the wrong facts that prevent people from buying Apps. All the nonsense people write – simply because they are even to stupid to find the Preferences or to access the Help menu.

And, of course, it would give us the chance to have at least some sort of contact/communication. Everything would be better than this one-way street. This would not be perfect and it never will be, no doubt.

But it is not about education or to point out what prime example of a moron wrote that review. No, answers should only be directed to every one else but the moron who wrote the review in the first place.

And we developers should never ever answer without taking a deep breath. Or twenty. We should wait at least for one day.

What I miss most about my own store and selling Apps directly – is the communication/contact and that was something, both parties benefitted from.

Yes, Matt is right. So many people always think someone is going to rip them off and on the App Store they must fear that a lot. It sure looks and feels that way. But I really don’t think the lack of communication will do the trick – will help both parties.

I suck at not getting angry about the stupidity of people – you know me and MOApp’s Law :–)

Morons, who are not even capable of handling the simplest App with one view and three buttons show an astonishing aiming accuracy for the one star rating.

But there are so many developers out there writing really good, calm and fair responses (and even I can try) and I think we deserve to be able to ‘communicate’ with our customers. At least in a very limited way…

Apple has just approved my latest Apps within days. goldenRATIO is a cute and simple tool for every designer and developer providing an easy way to design websites, interfaces, layouts etc. according to the golden ratio – also know as the divine proportion.

This ‘golden’ ratio has been used by mankind for centuries. Its use may have started as early as with the Egyptians in the design of the pyramids – or at least they were the first passing on a measurable proof.

It also appears in the physical proportions of the human body, movements in the stock market and many other aspects of life, love and the universe…

goldenRATIO Website
goldenRATIO on the Mac App Store

Unbelievable – but true. Apple has just approved myBookAlarm without a single complaint. I really thought it would take months and a lot of rejections because of the guidelines.

I really hope that this is a good sign and that lots of people will install it. I think, everyone should install it to protect his or her Mac.

Why don’t you just start?

myBookAlarm Website
myBookAlarm on the Mac App Store

I’ll bet a Nickel new Mac he’s (and no, this can only be a man, sorry!) one of those geniuses to stupid otherwise talented to provide a valid email address or not able to type it in without mistakes or his Hotmail inbox is full.

This can happen to anyone of us (ok, except the part with the Hotmail address) – but after some days one could just try it again and provide an alternative address.

Once could. Once could also wait for another six weeks and write the same review again.

I’ll bet in 12 weeks we will read an update to it.

That reminds me of something:

Morons, who are not even capable of handling the simplest App with one view and three buttons show an astonishing aiming accuracy for the one star rating.

In case you don’t know it already – that’s MOApp’s Law. One day I will create a Wikipedia page for it :–)

I am sorry. I know I am supposed to be professional and whatever. But – c’mon! Really?

An update to MOAppsRecipes had been in App Store Review Hell for over two months now. It was rejected a few times with a justification that clearly was wrong. I even had to appeal and got a call and the person from Apple was not able to explain it to me.

I am still pretty sure that there was something wrong on their side. Without any comment it was reviewed tonight again and approved within minutes – but of course without writing a view words explaining the trouble they’ve cost.

So I simply don’t know if this will happen the next time again.

Anyhow – the update finally made it into the store and any problems related to the drag-and-drop of images should be fixed now…

MOAppsRecipes on the Mac App Store